Quilt of Valor

June 1-2

We made a quick trip down to Teasdale for a family get together to support Raquel and Joe blessing sweet baby Maddix. 

We also went to a program where my dad was  honored with a Quilt of Valor given to him in honor of his service in Vietnam.   I was humbled to listen to each of these men say they served because it was the right thing to do not because they sought for any honors.  I'm glad the ladies who made these quilts value our country enough to thank those who keep it the land of the free including my dad and Grandpa Pace.

Down and back in a little more than 24 hours makes for one tuckered out boy!

Super Scales

June 8:

Aaron and Spencer are so lucky to have lots of boy cousins to grow up around.   Aaron is especially content to be with his cousins just being a boy.    James and Phin were born within days of each other and lucky for him they each had a 6th birthday party!

Earlier in the spring I sent Aaron off to the bus and within minutes he was back hysterical that he couldn't make it to the bus because there was a dead snake on the sidewalk.    I guess he shares my feelings for snakes but after some coaching to walk on the other side of the sidewalk and frankly pushing him out the door he had to face his fears.

So when Mary invited Aaron to James scales and stuff birthday party I was a little nervous how Aaron would handle it.  Mary assured me she would watch out a break down and take him in the house in needed but to my relief all reports were that he loved it and was so good at watching out for Spencer.     (Aren't these the cutest pictures of my boys?)

Aaron also had such a good time at Phin's party.   He's in his happy place when there's lots of activities and friends around. 

SOS ( Superheros of Science)

June 10-11

Jane started the summer off with a science Ka-Bam.  She once again attended SUU's Cedar Mountain Science Camp with Bryler and Bentley.  Emily had aged out of the program and was super sad not to be with her bestie cousins.    

The theme was Superhero's of Science.    They kept the kids going and doing every moment.  I was exhausted just watching the video they sent home as I was taking pictures of stills on the T.V.    The kids started the program singing their catchy Superhero song they learned and it took a few weeks for Jane to stop singing it.    Previous to this camp I was listening to the book "Boys Adrift" and it made me so grateful camps like these in nature exist.  

Near miss

June 15:

Have you ever ended a day indecisive if all of your guardian Angels went on vacation or maybe you were actually sent extra.    We had one of those days.  Even now blogging about it a couple of months later it brings back anxiety I just wish I could forget.

The day started out great with us (mostly Bart) working on re staining the deck.   We had to stick around for a Patriotic Camp teen leader training for Emily so Bart made the best of the morning.   As staining decks go we underestimated the time and got a late start to meet Raquel at Willard Bay.   Raquel ended up having a flat on their boat trailer and got off to a late start as well and we ended up meeting them at the reservoir around 1pm.   We enjoyed some time paddling around in the kayaks and then set out on the boat to enjoy the sun.

Not to focus too much on the negative but after a while on the lake we experienced a series of misfortunate events.  Not quite as bad as the Netflix show my kids liked to binge watch for a while but bad enough to make for a no good horrible day on the lake.     Let's just say it involved almost hitting into another boat followed up by Jane and Joe getting an ear full of profanities,  Bart tearing a muscle in his thigh and Jane getting hit in the face by the rope.    To make matters worse the Kayaks also blew off our roof on the way home.    But just as Bart's favorite children's book he likes to read to Spencer, "It could have been worse" we made it safely home although not a moment too soon with gratitude in my heart for our safe return.

Oakcrest

June 17-21

Emily here:
I am here to tell you about the best week I have ever had.
A week where I made 6 new best friends
A week where my testimony grew 
And I week where I met the most loving people ever
My week started a little like this...


I woke up bright and early (well not to early) and I headed on off
I was lucky enough to share this totally awesome experience with one of my best friends (because she couldn't go the week her ward went to Oakcrest) But we loaded up on the buses and were on our way.

When we arrived you could definitely feel how much love there was everyone and I was super excited to met everyone in my cabin.
Minutes later I got my cabin and my counselor
I got counselor Waffles who is totally the best
She cares for everyone and makes them feel included
My week went along like this...
Everyday we
-Had breakfast
-Gospel class
-an activity 
-Kapers (Cleaning job) 
-Lunch
-singing time
-2nd activity
-service
-dinner
-2nd Kapers (gotta keep camp clean)
-Singing time
-Another special activity
-Group lesson
-fifteen minutes of silence
-Bed Time!!


But Everyday was special in their own way with different activities like giant swing, zip line, hiking, obstacle course, crafts, skits, cooking food over a fire, and so much more fun stuff!
I loved Oakcrest So Much and I wish I could go back! I really am going to miss my new friends, Meagan, Angelisa, Paige, Rakaya, Checkers (other meagan) And of course Waffles!
We also can't forget how the bishopric came up on Thursday night!