Columbia Park Imagination Station

July 9, 2011 - I took the boys to Columbia Park/Imagination Station.

Great fun for the boys!

Not so fun for the Mom trying to keep an eye out for them.

This park has a vast amount of large play structures where kids can quickly disappear from view. And lots of small spaces that making navigation as an adult a little slower. So I had quite the workout trying to keep up with them.

But I did promise to take them again when Kaden comes home.

Paxton, "Look a airplane!" --- Versii, "I'm on top of the world!"

Sliding down the rock.

Versii's Bedtime Doodles

The other night while trying to put the boys to bed, Versii started drawing on the Doodle. After he drew the plane, I said to him, "I'll go get the camera and take a picture of it." ---When I came back and snapped the picture, he said with a huge grin, "Thank you Mom." ---He then proceeded to draw the following 3 pictures and gave descriptions for all. :) Versii is just starting to enjoy drawing. He's quite an imaginative kid.

July 3, 2011

L: "Airplane with one person in it."

R: "A lemonade with a dinosaur tooth in a boat."

L: "A banana and a egg and anoder egg & a dinosaur big egg."

R: "It's a wars dude....I mean it's a bubba rhindo."

Fireworks in Our Backyard

Happy 4th of July 2011!

God bless America & the freedom's we enjoy.

We hadn't planned on doing anything much this year.

With Josh & Kaden out of town and Versii's fear of fireworks, I opted to just stay home.

We did go out to the 4th of July Tribute & breakfast at church.

And after I put the boys to bed, I ventured out in the front yard to find fireworks exploding all around me. Who needs to go to a crowded place anyway, when you can just step outside your front door? Our neighborhood sounded like a war zone with all the cracks & booms. And it did wake the boys once, but they seemed to sleep through most of it. The fireworks were beautiful to watch. And even though I don't know how to work my camera that well yet, I was able to capture a few nice shots, I think.

Jared & Kathy for Time & All Eternity

My cousin Kathy & her husband Jared were sealed in the Portland Oregon Temple on July 2, 2011 for Time & All Eternity. Congratulations Jared & Kathy! We're so happy for you!

I designed the invitations for their sealing (above).

The 2 photos above were taken by Kathy's sister Tammy. She's becoming a great photographer.

Dad & Grandma Lorraine

Jared & Kathy surrounded by most of the family & friends who attended.

I always love to be in the temple. It's truly the closest you can be to heaven on earth.

YW Camp 2011

Cinderella Cabin Photo

L to R: Me (Cabin Mom), Alicia, Katherine (Cabin Mom), Lauryn, Natalie, Amelia, Olivia and Elly (Our Junior Counselor aka JC)

Day 1 - Monday, June 27th

We arrived at camp at 9:30 am to set up & get ready for the girls to arrive.

Our girls arrived at 2 pm. After meeting the girls & unpacking in the cabin, we went for a tour of Camp Angelos.

The theme at camp this year: Princesses

"Destiny to Shine"

Each cabin was named after a Disney Princess.

Always nice to be reminded of our royal birthright.

The Cinderella girls on the camp tour.

Camp tour: visiting the fishing pond.

Waiting for the evening flag ceremony to start.

L to R: Katherine, Elly, Natalie, Amelia, Olivia, Alicia & Lauryn

Our first campfire.

L to R: Nicole & I - My girls (The Cinderella Cabin) performing their first campfire skit.

L: Amelia at campfire having her wish to "see a unicorn" granted.

Day 2 - Tuesday, June 28th - The Early Bird Hike - 7:30 am

1st & 3rd Year girls

R: Ray Evans leading the girls in his favorite camp song, "Pioneer Song" - A favorite camp tradition: Most girls can not think of camp without a memory of singing the Pioneer Song with Ray.

Our views of the Sandy River during our hike.

L to R: Nicole & I - Elly & I

L: Nicole performing with her girls in one of many funny skits at camp fire.

R: Nicole posing with her bulls eye bead after scoring her bulls eye in archery.

Day 3 - Wednesday, June 29th - Yes, we were shooting with Panda Bear bows...but I shot my bulls eye the day before (proof on the right). Special thanks to Ray Evans for teaching us archery.

Hanging out during "free time."

Day 4 - Thursday, June 30th

My crazy girls jumping in the river for the "Polar Bear" dip at 8 am.

I had a great week at camp with old & new friends. I loved being a Mom to my cabin.

It's nice to take a break from the world for a week and be reminded of what really matters in this life. Between our daily scripture reading, Destiny classes, daily devotionals & the fireside on the last night of camp, the Spirit definitely manifested itself unto me. I'm so blessed to have been able to share in this experience.

A special Thank You to my Mom for watching my boys all week while I attended camp.

Thank You to all the Leaders, Staff & Youth Camp Presidency for making this year so memorable!