Life Size Foosball

Our Bishop just held his annual life-size foosball game for all the ym and yw.

I love this activity because it involves everyone.

We divide them into 2 teams--mix 'em all up.

 Adult leaders are on the side-lines keeping the ball in play and making sure they do not use their hands.

 Line up just like a foosball table, alternating direction and team.

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1  1

1  1  1

1  1  1  1

1  1  1  1

1  1  1

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They hold onto pvc pipe that varies in size.  

The hands are not allowed to let go of the pipe and cannot be used to swat the ball...only feet.

The middle rows are 4 kids across--facing each other.

With this closer contact, may I suggest a beach ball.

The next line-up is 3 across and they are trying to score.

 The next row are the defenders, 2 across.

The goalie just has to hold their own pipe but they cannot use it to defend, just feet.

 While some were waiting for their turn to play we had an oversized game of twister going.

Volleyball

 MVT Volleyball is underway.  

We love when the season begins.  Built-in entertainment 2-3 times a week.

 The games are fun to watch and then we always love to hold our own "Sports Center" after the game. 

 I never really got how Tom could watch a game and then he would turn on Sports Center to watch the highlights.  "I like to see what they say about the game."  

Totally did not get that until now.

I look forward to Cole coming home from the game and going over the highs and lows of the game.  

It also helps me learn the game better.  There is a lot more to volleyball than side-outs.  There are all these rules and rotations that I am still trying to keep straight.  

Ok to be honest, I still don't know.  

Cole is setter so there is not a lot of variety to my action shots.

 Can I also say that taking photos of boys is a lot more fun.  

It doesn't matter what they look like or what face they are making.  

Cole is always so glad that I brought my camera and got some shots of him and his teammates.  

That is not the story with my girls, they prefer for me to keep the camera at home.

 My nephew is in the boot cast.  

A few weeks ago, we took him with us for a weekend getaway and right when we were loading up to go back home he sprained his ankle.  It swelled up nastily.  I was glad I was wearing sunglasses so he wouldn't see my teary eyes as I lamely handed him ice and advil.  He was much braver than I.

This poor kid had a stress fracture last volleyball season 

and sat out almost the whole season and now this.   

He is a great athlete and a super kid. 

 We are hoping that he can start playing next week, we need you Rockwell.

Oh, and this season there will be no 

half-time hip hop moves and taking off of one's shirt and whipping it above the head ....sorry Ike.

Wedding

We just celebrated Chad and Carissa's marriage in SLC.

It was a beautiful and perfect day.

Nieces and Nephew patiently waited for the arrival of the newlyweds.

I couldn't keep my eyes and camera off this glowing couple.

My siblings.

Bridgette, Adam, Michele, Chad, Clint, Aryn, Me

Nieces

Sampson Family  (Sister Aryn)

After the temple we met in Alpine for the luncheon and reception

So beautifully put together.

So a little background on this silhouette.

When Chad proposed to Carissa in the airport (funny story in itself) an older couple had been watching.

Right after he asked her--- this thoughtful couple snapped a picture on their phone....unbeknownst to Chad and Carissa.  

When the proposal and tender moment had passed, 

they told them that they had taken a picture and could send it to his phone.

(This is the picture below) 

So to preserve that moment forever, Chad had it painted onto a canvas by 

the talented Audrey Coons and surprised Carissa with it at their luncheon. 

Bridgette, Corey and Baby Jensen

Carlee and my brother Adam.

Cousin Brooke and Aunt Arlene and Uncle Randy

My great and talented aunts that are usually behind the scenes creating beautiful weddings and events....

Robyn Fullager and Jennifer Hall

 These cousins choreographed and practiced their own little number and gave us quite the performance.

Youth Activities

If you are needing an activity that will be a hit with the 16-18 year olds...try speed- dating.

Our church youth were invited by another group to do this last fall and we had so much fun we decided to do it again with 2 different groups. 

It takes some planning to find a group that can have both their young men and women participate.

I think it adds to the mystery and fun if you can find another high school area to include.

You also want to have about the same YM and YW.

 I teamed up with my sister in law, Carol,  and my friend Shawni.

Carol's group set-up at their church building with long tables and chairs and provided the "MC" 

and the general format of the evening.

Shawni's group made the longer drive (25 minutes) and she

 made these amazing chocolate chip cookie cups with reeses in the middle.  

They were amazing.

Our group was over the beverage so we did an Italian Soda Bar. 

The roll of the dice determined how many spots to move.

With a smaller group I would just have everyone rotate one...so that they all meet.

(We had about 60+ youth and did not want it to go all night)

 This guy came prepared.  If the conversation got tough he had a back up plan.




Here is the format I liked and some sample questions that could be used.

_________________________________________________________________________________

.....another activity I did to help build friendships and unity among our Laurel class :

We had one girl sit on a chair in front of a 

white board while the others wrote a positive phrase about them.  

They could not peek at what was being written.  It was fun to watch
the smiles on all their faces as they shared what they loved about each other.
 I took a picture and gave it to them in another lesson-- a few weeks later.
This can be a hard age for girls.  It was my hope that this activity will provide a reminder of
 the positive and sweet influence they are for others.