Kamas Getaway

Our friends, the McCages, invite us every year to their family’s cabin.  We weren’t able to go last year because I had just barely had Jeffrey and was having a hard time with the recovery.  This year was right after Girls Camp and I was a bit of a mess from missing my house but we still had lots of fun!

Scott showing the men how to use his bow

The kids waiting for breakfast

Ready for the hike!

We made it to the waterfall.  It was a short hike but it was enjoyable.  I was proud of Andrew for walking almost the whole way and back.

Jeffrey feel asleep.

I stayed behind with the babies and Chelsie and everyone else took the kids to see the horses in the field.  My kids are not familiar with sitting on a horse or riding them no matter how slow.  With just one step of the horse, Tyson had nothing to hold on to so he feel and brought Andrew down with him.  Tyson landed on to of Andrew on the rocks.  They were both very scared and Brian said he was very scared and worried that they were seriously hurt.  Just lots of tears but no one was injured besides a little bit of soreness.  I’m so glad my boys were okay and to be honest, I was glad I wasn’t there.  I would have been a complete mess.

They brought a few horses to the cabin and we did our best to help Tyson and Andrew feel okay sitting on a horse again.  Tyson was very brave but wanted off quickly.

Andrew was very scared.

He did his best for a picture.

So then Brian just held Andrew and they talked about horses.

While the men played horseshoes the kids played in the sandbox and watched.  These pictures of Andrew and Brylie are probably my favorite from the whole trip.  We did not pose these kids.  They did all this sweet cuteness on their own.  These will be fabulous in their wedding video.

Tyson and Lily are pretty great friends too. 

Unfortunately I had a little bit of a sour attitude.  It wasn’t anything or anyone’s fault.  I think being away from my bed for 6 days made me a little crazy.  Andrew also had a allergic reaction to sunscreen and was scratching like mad at his skin all night.  It was really sad.  And even with the kids falling off the horse we still did have a nice time.  When I look at these pictures I can see the joy on my kid’s faces and I see how beautiful nature truly is.  We would love to own a cabin some day in the future.

Girls Camp

I had the opportunity to go with the young women and leaders to spend 3 days at Girls Camp! 

I was in charge of getting everyone assignments for Secret Sisters leading up to camp.  That was fun to be in charge of. 

We left bright and early at 6am and were sent off by the Stake YW presidency.

Next up, was getting everything unloaded and set up. The girls did a great job pitching in and helping. The girls even set up their own tents. Us leaders struggled a little bit. Part of the tent broke, but Sis. Sewell fixed it. The stakes for the stake tents had also been left at the church. It started off a little bit crazy but everything turned out just fine.

On the down time we played lots of games.  From Werewolf to bottle cap!  This one is the bottle cap game.  It was refreshing to get a bottle cap full of water in your face when you messed up.  It was really hot and humid that first day!

Aspyn’s round lasted forever with her, “Name European Countries.” Apparently we all need to study Geography.

Service Project

Picking out walking sticks

Craft Night.  We made bracelets out of safety clips and beads.  They turned out super cool.  It was a very time consuming and tedious project.  I found myself getting very frustrated.  haha!  Nevertheless, it was a blast.

Our hike.  Oh the hike.  I must be bad luck because whenever I was at camp we got lost on the hike.  This hike was no exception.  It started off really steep.  Like really, really steep. And it last like that for over a mile I believe. 

We missed a turn off somewhere at the top.  I’m not sure it was labeled that well because how ALL of us missed it?  I’ll never know.  This is a spot where we all waited while Sis. Sewell called the missionary to find out where to go.  That then lead to us hoping over fences, wading through chest deep grass, etc.  It was hard for me not to worry.  I was a leader and someone they were looking to for guidance and support.  I did my best to keep smiling and encouraging all of the women to make it through.

This was the end of the hike and I was glad to see the camp site ahead.

Skit night!

Songs by the campfire

Tubing!  We thought it would be an easy, lazy river type experience.  We couldn’t have been more wrong.  After hearing the instructions from the guide I got a bit nervous.  I hopped onto my tube and was kind of in charge of about 5 girls.  However, with the different currents that all went out the window.  It basically became…help, whoever you are near at the time.  I watched a few girls flip out of their tubes and watched them really bond together and help each other.  It was really sweet to watch.  Just as I was wondering why everyone was falling out, I saw the waves crash together at the perfect point and create a wall.  A wall that I knew my tube was not going to go over.  I flipped out and tried not to panic.  I muscled back up on my tub as quickly as possible.  I couldn’t believe the rapids and how it seemed like an impossible obstacle course at times.  Everyone survived and everyone had a story to tell.  It made testimony beautiful to hear everyone talk of faith and prayer.  Between the hike and this, there was nothing short to talk about.

The bishop was fun to get to know in a casual setting.  Here he is getting his award and dancing.  He taught the women some silly dance that required hip shaking.  I know the girls loved it!

Bishopric night!

The girls went on a spiritual walk

There was rain and powerful winds and lightening and thunder for two nights.  Some of the girls were very, very scared.  The night of testimony meeting was particularly bad, but only after we finished the testimonies and eating scones.

Here is everyone the morning before we left.

It was a beautiful experience to spend time with the girls, in nature and away from distractions.  I grew closer to them and my Heavenly Father.  It was a blast too.  I can’t wait for next year!