Girls Camp 2014

It's done.  It's over.  Hallelujah.  It's not my favorite thing to talk about right now, but such a huge part of my life merits a little post at least.

In January I was called to be the Assistant Camp Director.  A few weeks later they called me back in and switched me to the official Camp Director and the previous one would be my assistant.  Great.  Then the next 6 months ensued.  We worked hard.  We made rules.  We tried to plan.  Camp came.  The girls had fun.  We had awesome Star Wars themed t-shirts.  Darth Vader came to camp several times, each with an envelope relating parts of the movies to the gospel (think board game action cards).  The girls thought this was hilarious and very "Bachelor" like and started calling them date cards.  We had rain.  We trained to be Jedi's. We crafted.  We kayaked.  We roasted (literally and figuratively). We prayed.  We sang.  The stake visited.  We ate.  A lot.  We slept.  Not much.  No bears.  (Thankfully.) No major incidents.  No pranks (much to the dismay of a loud few.) We had fun.

I still feel overwhelmed when I think about it.  If you ask me about it, I will probably only say the girls had a lot of fun.  They did.  They loved each other.  They laughed.  They played. I didn't see anyone being excluded.  The older girls took these cute new Beehives and absorbed them into their groups and loved them. That was honestly my favorite part.  I am biased having my own daughter be there for the first time.  I could not have asked for a better experience for her.

Rhodes Rolls.  Totally worked.  Took some practice, but they were yummy!

I was reminded often at camp how much Heavenly Father loves me.  How often he watches out for me and how he uses others as his angels.  I was reminded once again that my no pranking rule was very important. One small prank was allowed- the snipe hunt.  I, however, was quite worried about it because of the extremes it has been taken to in the past years.  Every evening that we tried to do it, it rained.  I am positive it was not a coincidence and the Lord was sustaining me and the decision I had made.  I felt love for these beautiful girls like I love my own kids.  I hugged a few of them and had to keep myself from handing out kisses and "I love you's." :)

There have been a lot of compliments on camp.  Some criticisms.  My assistant assures me the critics are nit-picking.  Yesterday, though, I got a letter from the Stake Young Women presidency.  It warmed my heart and gave me what I needed so that I could know I did do a good job and that I reached my goals even if others thought that my rules and ideas were a little (lot?) silly.

See?!  How do you not say "I love you" to these cute girls?!!

Next year is Stake girls camp.  As a teen, I would have groaned.  As the camp director all I can say is, "WAHOO!"

Some Saturdays are pure perfection. I woke up this morning, lounging in bed enjoying a near perfect temperature in my room. Perfect for lounging. I did convince myself to not linger long though. The kids pitched in to clean the house and did great. Chloe was crabby but after a little cuddle time she fell asleep. Jeff's off reading a book. The kids are outside playing. I managed to sneak a few minutes and paint my toes. These are the things I wanted when I dreamed of being at this stage of motherhood. Loving the peaceful moments today. 

Gardening

I've wanted a lush, productive garden since we had our own yard to put one in.  Sadly, my former attempts at gardening have been pathetic.  I do really well at first but seem to lose steam as the summer progresses. Thankfully, as my babies have gotten a little bit older and more self-reliant, I've been able to do more in my garden.  I'm learning as I go and each year the ol' garden gets better and better.  I still hold to my thought that gardening is a very expensive education.  ;)

A couple of years ago we decided to jump on the square foot gardening band wagon and it really has made a huge difference for us.  Here are this years boxes and some non-boxes:

Last year we planted green beans and almost as soon as they sprouted leaves, they were eaten by bugs.  I learned my lesson and sprayed them early, though some still were nibbled on.  Our tomatoes are growing like weeds. I started with 6 plants and have since added 3 more with plans to do at least 1 or 2 more.  We had excellent luck with the jalapenos last year, so I planted one again.  I also got brave and tried a banana pepper.  Not a huge pepper fan, but willing to try new things. ;)  We have the usual pumpkins, zucchini (a novice gardener favorite because it requires no work hehe), cucumber, yellow squash, spaghetti squash, cantaloupe and even some watermelon.  I have a couple of boxes that are empty.  I may try some more things or more of something we've already planted.  Oh!  Last year I bought some strawberry bulbs on clearance.  They did ok but not fabulous.  I left them alone and now they're doing great!  I think in the next year or two a good portion of that box will be strawberry plants.


Jeff and I also really would like to cultivate some good fruit trees.  Our yard came with a peach and a cherry tree.  Last year I got my first bowl full of cherries.  Surprisingly worm free and very yummy!  The peach tree has always produced delicious peaches, but they're cling peaches. :(  Not much good for canning.  This year we planted a second peach tree that is a free stone.  It's just a baby, but came with a lady bug.  That's definitely a good omen, right?  We also have a couple of apple trees we're trying to learn about.

Besides the new peach tree, we added a berry box this year.

I got some starts from a friend.  A little sad looking now, but we'll see how they do.  She promised me more in the fall when it's a better time to transplant them.  Hooray!

Reset

After a week away from normal life, constant emails, Instagram and Pinterest, and the craziness that comes from being the mother of 4, wife to 1, I feel like I have been reset.  Refreshed.  Restored.

Jeff and I made a last minute decision (well, as last minute as a week away can be) to take the kids to the Oregon coast for a family vacation.  We headquartered just outside of Tillamook in a charming little house a short drive up the canyon.  I seriously think this was the kids favorite part of our trip.  Living in a little home, just for us, with room to play, to spread out, to cook regular food, to NOT have to share a room with 5 other people.  (Ok.  That may have been my favorite part.)

We spent hours at the beach every day, playing in the sand, teasing the waves.  Sometimes we won.  Sometimes the waves won.  Our first beach (Rockaway), the kids acted as if they were greeting an old, long lost, very special friend.  There was no warming up.  They picked up right where we left off, nearly 5 years ago.  Chloe was a little shy of the water, but adored the sand and all the pretty rocks and seashells and drift wood.

One of the days we decided to drive the hour and 45 minutes south to Newport to visit the Yaquina lighthouse and a few other favorites.  We passed through some of the most beautiful farm country I've seen.  Every time we saw a for sale sign, we dreamed of what it might be like owning a little place on the coast.  The country, the mountains, and the beach.  How much better could life get?!

The light house was a definite highlight as we were able to watch a seal playing in a beautiful little cove.  Later, hiking down to the beach on the opposite side we were privileged to see a mama seal and her pup lounging in the sun.

We hit up Mo's in the historic bay front area of Newport for some famous clam chowder (which was REALLY good)  followed by a walk to the waterfront to see the sea lions.  Chloe thought all their barking and bachelor antics were hilarious.  Definitely her favorite part of the trip.  The most amazing thing is you are only 5 vertical feet (give or take a little) from these beautiful creatures.

The Oregon Coast Aquarium was next on our Newport agenda.  I remembered it being really cool last time but was a little disappointed.  Still, there are always wonderful things to see when it comes to God's creations.  We watched a little program with the sea birds.  Chloe was thrilled to be splashed by a tufted puffin.  ("Griddled puffin?  On a Friday?" name that movie and we can be best friends. ;) Not a trained bird, just a silly one. :)  McKay spotted a snake slithering across the nature trail.  You can bet your life we took a picture and sent it to my mom.  Haha.

McKay's favorite was the Tillamook Air Museum.  It's small but awe-inspiring.  There were two naval air hangars built in Tillamook during World War II to house blimps and other naval aircraft.  The larger of the two burned down 20 years ago, but the second one is still standing.  They house over 30 different airplanes and tons of memorabilia.  I thought a lot about my Grandpa Marchant and his years as an airplane mechanic in the war.

We couldn't stay in Tillamook without a visit (or two) to the famous Tillamook Cheese factory.  We feasted twice on their heavenly ice cream and felt no guilt.  ;)

I was surprised at how many churches were in such a small town.  I got curious about my own church so we looked up the closest LDS meeting house. Surprise! There was one right in town.  We drove by and watched a cub scout den having their den meeting and the activity day group having theirs.  I think it was good for the kids to see the church is essentially the same everywhere and kids their age doing the same things they do.

One other place we visited was out on Cape Meares.  They have a cool light house and we were able to take the kids in this one (without a prearranged tour time!).  When you are up by the light (called a Fresnel) it is hot.  We were starting to sweat within a matter of seconds.  Still.  It's so cool to be up in the light.  What these light keepers had to do is incredible and it involved their whole families.  I can barely manage to keep my bathroom mirrors clean, let alone hot, high-up, life-saving glass!

We also walked to a tree in the same area called the Octopus tree.  Very cool.

This was such an amazing trip.  Our kids have become fantastic road trips.  I was shocked at the lack of arguing and fighting in the car.  They got along.  They never complained about being bored and rarely complained about being carsick.  For me, I came home refreshed and like my internal ... something... was reset.  Habits that I'd had a hard time breaking before haven't been nearly the same struggle and good habits are coming easier.  I feel more relaxed and ready to live than I have in a long time.  I've noticed a difference in my kids, too.  They've been kinder to one another and have complained less and procrastinated less when it comes to chores and responsibilities.

Jeff and I have talked about this before and I feel even more strongly now, vacations are essential to a healthy family.  They don't have to be expensive for long or far away.  Just time with mom, dad, and kids minus the rest of the world and technology.  But if you can get to the beach...

Happy Easter!

I love my little brood.  

I hate that they are not so little anymore.  I wouldn't trade back though.  These kids are so much fun and make me laugh all the time. 

Our Easter was busy and so fun.  Baskets, hunting eggs and a new basketball standard!  Not to mention lots of delicious food and scrumptious candy.

 

Hope you had a great holiday, too!

McKay turns 10!!

McKay was so excited to celebrate his birthday this year even though it wasn't his party year. We started off the celebration by letting him choose a friend to take to the movies. 

These two boys are best buddies And compliment eachother really well. They loved seeing The Muppets Most Wanted.

 

Sunday, his actual birthday, he could hardly wait for present time. In the meantime he was so kind to everyone. He let Sophie choose the movie. Didn't mind when I forgot the gravy for the mashed potatoes he wanted. 

Grandma and Grandpa came for dinner and presents. McKay requested sandwiches (big sub sandwiches), fruit salad, mashed potatoes and gravy, and a veggie tray. 

He finally got to the presents and was thrilled with all of them. I don't think he knew what to start playing with first. ;)

Happy birthday to my wonderful boy!

Tea time!

If you know me, you know that I love to throw a good party. Movie-themed parties are the best. To celebrate the end of 33 and ring in 34, I hosted an Austenland themed tea/birthday party for my movie group. 

The set-up:

Somehow I managed to not get a picture of the tea table set. :( It was lovely though. 

I served a traditional English tea with cucumber sandwiches, English cream scones with clotted cream and black current preserves, and petit fours (thanks for those Cami!) instead of tea we drank presse (at least it was a close as I could come to it). Presse is a sparkling water flavored with a syrup. 

Games- 

Which Austen Character are you? Somehow all three times I took the Quiz I got Fanny Price. Say what?!

Austenland MadLibs- another shout out to Cami for putting those together!

Old Maid- so fun. Jane Austen characters served as the matches (people not couples) and Miss Austen as the old maid. 

Fun Stuff-

Lots more food!

Design your own hat:

Modeling our beautiful creations:

Last but not least we watched Austenland while coloring in our Jane Austen coloring books. 

I am so grateful to have such a lovely group of friends to help ease into being another year older!