Girls Camp 2009!

Yep, I am the camp director. Need I say more? No seriously, I had a blast at Girls Camp and feel very blessed to have had the privilege of being with these choice daughters of God and to serve with such amazing women. Our theme this year was based on the "Sneetches and Other Stories" by Dr. Seuss. The stories have so many parallels to the gospel. We were able to have meaningful lessons, fun crafts, serious introspection, and belly aching laughter. I don't think I have laughed so hard in a VERY long time. My sister has mocked me for months about the amount of time that I have spent working on girls camp. It was all worth it! I would give as many hours as possible to help these young women be successful in the gospel as well as in their lives. The only draw back is the guilt I feel from having neglected my family in an effort to prepare for girls camp. Things are a lot more hectic with a 2 month old baby, some post-par tum anxiety, a very demanding 4yr. old DIVA, teaching summer dance (while feeling out of shape from the baby), and dealing with some difficulties in family situations. Sometimes you feel so extended that there is nothing left of you to give and you grow tired of putting on the happy face and pretending all is well. This would be me. However, as they say in the performing arts "The show must go on." I am most grateful for the wonderful women who have helped with camp and a very supportive husband who endures my quirkiness. Much thanks to the Young Women for their beautiful spirits, strong testimonies, and love for life.

Our beautiful girls.

Our Amazing Young Women!

Can you feel the love?

Our best smiles!

See y'all at Piuta next year!

Viking Fathers Day

Yes, we did have a Viking Fathers Day. We had to eat everything with our hands and there were no napkins allowed. Imagine greasy Turkey Legs, potatoes, broccoli, bread, and fruit kabobs (finger licking good). Delicious! The fellers had to compete at pillaging and plundering winning prizes if they were the best. The funniest was when they had to give out their scariest Viking Roar, of course Tyler was amazing, and my darling John simply was not meant to Roar. I am not sure how he would have ever been a real Viking? Good thing he didn't have to be. Here is the photo gallery of the activities.

The winning Viking Yell

The best attempt Viking Yell

If he showed up at your home would you be scared to death?

Competing to be the manliest brother

We had a blast as always. Last year we had Pirate Fathers Day, but I am thinking that Viking Fathers Day may take the cake. I am certain that our Swedish heritage would have been proud.

Insanely Inexpensive

All this for under $30.00

I was complaining to my SIL about not being able to get the paper I wanted at Wal-Mart for Girls Camp (we are modge podging clipboards) when she told me about this place called "Lasting Impressions." Sadly, the owners are going out of business and selling things for super cheap. I felt guilty when I left because I got so much for so little. Here is what I got: 9 sets of fifteen count half sheets for $1.00 a set, 5 reams of 12X12 paper for $2.00 a ream, 6 scrappy tabs sticker sheets for $1.00 a sheet, 6 rub on saying sheets for $1.00 a piece, 5 packs of 5.5 yards ribbon for $1.50 a pack, 24 cute envelopes for 5 cents a piece. If you are interested in shopping there they are open until 6:00 p.m. I don't have the exact address but if you are heading west on Center St. in N. Salt Lake you will turn right onto 700W. and just keep going until you see a warehouse to the left with a yellow banner with red print on it. This stuff is perfect for card making, YW's, faith in god, they had all sorts of photo books, buttons, cards, I could go on and on, it is crazy how much they have and how cheap it is. If you take a friend you get a free ream of paper. You can't go wrong. Check it out!

Crafty

My cute friend Maricela made the coolest car seat canopy for our friend Becky's baby shower. I had heard about these, but hadn't ever seen one before. It was amazing! I am all about keeping out the rain, snow, and sun, Hello....we live in Utah. She was kind enough to get me a copy of the instructions so that I could make one for my sister who lives in Liverpool NY. Believe it or not, Liverpool actually gets more rain and snow than UT, and even less sun. A perfect gift for crazy weather. Since I had my moms sewing machine (I had to make curtains for girls camp) I decided to make some more receiving blankets for Will and a car seat cover for little sister. Hope you like it. I had to accessorize with flowers because I had to shorten the straps after I had sewn them on and just couldn't make them look right. Easy project that makes hauling the babes around much easier than grabbing a handful of blanket.

Six Weeks

The little man is Six weeks old. Will still spends his time eating and sleeping. I am o.k. with that.

Hair

Seriously? Who has hair like this?

Favorite Rose Pictures From This Week!

The lighting was fabulous and the rain simply added and extra element of beauty to the flowers. I was going crazy over all of the gorgeous roses in the neighborhood. People probably thought that I was a creepy voyeur as I crept around their yards camera in hand, but I simply could not resist photographing the roses. Some of these may be yours and some may not. Enjoy!