Camping

So far this summer we have done a lot of camping.  First I went to YW camp, then Drew went to YM camp, then we went to Jasper.  We're also planning on camping at Writing On Stone in August.  We are really wishing we had a trailer.  

I was asked to be the Camp Director this year, and I admit that a lot of prayers and a lot of tears went into the planning of this camp.  I was blessed to have a fantastic committee, and over all it was a really great experience, and we had a lot of fun.  We went hiking, canoeing, did archery, had dance parties, swam, had spa time, and we went to on of the other leader's parent's farm and saw a bunch of animals.  The best part was a nice prank that we played on the Priesthood involving a bottle of water and a very, very pregnant leader.  Our camp Theme was Belmead Girls Rock, and we used the scripture Helaman 5:12.

Drew went on a Stake Camp with his YM.  It was a very long week for both of us.  

 

And, they only had one injury this year, but at least they didn't have to airlift anyone out. 

 

We just got back from camping with the kids in Jasper.  We were supposed to go with Keith and Mandy, but they ended up not being able to come, so we decided to go anyhow.  I am glad that we did.  We had a really great time.  

Taylor loved to roast marshmallows.  She would sit very patiently and roast them, but she doesn't like marshmallows, so she would roast them and either let them drop into the fire, or give them to somebody else to eat.  They were always roasted perfectly too.  

We explored the town of Jasper

  

 Behind the campground was the Athabasca River.  We spent time down there throwing and collecting rocks. 

While we were down at the River, this fuzzy guy came down for a swim.  It was really scary.  We were standing in the river, and then suddenly Drew told us to come over by him quick.  We turned around and there was the bear.  We quickly got our shoes back on, and hurried back to our camp.  The bear watched us the whole time we were in the water, and then followed about 30 feet behind us until we got to the edge of the campground.  

 

It was our first time tent camping with the kids.  Taylor had a hard time getting to sleep, especially since her brothers got to stay up, and it doesn't get dark until almost 11pm.  

 

 Drew told Marcus that he should try to catch a squirrel.  Marcus tied a pretzel onto a piece of twine, and laid in the grass so he could catch one. 

We went for a hike at Malgine Canyon.  The kids did really well.  We accidentally took the wrong trail on our way back, so we went on a longer hike than we thought.  It was still fun. 

Towards the end Taylor fell asleep in her stroller.  Drew pushed her in this crappy stroller the whole way.  He deserved a medal.  When we passed people on the trail they were surprised that we brought it.  

We went for Ice Cream a lot.  We went to a place called Scoops and Loops, and then we would eat it in the park across the street.  We even stopped for Ice Cream one night after we went to the Hot Springs at 11pm  

One afternoon we went to Annette Lake.  It was a warm lake with a sand beach and a sand bottom.  We had a lot of fun there swimming and building things in the sand. 

The water was so clear, this is after I stirred up the sand a bit.

We had a lot of fun, and we can't wait to go back. 

Catching Up

I have been neglecting my Blog, so I will get it a bit more up to date.

Taylor turned two.  We had Karen and Martin over for dinner, and I made strawberry cupcakes.  They were so good.  Taylor got some really great gifts.  Two of her favorites were her "Yoyo" from Karen and Martin, and a bed for her babies.  

We went down South for Spring Break, and spent some time playing at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  Then we headed up to Lethbridge for the Annual Easter Egg Hunt.

After Jo passed away Martin told Drew that he was interested in learning more about the church.  He wasn't comfortable with taking lessons with the missionaries because he didn't want to feel pressured into anything, so he asked Drew to teach him.  It was truly one of the greatest experiences.  It was so great to hear the basics of the gospel, and to have my testimony strengthened.  After a few lessons, the Bishop of their ward said that we needed to get the Missionaries involved, so we continued to meet with them on a weekly basis and take part in the Missionary discussions.  It was incredible.  They were blessed with some really great missionaries, Elder Stubbs and Elder Bowles.  Everything went smoothly, and Martin accepted the challenge to get baptized.  Martin set the date for September for when his parents came to Canada for a visit, until the Stake President got wind of it, and met with Karen and Martin and asked Martin to move up his date.  Martin moved the date to April 20 (Lynn's Birthday), and asked Drew to baptize and confirm him. It was such an incredible experience to be a part of this and to watch the changes in Martin.  It is so great to see him progress in the gospel.  This year has been both incredibly difficult, but incredibly wonderful at the same time.  I know that the constant force in this is my testimony of the Plan of Salvation, and in my testimony of prayer.  

Our April and May was spent enjoying the nice weather, and having fun.  

We did a bit of bed shuffling, and Phoenix got moved into the double bed.  He needed a bit of company the first little while.  

Drew and Marcus went to Rope Quest.  Marcus loved it.  

Taylor refused to take off her Princess dress at bedtime.

Phoenix's Playschool has a big Spring Tea fundraiser every year.  They have treats, games, raffles, a silent auction, and a program.  Phoenix's little class did so good with their numbers.  It was so cute.  The girl on the left in the purple is one of the louder singers, so the teacher had her stand by Phoenix to encourage him to sing louder.  

We finally let Taylor hold Bob.  

For Mother's Day the kids gave me breakfast in bed.  I'm not sure why my hair is so crazy. 

June was a really busy month.  

Grandpa Tom and Grandma Jane came for a visit. 

 While they were here we did the Walk for Kids With Cancer.  Taylor and Marcus got their faces painted, and Taylor sat so still to get her kitty face painted.  There were also games, prizes, balloons, and a pizza lunch.  We ate our pizza in the van again this year because the kids were so cold.  

We also had some fun.  

Drew's U of A class gave him a gift card to a really yummy and really pretty Indian Restaurant downtown. 

Marcus lost his first tooth.  

Marcus went to a Birthday Party at the Telus World of Science, so we decided to play there for a little while too.  

Karen and I were lucky enough to go to Arizona for a few days for Patrick's farewell.  He was called to the Hong Kong Mission, and we are so proud of him.  We had fun shopping, baking, visiting, eating, and swimming.  

School ended for the kids, and we attended Phoenix's Playschool graduation.  The kids sang some songs, and Mrs Knoll made a slide show of the kids.  It was nice, and I admit I shed a few tears.  

After I got home from YW camp I did the Color Me Rad Run.  I did it with some friends, and it was a lot of fun.  I am looking forward to doing it again next year.  My back was stained yellow for a few days, and my sports bra is now blue instead of white.

Before:

After:

We wore garbage bags on the way home, so we didn't get the van dirty.  

We went to the Street Performers Festival again this year.  We still had fun, even though I liked the performers we saw last year better. Every so often I will see Phoenix and Marcus performing some of the acts they saw.  There is a dance group that we saw that they mimic, and also a guy that had kids race for a dollar.