Rodeo Week

 It is that time of the year when our city gathers together for lots of fun and family friendly activities.  We didn't attend everything, but we did do our best and participated in what we could.

Monday: While our city has a movie night, we decided to go to the drive-in and see Inside Out instead.  We loved the movie and I have been able to use its quirky characters to teach my children about how we need to control our reactions.

 Tuesday: We enjoyed free admission to the local history museum.

Wednesday: We went to the Bird Show with some of our favorite friends.

Thursday: I hosted Annabelle's book club and we did 100 Dresses by Eleanor Estes.  It was a great little book about bullying and how we should be kind to everyone.  We made paper dolls, talked about Polish paper crafting, did skits about bullying and learned how to make friendship bracelets.  Callie participated with us on everything and it was cute having her there, interacting with older girls.

  

Later in the day we all went to the reptile show.  The boys brought friends this time around. 

Friday: We took a break from our city and went over to the neighboring city and tried out their pool.  We loved it and are so thankful we aren't tied down to one pool this summer.  We look forward to going to others in the coming weeks.

Saturday: The Parade.  I didn't help with the float this year, but the kids still wanted to walk in it.  Our float actually won sweepstakes-the best award-and so we were lucky enough to be at the beginning of the parade.

 Greg and Nathan walked with some Boy Scouts to support a friend and his Eagle Project.  So our family was walking!  The friend's family came by later for Nathan and had him come out front where they threw a bunch of candy at him since he had been disappointed that he didn't receive any at the parade.  It was so funny!

 It was a hot hot parade, but we all cooled off afterwards with Popsicles or ice cream.  And we got to watch the end of the parade and catch a few pieces of candy.  Out little town may be growing bigger all the time, but it still feels pretty small and we love it here!

 

Camporee 2015

 While this Camporee adventure was stressful to plan and prepare for, once we were there I was able to relax and have A LOT of fun.  I loved being outside in the fresh air and watching the girls interact with each other and the 1000 of other Girl Scouts around them.

 This is a panorama of all the girls doing SWAPS.  It was a little crazy but fun to watch.

Finding bugs was a big part of our day.  Especially Izzy who wanted to keep them all in her tent.
We had to prepare 4 meals while at camp (2 breakfast and 2 lunch).  we kept it very easy and while the bacon and pancakes next door smelled delicious, I was grateful for our ease of clean-up and packing.

 

 So much fun, and so much walking!

 We loved learning a new way to make friendship bracelets.

 We did a service project and made fleece blankets for children hospitals.

The platform tents were not as bad as we all thought, they were definitely worth the little bit of extra money so we weren't in the meadow with the other 900 people.

 The girls did great at their kapers (chores) around camp.

Bud and Adarienn's Temple Sealing

It may have been hard to squeeze into my busy day, but attending the sealing of this beautiful family for time and all eternity was worth it!  My Cousin, Adarienn and her husband have been married for 22 years.  They had dealt with many serious addictions and trials throughout those years but always stayed together.  They have 2 beautiful daughters, Kirienn (13) and Ammasea (8).  While Adarienn was raised in a Latter-Day Saint home she never fully participated.  Less than ten years ago her conversion took place and she slowly came back to the church and gained a full testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how He could help her in her life.  As the family grew up I was able to watch Bud soften around the corners, the dreadlocks disappeared, he had a great job and you could tell he loved his family.  About a year ago he made the decision to come back to church and join his family.  Watching them kneel around the altar together was the most tender and miraculous thing I have ever witnessed.  I am so thankful I was able to be a part of it.  Congratulations to the newest eternal family I know!