My vacation at home...

Jessica and her family came to visit for a whole week! It was fabulous. I couldn't wait to come home everyday, not that its much different other weeks...but i had someone to play with and so much to do !!

Kaleb is my friend. I loved playing with him, reading to him and singing him songs.

Braydan loved the farm, he might be our neighbor some day! COngradulations Braydan!

I'm just glad i didn't have to travel too far for this priceless vacation :)

It was a much needed visit. Thanks for coming Jessica and Braydan!

YSA

Im still young enough and single enough to go to the Young Single Adult conferences. Yeah! I was in charge of getting our ward to Bozeman, MT. Luckily i wasn't incharge of any activities because getting 30 some adults there and sheltered and happy was plenty for me :) I alone had quite the time getting to the hotel and to the insitute every hour on time without getting lost! I don't know what the deal was with me but it made for a fun weekend. Luckily i didn't have to drive...i had a great chauffer.

The first night we gathered in our room for some games and craziness. I think we all had the idea of coming to this conference to get to know other SA from the surrounding areas but we really just stuck together and got to know eachother a lllloooot better.

Sean Covey came as our speaker. He was great, really funny, he had a good message for us. The meals were great too :)

Jericho Road came and they were so fun to watch. OUr ward proceeded to take the front row which was the best idea (you feel like the show is all for you :)) The first 10 minutes i was laughing because of their dancing...it was good...just funny to see LDS men, seriously dancing like Backstreet boys. Bishop was right behind us enjoying every minute of it :)

Afterwards i was quite shy to meet them but my friend Ellyn helped me get a picture with em. THis is definitely a nervous smile. They had such a good show overall, the guys in our ward weren't so excited about it all...some left midway :(
Thats a weekend in a wrap up. I still wonder if im too old to go to these things...even though half my ward that came was at least 4 years older than me. THere's a good mix of 26 year olds and 18 year olds! Yipee

Martins Cove April 19th Training

My pictures are going backwards...that must be my thing lately but it'll work anyway. So this foggy picture of the morning is the last day of our Martins Cove training. It was an amazing two days in Wyoming. I was given the calling of organizing a ward Trek to Martins Cove. My bishop and his wife invited me and the R.S. president and another friend, now committee member to come along for the experience (to go back and get the ward pumped to come in 2 mos!). It was such a spiritual experience. I can't wait to take my singles ward in the summer.

It was pretty cool that we were there the weekend it snowed a little. We drove in at 4:30 friday morning thinking there was no way we were going to set up camp later that night...but after hearing stories all day of the pioneers amazing experience we agreed to do it anyway even though it was cold, wet and snowy...the pioneers experienced much worse 14'' worse! Friday night after square dancing and being up since 4 a.m. we set up camp and there was not a single snowflake or raindrop that fell the whole night (that i could tell). The night was so beautifully calm. We were truly blessed. I would have slept throught the night had i made a better decision on where to sleep in our cozy tent but i chose to try and fit on a double size mattress next to a pile of foam pads. I ended up in between with my head cranked on the mattress :) Oh well the training and meals were worth every minute of uncomfortable sleep...and to think of what the pioneers went through night after night with out a tent or food or warm clothing to change into.

Setting up the tents in the dark was quite hilarious. It took us forever to finish up and put on the flies and make our fire nice and toasty. We'll blame it on bishops lack of sleep and energy :) Jk...we couldn't even figure out the mattress pumper-uper. One was new and it took three smart adults :) to open the cap to insert the air! We made it really hard to pump those dumb things up. We got to know eachother really well, it was a blast.

I loved square dancing and learning how to dance the Virginia Reel. The missionary couples are so cute and fun. We were called the Montana girls...we had a lot of energy i guess :)

Friday day we got to push a handcart to Martins Cove and hear the story of Gordon B. Hinckley coming in 1992 and calling this place 'Hallowed Ground' where 56 pioneers died in 1856. It is such a neat place. My testimony of faith has grown so much during this trek. Because of their faith they kept going day after day obeying the prophet, knowing that what they are living for is true. Its just an amazing concept to think about.

I found real beauty in Wyoming...

THis will be my second trip here, I went when i was in yw but this trip i have gained so much more. Everyone should go at least once. Prepare and go!

Im going backwards...but its a good one...Hamilton!

Little Miss Muffet...it was fun to see her and be all together on this get together. She changes so fast!

Josh and Braydan loving the outdoor jobs.

THis was their reward for working so hard...bonfires :)

Jessica the professional cook we hired in from WA. She made tasty meals that kept us coming back! Josh was the dishwasher that never failed us. Grandma would be proud yet fighting him for that position at the same time :)

One of the jobs Kaleb and I enjoyed was emptying all grandmas water jugs. It was fun and messy!

I always volunteered to keep her happy... who wouldn't??

THe speedy garbage kings. This was a constant job throughout the whole house and outside. They had to stand on it and push it down several times to get most of it in these beasts.

Mom had to monitor a lot of their work because they'd get carried away. But there work was much appreciated!

Easter Sunday!

April 12-The best day ever. Zach got back this weekend so its been fun to play altogether, with his roommate Martin visiting too. THis morning we awoke to mom busy cooking in the kitchen our breakfast and dinner for after church. Josh, Zach, Martin and I went to the singles ward Stake Conference. It was so good. Perfect for centering our thoughts on Christs life. Afterwards we made it to our parents ward where we were spiritually fed once more. We had a great dinner altogether. Here is a few shots of us trying to get all in the picture but some weren't getting the picture ( if you know what i mean :)). The last picture is me in my after church attire. The apron shows I was a big cook but not really, just the luscious potato creator and I got to feed the two baby calves. It was a beautiful day all around. We missed Jessica and her family tho :(

Bonfire

A couple weeks ago we had a huge bonfire (see below) to burn up all joshs hard work he gathered from the sheds and around and invited the whole ward out. We had a really good turn out. It was better than any activity or church service. It was great, Josh's idea :) Unfortunately I don't have pictures of all the people. We roasted hot dogs, mom helped everyone ride a horse who wanted to, shooting was going on and we played 'wave me free' afterwards. It was so fun.

Life does go on...

Since my last post my life has gotten a lot busier I guess. Now that I have gotten so far behind I'm not sure where to start. THe bishop in my ward has put me to work being in charge of choir, YSA conference and a Martins Cove trip. I'm so tired usually from working a little and playing all night that the days go by quick.

I'm going to begin where my pictures begin...in Hamilton. Jessica made an awesome blog summing our weekend up so if you want more info go to hers for explanations. It was a great trip to see each other and work together. I love that house on Ricketts lane but its not the same anymore. Now all our memories must come from our pictures and our favorite things we were able to collect from that house to remember Grandma and Grandpa.

Eliza has changed so much since February! She's a cuttie :)

I'm going to miss visiting Hamilton and the smell of the Bitterroot Valley. I should have captured it in a bottle :)