Especially for Youth

They spent a week at a college in Southern Minnesota listening to wonderful guest speakers, stay in the college dorm rooms, participate in fun and activities with other youth, learning more about the gospel and Jesus Christ, dance and play, and have a ton of fun.  We got really brave this year and let the girls drive each other down with no one but teens in the car.  I think it is good for them to have a little sense of independence, but it is also a little nerve-racking if I am being honest.  My daughter really seemed to enjoy the overall experience, as the silly pictures once again attest to.

Girl's Camp 2014

My youngest daugther was a 4th year, so she got to go a day early with the other 4th year girls.  They went horse back riding and had their own fun adventures in a tent.  The the other girls joined them at a new camp sight.  From what she told us, it was a great experience.  Can I just say I love the spiritual things that happen and the silly, silly things that happen. It is combination of laughter and tears. It is the best thing for a girl to take part in!

The week before that she went to EFY, so it was 2 weeks of friends, learning, spiritual experiences, hard work, fun, and adventure.  She seemed to have a wonderful time and seemed to be just a little more grown up when she got home.  I love watching my teens mature and blossom.  I know blossom is a cheesy word, but seriously, that is what happens.  Not that you can tell from these silly photos!

 

Summer Catsup

Actually, it is a summer catch-up, but it also sounds like catsup.

I took lots of walks with the dogs.  There were some beautiful evenings and sunsets.  And our beautiful puppy, Mee-kah.  She does not look like a puppy but she sure still acts like one.  It is funny to see such a huge animal act so young.

My oldest daugther and I took a cake decorating class together.  I really enjoyed that.  It came in handy when it was time to celebrate our 21 anniversary.  The Eifel Tower is my attempt at romance- tee hee.

My youngest daughter always inspires everyone to go have fun taking photos.  With her sister and her friends.  I love these fun girls!

 My husband's cousin, MS, came to town.  She is an architect, so it was really fun walking downtown with her looking for Art Deco era buildings.  We found one with all the original workmanship.  Oh how I wish I had my real camera.  The lighting just didn't do justice with my phone.  We had a fun dinner here at home with her, hearing about her amazing life and adventures.  I loved it when she told the girls to do well in English because that is the one subject she uses the most to convince others why they should hire her, choose her as the guest speaker, fly her to conferences, select her for excavations on the other side of the world, etc.  She must be a very persuasive rider and she has a lot of confidence in herself, her abilities, and desires, which I think is very admirable.

There was the back-to-school fashion show.  I don't know what was up with them, but I could hardly get them to pose this year.  

 There were many trips to the dog park, Lake Calhoon, downtown, summer movies to watch and books to read, babysitting, baking, mowing lawns, and playing.  It was a wonderful summer, that as usual, I hated to see come to an end.  But I feel truly blessed for all the time I got to spend with my family.  It was very fun and very needed!