Girls Camp

I loved it. I hate to admit that I dreaded going, mostly because I felt that my obligations at home were too much and too heavy to leave behind for a whole week. But, with enough luck and just-do-it attitude, I made the trek up to camp and couldn't have been more in love with the experience there. Something about being in the wilderness with teenagers brings out the crazy in me. I could almost see myself back at Rucker Lake with Tabitha and Susie, singing too loud in the kitchen and playing with the snake bite kit. The week was awesome.

 One thing that really made me hesitate going was I knew it was going to be very different from the Girls Camp that I grew up with. Just in the few planning meetings, I worried that my camp experience was going to trump anything that they tried to do here. And now that I've done it, I can't say that it was better than Camp Liahona days, but it wasn't really worse. Just different. For example: I remember the priesthood being a real presence at camp - not so here. And Camp Liahona; the overnight hikes as you progressed through your years at camp was the best. They don't take more than a sunrise hike here. That was weird.

But - we did spend a day down at the "lake" (it was really a pond) and working the challenge course which was awesome. One of my favorite memories for sure. One of the challenges was the trust fall, where you stand on a platform and then fall backwards into the arms of those below you. (Think Mean Girls...) I did it and to my surprise, it was a lot higher and scarier than I thought it was going to be. Cheers to me. The canoe time on the "lake" was partially fun, if your into getting wet. I wasn't. Tradition is this obscene splashing war where you just canoe over to another group and splash them as much as possible. I didn't have any spare clothes to dry off so I wasn't really enjoying that bit. I tried to be a decent sport about it, but I whined more than I should. the other girls in my canoe were not thrilled.

It must be mentioned that we drove down to the "lake" when every other ward there walked. That was cool! And after putting the seats down in the car, I fit 15 people in it. Party Bus!

 My other 2 favorite parts of camp were (1) learning Calligraphy. I'm not great at it but I did love learning. And (2) Roll Call cheers at flag. I came up with some cute ideas for roll call that the girls happened to think were fun too. So that was a fun memory for me.

I made 2 new friends who I just adore. Bonus. I bonded with the girls in my YW class which I desperately needed. Two points for that. I missed my whistle and beads from my girls camp days. Next year for sure! Loved me some girls camp. I hope to be able to do it again next year!

This is The Place Park

I am happy to report that in the last few weeks, I have done a little more than surviving at home! Mark is always so good to take us out on little "adventures". Sometimes, I need a little extra push. We drove the short distance to Salt Lake City to visit the This Is The Place historic park. Both he and I had been to the large monument that is right off the parking lot, but neither of us had seen the pioneer village. So, visit it we did! And of course, my history heart loved every plaque, story, and original stone they had.

 I tried to go on a day when the park would have actors posing as pioneer's living in the village. I can't say that it was what I expected, but it was neat to get a few stories here and there by the few who were there that day. We didn't get a chance to go down the little house lane, which I think would have been the most interesting; so I suppose that guarantees us another visit

I was fascinated at a few of the chores that they had us try out. Today, they would be known as hobbies! We cleaned the wool and watched it go on the spindle. Then saw the ladies work the loom into glorious quilts. Such a craft. I also learned another quilt technique with a hook and yarn. I was fascinated at how young this boy was whipping that ax down on that wood. He seemed to know exactly what he was doing! It was awesome.  And of course, my little teacher heart leaped with joy at the site of my boy in the school house desks. 

 I think my favorite parts would be the school house and the Brigham Young farmhouse. The schools then were from 8-5 and the teachers were usually 15-18 years old. They would teach writing, some science, agriculture, manners, and light math. The Brigham Young farmhouse was being refurbished when I was there last time so it was neat to go inside and see what they had done. It was built in Sugar City as a experimental farm. Being the first settlers to the valley, the Saints didn't know what kind of crops the land would support. This farm's purpose was to see what would grow from the seeds they had brought with them.

 Cameron LOVED the train. It is so fun to watch his excitement at everything. We went through the splash pad for some relief from the heat, another cute moment with the lad. And finished off the day with some Ice Cream and candy from the first ZCMI building ever! Loved our little trip out. Happy that my hubs got us going for a fun family outing.

Life Today

I'm terribly behind in my blogging. And the most I can do right now is a pictureless list. Just a quick journal entry of right now. 

Mark

-- Spent his wife-less week due to girls camp watching Lord of the Rings, extended edition. Rewarding. 

-- Loved being the "Disneyland dad" to his boy while mom was at camp. Daily trips, learning words, playing, playing, playing. 

-- Starting a First Time Home Buyer seminar series. Very exciting. 

-- Hired to mow his parents lawn until dad is healed from his shoulder ordeal. 

-- BYU football starts in 22 days. Enough said. 

Kaylinn

-- I Loved girls camp. Spent most of the week coming up with roll-call cheers and rocking it. 

-- I feel the school prep season in full force. Must avoid the "seasonal" aisles in the stores for fear of loading up on unnecessary folders, pens, and notebooks. Missing the idea of going back to school. 

-- I need a revamp of my schedule and motivation again. 'Sigh' as always. Summer has become long and hot and blah. I need to catch up on my journal, my blog, my scrapbook, my grocery shopping and diet, my life! Luckily, September and fall are just around the corner. 

-- enjoying a bit too much TV. Bachelorette, SYTYCD, food network star, design star, project runway, face off.  19 kids and counting, are you coming back?

Cameron

-- Walking. Still a little wobbly which makes it the cute walking phase. Also climbing stairs like an expert. We're working on climbing down. Not quite there yet. 

-- Very talkative. Words he knows: drink (ree), treat (tee), lamby (yamee, his favorite stuffed toy) Woody (doddy), daddy, mommy (when prompted), and a few randoms when we say it first. (Book, shoe, milk)

-- when asked "where's _____ ", he can identify lamby, woody, Mickey, Minnie, goofy, & Donald. 

-- not a picky eater. I know his favorite foods but I don't think he has foods he doesn't like. A really good eater! 

-- Dances when there is music on. Just a little bounce. When in the car, it's a full on head bang. Darling.