Cousins Camp (Part 2) --- Montana Madness

Cousins Camp in Montana What a wonderful time we had for the 2Nd part of cousins camp in Montana. We started off with celebrating the 4Th of July. Anny, Jim and kids, and Kass and kids made it just in time for a Backyard BBQ. We had some of Sam's family, and some friends come over for the occasion. Laurel and Matt even brought a snow cone machine! What a hit that was.


Maren enjoying a yummy snow cone
While most of us were playing and eating in the backyard.....

Some of us were in the front driveway blowing up firecrackers in a glass bottle. (Yes, the bottle ended up broken, but no one was injured.)Zack, Max and Patrick having some fun

We then headed to the main park for the State famous fireman's fireworks. We enjoyed listening to the music beforehand, and watching the kids dance, do some gymnastic moves, and play some games.
If one kid buys some cool light enhancing glasses, they all have to get some. Thanks a lot Sammy who started it all:)
Max, Paige, Zack, Jackson before the fireworks show
We enjoyed a wonderful show, with some very patriotic music to go along. Very inspiring

Maren and Aliza my beautiful girls!

On Saturday, we decided to go to Red Lodge and enjoy the town and the Beartooth Mtns.

We ordered some pizza and while waiting we had fun going to the candy store. The kids were quick to find just the right candy for them.

We took the pizza to the top of the Beartooth overlook, we thought there would be some picnic tables, but when there were none, we threw out some blankets and ate in the parking lot. We had some looks, and some fun comments from people, but enjoyed the cool air and view.

Maren loves making sure the younger ones are well taken care of.
We went a little further up the mountain, and ran into some left over spring snow. It felt so nice after 90 plus weather down below.

We brought some sleds, and the kids had a fun time doing a little sledding.
Across the street, the kids wrote their names on the wall of snow. Which led to.......
The boys finding a better hill to sled on. They even got hot and had to take their shirts off.
Jackson, Zack and Max just getting down the hill

After getting home, Sam and Jim went golfing. It was a nice evening, so we enjoyed watching and taking pictures of the boys playing basketball.
They got a little hot and had to take their shirts off:)
Jackson slam dunking with a beautiful rainbow in the background. The girls were in the backyard jumping and getting wet while the sprinklers were on. They were having so much fun. I guess their pants were getting a little too heavy so....... They had to take their pants off. Good thing their shirts were long enough.
Of course we had to get cute pictures of Brooklynn and Bree. So fun. I believe Sammy was up playing the Wii, I guess basketball wasn't his thing.
Sunday--The kids were great help shucking corn while waiting for Zack to get back from the E.R. Yes, we did have an accident on the trampoline........

Zack broke his arm while jumping off, or doing some sort of trick. He sure was a trooper about the whole thing. The kids used a couple rolls of toilet paper to help make Zack feel better, I think it worked.

Monday-- I was up at 5:00 to get Sammy to the church for Scout Camp, then had to take Jackson to gymnastics at 7:00. A little later, Anny, Kass and I took the two girls and Blake to Kiddie Kandis for a fun filled and enjoyable time of trying to get them to smile. I became "Auntie" by the photographer. "Auntie" was needed to help the kids smile. I think it worked a little bit. We did a little shopping, then went home to do a little blogging.:)

Tuesday--This was a fun filled day, we started with us three "camp counselors" getting a little R&R with GOLFING!!!

Our main goal was to relax and have fun. I guess I was a little worried with making people wait for us since we spent more time looking for our balls and taking pictures. There were only three groups that played through. I guess that's not too bad.
Later that day, we took the kids roller skating (we felt they should do something instead of staying home all week) Max and Jackson having a blast!

Aliza being a great skater after practicing last year.
I usually sit and enjoy watching the kids have fun. It was even funner being out there playing and skating with the kids!

Wednesday--We had a late start on Wednesday. Kass got scary sick, which ended up being the stomach flu, and was down for most of the day. Jackson started throwing up when he got home from Gymnastics and was in bed for most of the rest of the day. Our original plans were to take the boat out around 2:00 and play until Sam got out there after work. With some sick, we decided not to go until Sam got off work to help us more. Kass and Jacks were filling a little better by then and were able to join us.
Jackson out on the knee board with Max waiting his turn.
The three 5 year olds getting ready to go. Aliza and Abby ready for some fun!!!

(Little did they know that a few hours later they too would be throwing up all night)

Thursday--Our last real day of cousins camp was Big Splash, the most wanted thing to do while in Montana, but not before us "camp counselors" getting another R&R with a great 1 hour massage from DONNA, this is one of the things we look forward to the most while here. Unfortunately, Abby and Aliza were still not well enough to go to Big Splash, so I stayed home while they rested, and the the 1 year olds slept. It was a good time to get the house back in order and a little cleaned. It felt good. Thanks to Anny and Kass, they took some great pictures for me.

Max and Jacks resting a while I suppose

What a great picture to end with. It just says to me, "What a fun week! We sure are pooped."

I know this was a very long post, and a month late. With being so busy this summer and some internet trouble, this is the first time I have really had time to work on this.

I am so glad we have been able to continue our cousins camp. I know with the kids getting older, it will be harder and harder to get them all together (Sammy being at scout camp), but he was here the first few days at least. I enjoy getting together as much as possible with family, whether it being with mine or Sams. I am thankful for and love all my and Sams family. I am thankful for the knowledge of the great Plan of Salvation. Knowing that we can be together FOREVER brings me great peace. Until next year.........:) :) :)

Very Embarrassing Moment!

Can you imagine wearing these to the temple?!!!

I had a chance to go to the temple the other day to do baptisms for the dead with Crystal. This was her first time to go, after being baptized 2 months ago. She was to meet me at my house then we would drive over together, about a 20 min. drive. I got up early and put my dress on, I had a few last min. things to do before she came over. Instead of running around in my dress, high heal shoes, I quickly threw on my flip flops to run an errand in town. I got home and was doing a quick pick up of the house when she came. We were a little late, so I grabbed my purse and we headed to the temple. She was so nervous, but excited, and was very happy I was going with her. We pulled up to the temple, got out of the car, and as we were walking to the front doors, I looked down and realized I still had my flops on! I could not believe I left them on. I was so embarrassed and didn't know if I could go in. I decided I better go in. It truly didn't matter if I had my flip flops on, I was going to do work for the dead, and helping out Crystal. I tried to hide my feet as much as possible, and was explaining right and left what had happened so the sweet temple workers could understand. They were very understanding and said these things happen.:) We were baptized and confirmed for 10 people each, (it was a strange feeling getting into the water, I hadn't been there since I was a Young Woman). Crystal and I felt the spirit strong as we were doing the confirmations. She was excited that we helped 20 people get baptized. I am so blessed to have gone and had this experience with her, and do this work for those who do not have the bodies to do so.

I Spy

As I was looking for my SD card for my camera, which I thought may have slipped into my comfy chair since I couldn't find it anywhere else, I discovered many things that had slipped inside as well. It's amazing how much crumbs and food I found, since there is no eating out of the kitchen! :)

I spy...

My SD card, many pieces of bacon, a pink Hello Kitty band-aide, a black rubber beetle (I thought it was real for a second YUCK!!), a blue & green M & M, cap gun bullets, a chocolate chip, the letter D puzzle piece, (I've been looking for that for a long time), loose change, a white golf tee, and many, many more.

What are some things that you spy?

A Very Inspiring Blog

Anny was given a blog link by one of her friends, Cara. It is a blog written by a mom who has just lost her young toddler in a drowning a month ago. Last night, Anny and I sat in my front room, each with a laptop, and read her daily posts from the time the accident happened until now.

It was so amazing to read her thoughts, her testimony, and her honesty and feel the Spirit so strong. She writes things in a way that I never could and puts things in a perspective that I wouldn't think of. She makes me want to be a better person and a better mother. I am thankful for her courage to share her story.

In reading her story, she has given permission for people to share her blog with others. If you want to take look click here. It is a very inspiring blog to read. I hope you will take the time and read the comments as well, they are also inspiring.

Midnight Blogging at Cousins Camp

Last night we were blogging, sharing the same computer.

What a pleasant surprise!

I did not know this, but we have three lap tops and with the great wireless internet, the three of us are able to blog without cramming together. What a fun cousins camp we're having.

Sammy Has Braces!

It had to be done.

This will probably be a two year deal. He needs to have a baby tooth taken out, then go in and expose his permanent tooth and have it pulled down, that will take approximately 7 months to do. Sammy is not too happy about getting them, but let me tell you, in two years he will be 16 years old. Watch out girls!