The water fall

I was asked to accompany Evelyn's YWs group up to take pictures in the fall leaves.  The leaves haven't changed, we ended up walking a mile and a half more than we would have without construction and the lighting failed long before pictures were taken....; but I enjoyed being with Evelyn, Sopie and Olivia as they sat and chatted in the car and down the trail.

I had all the leaders use their phone lights on the girls and we did get one group picture.

 

The Heber camp Faith Walk

The youth group was going to the Heber Valley camp Faith Walk.  They went last year, but this year they didn't have enough leaders to go with them.  They invited Jer and I specifically.  We offered Ada a spot as a leader too and we all went.  It was a very long day.... We started the day by getting a filling for Evelyn at the dentist's office, then to get the cakes and gluten free pizza for Seth's birthday party.  Then off to clean the house and mow the lawn.... then over to Heber.  Seth was not excited and very tired.  But he held my hand and as soon as the headphones went on he felt the spirit and had a great time.  I asked him afterwards how his birthday was.  He told me that the best part was the faith walk. Ada was asked last minute to give a talk about it in church.  The things that she said that stuck with me was that your relationship with the savior is personal, that she is very loved (and she definitely is), and that Christ helps us with all our fears and struggles.

We all made it through Ada's talk and then fell asleep.... we are tired!

 

Ward Youth Conference

Sam and Evelyn got to go to Ward Youth Conference this last week. They did lots of hiking, swimming, fishing, etc.... It was a great time.  My neighbor Emilee said, "It was fun getting to know your kids better and see their personalities for longer than just on Sunday or Wednesday."  I feel like that's a true statement. We don't know someone by meeting.  We know that better by being together often or always. 

They came home happy, tired and dirty.

 

Misc week

Seth has had 3 birthday parties this week.  It's been crazy and he had to skip one because it was on my birthday and I wanted him with me.... but Jer graciously drove him to one at the end of Ada's graduation, so he wasn't in the graduation photos, but both him and Seth were there.

After the graduation, we went to 5 star bbq.  It was delicious and there was no wait at all.

Jim and Jer have been having hobby nights.  They help each other with trains and other things.  My favorite is hearing them laughing as they work.

These two got free graduation donuts.... the rest of us still wanted donut pictures.... hehehe.

Sam has been helping me with the daycare.  He's the cutest.  Here he's holding the two one year olds while I help the potty trainers in the bathroom.

My neice, Rae, had her graduation party too!  I can't believe that these guys are that old.  We had Ada graduate and 4 of her cousins this year.  

YW camp kick off.  

I wasn't feeling well so I went to take a nap.  I had a guardian.

Stake Conference.

Eli's missionary talk.  He did a spectacular job.  He was very Christ centered and direct.  He'll be a spectacular missionary.

Chris, Mia and Cristina invited us to their swimming pool.  All the kids ganged up against Seth saying that he was,"Demasiado poderoso!" Too powerful! in their water fight.  It was so funny.  

Seth never draws at home, but he brought this back from his art class.  I was looking at his portfolio and I'm amazed at how precise he is in dimensions, perspective, etc... Who knew that he was so good?  Not his momma.  I love this picture because it's his cat, his living room window, his couch and the mountains outside.

Sabrina Squires had her opening art exhibit at the library this week too.  I really wanted to go, but we had so much going on.... But we made it to the last 15 minutes.  We got to chat with her, appreciate some new paintings and meet another artist that was her co presenter that does all insects.

 

Young Women's camp

Ada and Evelyn's camp this year was different.  Evelyn was in the last week of mandatory practices for her ballet and Ada had the ACT on Saturday.  They had a Ward camp planned for St George.  I got permission for Evelyn to miss one of her mandatory practices and Jer drove down to pick her up early.  (They left Tuesday and he brought her home Thursday morning for her rehearsal Thursday afternoon.) Then we got Ada a ticket on the express, kind of like a mini bus, to drive home Friday night and take her test on Saturday morning.  I'm glad both were able to go even for a little while.  Ada was a YCL and did spectacularly.  She gave a devotional and led scriptures study for her "family" all week. They did baptisms in the Red Rocks and St George temples.  Hikes, movies, swimming, etc... Thanks Young Women's leaders and youth leaders!  

(Ada didn't know she was supposed to take a calculator with her to the ACT.  I had a prompting the night before to remind her and told myself that I'd do it in a minute.  I didn't do it. But despite all that, we see that mercy and preparation prevail.  She got a 26.  Not bad without a calculator!)

Sorry some pictures got left out of my other post.  Here are my cute Bear Lakers.