Girls Camp

Well I couldn't post about summer and not have anything about girls camp since it did take up about 2/3 of my summer. I mentioned earlier in the year I was called as the ward camp director. I never realized how much work went in to four days. A couple of months before camp a new Young Women's presidency was put in. Which none of them had really been to girls camp before....so they were just as inexperienced as I was. Luckily I had Craig, who was awesome, and came up to camp and helped us set up and showed us how to use the camp stoves. He made daily trips to bring me things that we forgot....or a large diet coke.
The stake had challenged all of the girls and the leaders to complete the value virtue before camp. This included reading the Book of Mormon. On the first night up at camp those that completed this challenge received a necklace. I was so proud of how many of the girls were able to complete this challenge.

Anna completed the challenge. She was a big help keeping me motivated because we kept comparing to see who was ahead in our reading. I think she finished a day before me.


It was fun to be up at camp with Anna....I am not sure she always felt the same way but she was a huge help to me.

With 28 girls we only had 6 leader going up for the whole time. At the last minute 2 of our leaders weren't able to come....luckily my awesome friend Liz...(who was dying to come,) Was able to come up and stay the whole time. It was kind of funny because 2 days before camp I found out that one of the leaders was only going to be able to come for one night. So I was talking to Liz and told her that if I lost another leader I was going to call her. So the night before we left another of the Leaders got really sick and wasn't able to come. I immediately called Liz and asked her if she remembered our conversation from the night before? All she said was "Really" I said yes that I needed her to go. I also have to say thank you to her husband who found out at 10pm that his wife was leaving for the week the next morning at 7am. All I can say is I couldn't have done it with out her!

My friend Alison getting ready to perform her ganster rap. I was sorry I missed it...we had a little medical emergency with one of the girls so I was up at camp...but I heard it was great.

This is Anna and Sam performing their part in our skit....which was awesome.

The gang.

All of the awesome leaders. I couldn't have done this with out them. Kirsten was my assistant and probably the most creative person I know. She had some of the cutest crafts I have ever seen made at camp. Plus the young women's presidency which were just thrown into camp with someone who had no idea what she was doing.

Anna singing in the choir for the fireside. I love this picture of Anna. She is so amazing. It was very emotional for me to hear her singing in the fireside. She has turned into a beautiful, confident and strong young women that has a strong relationship with her heavenly father. You can see it in her face and hear it in her testimony. Overall it was an awesome experience. The girls are amazing. I learned alot about myself and about the girls. Next year I know what to expect so there are somethings that will go a little smoother.....but we will have 10 more girls. I do feel like I accomplished my main purpose which was to provide the girls the opportunity to feel our Heavenly Father's love for each of them.
And that is what I hope each of the girls remember.

Atlanta

After Charleston we went back to Atlanta. We had a father's day dinner cooked by Mike Crosby. It was delicious...I didn't take any pictures. Our last day in Atlanta we went boating with Kath and Mike at a lake near their house. Kris and Mike and their family came out for a little while.

This is Anna trying to get up on the wake board.

Zach had an easier time. He looks like he is really concentrating

This is Hailey and Kayla on the tube.


Amanda and Kira on the tube. You can't see Kira but lets just say that Amanda liked the speed more than Kira.

As you can see Kayla also liked the speed more than Hailey. They must get that from Craig.

The kids relaxing out on the big tube. In the afternoon the boat broke down so we headed to Kristine's pool and spent the rest of the day.

The kids had a great time on the slide. This is Amanda....no idea who the guy is.

Anna and Hailey

Can you believe this flower...they were all over.

Braxton, Zach and Anna

Noah enjoying his Doritos. I did manage to get a sort of smile. We were sad to go home. We had a great time with Kathryn, Kris and Jarom. We can't wait to come again!

Kayla's Birthday

We celebrated Kayla's Birthday this year in South Carolina. Kayla was so excited to be be with Jarom and Kathryn and thier families for her birthday.

Kayla got a special version of Happy Birthday from Uncle Mike and Uncle Jarom. I tried to download the video but it won't do it....so let me just say it was a haromized whistle version of Happy Birthday.

Charleston SC

We spent one day in Atlanta going down a river on tubes. The kids really loved that but I didn't take my camera with me. The next day we headed to Jarom's for the weekend. We spend 2 of our days there at the beach. The kids loved it. It is so different from the Pacific Ocean. The water was really warm so the kids were happy just playing all dayat the beach.

Kathryn and Mike had rented a couple of bike so the kids took turns riding them up and down the beach.
One evening we went and walked around downtown Charleston.

Catching up on Summer

This last summer for our big family vacation we decided to go visit Kristine and Kathryn in Atlanta and then Jarom in South Carolina. Kathryn has lived out east for several years and we had never been out to see her. There was some delays in Atlanta due to weather so we got to spend a couple of extra hours in the Houston airport.

Emilia

Grandchild #23 joined and left our family on August 19 2010. As always we are so excited when someone in the family is expecting. Even at number 23 it is still exciting and anticipated. I love all of my Nieces and Nephews. For Jarom and Liina this was their second child. On just a normal weekly visit they found out that she had died. She was full term and there had never been any indication that there were problems. The Dr cannot explain what happened. She was perfect...and may be that is the key. She was too pure to come to this earth. All she needed was a body....but she didn't need to spend any time here. Jarom and Liina named here Emilia Isabelle Hanson. Being here in Utah and my brother in South Carolina I felt helpless. There was nothing I could do to help or comfort. On Saturday I was practicing the organ for church and playing "Be Still My Soul" and crying when a thought came to me. I could make a blanket. I have done this for most of my Nieces and Nephews and I wanted to do something. So after okaying this with Jarom, Anna and I set out to find the perfect material for this blanket. I wanted it to be a comfort to Jarom and Liina...and I wanted it to be soft and delicate.

Jarom and Liina invited us to come to a small viewing and graveside service for her. Luckily I was able to go as were most of my sisters and parents and most of Liina's family. We had an opportunity to see Emilia. She was beautiful. She looked a lot like her older sister Hannele. Again I questioned how this could happen and once again knew that she was a gift to our family. We were able to see a glimpse of her and knew that she was with other family members that are no longer with us.



Jarom and Liina picked this beautiful spot to bury her. It is a very peaceful and calming place. I just wanted to post some pictures of the graveside service for those friends an family that couldn't be there with us.



Hannele

Jarom and Liina asked Dad to give a talk. Although this was difficult for him he did a wonderful job.

Hannele had a little bouquet of flowers to put on Emilia's casket.

So even though we wish she was still with us we realize that this is purely selfish on our part. And that all of our sadness is really not for her but for us. So though there is sadness we are also extremely thankful that she is part of our family .

Strength of the Youth

When my sister and her family were her over spring break she had this great idea that all of the cousins that are 12 and older go do baptisms for the dead at the Jordan River Temple. It was such a good experience. Uncle Mark was able to do the baptisms. After we took a couple of pictures in front of the temple.

All I can say is what a great bunch of kids!