Youth Conference 2011

Matt and I had such a great time with the kids at Youth Conference this year. Thursday the group headed down to Monticello to do baptisms for the dead. Matt and I stayed in Moab with the kids that weren't able to go to the temple and hiked around camp and set up camp. We stayed at the Lone Mesa camp ground. Thursday night after dinner we had an outdoor movie. John Kuchenmeister a.k.a J.D. Fox is the YM Pres. and he brought his equipment for the movie. Kathy (my 2nd counselor), Emilee (John's wife) and Norma, (the bishop's wife) were the other women leaders.
The bishopric was there and Art Shamata (sp?). Two of the leaders that were going to come got sick the night before we left. Friday we got up early and went into Moab for the rafting adventure. The river was so high this year and most of the camp grounds were underwater along with a lot of the bike trails. The river was very swift but I felt safe the whole time. The water was actually a little to cold for me to jump in but I got plenty wet from the water fights. We did lose Todd (counselor in the bishopric) in some strong rapids but luckily the bishop was able to fish him out because I couldn't quit laughing. After the river brother Nielson came all the way down for a special fireside on substance abuse and some of his personal experiences and then the leaders shared their testimonies. After the fireside some of us went on a midnight hike to Arches. Art led the way. It was almost a full moon and we were able to hike to Delicate Arch. It was soooo Amazing! My camera wasn't high tech enough to pick it up in the dark but I got a few of us hiking in the dark. It was an experience I will never forget and I think the kids won't either. There was even a group down below the Arch singing. I could have sat there all night. I can't wait to go back and bring my kids. Trying to do the Crane at Dead Horse Point. Some of the kids were doing similar positions so I thought I would break out my yoga, weak wrists and all!

Dead Horse Point was our last stop before heading home on Saturday. What a great group of kids. We didn't have any problems and had a great time. It is amazing how much you grow to love and care about the youth as you serve as a leader. They are definitely special spirits in a tough world in which to keep their standards.

Marissa, Alisha, Me, Kathy, Emilee, Carly, Autumn, and Sharice

Midnight Hiking..

Group Shot in the dark. This group got an experience of a life time...Bishop Brent Christensen back row third one in. Todd Pay (2nd counselor) front row 2nd one from right. J.D. and Emilee front row on the left. Kathy and Glen (1st counselor) stayed back to look after the kids that stayed in camp.

Holding on to a leg of the Delicate Arch :)

Matt trying to get a picture of us under the Delicate Arch. We tried putting our flashlights behind our back to light up the arch but no luck. I need a better camera.

Hiking around camp. One of the boys I was hiking with was born without an arm. I was really amazed by him. I didn't have the best hiking shoes on (flip flops) and at one point we were going down some slick rock and I left black skid marks from my flip flops all the way down a rock. I guess you could say I burnt rubber. ;) It is so beautiful in Moab and there is lots of fun places to hike and sight see. I had to speak on Sunday about my YC experience with some of the youth and John. They also announced that they will be releasing our bishopric next Sunday. Very bitter sweet. I know that they have served for so long and need a break but they are just so great and I feel like we have formed special bonds and friendships with each of them and it will be a tough change.

My mom and dad came down to pick up the kids the Monday before we left. Mom had to go to an eye appointment. I don't know how well she felt after getting her eyes worked on but they still came over and got the kids for the week. She even took them swimming. The kids said the worked their butts off. That makes me so happy to hear that. I think it is so good for them. Dad said they were really good help. I wish they could go up there more often and help out. My mom has a lot of the work to do herself because dad is working a lot. The kids did have a great time and learned a lot too. We met my mom in Spanish Fork when we got back on Saturday because Lucas was having a little birthday party and Jabin wanted to stop by and see him. I hope we will be able to get together with Jesse and Bekah and their kids this summer we don't get to see them enough.

Sunday Evening Wagon Ride

We finished up our family vacation in St. George by stopping at Dusty and Diane's house on the way home to give them the video I had put together of our horse ride. Dusty had just helped with a youth conference over the weekend and was so sweet to hook up his mules and take us on a ride around Meadow. It was so beautiful! Matt even got to hold the lines.

This is a picture of Dusty as he is telling the kids a story about a guy that was helping build the Nauvoo Temple. He had a team of mules that always obeyed his commands. The prophet asked him why he didn't use a whip and he said he didn't need one because they do what I tell them to do. The prophet told him to go and get a whip. He did what the prophet asked and the very next day something spooked the mules and if he wouldn't have had the whip he wouldn't have been able to get them under control. Dusty told the kids that that is a lesson in obeying the prophet and doing what we are asked.

Me and Haddy had the back seat.

The Little Mermaid at the Tuacahn

Sebastian and the twins. Sebastian was my favorite. On our way out of the play we noticed all of the cast just appeared right where we were so we didn't even have to stand in a line. We got a few pictures and then it started to get a little hectic but who could resist these cute little girls and send them in front of the line.

Dallas and Flotsam and Jetsam.

Prince Eric and Ariel

With King Trton

Scuttle

Dallas and Flounder. This little boy was amazing.

During intermission we went for a bathroom break.

There isn't a bad seat in the place. This is the third time I have been to the Tuacahn and I love it. We got to see Peter Pan a couple of years ago and were so excited to be back this year. The play was Fantastic!! It was so cool to see how they used the special effects to do the underwater scenes. It is worth every penny.

Joni liked it so much her eyes were wide open the whole time and she didn't blink so her eyes were watering.

Little Mermaid happens to be Matt's favorite Disney so that helped in convincing him to do this. ;)

Before we went to the play we went out to eat at a place called Sakuri or something. It was Japenese and Thai food I think. We had so much fun and the chef had fun putting on a show for the kids including putting out the fire on the food with his little "fireman" that he used to pee on the flames. haha

Haddy got a musical flower that opened up and it sang. It actually wouldn't stop singing and the waiter said you have to desemble it to get it to stop. So Matt tried that and it still didn't stop so he left it in the boys bathroom in a plant.

It was really good food. It was the first time I got to try real sushi and I loved it. I can't wait to go to a sushi buffet.

Judd and Wendie celebrated their birthdays this weekend too.

Summer Begins

Eating sushi and laying out in the sun in beautiful St. George. Like Haddy said, "This is the life!"Matt looks like he is eating it but he is NOT a fan of sushi.

Haddy was so glad to be back at the pool after the hike. She was so excited to notice that her friend, Cody, and her cousin was staying at the same hotel and they were able to swim together. Cody's dad was being deployed and they were spending some time together before he left that night.

Trying to cool the kids off with the Mister. It really wasn't that hot and it wasn't that long of a hike but the kids thought they were going to die. It is my goal to teach my kids that they need to keep going when they feel like they are going to die and when things are really hard so they realize what they are capable of. It is such a good feeling to realize how strong you can be when you push yourself and I want my kids to realize this. Someday they will thank me hopefully.

So glad some of my family was able to come. I love spending times with my family.

This is venturing out on a hike above St. George. I had told my family about this spot that I used to go when I was in college where you had to squeeze through a rock about 50 yards. I hadn't been there for so long and it was fun to find it. There was some rock climbers repelling down the rock and Judd had to tease us saying that they thought he would be able to get through. I started through and the little twins were right behind me. Riley tried to get through and just couldn't contort his body to make it. Matt didn't even try to get through it. It was a really fun hike.

I asked Judd what the shirt was about and he said this is his baby Carlos...haha he is a funny guy.

Joni being health conscious and drinking diet.

Kristina had an Ipad with an app that you could record a song and then put it to a studio recording so it sounded professional. So this is our recording session.. My brothers love to sing.

Maile and Jabin playing with the Mister.

We had planned our summer vacation this year on Haddy's birthday. We stayed in St. George and got to swim, enjoy the sun, hike, eat good food and see The Little Mermaid at the Toucahn.

Happy Birthday Haddy Po! 7 years old...Grandma and Grandpa Taylor sent you some money and Grandma and Grandpa Robert sent you a darling school outfit and a horse you got to paint with some spending money. I let you pick out some cute jewelery at the Scandinavian Festival to wear to the play. We all agreed that you had a pretty special and spoiled birthday and you deserve it. What a joy you are to our family. We love you Hadden!

We got to St. George after stopping at A&W for rootbeer floats in Cedar City. The kids could not wait to get in the pool. Riley and Kristina and their girls were able to come down and Summer and Judd and Wendie. After we all got checked in we swam until the pool closed. Riley, Judd and Matt launched the kids in the pool until everyone was wore out enough to go to sleep.

Kristina and the cute twins. Joni was a complete water duck and just went a thousand miles an hour kicking her little legs with her head in the water. She reminded me of Dallas. Boy does it wear you out to chase 2-year-old water ducks but Riley and Kristina have it down.

Scandinavian Days....

We are usuallly out of town on Memorial Weekend when they have Scandinavian Days so this was the first year we were able to go. Jabin rode on Cody's Gym float with his wrestling team. It was a great parade and lots of booths and fun to enjoy all day.

The girls with a viking walking around during the parade.

May Day......

This is the kids much anticipated performance at the end of the year. I really enjoyed the program especially having a 5th grader in the Classic May Pole dance. Dallas was a little nervous but did really well. She was very sad for the year to come to an end. She had a very special teacher, Mr. Hansen, that she absolutely loved. I am so thankful for good teachers, it truly makes a difference to kids to feel that they are special and talented. Teachers have such an impact!

Jabin's dance was to a Tarzan song. I don't have a lot of pictures because I videoed their dances. I thought he was so handsome and new the moves really well. I think Jabin enjoys to sing and dance even though he probably won't admit it. He is good at it too.

Haddy's dance was to Zippity Doo Da and I thought it was so neat. They used these huge air balloon-type things and made designs and had them mushroom up and then back down. It was so fun to watch.

I wish I had more pictures but I had videoed the dances instead.

On May 24th my sweet friend Amberly Rhodes passed away after suffering with pancreatic cancer. she has a beautiful family of four boys. Davin is Jabin's age and then she has twin 6-year-old boys, Aaron and Collin, and little Nathan who is 3. She was such a special, talented and beautiful person, loving wife, mother and friend. She has made such an impact on me and how she dealt with things so unfair to her. She had amazing faith and hope and constantly lifted others when she was the one to be comforted. I was so thankful I was able to visit her the weekend of Mother's Day. I will never forget the sweet words she said to me as I could tell she was in such pain. I will strive to be a better person, mother, and wife because of Amberly's influence. What a special angel. I don't know why she was called back so early and that her sweet family has to endure this heartache but I know there is a reason. I admire her husband, Jason, who also had to endure so much pain as he was always by her side. I can't imagine what they went through. I took great comfort in the words said at her funeral, especially about ministering angels and that Amberly will have a greater influence on the other side and will be a comfort and guide for her young boys. Amberly was so loved. I loved her and was so touched by having known her and shared her friendship.