Return to hunting camp

So much catching up to do ...

After our Labor Day Weekend excursion to Island Park, we returned the following weekend (September 9-11) and spent more time in the woods. Seth took Rebekah out on the Saturday evening hunt, and although we ended up empty-handed after the archery hunt, our girls (and dog) had a splendid time camping.

The girls had such a fun time with Uncle Doug's dog Roscoe the previous time we went camping that we decided to bring his sister, our dog Peach, to camp with us. The two dogs had a great time. I think, in the future, we'll have to bring Peach with us to hunting camp every time.

Roscoe, Seth and Peach on the hunting camp "couch." Both dogs received a lot of loving from everyone.

Analee reading by the fire.

Winnie (in her "hunting jacket") by the fire.

Miriam (and a whole lotta dog hair) by the fire.

Bekah, Peach and Miriam on the "couch."

Saturday morning, Winnie, Analee and I took the dogs on a walk to the nearby quarry. The dogs loved sniffing around.

The beautiful morning sun.

Seth helping Rebekah get ready to shoot the 7mm-08 Seth got so she can hunt deer. After she shot a couple, Seth and I worked together to sight it in.

This time, there were fewer people at camp, but we still enjoyed the beautiful fall scenery and weather.

Gwenism #19

While getting dressed this morning ...

Gwen: I have my kitty socks with the hearts on them.

Andrea: Kitty socks with hearts? Those kitties must love someone.  
Gwen: They love my feet because they're hugging my feet.

Labor Day

As per tradition, we pulled the trailer up to Island Park and spent our long weekend in the woods.

Saturday we had wonderful weather. The kids played in the dirt, took walks, went on 4-wheeler rides, picked flowers, ate food and listened to stories. Seth took Analee out on the evening hunt, and despite not seeing anything, they had a wonderful time.

Rebekah and Analee checking out their homemade target after shooting their BB guns.

Grandma Susan reading to Winnie and Miriam.

Miriam and Winnie playing with Uncle Doug's dog Roscoe.

Miriam and Analee lovin' on Roscoe.

Winnie on her perch.

Sunday we got up bright and early and drove the 45 minutes from our camping site to church at Mack's Inn. It never ceases to amaze me how strong the Spirit can be in a church packed full of people I've never met before. Then we took the girls to Harriman State Park to have a picnic lunch and check out the historic buildings, but before we could go on a hike, we decided the weather was iffy and headed back to camp. That turned out to be a good call, because almost the rest of the day was spent in the trailer or under tarps keeping out of the rain. The rain broke long enough for us to enjoy the big Dutch oven dinner Grandpa Dennis had spent the day preparing.

Keeping dry under the canopy Sunday afternoon.

Winnie, Miriam, Rebekah, Analee and Mack.

Early Monday morning we heard rain, hail and thunder from our trailer. It was really foggy when we got up, but the rain stayed away almost long enough for us to pack up the truck. Right when it was time to jump in the truck for the drive home, it started hailing again.

Analee and Miriam in the hail.

See?!

Winnie (and her jammie pants) in the hail.

To see more pictures from our weekend, start here.

First day of school

This year we've got three kids going to school all day. I'm not going to lie ... it's pretty great. I think I've gotten more done in the one week they've been in school than I did all summer long.

The first day of school was Monday, August 29. Rebekah is in 6th grade with Ms. Moore. Analee is in 4th grade with Mrs. Stegelemeier and Miriam is in 1st grade with Mrs. Hill.

 6th, 4th and 1st. 

Pretty girls in the back-to-school outfits they picked out. Rebekah is sporting hearing aids and contacts this year. Analee and Miriam both got new glasses before school started.

 Three cute and silly sisters.

Cliff Lake

While the Bostonian cousins were in town, we decided to head north and spend the weekend at the Wildes' cabin in Island Park and have some great out-of-doors experiences. This included:

Driving to Cliff Lake. (Rebekah and Seth in our truck.)

Getting pulled over because we accidentally drove past the watercraft inspection without getting our watercraft inspected. (Rachel and Justin's truck, but all of us had to turn around and be inspected. They were really nice about it.)

Canoing to a good spot to have a picnic lunch and play for a while. (Canoe #1: Uncle Justin, Miriam, Lily, Kelsey, Aunt Rachel, Hudson. Canoe #2: Grandpa Dennis, Cooper, Calvin, Grandma Susan. Canoe #3: Seth, Winnie, Rebekah, Analee, Andrea.)

Wading/swimming in the beautiful water.

And catching a bunch of these. (Justin, Seth and Grandpa did most of the catching. But the kids loved collecting them in containers and observing them before we set them all free.)

 It was beautiful weather, a beautiful lunch and a beautiful time with family.

To see more pictures, start here.

SRRYJ 2016

As always, the girls (and their visiting cousins) had a blast at the annual Snake River Roaring Youth Jam making art and messes. After going to all the booths, we ate a picnic lunch and treated ourselves to Italian ices, snow cones or smoothies.

Calvin, Bekah, Winnie, Lily, Miriam (in the red shirt) and Analee painting in black and white.

See, I told you Miriam was in the red shirt.

Winnie with her sailboat.

Spraying paint onto a canvas. This could have easily occupied her time for hours.

Miriam (and her new glasses!) and her sand art.

Analee (and her new glasses!) and her balloon sword.

Rebekah (and her new contacts!) making a paper plate fish.

To see more fun SRRYJ pictures, start here.

Girls' camp

Turns out girls' camp 2014 was just a warm-up for something bigger and better in 2016.

A long, long time ago (2015), Seth came home from a stake function and told me a member of the stake presidency wanted to meet with the two of us. I immediately knew why. Because of the sweet promptings of the Spirit, I knew I would be called as the stake camp director.

This both excited and terrified me: excited me because I love camp and terrified me because I'm happy to help with camp, but being in charge scared the dickens out of me. The night after the call was extended (as I knew it would be) I way awake for a long time while my brain swam.

Fortunately, the Holy Ghost guided me to two incredible ladies who would be my assistants. Both of them proved extremely dependable and fun through the process of planning and camp itself. And the stake YW presidency (including my awesome mom), our high councilman and the stake presidency were supportive as well.

After months of planning, holding meetings and some stressing out, camp came. I slept much less than I needed to, but it was worth it. I got to know so many wonderful women, girls and priesthood leaders. I got to experience the beauty of nature and Darby. I got to feel the Spirit in nearly every aspect of camp.

Loading up in the church parking lot on YCL Monday and giving instructions.

Learning camp songs. This was "Baby Shark."

Learning a fun game involving a quarter, squeezing teammates' hands and being the first to game a spoon. This is me losing.

Supervising the spider's web as the YCLs complete it.

I got to go hiking both days we had hikes. Wednesday I hiked Perma-Grin at Grand Targhee. Thursday I hiked Rick's Basin (also at Targhee). Sister Young, one of the camp missionaries, knew TONS of wildflowers. I learned the names of several on Wednesday's hike.

Giving instructions and dividing girls into cars before the hikes Thursday.

At flag ceremony outside the lodge.

Julie, me and Elisabeth on skit night. Most. Amazing. Assistants. Ever. And then persuaded me to participate in a skit that highlighted the wards' mascots.

Slightly disheveled Rosie the Riveter. Our costume changes had to be quick.

Stake YW presidency, stake camp leaders, and our stake priesthood holder who stayed at camp the whole week.

Bucket list: Learn to play the ukulele, take it to girls' camp and sing/play with the girls around the campfire. Check!

Final flag ceremony Friday morning. How many people get to work with such amazing people AND their own parents?! Luckiest girl in the world.

To see more, start here.

Gwenism #18

Miriam is teaching us about loving one another during her FHE lesson. She asks each family member how he/she can show love in our home and outside our home. Answers include: be a friend, help with chores and share.

Andrea: Winnie, how can you show someone in our house that you love her? 
Gwen: