Julian at Day Camp

This was Julian's first year at Cub Scout Day Camp.  He LOVED it and was very excited to go back again next year.  He told me he wished camp was more than one week.  I said goodbye to him each morning around 8:15 and then picked him up around 3:00.  He spent his day having so much fun!

Building a maze using legos and marbles

Building a robot out of wood.

BB guns were a favorite!

Julian with the other cub scouts in his group, the "knives"

Hillsboro Oregon Stake Trek

I was home from California only 1 day when Hyrum left to go to Trek with the twins.  We had such a crazy packed summer this year I was feeling like we weren't ever going to be together as a family under the same roof for more than a few days!  Hyrum was asked to be the doctor in charge at our Stake trek and he agreed because the twins were old enough to participate.  There was a lot of complaining by the twins, especially about wearing "pioneer" type clothes but in the end I think they had a fun time.  They got to spend time with friends, meet new people and prove to themselves they can do hard things.  It was a 30 mile trek over 3 1/2 days.  The dirt and dust from the trail was their biggest complaint.  They pushed or pulled a handcart, slept in tents, ate food around campfires.  I hope they have good memories and that their testimonies of the pioneer spirit grew during their time on trek.

Townsend with his trek "family"

Emerson with his trek "family"  Can you tell from their faces they weren't super excited to be there?

Hyrum and his team of medical helpers

Hyrum set up a first aid tent at each of the campsites.  He said the biggest problems were blisters on hands and feet.  One kid was so dehydrated and delirious that he had to go to the ER, but for the most part nothing too exciting happened.  Which was a good thing!

The boys taking a break with some friends.  They were so filthy!!

Hyrum cooling his feet in the stream.

Townsend pulling the cart on the trail

Emerson helping his family pull the cart

Tired boys taking a break.

Of course the twins complained when they got home, they said it was the worst 3 days of their life!  I only hope that deep inside them somewhere is a memory of how it feels to accomplish something difficult.  

California Dreamin'

The day after girls camp I got on an airplane and headed down to California.  I got to spend a whole week with my sister and her family.  It was so awesome of Paige to watch Julian and then doubly awesome to then spend a week in San Diego hanging out!

We stayed at the Air Force base on Coronado Island.  The beach was literally across the street from our hotel!  And since you had to have a military ID to access this beach it wasn't super crowded like the other beaches on the island.

Riann, Paige and I waiting for the 4th of July parade on Coronado Island.  So much fun hanging out with my sisters:)

Remy and Julian waiting for the parade.  They had plastic bags to collect any candy that was thrown out but not a single parade float threw candy...WHAT??

We could watch the awesome San Diego fireworks right from our hotel balcony!

Did I mention I just love this little DeShetler family?

We spent a day at the San Diego Zoo!  Sooooo hot!!!  We stopped many times to get ice cream or cold drinks during the day!

Going for a ride on the cable car with Auntie Ri

San Diego Zoo 2017...

...San Diego Zoo 2013.  My baby is growing up!!

Another beautiful sunny day in California!

One of Julian's favorite rides at Legoland...the Fairy Tale Brook

These two got to hang out and go on all the fun kid rides

Silly little Julian

We spent one full day at the Legoland water park.  Julian made me hang out on the lazy river for about an hour...I got completely sunburned!

Cousin fun!

After a few days in San Diego we headed back to Paige's house.  Julian and Remy helped Paige bake a cake for Uncle Zach's birthday.

What an awesome cake!!!  Uncle Zach was impressed:)

I wish this little cutie lived closer...I miss his silliness

After a fantastic trip to California Julian and I flew back to Oregon.  What a fun time and we made some great memories!!!

Julian's trip to visit Auntie Paige

The twins had scout camp the very same week I was away for girls camp.  That meant that Julian would have been home alone.  Luckily my sister Paige lives just a quick plane ride away:)  At first Julian said he didn't want to fly on the airplane by himself but we talked about it for a few months and I reassured him that everything would be fine

Look at this brave 8 year old!  Luckily there were no stops or layovers so it was a nice smooth and direct fight and Paige met him at the gate in California.  I was so super proud of him!

Julian and Remy at the park.  Julian was excited to get to play the role of "big brother" for a week.

I always think of Julian as my little baby, but next to Remy he looks like a giant!

Auntie Paige took the boys to the Air Force Base where Uncle Zach works to see all the cool airplanes.

Stake Young Women Girls Camp

I was called to be our Ward Girls Camp leader this year.  This meant that I had to help out with the fundraiser, collect a whole bunch of paperwork and medical forms from the girls and then spend a week at camp with everyone.  I was surprised when I got called to work with the Young Women.  I just assumed I wouldn't ever have to worry about them because I only have boys:) It was a lot of fun all week and it was great getting to know and hang out with the other leaders from my Stake. 

My home away from home for a week.  I shared this cabin with three other leaders.

Did some fun hikes around camp with  my friends Jacki Fisher and Audrey Burdick

When you don't wash your hair everyday it's good to put it up in braids:)

Audrey took a bunch of us on a creek walk.  I went the entire time without getting wet and then the last 10 yards before getting out of the water I slipped on a rock and got soaked!

The final campfire at camp they have a "circle of light" where everyone stands in a circle with a candle and we sing hymns.  It was a really spiritual experience.