Almost July!!

So, I felt the need to get in another post while still in June. This month has gone by so fast. Last week was YW girls camp. I have to say...being a leader is much more fun. I got to choose which activities I SUPERVISED. I didn't actually have to do KP or clean the bathrooms, although I helped as much as I could. I got to goof off with the young women and act like a semi-responsible teenager again. There were several times where a leader didn't realize I was the leader and tried to get another leader to be with my girls. Like when we went rafting...there were me and 5 girls but another leader would not let us push off because she was trying to get a leader to ride with us. Finally she got in the raft and I didn't understand why until I told her that I was their leader and she didn't have to ride with us. Or a nice way of saying..."Get out! I have this under control!!" Several times when we stopped there would be someone else asking me how things were going and I had to keep reassuring them that these girls were MINE and I could handle them and the river. I got to tell some cool white water rapids stories from our family vacation last year and people were impressed.

I was nice to have some ward unity and I could tell that their friendships were strengthend. The spiritual moments were great too. I was not entirely ready to come home to my normal responsibilities yet, but I was excited to see my family.

The next day was Father's Day and as we have for the past 6 years, we headed down to Sulphur for Justin's family reunion. It was too hot! We sat in the shade and melted for an hour and then had lunch. The food was delicious but because it was so hot and I ate too much, I felt sick and had to get out of the heat. We visited the air conditioned nature center and then went swimming in the freezing springs. I was sad that we missed church, but the people who set up the reunion aren't members and it has just always been held on Father's Day. This is also why we didn't do anything extra special to celebrate.

Since then, I have read several books that were recommended to me at camp. I also want to get back into scrap booking and catch up on Cara's stuff. That will be my next undertaking this summer since it is too hot to do anything else. If anyone wants to get together for a play date, let me know!!

Care Bears, Giraffes, Hair

I apologize for the unoriginal title. My brain has too much to do right now and thinking of a good title is not up there on my list. I did want to mention that this week I will be going with the young women at church to YW camp. I have not gone since I was younger, so I am very excited to see what it is like being a "leader" at camp. Merilee and Cara are going to stay with my sister-in-law. They have NEVER been away from me overnight before, so I am sure we will all have some separation anxiety. I am not too worried for Merilee and I really think Cara will do fine. I am more worried for my SIL, Carrie, because she has to deal with them. She has raised 5 boys, so what is 2 more girls, right?!? I am sure I will be too busy having my own fun to worry all day. And I will have to remember that I will eventually have them back at home for me to take care of.....!!

Anyway, just so you don't think I have fallen out of blogging world again, I have another good excuse for blog absence. Until then, I have some cute pictures to share.

Unfortunately, this costume will not fit her at Halloween time, so I had to take pictures while I could.

Another hair picture of Merilee. This one is a french braid that spirals around her head. She did really well while I pulled and contorted her head so that I could do this. Now if she would stop pulling her hair out!!! This is the side of her head without bald spots;)

And finally, this was too cute to pass up!

Raccoons

So, Merilee and I are watching Little House on the Prairie. It is the episode where Laura gets a raccoon, Jasper, and the raccoon bites her dog Jack and Laura. They think the raccoon is rabid and everyone thinks Laura and Jack will get rabies.

Anyway, Merilee asks:

M: Mommy what do raccoons eat?
Me: eggs, fruit, fish, meat?
M: So they don't eat people?
Me: No, of course not!
M: Aww, that's so cute. Can I have one?
Me: NO, raccoons don't make good pets.
M: Why, will they eat me?
Me: No, they just make a mess...just watch the show!

It was also a "you had to be there moment" to really see the innocence and sincerity during the conversation. She is so funny.

Showers and Weddings

So I need to back up a month to a big event in my family. My brother, Jakob, and new sister-in-law, Sara, got married on May 16th. It brought in many family and friends that I haven't seen in awhile and it was so fun to visit with everyone. Merilee and her cousin got to be the flower girls and they did a good job (or as good a job as two 4 year olds could do;). A couple weeks before the wedding my mom as sisters threw a bridal shower for Sara. Her colors were pink and brown so it was fun to make invitations and decorate accordingly.

My dad and Sara's parents decorating the reception room.

My brother is the tall one standing in the chair. His best men/woman were helping decorate.

Maren and Merilee practicing going up and down the aisle at the gazebo. I seemed to always get a picture of their backs.

Cara's facial wounds after falling off the porch after the rehearsal dinner. She was nicely scabbed over for the wedding pictures;(

My brother, sister and Mom (up on the ladder) decorating the gazebo for the wedding ceremony. Of course I was helping during all the festivities, but I was always behind the camera.

I think it is so funny that I took tons of pictures of the preparations but none of the bride and groom. There were plenty of pictures taken but none on my camera. So, I will have to wait until someone sends me some so that I can post them. It was a beautiful ceremony.

My sister, Kristi, Aunt Donna, Uncle Tom and Papaw all on my dad's side of the family.

David (who is officially off dialysis with mended kidneys) and Justin looking thrilled.

My sister, Kristi, made the dresses and bows for the girls. This picture was taken after everything was over and the girls are a mess!

Excuses

It is so hard to get back on the blogger bandwagon. I have finished the books...wonderful!! I think I may be addicted to reading now. However, I have jobs around the house calling my name and some projects I would like to start. First of all, Merilee has art class here in a few minutes and then Justin and I are going to paint the laundry room. Maybe if it is more colorful, I will be motivated to be in there doing laundry;) So, since I am still putting off fun posts like weddings, vacations, water fun, etc. I will leave you with a random video.