Girls Trip!!! It's about time.

 I returned from girls camp on Saturday and on Wednesday I picked up Sarah from the airport! We were so thrilled to be together. Usually we spend our time together chatting on the phone while folding laundry or washing dishes, the never ending chores.

We had decided she would fly to my house then we would leave the next day to drive to San Diego. All of our adult lives we have not been together just us. Usually I fly to her house or she flies to mine and we happily hang out together while we do the other ones chores and shuttle children around. So getting away alone was a BIG deal.

So after a day and a half of driving the children to different activities we were ready to hop in the mini and go!

Oh , wait one other pit stop. Andrew suggested that I get the tires checked before we go. I was ready to shrug his suggestion off since the tires are new. but he did mention it a few times....

We ran the mini down to discount tire where they told us it would be an hour and a half wait. Well I just didn't have time, we had to pick up Sienna for ballet in 40 minutes. So I made the decision to leave, the tires would be fine.

I dropped Sarah at the house and picked up Sienna to go to ballet, on the way back I stopped in the bank for cash... I was about to get in the mini and my eye caught something shiny on the tire, A screw!!! Oh man, I guess I have to get back to discount.

Lesson learned follow the promptings given so kindly by the hubby.

We went back and they had to give us a whole new tire. I'm so glad we didn't get stuck with a flat on our road trip to fun.

We stayed at this beautiful hotel The Grand Hyatt in San Diego. A great deal on priceline, we were on the 23rd floor with a view of the ocean, and the Gas Lamp District.

 The lobby and my beautiful friend.

We arrived late on Thursday night and the next day we headed out to walk the Gas Lamp District. There were many neat little shops and some giant flower earrings.

 We walked about 5 miles then decided to get some lunch in Little Italy. It was divine!

After that we headed for the beach. The high was 72 so it was a tad chilly, but we still soaked up some sun.

 We tried the hotel pool, also chilly. Not so much sun.

 We headed out to Outback for dinner where while waiting Sarah found the most perfect pair of shoes and I got a case for my new iphone. Very productive. then we went to the movies. We saw Snow White and the Huntsman. Snow White stunk but everyone else was good so overall a good flick.

It was so fun to not have a care in the world! We decided what to do and when to do it. It was a pretty free feeling.

 Saturday we did a session at the San Diego Temple. This is the first temple I remember being inside. Sister Hampton took me to the open house when I was 14 and it is beautiful!

 That afternoon we walked the zoo. You can see a lot of the zoo without kids.

 For dinner we headed back to the same place we had lunch the day before. We were hooked on this thin dough with cheese then another layer of dough and then topped with honeycomb. It was the perfect combination of sweet and salty.

 Sunday we walked around the gardens at Balboa Park before we hopped back in the mini to head home.

 It was such a great get away! I loved every minute of it.

Monday was back to the real world of carpooling, but we did squeeze in a foot zone before I had to return her to her family in Vermont! Yay for friends from childhood!!

Arise and Shine Forth!

 Arise and Shine Forth! Learn it, Love it, Live it! this was our theme this year for girls camp.

I had the pleasure to attend once again. I have been 5 times in this ward, 2 times in the ward before, and if you include my 6 years as a young woman 13 years!!! WOW!

I will say as camp grew closer this year I was feeling more stressed out than usual. Tuesday as I was packing up my stuff and trying to make sure I had everything I needed for the girls I was VERY STRESSED! I did not think there was any way I was going to get it all together.

With little sleep I got up at 5 on Wednesday morning to finish gathering things and get over to the church to start the fun!

 ( leaders, Maddie Janes, Monica Jensen, Angie Peterson, Sarah Carr, Laura Gloschat, and myself)

We gathered all of our girls, got their journals made, and changed into our shirts.

We loaded up and off to Camp Shadow Pines we went.

I always stop at the Giant station in Payson on the way up and this time as we pulled in I noticed a truck that I could promise was my Dad's... What are the chances? Yup, it was my Dad on his way to scout camp.

  We made it safely to our destination and had a few moments to unpack then headed off to the opening ceremonies They welcomes all the first years and classes began.

That night we competed in the value olympics. Our ward did very well and we had fun!

  They all learned how to make headbands out of t shirt material. They turned out very cute.

 Ashlynn's headband.

 they also made necklaces.

 I had the joy of being at camp with Maquel Crist. One of Rigdon's Fabulous preschool teachers.
She was the caper Queen(jobs) and I have to say we had all the best jobs! Although I do think that was just coincidence. Or maybe I just think all jobs are easy.

 Wednesday night there was little sleep again... Thursday we went on our hike and had classes in the afternoon. So many people prepared great lessons and activities for the girls.

I thought for sure I would sleep well that night. I felt like I was ready to pass out all day. But by evening I had taken some exedrin for my head and a unisom to sleep... no sleep. Sarah sent me a text after midnight to ask if I was asleep, and if I wasn't to please knock her over the head with a frying pan. We ended up in the hall making a card for our bishop at 2 am laughing our heads off out of delirium.

5am comes early when you stay up so late.

 My head was still pounding, actually worse... when Maddie asked me if I wanted to have a blessing. Well... I had taken all the medicine I could and waited more than an hour, so it seemed it was needed if I was going to be of any use to anyone that day.

Much to my surprise President Decker (our stake president) was the one to come and give me a blessing.

The priesthood is a wonderful thing and within a half hour my head was better. Tender mercies for sure.

We had a few bumps in the road, it's to be expected with so many girls in one place.

But we also had a very intense experience during ward time as we each had a partner and were going to stand facing each other looking into our partners eyes for one minute. Such a  long time for not talking!There was instrumental music playing as we participated in the activity, and every minute we would switch partners.
I know they were all touched with the realization that we all are the same, we all have fears and insecurities, we all want to be loved, we are all daughters of our Heavenly Father and we all want to return to live in his presence.

There was not a dry eye by the end. We all went to dinner with puffy eyes!

Andrew was able to come up with the Bishop for Friday night.

I am so glad he did, We had our testimony meeting(ward level) and of all the years I have been to camp it was the best one I have ever been a part of. There was not a single love you-mony, or thank you-mony. It was all pure testimony, the spirit was so strong. All of my beautiful girls got up and bore testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel, of the Savior, and the power of prayer. It was amazing. I will never forget how I felt.

I was able to get some rest that night, thank goodness since I had to drive them home.

I love the young women! I love that I have been able to serve them and feel of their testimonies.
 Camp is certainly a labor of love. I think of it like having a baby, you remember all the good things and the feelings you have, and forget all the work that goes into it. Then when they ask you to go again you say yes, only when it gets closer do you remember how much work it is. But it is worth every minute.

Helping Hands

 Back in 2006 Gunner  was fortunate enough to attend the Helping Hands Preschool. It was the BEST experience we have had with preschool. Miss Maren not only taught him to read but also incorporated the gospel into her school. I was in love!

 Then tragedy struck and they moved away to Utah. Sad times.


I knew we had had our last babies about the same time and prayed that they would move back and by some miracle she would teach preschool again...


Well was I ever blessed! They moved back and very close. Then she decided to partner with a friend and teach again!! YAY!!!

 So Rigdon has had the experience of going to Helping Hands. I kid you not, there is no other school like it.

 They went to the turtle farm, the temple, went on mini missions and had the missionaries come to their class, they had safety day and got to get in a real fire truck... IT goes on and on. All the while they all read fluently and recognize all their letters.

What a blessing to have two women so wonderful to teach my sweet baby!

Miss Maren with Rig.

 The Cousins. Daigen, Rowdy, Miss Maquel, and Rigdon.

 Rigdon Graduates.

 All together now.

 Singing one of the many songs they learned. They also memorized a different poem every month.

 Rigdon with some of his stuff from school.

Now off to kindergarten.

Sienna Ballerina

 Sienna and her doll Kelsey, all decked out and ready to go.

 I'm glad she gave us a smile before the demonstration because she was all business while there.

 We were all ready for the show.

 The business face.

 So serious.

 Sienna with her teacher Miss Robbin.

 Sienna with her favorite Aunt Emilee!

Miss Robbin said... Sienna is a dream student, full of focus and has the potential to be a wonderful ballerina.  She got exceeds expectations on all of her evaluations except flexibility... only a 4. Oh well can't be perfect.

Happy Birthday Sienna!

 May 15th 2005 we were blessed with our beautiful Sienna.

She has been dying for this birthday hoping to get her ears pierced. I made Ashlynn wait till she was 10 simply because I had allergic reactions to the metal. I wanted her to be old enough to take care of them. I guess they make earrings out of higher quality stuff now, since she didn't seem to have any problems. So when Sienna started asking and really wanting to get her ears pierced I thought well..... why not?

She has been counting down the days!

 On the way to Claires, the place where my ears were pierced and Ashlynn's, the follow conversations happened...

Sienna; I am starting to get nervous.
Rig; Why, it's just a pinch?
Sienna; How do you know? you never had it done.
Rig; well Marlee told me so. (in his most matter of fact voice)
Marlee is in his preschool.

 Nervously waiting for the guns to load.

 Double time! Gettting it over with in one shot.

 All done! Sienna says," it felt just like a little pinch. and then it started to sting."

"But it was worth it!"

 Afterwards a quick spin on the carousel. not cheap.

 Now we have her ballet demonstrations to look forward to on Saturday. She is doing wonderful and will get to move up to the formal division next year. She LOVES her costume!

I love how much joy Sienna has for life!
She may be small but she is LOUD!
Sienna is a fashionista. She loves cute clothes and accessories.
She is a beautiful Ballerina.
She is a good helper in the kitchen. I love when she puts on her tiny apron.

Sienna is a great blessing in our family. She was my last home birth, so she has a special place in my heart. I waited all night for her and couldn't stop crying when she was born.( that may or may not have been because she was 6 days overdue)
Happy Birthday Sienna!