Girls Camp Adventure

A night in the tent at Camp Nisqually sounded something like this:
POP POP POP POP....BOOM....POP POP POP.....BOOM BOOM BOOM.....SWOOSH SWOOSH (HELICOPTER DIRECTLY OVERHEAD) WHOO WHOO WHOO (OWL DIRECTLY OVERHEAD)....RRRRRR..SCREECH (CAT FIGHT)....POP POP POP....BOOM!!! Then there are the critters outside the tent rustling the grass...oh and did I mention the artillery shells and bombs and helicopters doing night maneuvers at Fort Lewis Army Base at 1:00am??? POP POP BOOM!!!Raccoons were an everyday occurrence. I did NOT see any of the rats we were told were running rampant at the camp (thank goodness), though I did get a picture of a raccoon.
We were VERY careful not to leave any food out anywhere...but on our last night we had some chocolates in a heart shaped box that we forgot to put away during campfire. When I remembered it Ericka and I ran back to our camp and this is what we found. Our raccoon friend had so very carefully opened up the kisses we had in the box (footprints found in box) and we are sure he had one BAD tummy ache that night!!
We were very busy each day, but we did get a chance to walk down to archery...I wanted to earn my bullseye bead, but after 10 shots, I didn't make it and we had to get back. I did however have a nice huge bruise on my arm that is just now about gone 2 weeks later.
Everyone asks me what my job is at camp...well....since I'm there as part of the Stake YW Presidency I begged for something to do a few years ago so I could tell people I really do work at camp. I am Ericka's assistant (she's over the unit leaders and also my tent mate and one of my closest friends) and we have tons of fun doing all the stuff for our unit (the stakies). This year I also set up the camp store each day that the 4th year girls run. Here Ericka and I are cutting up snacks and bagging them for the girls to "buy" with the points they get each day. Don't you LOVE the hats...after all we were the "Queens of Heart" Each night the stake leaders would have fun sitting by the fire talking and getting crafts ready for the next day.... and I must say we would get a bit giggly....(more like hysterical).....One day I got to our tent and there was this huge rock on my air mattress. To weed out who did it I mentioned to everyone I saw that someone had put a HUGE rock on my bed and it had popped my air mattress (it didn't really) Sis. Van Epps.... our fearless leader said "we put it on so carefully"!! HA!! I caught her. She had actually assigned Bro. Nuffer the job of finding a good rock for me....and it took 2 of us to carry it. It was all in fun! Richard sprayed it for me so I now have it outside in my rose bed out front. Camp was fun and spiritual and just a great time....in spite of all the critters and noise.

Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing

When I saw this it made me think of Jonathan as he labors in the mission field.

Claim Your Kingdom

I LOVE the Gospel! I LOVE the Church!! I LOVE the programs of the church. They are SO inspired.
Girls Camp.....This is my 3rd year of being involved with girls camp. This year we were at a church owned camp in Nisqually WA...near Olympia, about 2 1/2 hours away. Never experienced it as a girl and never really appreciated it as my daughter was going... as much as I COULD have, having now experienced it myself. There is nowhere in the world a finer place to be. It's not just a camp. As I was on my drive home today I had the thought that if all the young women world over could have been at girls camp with our stake this year, many lives would have been changed. Many were. It's not just any camp. Not only do the girls learn and grow and stretch themselves....not only do they learn to serve and lead and overcome.....they feel the Spirit. I can't even begin to tell all the wonderful things that happened at girls camp. There were some challenges of course...with over 100 girls of various ages and personalities, but it was spiritual and FUN and refreshing to get away from the things of the world for the week. We had around 30 girls who have been planning camp since January. They are AWESOME girls! Our theme this year was "Claim Your Kingdom" The 6 units of girls were able to choose their name. All of the adult leaders (of which I'm a part) were "The Queens of Heart". We walked around camp with our little foam crowns and sang our fun little songs. Monday the leaders and Youth leaders went up to set up the camp. There was a ropes course the girls did...and some adults. We had a spiritual program Tuesday night called "The Parable of the Princesses." Friday night was the most awesome program. The girls went down a path in camp and along the way there were places they would come to that represented things in their lives that might be difficult for them. There were quotes to read and if it was something they felt was difficult for them they would pick up a lava rock. Lava rocks have holes that represented The Savior and his lightening our burdens. At the end of the path there was a projector set up (this was an evening program) with a huge picture of the Savior. The girls would cast their burdens they had collected (rocks) at the Saviors feet as they contemplated all their Savior has done for them. Then they walked out into the staging area where it was decorated with a huge white temple lit up and white luminaries lighting up the benches. All the adults were waiting for them. It was so cool! Like I said...Girls Camp is AWESOME!!! I have some stories to tell and pictures to post, but this is too long already so I'll do it soon:)

Summer.....So Far

The past few months have been busy busy....June took us to Utah for the Egan Family reunion and Sadie Mae's Blessing Day.....
Youth Conference and Dance Festival with 2,ooo kids!! Josh is the couple waltzing in the very middle.
Jenny and Sadie Mae came to visit. I miss those girls SOOOOO...much!!
Sadie Mae LOVES her Uncle Josh.... We've been empty nesters all summer with Josh gone to EFY, Idaho and now he's gone back to Utah with Jenny for a few weeks.
I had a baby shower for Sadie with over 30 women in my living room! It was cozy but fun....
The annual July picnic for the Drew Family at my cousin Tom's in Oregon....Jenny and Sadie arrived just in time!
Four generation picture with our baby and Great Grandma Cameron
At my sister Elizabeths house in Seattle with Great Grandma Rose and Brother Henry.....
With Grandpa Bill in Edmonds (near Seattle).....
Richard and his sisters on the day of our nephew Todds funeral.

Good Things to Come

Check out this video....it gives us hope for good things to come:)
Good Things to Come

Celebrate the Music

This week we are having a band auction to raise money for our band program. People get donations and then we have a silent auction during our final concert of the year. It is very fun! In years past it has been VERY successful....I end up spending a bit of money myself and have got some really cool stuff:) This year I decided I wanted to make a rag quilt to auction off. I had a blast choosing the fabric. It is full of musical instruments of all kinds.
I made a matching pillowcase too!! Even though I've made alot of pillowcases, I found some really good instructions on how to make a seamless case.... on You Tube!!
I found this plastic wrapper from a bedspread we bought years ago just laying around....so I put the blanket in it and it had a handy pocket to put the pillowcase in too. I made a little card to display it with. I hope it makes some money.... And this post would not be complete without me sharing another picture of me with Sadie Mae. I'll get to hold her again in just 10 days!! I can't wait!

Being a Grandma.......

The best things about being a grandma You can snuggle them and love them all you want....but then go to bed and sleep at night:)
You can never spoil them enough...and if you do it's not your fault!
They learn to recognize your voice even when they're itsy bitsy.

The hardest things about being a Grandma
....When you live far away and have to leave them
....You live far away and don't get to see them enough
....You live far away and they grow up without you

Happy Birthday Jonathan

Today is a special day. Our boy is 20 years old!! He's had a wonderful life full of so many experiences. I remember the day well. Before he was born, we knew he was special. Of course ALL children are....
Often a quiet and sometimes somber child, he had a very sweet disposition. He loved trying new things.. soccer, baseball, karate, piano....but he always made good choices in what he did. He realized that he didn't have to do EVERYTHING to be happy. His first grade teacher asked me if he was real.... because he was so good!!He grew up to be a thoughtful friend, a respectful son, and a good listener with a wry sense of humor. He grew into being the natural born leader that he is a little at a time. One of my favorite memories of his growing up years was when we would read every night before bed....from the classics to Harry Potter, he never tired of listening to a good book. Even his senior year in high school he would come down and sit with Josh and I as I read to him.He grew up and went off to college. That helped me to get used to him being gone so that now I can be content with Monday letters and twice yearly phone calls.
He has a strong testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ and that His church has been restored upon the earth. He isn't ashamed to share it with others and is giving 2 years of his life to proclaim the gospel to the people in the Missouri St. Louis Mission. 2 years of a life is but a twinkling of and eye in The Lords time. He will come home full of knowledge and lifes experiences that will be with him for a lifetime. Happy Birthday Elder....We love you!!!

JOSH EGAN......WHY NOT???

Last month sometime Josh decided at the last minute to run for an ASB office. Activities Co-Ordinator to be exact. Now, except for the time he ran for treasurer at Burton Elementary as did both of his siblings before him (they all lost), he's new to doing something like this. It was just 1 day before the deadline and he had to get a petition of 75 students, 4 teachers and 1 administrator turned in. Before spring break there was a delegate convention. Last week the candidates were able to put up their fliers and posters. Josh's campaign manager came up with the slogan Joshua Egan....Why not??
Josh made some very cute fliers that I don't seem to be able to download....and one night I caught him as he made a poster.
He was quite casual with the whole thing and he seemed confident that he would win. Why Not???
Well....he did!!!!! He'll be inducted at the end of this month. Tonight we got pizza and while he was doing something I quickly decorated the dining room so we could celebrate before we went off to church. For someone who isn't necessarily very confident about himself, he never lacks confidence to step up and do things maybe the rest of us wouldn't do. And it's not always easy following after siblings who have stood out in their own ways......we're just so glad Josh is finding his path......his way. WHY NOT???

New Look

Well, Josh and I have taken the plunge into different looks. I finally got much needed new glasses....and Josh did too. We'll see how long he wears this pair. Even though he's had glasses since like 7th grade, he rarely wore them. I think he looks VERY handsome:)
Here is a picture of Jenny and I (see my old glasses) last week. Little Sadie will be here before we know it!!

Spring Break Adventure Part 2

Aunt Debi wanted me to get lots of pictures of Jenny pregnant! Here are the Mommy and Daddy before going to dinner Thursday night.Here Logan Richard and Josh are putting together the Play yard we brought them....
It's really a handy little thing. A bassinet, changing table and play pen all in one:)
We woke up Thursday and Friday to beautiful snow. It melted each day, but was SO beautiful to wake up to.
Logan gave us a tour of his latest project....the new fire station they are nearing the completion on.....
Logan giving Josh instructions on how to drive a 4 wheeler....they went out this afternoon.
Logans mom Shannon ran across the street to have Josh sign his last will and testament...luckily he did survive!
I about had a cow when Jenny hopped on and drove around the culdesac!!!

Spring Break Adventure

We began our journey bright and early Tuesday morning. It was non eventful drive until we came into Boise, where we ran into a spring snowstorm. We thought it was very fun since we had very little snow at home this year.We got into West Jordan around 6:00 and Chris brought the kids to our hotel room. Josh got Serenity and Terran into a pillow fight. We had a fun visit until the kids needed to get home to bed since they had school today.

We woke up to SNOW...it followed us from Boise. While the kids were at school we took a drive into Salt Lake to Temple Square where we saw Sister Carnahan from our ward who is serving her mission on the Square. Then we drove to "This is the Place Monument". Even though the heads are cut off, Richard and Josh stood in front of the statue of Brigham Young and Joseph Smith...Westward Bound which is the same statue that is in Nauvoo. We got a picture of it when we were there.
Here is a shot of the monument...it is so beautiful...there are different statues within the monument paying tribute to the Pioneers, the Donner Party, the Indians, Trappers....and more.
We had a fun time with the kids after school. We went shopping for some new clothes, then went to Wendy's before we headed to Gunnison to see "the pregnant one"
And here she is.....It's debatable who has the larger tummy...hee hee!
Stay tuned for more adventures!!

Days Go By

My friend Michelle has a blog entitled "Days Go By" and it's just the perfect title for this blog entry. When the boys were little Jon and Jared were inseperable.They must have been about 5 years old when Jareds family moved into our ward and around the corner from us.
Of course, where Jon and Jared were, usually Josh was too.
I have so many fun memories of the boys when they were young. They would spend hours and hours playing beanie babies and action figures, building things with legos and K-Nex, climbing our beloved "tree", building forts....and just having a wonderful time together. I reminded Jared of the years they would put the army men in our Christmas tree and in the train and when we took it down we would find the army men...still lodged in the branches of the tree.
They had a grand old time playing together. Jared's family moved to New Hampshire about 8 years ago.
Well, they're all grown up now and even Josh is now almost as tall as Jared. Jared is getting ready to go back to college to BYU Idaho in a few weeks. He's been out here in Vancouver for a few months. We had him over tonight for dinner and had such a fun time talking about the days gone by....We looked through some old scrapbooks with pictures of them together. Jon and Jared playing soccer, basketball and baseball together when they were little...usually whatever Jared did, Jon did. Eventually because of their being in different grades, they got put on different teams. When Jon started school, Jared and Josh would play together when Jared's mom was at work...Jared reminded me about the times the boys would get the keys to the trailer and I would let them play in there. As I recall they would be hiding from Josh (little brothers can get on the nerves) We were so happy to see Jared and hope to see him again before he leaves. It would have been great to have a picture of Jon and Jared together. Even though Jon is on his mission in Missouri, he has those same memories and I know that he remembers them fondly. We love you Jared!!