ward campout 2010...Arizona is NOT all desert

When I first moved to Arizona I had no idea they had mountains rivaling the beauty of my beloved Sierra Nevada Mountains in California.  I have been informed that half of the state consists of these beautiful, pine-covered mountain ranges with beautiful lakes and streams, meadows, valleys, and cliffs.  There are also beautiful desert rock formations.  I have really fallen in love with Arizona.  I still am not fond of desert landscaping, and chose not to have any at my house, but I have also grown to appreciate the beauty of the desert (as long as I get to keep my lush, green landscape surrounding my actual house).

Our ward puts together a really fun family campout every summer.  So far, for the 3 summers we have been here, it has been 2 1/2 hours away at a place called Clint's Well.  It is beautiful there. 

And not hot.

Let me repeat.  It's not hot.

That is one of the best parts...getting out of the July heat of Phoenix and escaping to the beautiful mountains where the temperature is at least 30 degrees cooler.  Ward members bring tents, campers, quads, dirt bikes, jeeps, and everyone explores the beautiful Arizona mountains.  We enjoyed lots of good food and great conversation with friends.  

This year the only thing missing was my dear husband.  He had to work, so I went just me and my kids.  Bryan (my amazing Scout) and I set up an awesome camp with two tents and even a solar shower (I can't go without rinsing off every day - even though everyone laughs at me)!  I can't wait to go back next summer!

 Cutie-pie Kyle!

 My friend, Carrie & Morgan's friend, Macey.  We drove 5 minutes from the campsite to a great reservoir so the kids could fish.

 Colton (my very capable cub scout) & Kyle having so much fun fishing together!

 Me and my two youngest boys.

 Colton hanging out with his partner in crime...Ty.

 Kyle, doing anything but relaxing, on the hammock (check out the kids face behind him...yah, dirt - that's what camping's all about!).

 Morgan and her friends.

Bryan and his buddies.

independence day FAMILY BBQ SWIM PARTY

July 4th fell on a Sunday this year.  We went and watched the local fireworks show Sunday night, but didn't feel good about doing our BBQ/Swim Party on a Sunday, so we elected for a July 5th celebration.  We invited family and cousins living in the area.  Everyone had so much fun!  We had loads of yummy food thanks to the many Food Network loving family members I have.  We swam and played and talked the night away.  I can't wait to do it again next year!

 Colton going after the ball!

 Morgan with her cousin, Rachel.

 My mom, me, and my sister Heidi.

 Bryan getting ready for a canon ball!

 Kyle all geared up to make a splash!

   Colton diving off the waterfall - good dive Col-dog!

SUMMERTIME TENNIS

Playing tennis in the summer is something you have to get up early here to do.  Colton wanted to sign up for tennis classes this summer.  They wanted us at the court by 7am.  This is so you don't roast in the 100+ degree afternoon once the sun comes up.

Colton absolutely loved playing - all my kids do (Bryan and Morgan didn't want to get up early on their precious summer days off school, & Kyle wasn't old enough for the class).  Colton loved every morning that he got to go to tennis.  He never complained once.  Here are some shots I got of him during his classes...

FrUiTy FaMiLy

This ended up being the most amazing impromptu photoshoot!  We had been working in the yard for about 3 hours that morning (translation, I don't look so pretty after that).  We then went to a friend's house to pick some of the huge amount of fruit that was ripe on all their fruit trees.  We came away with plums, apples, apricots, and lemons.  Yummy!  I took my camera to try and get some scrapbook shots.

  

I love this one of Morgan

What a haul!

MY COOKIE MACHINES

My kids quickly discovered that the person who makes the treat gets first crack at the dough, cake batter, etc.  All of them (maybe with the exception of Kyle - although he's not far behind I'm sure) have learned to make my chocolate chip cookie recipe without any help from me whatsoever.  They operate my Kitchen Aid Mixer and the oven with complete efficiency.  Their cookies are fantastic!  

During the summer they made cookies several times a week.  I was going through Costco-sized bags of chocolate chips every couple of weeks!  I discovered that they would make one pan of cookies, then whatever dough was left (several cup fulls) they doled out to anyone close-by, not forgetting themselves of course.  I can't say much...the dough is my favorite part, too!

As you can tell, when it comes to making his cookies Colton takes his work very seriously...

Morgan...not so much.

HEARD PUEBLO cub-scout DAY CAMP

I had the opportunity to chaperone one day of Colton's 3-day cub scout day camp.  He really soaks up the opportunity to spend one-on-one time with mom (as do I with him!).  It was oh so hot out there - oh my goodness!  The only way to stay comfortable was to stay soaked.  We kept swimsuits on underneath clothes and each station had a garden hose set up for soaking down the campers and chaperones.  Despite the heat, the boys had a fantastic time swimming, shooting BB guns, doing archery, crafts, and lots of games.  Oh - let's not forget the hundreds of water balloons!  The camp lasted from 2pm to almost 10pm - long, late day for these little guys, but they came back ready for more each day!

Colton was way better than I was at archery - not surprisingly.  Good job, Colton!

Jousting using a pool noodle to hit the dragon first!

Playing volleyball using a parachute to throw the ball over

Our Primary Water-Day

I was put in as Primary President in April.  In June we had our first activity - The Annual Primary Water Day.  The kids had tons of breakfast goodies and hung out for a couple hours playing in the water.  We had about 70 of our 120 kids come - not a bad turn out.  Thank goodness I'm surrounded by some great ladies who can make good things happen! 

 

My AMAZING Presidency!

Colton in the tug-of-war

Kyle going down the water-bouncy

Kyle on the slip-n-slide

Colton and Morgan having fun together!