First Day of School 2010

School started in late July…CRAZY!! It was nice to get back to a routine, have some peace and quiet in the house…but none of us was ready to start getting up super early again. But love it or hate it, the first day of school always comes around and at least everyone looked Fabulous!

Liz (Senior!), Megan (Sophomore) & Mikayla (Freshman)...they are all attending "Early Morning Seminary" together now too.

Donovan is the last one in Elementary School! I feel old! I actually took this one at the end of the day because I forgot in all the confusion at the beginning of the day.

Donovan playing with Sophie after school...

Ashley started 6th Grade this year...her first year in Middle School! PJ is a "BIG" 7th grader this year. He's almost 6 feet tall already. I took this one at the end of the day as well...mornings are crazy.

This wasn't the first day of school...but soon after. Both PJ and Donovan picked the same shirt this year, so I had to get a picture of my "twins," and a brief moment when they were being nice to one another :-).

 

2010 Young Women Camp

Young Women Camp (better known as “Girl’s Camp”) is a highlight each summer for girls ages 12-18 in our church.  It is a week away from the world where they get to concentrate on spiritual/fun things.

Liz (YCL), Megan (4th year) and Mikayla (3rd year) got to go to our Stake Camp this year and each one had a great experience.  There were tons of cool pics shared on Facebook…and I had a hard time picking which ones to share on the blog because I consider ALL of the girls there “My girls” since I serve them in the Young Women’s Presidency.   But I just selected a few of my favorites for the blog.

The AMAZING Young Women in our ward right after they completed their skit for "Skit Night."

I didn't get a very good photo of the skit because they had glow-in-the-dark necklaces and bracelets on and the stage was darkened. But here you can see Megan in the middle and the different groups were responding differently to her suggestions. The moral was that we can all work together and get along.

This is another ward that had just completed their skit.

There was a braiding class at the camp. Liz, who is already an expert "braider" did these braids for her friends.

Some of the fearless Leaders - LtoR: Sister Stone, Sister Joyner & Sister Watts

Some of "my girls"

Mikayla is on the far Left, with Janna, Kissa, Beebee & Jhoseline.

Mikayla with Janna

Liz, Alex & Kirstin

Megan getting a lift from Sister Joyner

Vanessa & Liz ("sisters")

This is a group of YCLs (or Youth Camp Leaders -ages 16-18). They were leading the younger girls in camp songs before a meeting.

Megan (right) with a camp friend from a different ward.

Laura, Vanessa & Liz

This was Liz's last YW Camp! Next year she will be 18 and graduated...how sad!!! By next March Ashley will be 12 and I will have FOUR Young Women in the program--for a couple of months before Liz moves on to Relief Society.

Mikayla (2nd from Left) with new friends from other wards.

This is our awesome Stake Young Women's Presidency!

The theme of the camp was the Doctor Seuss Book "Oh the Places you Will Go." The girls thought it was funny that the sign was right above the door to the bathroom :-).

The girls hanging out in their AIR CONDITIONED CABIN!! Not all YW Camps are like this...a lot of them (all over the world) do primitive camping. But I think they are pretty lucky given how hot and humid it was that week!

The first night of camp they had a "Let's Make a Deal" Game Show for the girls. They were supposed to dress up crazy like people used to do for that TV show. This is Megan's craziness.

More Crazy Megan

Going along with the Dr. Seuss Theme, here is "The Cat in the Hat" with "Thing 1" and "Thing 2."

Megan on her bunk.

Mikayla (middle) playing NINJA with Sister Watts and Kadison.

Some more of my Young Women LtoR: Laura, Tajheeta, Kadison, Katie & Eileen.

Liz (17) and Laura with a girl from another ward.

Sister Watts and Rachel

Liz - REALLY??

More Ninja for Mikayla

LtoR: Megan (15), Tajheeta, Katie, Melissa, Kadison & Katie (I don't know who the girls in the back are).

Megan got a Stake Award for being a "Peacemaker."

Here are a couple of videos of some of the singing that went on at camp that I got to be a part of.  As mentioned above, the YCL’s or Youth Camp Leaders, got to lead the younger girls in Camp Songs before the main gatherings.  They all had a lot of ENERGY!!!

ABOVE:  2010 Lilburn Stake YW Camp – YCL Songs 1

ABOVE:  2010 Lilburn Stake YW Camp – YCL Songs 2

ABOVE:  2010 Lilburn Stake YW Camp – YCL Songs 3

ABOVE:  YW Camp: YCLs singing “If the Savior Stood Beside Me”

This is the YCLs singing “If the Savior Stood Beside Me” before one of the nightly meetings.

I love this song and I missed most of it…I only got them singing the last verse (see lyrics below).

Lyrics:
by Sally DeFord

1.If the Savior stood beside me, would I do the things I do?
Would I think of His commandments and try harder to be true?
Would I follow His example? Would I live more righteously,
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

2.If the Savior stood beside me, would I say the things I say?
Would my words be true and kind if He were never far away?
Would I try to share the gospel? Would I speak more reverently
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

3.If the Savior stood beside me, would my thoughts be clean and pure?
Would His presence give me strength and hope, and courage to endure?
Would His counsel guide my actions? Would I choose more worthily
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

4.If the Savior stood beside me, would I often kneel to pray?
Would I listen to the Spirit’s voice, and hasten to obey?
Would I count my many blessings? Would I praise Him gratefully
If I could see the Savior standing nigh watching over me?

5.f the Savior stood beside me, would I comfort those in need?
Would I try to show the Savior’s love in every word and deed?
Would I give to those who hunger? Would I serve more willingly
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

6.He is always near me, though I do not see Him there
And because He loves me dearly, I am in His watchful care
So I’ll be the kind of person that I know I’d like to be
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me.

Pioneer Trek 2010

Pioneer Treks are a semi-recent tradition in the LDS Community. Each year (typically in the summer), LDS youth in different parts of the world have the opportunity to pull handcarts, dress like pioneers and do a lot of the same things the Mormon Pioneers did in the mid to late 1800s. Our Stake offers this opportunity to our youth once every 4 years (this was the first year).

One of the goals of ”The Trek” is to help the youth appreciate what the pioneers did for us…all that they sacrificed and went through in order to find a place ”out in the West” where they could practice our religion without fear and persecution.  Other things that are accomplished by the Trek are:  1)  the Youth learn to appreciate the modern conveniences and luxuries that we enjoy but take for granted, 2) unity is developed amongst the youth of the Stake, and 3)  they learn to work together as a group for a common goal. 

Frank participated in a Trek several years ago and had an amazing experience. This is the first Trek that our kids have been involved in. Liz, Megan and Mikayla all got to participate.  According to their report, all of the above goals were achieved.

 I’ve posted one of these links before…but for more info on the Mormon Pioneers, click on these:

 Mormon Pioneers:  The Pioneer Story

 Mormon Trail of Pioneers

 The Pioneer Trek

 **Here is a quote from one of the above links:

 ”All along the Mormon trail, and during the years that the pioneers traversed this great trek west, hundreds of Saints of all ages, especially the young and elderly, died from hunger, cold, sickness, disease, and exhaustion.¹ Countless stories have been told and recorded of the trials and tribulations of the Mormon pioneers. Nevertheless the Saints remained faithful and continued forward with “faith in every footstep.”²

On July 24, 1847, the first pioneers finally reached the end of the Mormon trail. Led by Brigham Young they came out of the mountains and looked down upon the Salt Lake Valley. Upon seeing the valley President Young declared, “This is the right place.”³ The Saints had been led to a place where they could live in safety and worship God according to their beliefs without the overwhelming persecution they’d faced in the east.

From 1847 to 1868 about 60,000-70,000 pioneers traveled from Europe and the Eastern US to join the Saints in the Great Salt Lake Valley, which later became part of the state of Utah.”

I took the first four pictures when I dropped them off...before they got dirty :-). For the rest of the pictures I was at the mercy of other people, so I didn't get a lot of good ones of my kids...but I was very happy to get the ones I did. Jackie Ober (Stake YW 2nd Counselor), Melissa, Mikayla, Megan, Nancy Goodyear (Stake YW Pres), Liz, Ma? #1, Ma? #2.

Jackie Ober (Stake YW 2nd Counselor), Melissa, Mikayla, Megan, Nancy Goodyear (Stake YW Pres), Liz, Ma? #1, Ma? #2.

Here are a bunch of the handcarts that the "families" pulled during the Trek. This was the first year that our stake did a Trek and the Stake leaders and Priests and Laurels actually made all of the carts in the Spring.

Mikayla, Melissa, Megan & Liz (who was not too happy to be there).

Can you see Liz? She is in the center/front, right above the wheel of the handcart (braided hair).

Another gathering of the youth...

This is Mikayla's "Family." She is on the Right in the pink shirt.

This is the Buck's Family (they were a "Ma and Pa" for the Trek)...Melissa G. is in the center.

The Bucks again...both on the Right.

I don't know the rest of these kids, but you can see Katie P. from our ward at the back of the wagon.

That's Melissa G. in the middle.

There's Liz behind the wagon...

Katie P. again (front Left)...

Melissa and the Bucks again...

That's Megan sitting with her back to the camera...I wasn't able to get a lot of good photos of her.

Hmmm...looks like a real pioneer camp...

Vikki P. (Center, facing forward)

That's Megan on the far Left (looking down) and you can also see Vikki P. from our ward (center, looking down).

Liz...making pancakes the hard way...

That's Liz on the Left...looking at all of the fired-up dutch ovens. Mmmmmm.....

Liz helping make pancakes...

I don't know who the guy is...but that's Megan in the background.

Mikayla enduring the heat and humidity of the great Georgia outdoors...the Trek took place during an unusually hot June...temps were in the 90's...PLUS humidity...I was proud of them for enduring it so well.

...entertainment...like the Pioneers had...

Sariah B. (far Left) at the dance.

Ferree B. (2nd from Left) at the dance.

Mikayla's first "Church Dance." :-) She turned 14 a month before the Trek.

"Stick Pulling" was an activity the pioneer men entertained themselves with. That's Bro. Heaton from our ward on the Right.

A stick-pulling win...you can see Mikayla in the pink shirt off to the Right.

Brother Heaton and his cute baby! The baby was only there for part of the Trek.

Yuck!! We were really worried about the girls getting ticks...but it didn't happen. They really didn't even have many bug bites.

Online Videos about the Mormon Pioneers:

Mikayla Turns 14!!

Mikayla is going into High School next year!!!  I can’t believe how they are all growing up!

Mikayla spent her 14th birthday by going to Six Flags with two of her friends and then having the traditional pizza with cake and ice cream at home later.

Mikayla with her friends Janna and Chelsea.

Blowing out the candles...

Opening Presents...Aunt Sandi, Uncle Larry, Seth and Hannah were there as well.

More presents...

"Yeah, I love this part..."

Megan and Frank

PJ was our videographer this time...can't wait to see how that turned out ;-).

Hannah Banana

Mikayla Turns 14 – Singing “Happy Birthday” to her…

Young Women in Excellence

Every year our Young Women (ages 12-18) at church have a program called “Young Women in Excellence.”  This is where we celebrate the goals they have set and then completed in the “Personal Progress” Program over the past year.  This year we had theme of:  “The Oscars: A Night of Stars.”  The girls dressed up in formals and we did it like an awards show.  Liz and her friend Alex were the hosts.  They also were instrumental in putting on the program…it was one of the 10 hour projects they did for Personal Progress as well.

Liz all dressed up...

Megan all dressed up...

Mikayla all dressed up...

Ashley wasn't technically old enough to be there, but she didn't have her church activity that night, so she got to attend some of it too.

This is Liz and Alex (at the podium) acting as the hosts...

All of the girls won some kind of award for their efforts over the year. This is Liz asking them questions after they received their award.

More Questions...

More Questions...

Even the Bishop got an award! Kirstin is overcome with the honor of the award :-).

Liz interviewing Kirstin...

Liz interviewing Sariah...

Liz interviewing Laura Z...

Liz interviewing Laura W...our newest Beehive.

Liz, Mikayla and Megan sang a song for part of the program as well...they did a fabulous job!

Liz interviewing Daija and Dorian....

Our fearless leaders, Betsy and Julie, in a deep discussion...

This is such a cute picture (Liz took it)...Melissa (our Laurel advisor) with her little man, Sawyer.

Teacher Appreciation Dinner

For 20 years now our Ward (or church group) has been doing an annual “Teacher Appreciation Dinner.” 

All of the youth (6th grade through high school) invited their favorite teacher to attend.  This year, even the 5th graders got to invite one, so Ashley got to come too…which meant we had 5 of our 7 kids there with a teacher. 

It was a really nice evening.  Dinner was served and we had speakers and musical numbers by the youth.

Liz got to bring 2 teachers: Ms. Hanahan & Mr. Young.

Megan with Ms. Szatkowski.

Mikayla shared Ms. Swain with her friend Kaley. Ms. Swain has been a fixture at the dinner for several years.

PJ and Ms. Lammie.

PJ and Ms. Lammie again.

Ashley with Ms. Simpson....who had a huge impact on Ashley in the 4th grade last year...and continues to influence her.

Liz with her friends Laura and Tyler.

PJ and Dane.

Dane and Liz.

Elders Lee and Kilpelainen...the missionaries got to serve dinner to us.

Elders Lee and Delgado.

We joke that Liz and Elder Delgado look like they could be brother and sister.

This one and the rest of the pictures below are photos of other youth in our ward and their teachers and parents.

 

 

 

 

Young Women Camp 2009

Liz, Megan and Mikayla got to go to Young Women Camp in July.  They do Stake Camp every year here.   It was held at a local camp facility where they had cabins for the girls, a swimming pool and a dining hall….no roughing it this year . 

They all seemed to have a great time.  Liz was a YCL (Youth Camp Leader) for the first time this year.  It was a medical theme:  ER – Eternal Rewards.

For those of you that don’t know…every year our church puts on a week-long camp for the girls that are ages 12-18.  It is done regionally.  The goal is for the girls to have fun but also to have a spiritual experience.

Above: Liz (back center) with other girls from our ward.

Above: Liz (center) with Kaley & Kadison.

Above: More of Liz being a YCL.

Above: Liz and her YCL friends looking at a very interesting bug or something...

Above: Liz is always doing someone's hair...she's good at it...it's one of her talents.

Above: Our awesome, fearless Girl's Camp leaders: Betsy & Hitomi.

Above: One of the camp activities.

Above: The girls getting inot the activity. That's Megan in the stripes.

Above: Mikayla and friends in the dining hall.

Above: Hanging out in the cabin (Mikayla laying down and Megain in stripes).

Above: More hanging out in the cabin.

Above: They had a cool water slide for the girls. This is Mikayla getting ready to go down the slide.

Above: The water slide.

Above: Mikayla and her friend Janna canoeing.

Above: Mikayla and Janna riding a paddleboat.

Above: Megan & Eileen doing the paddleboat.

Above: Mikayla and friends in the pool.

Above: Liz and her YCL buddies.

Above: Hitomi (middle in the white) and the Buck girls (Lydia, Ferree, & Sariah) getting ready to head home.

Mikayla’s New “Do”

Mikayla has soooo much hair with tons of curl…and she doesn’t like it for some reason. But her hair is REALLY beautiful. Today I took her in to my stylist for a cut and style…she looked amazing!

Above: The BEFORE shot…. That’s Amy Steinberg, our stylist…she is awesome!! She owns GrassRoots Salon in old town Conyers.

Above: …and the AFTER.

Above: She loved it! It turned out great!

Six Flags for Mikayla’s Birthday

We all went to Six Flags over Georgia for the first time at the end of May. We went in celebration of Mikayla’s birthday.

It was Memorial Day weekend and we thought it would be really crowded. Lucky for us, however, there was a threat of rain that day…the traffic was REALLY light. It did rain once for about 20 minutes in the afternoon…but that was it. The rest of the day was overcast and in the upper 70′s….perfect! AND the lines were short! We couldn’t have asked for a better day.

Well…except for the fact that on the very first ride…the Cyclone, which is an ancient wooden coaster….I put my cell phone in my pocket for the ride…and when we were done it was gone! That darn ride threw me around like a rag doll. The bar wasn’t very tight and I felt like I was going to fall out at times…crazy!!! AND it hurt my back in 2 places.

The sad thing was that it was a brand new COOL phone that I had only had for 2 days!!!! I was crushed!!! The happy news is that the guy that sold us the phones put insurance on all 7 of our lines (unbenownst to us)…so, even though I have gotten rid of the insurance now, it did allow me to replace my very COOL phone for not much money .

So…back to the story of Six Flags:

Above: Yeah, they mean it.

Above: Yep, more photos of us waiting in line (Liz, Megan & Frank).

Above: PJ….”I’m da man.”

Above: More waiting in line (Seth, Donovan, Ashley, Sandi, Larry, Hannah, PJ & Liz)….the lines were short…but there were still lines. They had good music playing throughout the park all day…and good TV “stuff” to watch while you wait…which was nice. This Six Flags is way cleaner and nicer than the one in Southern California too.

Above: This is the newly opened “Monster Mansion” ride. It was supposed to be “It’s a Small World” meets “Pirates of the Caribbean.” But it was more like yawn meets “get me out of here.”

Above: Frank, Shayne and Megan…happy they didn’t fall asleep during the Monster Mansion.

Above: PJ and HIS new COOL Phone…which he didn’t lose (yet). He just wishes he had more people to text.

Above: Megan and Liz always hamming it up…and PJ trying to get in on the action.

Above: More hamming it up and Shayne trying to catch it on camera.

Above: More hams (Donovan, Seth & Ashley).

Above: Seth and Donovan.

Above: PJ, Frank and Liz.

Above: Shayne and Megan waiting to ride the “vintage” cars.

Above: Sandi being driven by Hannah…why was Sandi shaking after the ride .

Above: Ashley driving Frank.

Above: PJ driving Liz.

Above: And Seth driving Miss Daisy…er, I mean Megan.

Above: Liz is never far from her music… This was in the afternoon and we were pretty pooped by this time.

Above: Hannah loves her Liz.

Above: The end of a very full day….

Above: Two seconds later….

Mikayla’s 13th Birthday

Luckily, they are all pretty good kids .

Above: Liz, Mikayla & Brionna.

Above: Mikayla mesmerized by the magical glitter ball.

Above: Frank coming to grips with having 3 teenagers….

Above: Megan practicing her videography skills…while eating pizza.

Above: Special Horse Card from Grandma and Grandpa Slade.

Above: PJ had a little icing mishap (thanks to Dad).

Above: After cake and ice cream we took Mikayla to BJ’s (like Costco…only not quite as cool) so she she could pick out her new cell phone…which was her birthday present.

Above: PJ admiring Liz’s new swimsuit from BJ’s.