Stake 4th year hike

For the Stake 4th year hike we went and camped in the small town of Green River along the Green River. 

The young women had fun with this giant rubberband.  Fun but scary too.

Evening games.

Maddie (she's a legit outdoors girl) and a few other girls wanted to sleep outside under the stars.  Our Stake leaders decided to let her only if a leader or two slept out with her.  So, Cindy Gilbert and I slept out with her.  It was a nice evening, other than worrying about the many bugs and the light sprinkle in the morning (which later to turned to rain).

 

We spent a day hiking the Wild Horse Canyon and then over to Goblin Valley for a short while. 

I love hikes like this and it's always fun to go with Lacey.  

All the Young Women.

The adventurous leaders.

Sherre, Cindy, Suzette, Raelynn, & Melanie.

Sara & Judy

The slot canyons were breathtaking.  I love them.

June 2010

Jammin' time

Lindsey found a great price on blackberries, so we made blackberry jam together.

Yummy!

Girl's Road Trip

My too cool sister,Debbie, planned a girl's road trip and one of their stops was at our home.  From here they went to Idaho, Washington, down the coast of Oregon and California, and then back home to Arizona.

Karlie Jan, Brooke, Debbie, & Summer

Learning how to ride

We stopped by the Turner's home and Aspen wanted to show us her newly learned skill...riding her bike!

June 2010

Luau

We had a great luau in our backyard for our mutual activity.  The food was superb, the decorations were fitting and colorful, and the entertainment was unforgettable. I had so much fun planning it and I learned alot too.

 We had a hula hoop contest and it was a blast.  Lacey is quite good, but I think I could outlast her any day.

 Some of the youth getting ready for the program.

 More youth & leaders.

 "W" on the far right...he's a great support to me.

This young adult has worked at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii and he was heading back to soon to work again at the PCC.

 Niko, one of our priest, preforming a fire dance.

 Niko

 Niko

Niko taught a few of our young men some fire dancing techniques.  Niko & Josh.  Josh's mom would not have been pleased to know that her son was participating in this dangerous stunt.

 T.J.'s showing off his new fire dancing skills.

Our fire dancers.

 Niko

Niko's brother, who was the head fire dancer.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a day to remember and honor those who have passed away.  Russell and I really enjoy going to the Lehi Cemetery with his brother and sister-in-law, Johnny and Mary, on Memorial Day.  They give us a personal tour of the cemetery of where the many family members are buried of Russell's.  Not only do we have family members here, but we also have many friends, former neighbors, former ward members, and classmates buried here.  It's like walking down memory lane as we stroll along the grassy fields.  I love this cemetery!  It's a feeling of peace and home, with so many loved ones buried here.  Our son, Tyler, is buried close by Russell's father.  Thanks, Johnny and Mary for the many tours you have given us over the years.  Oh, and afterwards, we go to their home for breakfast.  What a great tradition! 

This is the back side of Russell's father's headstone.  He was a great man!

 The front of Russell's father's headstone.

Russell's great-grandfather and great-grandmother, James and Elizabeth Gray.

 Russell's great-great grandfather and great-great-grandmother, Joseph and Mary Gray.

 Russell came from the James Gibbs Gray line.

 James Gibbs Gray

Daniel Stillwell Thomas, is who our son, Tyler, and our grandson, Bronco, are named after.  Daniel was a devoted and faithful early Mormon pioneer.  Tyler loved the name Stillwell and so do I. 

The original pioneer headstone of Daniel Stillwell Thomas.

Daniel Stillwell Thomas

Russell's grandparents, James and Genevieve Thomas.

Memorial Day Flags. This is a beautiful cemetery.

I don't know why I don't have pictures of Russell's grandparents on his mother's side (Merriel & Gudrun Wathen), but they are buried here also.  Maybe my battery died or my SD card was full??

Turner Family Photos

The Turner family asked me to take their family photos.  I loved the location and the weather was beautiful.

 Trent, Lindsey, & Aspen

 Aspen is adorable

Pre-camp activity

For a pre-camp activity, every year we go up Provo Canyon for some outdoor fun.

Campfires and roasted marshmallows just go hand-in-hand with the great outdoors.  Hanna, Lauren, Lacey, and Rachel.

We were almost home and the girls begged me to let them ride in the back of the truck...I gave in.  They love riding in the bed of the truck.  Here they are posing for me.  I love them!  Lacey, Hanna, Rachel, Lauren, and Heather.

Snow in May?

Seriously, what's up with that?  It's late Spring, not winter.  This happens only in Utah.

Our snowball bush not only has snowball blossoms, but it has real snow on it too.  It's not suppose to be that way.

Our poor tomato plants.

Seminary Graduation

River Ridge 3rd Ward 2010 Seminary Graduates.

Front row: Lauren & Chalise.  Back row: Kami, Niko, Brandy, Tamara, Kimberly, Kaci, & Jace.  There were a few others, but they didn't get the memo that we were taking pictures.  Niko gave each ward member a lei.  How cool was that!

Laurels

In May 2010,we went and took Laurel class pictures.  Unfortunately not all of them were able to make it.  This was a great group of Young Women, with righteous desires.  They were very united.  The bulk of them graduated in 2010.  We really missed them this year.

Katey, Tamara, Kami, Lacey, Heather, Kimberly, Rachel, Kaci, & Brandy.