Father/Daughter Hike

Brad and Kylie planned a "last hurrah" backpacking trip, thirty miles over four days, up near Staircase.  They ended up doing 20 miles in less than 24 hours!  Kylie got an eye infection the first night and they had to turn around and come home.

 

Here they are, blissfully unaware of what's to come! 

Crossing the bridge at Staircase.

 

Made it to the first night's camp site!

Next morning, ready to head back.

Brad's favorite spot!

They said there were all kinds of berries everywhere.

Notice Kylie is now wearing sunglasses, the light really hurt her eye.

They met up with another hiker and enjoyed his stories for a while on the way down.

Back to the river, almost there!

They made it!  Exhausted, for sure!  They were pretty disappointed not to be able to do the whole trip.  Maybe next year. 

Girls' Camp...is the very best place in the world, the best place for any living girl...

As an Assistant Stake Girls' Camp Director, I got to help plan and prepare for camp, and then attend all week! I hadn't been for a few years, when I was Jillian's first year cabin mom (she was a 4th year this year!) It was so fun to be back!  Girls' Camp really is a great place for having fun, learning some skills, developing a stronger testimony and getting away from the world for a few days!

It was great to be there with Jillian.  She makes it a lot of fun!

Las Tres Amigas

 

I love these fun girls!

 

Leader's polar dip

The whole camp!

Jillian's cabin

 

The balloon release was beautifully symbolic of letting go of something that was weighing us down, and encouraging  us to "Look Up," this year's theme.

I'm glad Brooke got to experience being a cabin mom, even though we didn't get to spend much time together. 

 

Audrey and Jill

 

Jill wasn't impressed with my hula hooping talent.

 

Me, Lisa Osborne, Brooke Russell, Laurel Tutty and Gena Marcum, all leaders from our ward. 

 

Our ward's girls on Bishop's Night.

The crazy camp staff's skit!

Tri-Athlete!

Kylie competed in her first Olympic length Triathlon in Ocean Shores this weekend!

We camped overnight Friday and went to cheer her on Saturday morning.  I loved the small town atmosphere of the race.  It was easy to get to each back and forth from each event so we could cheer her on.  

First she swam 1 mile in Duck Lake

 

She was one of the few without a wetsuit!

Then she biked 25 miles.

 

The she ran 6.2 miles!

When she finished, she was tired, but said she will definitely do another one!

Kylie and "Coach Sal," her good friend Sallie, who was her inspiration and mentor. 

Sallie did a 1/2 Ironman, which Kylie aspires to do someday.

 

 

 

Way to go, Kylie!  We love you!

Happy 15th Birthday, Jillian!

Happy birthday to my sweet, funny, smart, kind, beautiful girl!

Look at what a little peanut she used to be! 

I love her enthusiasm!

 

 

We got her a film camera, which she was very happy about. 

She took film photography last year and wants to learn more. 

Following in her Uncle Tyler's footsteps!

Kylie made her a cute mug.

I hope all her wishes come true this year!