FSY

Dara and I loaded up our largest vehicles with box fans, luggage, and the best kids in the world, bound for the University of Idaho for a week at For Strength of Youth Camp!  The drive there was beautiful, the check-in process was easier than the sign-up process, and our hopes were soaring as we left that our kids would have the best time as we drove away, bound for a week without kids at home (for us anyway), playing at Empty Nesters.

L to R: Sean P., Will G., Darrel, Camdon G., Tyson & Brennon

Dara went with the boys in our caravan group and I went with the girls.  I told Brennon his first order of business was to get his bed made and his clothes hung up if possible, especially his church clothes.  He made his bed Brennon-style (disheveled and laughable as complete, but good enough for him) and did his favorite chore next-- organizing his snacks.  Proud Mom Moment.

I am so glad Brennon and Sean planned and got to be roommates-- they are so similar in personality.  It worked out well for both of them to have an instant friend at FSY.

Tyson roomed with Will.  Again, it was nice to have him choose his roommate.  Being just 13, I needed to know that he was taken care of without Brennon being his roommate.  I'm so grateful we have such good kids in our Ward to room with.

Tyson text me more during the week, whereas Brennon didn't answer a single text from our Family Thread.  I got these pictures because Dara was sent them and she shared them with me.  I had to laugh at how different the boys' week was.  Tyson text but didn't get pictures, Brennon's friends got pictures but he never text.

Shelby didn't have a roommate chosen, which was a good thing since when we signed up her best friend was Aislyn.  That friendship went up in smoke like the Bombers their school represents.

She sent me nightly texts about not fitting in, not having any friends, not liking the friend aspect, and how much she just wished she could come home.  It was awful.  Of all of the kids I drove to FSY, she was the one I hoped would find that one friend to become close with.  Not a chance, it seems.

Crazy thing-- the LAST NIGHT something changed and they all got to a point of love and harmony and "Wish we lived closer" and let's be best friends until the end of time.  They thought she hated them.  Hopefully, Shelby learns that her attitude, her "humor," her jokes, and her general outlook on situations impact how others interact with her.  They held back because of something in her demeanor, and she saw just one more situation where she was the third wheel in everything.  I'm glad it all turned out ok in the end, but the entire week previous hurt me enough to cry myself to sleep a few nights in a row.

While they were gone, Randy and I decided to take the RV camping for a night at a location that we'd been hoping to go to for a few years now.  We stumbled on it while with Ashlee and Russ and couldn't wait to check it out and see if it was Wilsterman Worthy.  

When I sent pictures to the kids, telling them that we might not have service, Tyson was excited to see Max, so I sent him a few of his cutie.  I love how much he loves his little Prince.

We got our RV leveled, fed the dogs, and went out on the Snake for some kayaking.  It was gorgeous!!!

Isn't the reflection of the sun and the rocks so neat on the water?  I was transfixed by the designs for quite a while. Everywhere you looked, it was a different picture.  Nature's kaleidoscope.

We passed the test-- we can do fun things even when we do not have kids at home to entertain.  We like to give our kids "experiences," but this week was an experience for us as much as for them.  We got chores done, projects completed, and did something we loved together because we could.  Even though it was planned for just one night, it was enough to let us know that we would forever be RV people.

I love that the KOA we stayed at has Covered Wagons to reserve!  There is air conditioning and heat, which is good with the temps we hit, but is just one of the coolest ways to camp.  We plan to come here again and reserve the two sites pictured: The empty spot for our RV and that very Covered Wagon for the kids.  What an experience THAT will be!

This little brat-face decided that he was going to jump over the back of the seat to get onto my lap.  Total ninja move that had me nearly peeing my pants and screaming my head off.  Did Randy jump when I squealed and gasped and got scared-angry at him?  Nope.  Cool, calm, and collected with a giggle over in that driver's seat.  He's a brat-face, too!

I am so grateful that our kids got to do FSY this year.  We already have plans to see if we can get them scheduled as "off-year" kids next year after all other sign-ups happen.  I'm grateful we can afford it, that we have facilities so close (it was only 2.5 hours away!), and that our kids have the desire to go to a church camp.  I'm also grateful that Randy and I are still so in love that the thought of just the two of us doesn't scare us because we are strangers.  He's still my favorite.  Forever.

Gift that last

 It was such a nice night out, that we decided to hang my Mother's Day gift and enjoy the night together.

I love that they came together to get me what I wanted-- a gift that we can use now, that we can use when family visits, but most especially, a gift for my grandkids!

Cruise with Kids

Even before we disembarked the ship from our cruise, I knew I wanted to try and go on a cruise with our kids for Christmas if we could manage it.  Randy and I spent the time in the airport between ship and flights home looking at different cruise destinations and prices.  It was getting a little too hard to find adequate rooms for our family of seven, so we put it on the back burner for a few days.  However, once we spoke with the kids about our idea, we couldn't get it out of our heads.

The day that Keilie and Dallin got Bailey, they asked if Keilie's Birthday present and their Christmas presents could come a bit early this year to help pay for necessities for Bailey.  As ones who love to give gifts when they are needed, no matter the time of year but still justified under particular holidays, we jumped on the idea.  This now meant that it was only the five of us going on the cruise.  Sadly, it made it easier to book rooms without needing one room to hold 3 and the other to hold 4.  As it stands, our booking is: Girls in the Balcony room and Boys in the Interior room across the hall.  When we board, Randy and Shelby will trade Medalions while on the ship.

Although it is tagged as Christmas, we won't set sail until February 24th.  We'll drive to Seattle for our flight to LA and then board the ship, bound for the Mexican Riviera!!  Brennon will Sailebrate his 16th birthday-- his REAL birthday-- at Sea!  We are so, so excited.  I'm sad that we won't be a whole family, but am glad that Keilie got what she wanted in Bailey and that I got what I wanted in a Cruse with Kids!

Primary Pranks

We always have the best time in Primary.  I love those kids so much.  We always have a good time!

"Welcome to Primary!!  Come in and take a seat!"

(L to R) Ella C., Penny H., Violet H., Ella B., visitor, Camilla G., Kate J.

I love that you can see Easton H. at the piano with Spencer D. on his way over.  Of the six songs we are singing for the Program this year on November 12th, five of them are accompanied by Senior Primary kids!!  I love Primary so, so much!
 

Baylee Pratt

 While in Idaho with Justin and Megan, Keilie and Dallin found the newest addition to their family.  

UPDATE: She changed the spelling after we took these pictures.  Her name is now Bailey.

Fish Ferry

Tyson got home a few days ago from fishing with Grandpa Burrell in Utah for a few days.  He was excited to try his skills in Washington on a kayak.

I left him alone as much as possible, but I thought it too cute not to capture a few pictures.

He tried his pole a few different ways, including the "trolling" feature.

I love this type of boating.  Speed Boat Stephanie is not fun.  Kayak Stephanie is a blast!

Covid Crave

 I have Covid.  It feels like extreme allergies, but the thing that is the worst right now is the overwhelming lethargy.  I sit in my chair all day long, but even turning from one side to the other when my back starts to hurt makes me winded as if I've just run a marathon.

I was in need of some comfort food, so we sent Shelby to the store for this...

I patiently waited for dinner to be delivered, excitedly taking my first bite, only to think, "Hm... maybe I lost my taste!"

Nope, that's just the way NON-DAIRY tastes.  It was hard not to show my disappointment after she'd gone to the store just for me.  It was even harder not to cry with each bite when this was literally the only thing that sounded good-- had sounded good for days-- at all.  I would have rather not had it at all than gag down non-dairy.  I'm a snob like that...  Covid sucks.  Non-dairy sucks worse.

Seattle Temple

 In our efforts to do Baptisms for the Dead in all open temples in Washington State, we met the Wilstermans' in Seattle today.  It was our first time having Austen join The Cousins in the font.  I love that our kids are growing up with these memories of being in the temple together.

We have now done Baptisms for the Dead as a family in all of the open temples in Idaho and Washington State.  We can't wait for the Moses Lake Temple to open in September!  To date-- Idaho, 6 (with two announced), and Washington State, 3 (with two announced).  We plan to work on Oregon next, and then Wyoming.