Me and My Girls

Amelia age :4
Emma age: 2 1/2

Kristie age: 3 1/2

Philmont

We just got back from one of the most amazing weeks. With Nate's calling as the Stake Young Men's President, we were invited to attend the LDS/Scouting Relations week that they hold at Philmont Scout Camp in New Mexico. It was a family oriented conference, and there were activities for everyone. I think that the most wonderful thing about the week was to be surrounded by such wonderful people from all over the country, and to be taught by our leaders who sit in counsel with President Monson. Both Nate and I learned so many new things that I hope will help the boys in our area to grow up to be responsible, hard working, and to be leaders themselves. It was a privilege to sit with President Lant (General Primary President) and Sister Ricks (Primary General Board) and be trained in how to run the Primary organization more effectively, to help all the young children have a love for Heavenly Father, the Savior, and the scriptures. Today, more than ever, children need that anchor to keep them safe from the awful things that the world throws at them.
Here are some of my favorite pictures from the week. (camera #1)

Amelia and Emma were in the group called the {Small Fries}

This is a picture of the building they met in. (BTW: if anyone needs a good Eagle Scout Project, I know of a facility that could use an upgrade on their playground equipment)

Sam was able to participate in the morning flag ceremony two times during the week. The first day was for all of the cub scouts. On the last day of camp, he woke up and put on his scout shirt. We asked why he wanted to wear it that day, and he told us that he wanted to be ready in case they didn't have enough people. Sure enough, they needed him!

Here is Sam catching the {biggest rainbow trout} that Nate had ever seen. Unfortunately, I was in the car with a sleeping girl, and the line got cut on a rock as Nate was trying to keep it in the water so they could throw it back, and take a picture at the same time.

Well, the sleeping girl woke up and had to be right there with dad to fish.

This is Bill Burch. He is a wonderfully talented wood carver who makes bolo ties. He also made these "tuits" that you see the boys working. He would give one to any child who could prove that they could make it work. He had a pink one too, and Amelia really wanted one. Bill was so cute with her trying to show her how to make it work. He also is a [wonderful storyteller] and would have a group of people gathered around him nearly all day long.

Emma had a tough time getting in nap time (which she has almost altogether dismissed at home) and we found her falling asleep almost anywhere.

The kids loved this sign in the dining hall. Emma had to deposit her gum there one day. However, on the last day, she wanted her gum back. Luckily she settled for a picture.

Curious Donkey

On the last evening at Philmont there was a terrific thunderstorm. Just after the youth who had been on a backcountry hike returned, this double rainbow stretched across the sky. It was a touching reminder to me of the promises of the Lord.

Senior Girls

I was just looking through all my CD's because I have the greatest video of the boys performing in their school talent show. (They did a dance to Witch Doctor, chipmunk style) YouTube worthy, if you ask me, but I can't find the software so that my computer will recognize my camera. So, as I mentioned, I was looking for it and came across this CD. There are countless memories attached to the time we spent in Ohio. I just can't believe that it was 3 years ago!

So girls, here's to you. Here's to four wonderful years of our lives. Miss Y'all!

Pony Express

Early Monday morning, by the light of a bright moon, the mail was carried across our county by pony express. Riders sign up to ride two mile sections, and the mail is traded off from horse to horse, just like in the olden days.(the trading, not the two miles) See?Last year, the mail was running from St. Louis to San Francisco, and happened to cross our county on a Saturday. We made a fun day of it. You can read about that day here. This year the mail is going in the opposite direction, and happened upon the midnight to six am shift. These crazy boys here spent the night shuffling horses and moving mail. Yes, they are wearing their winter coats. And yes, it is the middle of June. I spent the night in bed with my girls. They say that it was fun. I'll have to take their word for it.

P.S. Here's an excerpt from some of the other events that transpired that night.

For more information go to the pony express website.

From: Ron Atkinson, Wyoming NPEA Received: June 24, 9:44am PDT
It was quite a night. Received the mail from Utah Division about an hour behind schedule making it almost midnight. The sky was very dark, no moon at all, had a hard time keeping horses running. When we got the mail it was so dark you could not see anything.
The second rider was Mike Kallas with his wife Kathy and daughter Katelynd. We put two horses in one trailer and one in another and he got to his leg and made the ride.
One rider flipped her horse was a first time youth rider, Sydni Jones. Her Mother Kelli and finance Wes Martin also first time riders were riding with her. If you had not been following her nobody would have known. They just got horse up, found Mochila and made it to their appointed stop. Had 4 riders not show up, however A.J. Barker, Bob Liechty, Cassy Payne and Mike Mckenna all took extra runs.
Eddie Halls had her horse fall on her knee as she was unloading it. Today she is on crutches, but although she could not ride she followed us until the end helping out where she could.
Unfortunately I found 3 horses upside down in my trailer (just minor scrapes). All of them rode at least 2 times after that.
The bad luck rider was Mike Kallas. Not only lost his transmission, he was the one who got his horse stuck in cattle guard. All four legs where down inside it resting on his belly. We just rolled him on his side and slide him around so his feet were on the road. He stood up and we put mail on him and away they ran. Just minor scrapes on back legs.
During all this, we still managed to make up 1 hour and deliver the mail on time to Sweetwater.
However, I hear our luck followed them as not to long after they picked it up, Howard Schultz had an accident and had to be taken to hospital.
After all night, many accidents and misshapes all we can say is "PRICELESS!"

Snakes

Clay really loves animals. Even this one.

Nate found the little guy hiding in a tire next to a cattle grate they had to cross while moving the horses last Thursday. Clay loved the little guy immediately and named him "Tuffy."

Jackson Hole, WY

I love Jackson, Wyoming. Nate had the wyoming dental association convention this weekend, and with the help of some wonderful in-laws, we were able to have a little weekend get-away. We saw a play, did some shopping, art browsing, (Nate) attended classes, and I explored the little town. We drove over Teton pass, and drove through Grand Teton National Park. We're going to take the kids in a couple of weeks, and really get out there. I'm anxious for a good day hike, but too nevous to do it alone, so that will have to wait. I love everything about that part of this beautiful state (except for the crowds)!

Poor Lamb

We got home late from a family picnic the other night. We were greeting with the baaaaaing of what we thought were some hungry little lambs. Sam went out with their bottles and came running in the house with a look of urgency and amusement. Mom, you have to come see what happened to the lamb! Bring your camera. This is what I saw.

In our back yard there is a big well like thing that has a very heavy metal cover over it. I wasn't ever quite sure what purpose it served and just recently learned that it is sewer access for flushing an rv or something like that. (there when we bought the house) I worried a little bit about an 8 -10 foot hole in the ground with a metal cover whose hinges were rusted off, but not too much because we usually don't play outside the back door from the garage, and the cover is VERY heavy.

We're still not sure how it happened, but lovely little lamb Pepsi fell into that hole, cover and all. It is a miracle that he survived, and without a scratch. Nate lowered Sam into the hole and Sam lifted that lamb just as high as he could while Nate reached down just as far as he could, and finally caught hold of the little lamb's leg. He was brought to safety, and attacked that bottle like he always does.

I am way glad that it was an amusing diversion and not a sad disaster. We have grown quite attached to the little lambs.