Girl's Camp!

I LOVED Girl's Camp, back when I was a girl. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints sends its Young Women (girls between the ages of 12 and 18) out into the wilderness for a week to help them: bond, admire God's beautiful creations, and giggle all night for an entire week. Well, the level of wilderness camp seems to vary a little from place to place (back when I was a girl we camped the "hard" way... uphill both ways, in the snow. But honestly, we didn't have a fancy dining hall or showers.).

The week presented its own interesting challenges, like extreme heat, but we kept going and had a great time!

Who wouldn't have a great time with these girls...

Danalou....

Katelynn...

Jessica...

and Kalina...

We got to do some pretty neat things while we were there, too.

We went on some gorgeous hikes.



We got to try archery. This is me... doing my best impression of Katniss Everdeen.

There were fire starting competitions, skits, and canoeing. We made pizzas and s'mores in the fire. We studied the scriptures and strengthened our testimonies.

Luke came up for the last two days to help out. He stayed up with the Stake Leaders so I didn't see him much, but it was really fun to have him up there.

I am so glad I was able to go to Girl's Camp! The girls in our ward are amazing! It was great to spend a week with them!

Death of a Sock Monkey

A little while ago, my sweet sister sent Palin a present. A sock monkey toy with a squeaker in it. It looked a lot like this...

Immediately, it became her favorite toy. She played with it.

And played with it.

And played with it. Until it didn't look much like a sock monkey.

Then, one day (about a week after she got it) it was just a pile of fluff.

Thanks sister! Palin loved it!

Moving, Family, Puppy, and a Demolition Derby!

A lot has happened this summer! First, we MOVED! We moved to a place just down the street from where we used to live, but it was a lot of work.

Then, my awesome cousin got married! I got to go back to Utah to be there for her big day.

I got to spend some time with family I rarely see these days.

Palin developed a taste for dirt. Specifically the dirt in my plant pot on our balcony. She usually looks like this when she comes in from the balcony now.




Luke's brother, Si, stopped by on his way to Ohio. He helped us unpack and read the Hunger Games with us. Si gave us a Wii (thank you, thank you! Luke plays it almost everyday!) and he and Luke got in a few good games of Super Mario Smash Brothers Brawl.

We even went to a Demolition Derby at the Champaign County Fair with some good friends. Let me just say... in the midwest, demolition derbies are even more awesome than they normally are.

Sorry for the massive summer update blog post. I got a new camera cord and am ready to blog again!

Welcome to the Midwest!

Welcome to the Midwest Mom!

Yep, we live here. Next to all the corn fields.

Luckily, Chicago isn't too far away. There are a lot of fun things to do in Chicago.

In one afternoon we can shop... and shop... and shop on the Magnificent Mile.

And when we get hungry, we can stop for deep dish pizza.

We can have a wonderful girly day.

Pizza is good. Chicago is fun. Moms are the best!

Graduation at USAFA!

Graduation at the Air Force Academy is as exciting as reading the names of 1,000 people can be. With a parade, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as key speaker, an awesome hat toss, and an air show by the Thunderbirds it's pretty fun. Graduation is a great celebration for the men and women who have worked so hard at the Academy for four years and chosen to serve our country as officers in the Air Force.

(I love Steve's hat!)

After hearing from Admiral Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the graduating class was presented with their diplomas and a special coin.

This is Si meeting the Admiral and accepting his coin.

Congratulations Si! We are so proud of you!

We had a wonderful time! Thanks for letting us be a part of it!

Luke says this was one of the best moments of his life... It's a moment we hope you always remember. You earned it.

Two Butter Bars

Luke's brother, Si, graduated from the Air Force Academy on May 27th. Luke and I got to return to the Air Force Academy (a place close to our hearts) to celebrate Si's commissioning and graduation.

The Air Force Academy is the service academy for the Air Force (like West Point is the service academy for the Army). Those who are accepted to the Air Force Academy are commissioned officers in the Air Force when they graduate.

Si's commissioning took place the night before graduation in a glider hanger. So, after attending parades, receptions, and a fancy cocktail party we met Si's squadron in the glider hanger for their commissioning ceremony.
Luke was able to commission Si a second Lieutenant.

Si asked his parents to switch out his shoulder boards.





They were so proud.



It was such a wonderful night! We are all so proud of Si. He will make a wonderful officer in the Air Force!

Now there are two butter bars in the family!

P.S. Doesn't Luke look handsome in his uniform?

Thank you Bill Simmons!

This is our... um... little puppy Palin. After ONE week! She already weighs 17.5 pounds! We're getting a little nervous.

Palin has been up to quite a bit since she's been here. She's learned how to go up and down the stairs. She's pretty proud of herself, as you can see.

She tries to eat everything. We're getting use to pulling things out of her mouth (rocks, leaves, goose poop, etc.). I guess it's pretty good training for a human baby.

Luke is pulling a post-it note out of her mouth.

Luke finished school last week! Only two semesters left! Since he has so much free time these days, he picked up a book at the library for some light reading.

700 pages of basketball bliss. Thank you Bill Simmons!

Summer break (the last one we'll ever have), a puppy, and a book all about basketball... life is great!