Youth Conference Overview

Mid-September we had a fall Youth Conference for the Young Men and Young Women in our ward. The 3 day event turned out to be really fun. Unfortunately - I only got pictures from one evening. The first night we had an "Amazing Race". We put together scripture clues for each team and sent them around town in search of each clue to get their final worksheet. At each stop around town - we had a service opportunity staged (no one in the race new about these opportunities ... not even the leader drivers!) So, it was really fun to talk about Service at the end of the activity - and see who went out of their way to serve ... and who didn't. It was a very effective night. And fun, too! 

The next evening - we had an awesome luau - complete with games, an authentic dinner, karaoke, and dessert.  :)  Here are a few of the pictures I got that night - just the ones with Marissa or me in them (sans words):

Oh - and this one of the pig we ate ... couldn't leave that out!

Ummmm - remember, I said SANS WORDS?!?!

:)

(playing the get to know you .... better .... game)

SO funny ... and weird.  Okay -- SO weird!  ;)

Tacky Tourist Relay:

I was in charge of Hawaiian Pictionary - so, I didn't get any pictures of that.  But, Emma and Marissa drew me some pictures to remember the awesome time we had:

Karaoke Dancing:

What a great night.  They all woke up bright and early the next morning to hike Bridal Veil Falls - and enjoyed a homemade J-Dawgs lunch.  (I missed the hike day, because I went to Aaron's final football game - his team made it to the end of the tournament and took 3rd place.)  But - Marissa said it rocked.  And - I believe her!  We have a great group of youth in our ward.

Cruising

After Marissa spent a torturous 2 and 1/2 weeks in high school - she left on a cruise for an entire week! (She was asked by some close friends to come along to help care for their 3 small children).  And pretty much had the time of her life!  Here they are just before boarding their boat:

They had a couple of stops on the cruise - and this was one of them.  They spent a day hanging out on the beach.  It was one of Marissa's favorites.

She also LOVED the food so much.  She talked about the food itself for weeks after she got home.  haha!  She tried escargot, crocodile, stuffed mushrooms, and several other strange foods.  She is very much so a huge fan of this lil' gal, ClaireBear.  AND - she loved how the whole boat had polka-dot-esque decor.

On another day excursion - they boarded a pirate ship and participated in a live pirate show where the pirates really walked the plank and ker-plopped right into the ocean!

Arghhhhh!

 

So grateful for the influence this beautiful lady has in Marissa's life.  She was a leader in Young Women's for Marissa's first four years as a young women - and many of those were as the president.  We all really like their family. :)

Swimming with the dolphins!  I love this picture - talk about a once in a lifetime opportunity.  But, hopefully - she'll get to go again ... with ME on board with her next time.  ;)

 

Marissa was a sweetie and brought us all home souvenirs.  She was so excited to give them to us!  :)  She's getting so grown up - it's really crazy.

I'm grateful for my family - and I'm grateful for friends that are like family.

School Has Sprung

Yes, I am aware that school started about 2 months ago. Life gets crazy! Life IS crazy! I got one picture of each of my kiddos' first day of school. Marissa's is a crappy photo, because she leaves at the crack of dawn for early morning seminary - and I just don't function at that time - so, that's the best I got. :) I have to admit - my two young'uns really have got the posing thing down. haha.

  Just before school kicked off - Marissa had to head to the Wally World "Hunger Games Release Party".  At midnight.  WalMart at midnight.  Is anyone catching this?  WalMart.  At midnight.

So.  She got it.   We waited in the long long line and everything.  She's a happy camper.  :)

I DO love all the "scheduled" reading that comes with the start of school!  Life is so much more organized ... but, I still miss the carefree - flybytheseatofourpants Summer time.

Football games have been watched -

Krystal was invited to a "Rock and Roll" birthday party.  She would make a great 80s rock star, I think! 

Well - that's a good start into September.  I should be caught up in no time.  ;)

Aaron Football 2012

So - Aaron played in a football game one Saturday morning while I was teaching piano - and scored a 70 yard touchdown!  His first touchdown ever.  Pretty exciting stuff.  And - I missed it.  :(  I was so bummed - so I pretty much recorded every play after that in hopes of something good.  :)  This is the best I got, I think - Aaron running the ball and nearly getting pants-ed.  Funny.

Aaron loves football.  He was pretty nervous this year to get the coach the he had his first year -- REALLY intense guy -- but, being on a team with one of his best buddies seemed to ease his fears.  And his team had a great year!  Undefeated until the championship.  They came in 3rd place.  Aaron got some pretty good experience in several games this year, but continued to play mostly as Center.

 

 

 

I love this boy so much.

Summer Swimmin'

We had many fun swimming adventures with family over the Summer:

Tyler and I even spent our 17th anniversary at 7 Peaks this year.  Just the 2 of us.  Lots of fun rides.  It was really great!

So sad to see Summer come to an end.