for the strength of you university, girls camp 2013.

It is no secret that I love the youth of the church.  I jump at any chance I get to interact with them.  I was asked to go to girls camp on the stake level (certifying 2nd years) and could not say no.  Looking back at how crazy it has been, I probably should have... But I really had such a good time. 

I prepped and got everything ready about a week ahead.  I had so much stuff to bring, it was rather ridiculous.  I had to get lots of help from ward members with the kids.  They were in such good hands all week long. I made a little basket for each day of babysitting filled with lunch, snacks and gift card to say thanks for watching them. 

I went up a day earlier than my girls so I could get a few tents set up.  I opted to stay in my own little tent so I didn't bother anyone with my tossing and turning and getting up for bathroom beaks at night.  I had quite the setup!

The birds woke me up promptly at 5:30 each morning.  I am definitely not used to that!  It was nice to get the first hit shower of the day though.

The theme for camp this year was For the Strength of You University.  Each level was a different year in school.  We were sophomores and our mascot was the gators.  Our class colors were green, white and pink.  I brought nail polish up so we could be festive.

All ready for my girls to show up!

I did pretty well for being 6+ months pregnant while we were up there.  The only trouble was that my shoes gave me blisters the first day so I had to wear flip flops all week. That was fine, but the grass made my feet break out in a rash.  It wasn't itchy, so it was better than blisters.

My favorite times were the times we got to have ward time.  I love my girls so much!  They are like my daughters.  In fact one of them called me Mommy all week long.

We slept and did most things with our level so I got to know a lot of girls in the stake pretty well.

There was a day that we rotated between several different stations.  First we made a craft.

Then we played volleyball.  I was so proud of my youth leaders.  They were supposed to teach everything to the girls.  Halfway through the volleyball game one of them collapsed and went into the symptoms if heat stroke.  They were so good at just throwing teaching moments in whenever they could.

Archery.  I have yet to try it.  The girls had a lot of fun with that.

I decided that I am only a morning person when I am camping.  I loved being one of the first people up in the mornings.  It was so peaceful and the scenery around me was breathtaking.

This little guy was my roomie for the week.  He stayed in the same spot all week long.  I'm just grateful he stayed on the outside of the tent.

I wasn't allowed to go on the hike with my girls so I went on a little walk instead.  The campsite was gorgeous.

I wasn't allowed to go tubing down the river either.  It looked so relaxing!

I loved watching the youth leaders teach their nightly devotionals.They have such strong testimonies.  

We had several firesides and a wonderful testimony meeting.  One if my favorite parts of camp.

The girls got to go horseback riding.

These two are my favorite.  They were my youth leaders for the week.  They thought I was pretty awesome to let them pose with Jack for pictures.  I saw zero harm in it.

Bishopric night!  The bishops wife was due any day, Jeremy was busy with our kids, and the other counselor was working... So the executive secretary came up.  That was fun.

All the girls and leaders from our ward on mascot day.

Hanging out with my favorite euclid girls.

They passed the time playing the cups game.  Brought me back to my years as a young woman.

Johnny Appleseed.  He was my guardian for the week. My tent was right behind him.

More ward time...

This is the sweet girl that called me mommy all week.  She's adorable.

The yearbook an made for my girls to sign on the last day... They were a big hit.

And we're headed home... I think we wiped them out just a little bit...

fun times.

 The kids helped me make our summer bucket list.  They were so darling asking for things that cost little to no money.  I told them we can spend a little money and their faces lit up!  It was adorable.  The things we are most looking forward to...visits from family, moving and building a treehouse in our new backyard. 

Before my bestie moved away we went for one last girls night.  I need to see more pedicures in my life.

I found this dress on the clearance rack at kohls.  We surprised the girls with matching dresses.  They are such little cuties!

The whole class insisted on taking a picture together.  Since then one of the other girls has picked up the dress!  We just need to find one for the last little friend.

Jeremy was able to attend Endo graduation this year.  He's has the privilege of working in the dental school once a week since he graduated.  It's nice to give back to the school in the way of time.

Lincoln and Peter have really bonded since school got out.  If I am busy, and Peter needs something he will go right over to Link and ask for help.  It's so sweet.

One of the kids took these pictures... It truly shows what a good big brother Lincoln is. (When he isn't teasing...)

Jayne is my little helper girl.  She loves to shuck the corn whenever we have it for dinner. She could not be cuter.

Each night when I go to get into bed for the night I find this little guy... I guess our bed is super comfy.

We see a lot of wildlife in our yard.  Squirrels, chipmunks, birds, raccoons, opossums, deer... The other day we spotted a mom and her two kids down the street.

instapics.

Summer break is in full swing.  That first week was brutal.  The kids were getting used to being home together so there was gobs of tattling, bullying and fighting.  Besides that, they have never figured out how to sleep in and would constantly wake me up at 7 instead of letting me wake up on my own.  Such a rough life... I know. 

We move in five weeks.  Crazy.  We are starting to pack a little each day so that it isn't a mad rush at the end.

The pregnancy is going well.  I am typing this from the hospital actually.  I had to do the 3 hour glucose test to make sure I don't have gestational diabetes. Fingers crossed I won't have three months of finger pricks, counting carbs, and no sugar.  Seriously torture for pregnant me.  *I heard from the doctor... no diabetes!

My feet have started to swell a whole lot each day.  Jeremy bought me new comfy flip flops "just because" one day.  I love him so.

I am still the youth Sunday school teacher in our ward, but I got to sub Gracie's primary class the other week.  I would love to be called to primary.  I had so much fun.

Jayne has been extra snuggly and cuddly lately.  She loves to sit on the couch with me and feel the baby move.  She is going to love baby Henry so much.

The kids have officially been accepted into a charter school!  Yay for going to school with good friends!  I had a serious hand cramp after filling out all of that paperwork.

Family Home Evening is always a treat at our house.  Instruments are played, songs are sung and a lesson is taught.  Peter found a recorder and got in on the action this week.

Usually during the lesson it is my job to keep him entertained.  He's just too little to pay attention for very long.  This day he would climb up on my legs and squeeze himself between them until only his little noggin was sticking out and then he's say, "I'm stuck, Mom!  I'm stuck!"

He is our animal lover.  He found a puppy in our neighbors sun room and he checks on him every time we are outside now.  He loves puppies!

I bought a bag of cherries because they looked so yummy.  We had each of the kids try one and they acted as if we had fed them poison.  It was hilarious.

Glucose test #1.  I will never be able to drink orange soda again.

Jeremy is such an amazing dad. For his birthday his staff got him a gift card to a golf store. He spent it on golf clubs for the kids.  They are in heaven!  He took the three oldest to the driving range.  They had the best time.

My little sister is moving in with us in the fall.  Baby Henry is going to he staying in our room during the year that she will be living with us.  We bought the most adorable cradle for him to sleep in.  It's been so fun to plan his little mini nursery.  I am going to attempt bumpers for the cradle as soon as I can.

Peter has really started to love playing with cars and trains.  He is all boy and I love it!  He plays like this in his room for at least an hour a day. He's such a sweet little guy.

I have a serious pet peeve when people ride their bikes beat slow on the road.  It's one thing if you can keep up and keep out of the way... But if you're going to take your merry time and ride in the middle of the lane... Head on over to the sidewalk, please.

Jeremy 's new car is manual.  I need to learn to drive it.  He taught me a little on a date one night but I'm still not comfortable driving it around town.  Hopefully soon...

The "I'm bored" season has started.  I found this amazing printable on Pinterest.  It has come in handy many times already.

Graham was asked to give the talk in primary.  His topic was on baptism.  He decided he wanted to talk about all of the baptisms he's been to for various family members over the past two years.  He did such a good job.

We went to the library to get books.  The girls talked me into getting every Barbie movie on the shelf.  One of them was a singalong.  They are so fun to listen to.

Gracie loves going to the theater with me, musicals, and old time shows.  I decided it was time to introduce her to Newsies.  She is in love.

I am growing bigger and more uncomfortable each day. My body is amazing at letting me know when it is time to lay down and take care of myself.  I am trying hard to be a good listener.

Peter has learned all about the joys of timeout.  He loves to throw his toys at people.  Especially poor Jayne.

We are trying really hard to do something fun each day in between packing and getting our home ready for renters.  I am so exhausted by the end of each day.

We got the kids signed up for swimming lessons for the first time.  They are just a teensy bit excited.

Jayne has decided she is my personal doctor at home.  She checks to make sure baby Henry is "still growing helfy" at least once a day.