Walking on Sunshine

 Leading up to girls camp, 

I was feeling a bit burned-out from all the preparation and not very enthusiastic.  

However, after a day up there,  I got caught up in it.  

The theme was "Walking on Sunshine"

 and it was a focus on following His light.  

It was a beautiful way to teach these girls and help them feel the spirit. 

 I am so glad I had this experience with them.

We are the Groves Ward and so the  light that appeared in the Sacred Grove was our inspiration for our flag.
Thank you to Shelley Monson for doing the talented work on our flag.  

Dressed all up for their lip sync performance.  They did a montage from the Wii game of  "Just Dance." 

 

I was up there with such fun, amazing women. 

I loved spending every minute with them from 

6:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. ....seriously!

Chad the Survivor

This is my brother Chad

He has had a history of serious mishaps.  

When he was 5 years old, his head 

was run over by our suburban. 

 He had facial reconstructive surgery

 and metal plates put in place of
a cheekbone.  

While still young, he survived a serious car crash and needed the "jaws of life" to be extracted 

and then a few years later suffered a compound fracture while rolling an ATV.

His latest was getting hit by a car, while cycling the alpine loop, near Sundance.  

He broke his cheekbone....again, punctured a lung,

 broke a rib and got pretty ripped up from sliding on the road.

When I got the phone call from my sister--I appreciated the fact that she started out by saying

"Chad is fine-BUT......."

My heart dropped when I heard how serious it could have been.

He has someone watching out for him.

I love Chad's friends and how well they are taking care of him.   Spencer and Larry have been so good to him.  Spencer and his wife put Chad up at their place for the weekend.  Larry (right) covered his shift at work and got him a new phone (his was destroyed).  

The Shills also took time out of their vacation to go by and visit

 him and to deliver a care package from home.  

So grateful

Mend quickly Chad. 

 I know your going to love these pictures I posted (:

July 4th

Our neighborhood proudly posts the flag 8 times a year. 

 Cole had the opportunity to

help post and take down the flags today.

I am so grateful for what happened 234 years ago.  

Happy Fourth of July

America is another name for opportunity.  

Our whole history appears like a last effort 

of divine providence

 on behalf of the human race. 

 ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives.  

I like to see a man live

 so that his place will be proud of him.  

~Abraham Lincoln

How little do my countrymen know what 

precious blessings they are in possession of,

 and which no other people on earth enjoy! 

 ~Thomas Jefferson

We dare not forget that we 

are the heirs 

of that first revolution.

  ~John F. Kennedy

Cabin Dayz

I love long, 

lazy days at the cabin.  

My 6 year old staying in character 

as  "Bear Cub"

Standing under a bridge during a down pour...

we Arizonans thirst for rain like this.

Oh...and getting into my sister-in-law's car to go

 home and realizing that the sunroof was open the whole downpour time.

(White car in background)

Attempts to save nature

Nice retired couple

 built this train village in their front yard. 

When we stopped to take a look,

they darted outside to 

start up the train

for us....so nice.

Mud Masks before bed

Cole pulled Isaac's "man card" after seeing this picture 

and Isaac had to repent of girly things and

then he got his "man card" back.

Craw Fishing 

with a rock, string, and slimy bacon

Got one and then it fell off the string.....so close!

Treasure Hunts  

Carefully designed and carried out by

Summer, Cosi, and Liz

Walking for our Breakfast