Girls camp 5 year recap

2008

We went to Flaming Gorge for Ward Camp.

It was fun.  Our poor camp director had a really hard time delegating.

Therefore it was a 4 day vacation for most of the leaders which resulted in a 4 month recovery for her.

Pretending to faint so the YW could assess the situation.  (all in the name of certification)

There were some questionable food handling practices.

So, we got rid of some of the cheese and other items we were worried about.

(Without said camp directors permission.)

Doreen, me and Rebekah

The Beehive leaders.  We had so much fun in this calling.  I love these ladies to death.

I really miss them both.  why do things have to change?

2009

Stake Camp at the Heber Valley Hilton

I was a 1st year cabin leader with Natalie Card.

It was Summer's first year at camp and here are some of her cute friends.

Alexandra, Summer, Rachel, Lexi, McKenna

Me and Rebekah

Me and Summer

2010

This year I wasn't actually in YW, I was cub master, but thankfully my dear friend, Sadie asked me to come along and be the camp photographer.  So much fun.  

We camped at Pleasant Creek Camp Ground near Boulder Mountain/Capitol Reef.

Summer, level 2

Calf Creek Falls

a picture of me just to prove I was there.

Summer performing at skit night.

Me and Sadie

Right after camp, Sadie asked me to be the Assistant Camp Director.

the fearless leaders

"Pink Panty Hike"

I love this picture of me and Summer at Calf Creek Falls

2011
Back at The Heber Valley Hilton for Stake Camp
This year I was the Level 3 Leader, in charge of all of the level 3 girls and their leaders.
I had so much fun.  It was a lot of hard work and a lot of meetings and planning, but I had the best time ever.  I really loved it.

We had a talent show and Summer brought her guitar and performed, "Who Says?" by Selena Gomez

Getting ready to paddle our canoes on the lake.

Me and Sadie out on the middle of the lake.

We may have broken some rules and made a few phone calls on our cell phones.

On the hike back from the lake, one of the girls dared me to make a snow angel so I did.

It was cold.

Me on the zip line.

Summer performing in the skit.  

Someone dared me to wear this flower on my head.  

My cabin mate 2 years earlier, Natalie.  She was a Level 4 leader with me this year. 

So much fun.  (We were roommates on choir tour, too)  bad pic.  ooops 

2012
Ward Camp at Goblin Valley State Park

Sierra technically was not supposed to go to camp this year.
She was 11 and did not turn 12 until September.
Things were just not working out for our planning and preparations.
I wasn't sure what to do to make everything right for everyone.
Lots of tears were involved.  (plus, our YW's presidents mother died a few days before camp)
I counseled with a stake leader from our ward as well as the ward camp director and Rick and I decided that the best thing to do would be for me to go to camp and take Sierra with me.

This is Shelby.  Pretty much our adopted daughter.  She is a year older than Summer.

Shelby

Ashlyn (my cute little Beehive class president) and her mom, Mundi

At times, I thought that I probably shouldn't have gone to camp.

Too many obstacles and conflicts.

But, I will forever be grateful that I did go to camp because 4 months after camp, my dear friend Mundi passed away.  I am so happy that I had the opportunity to spend a few days with her at camp and hear her beautiful testimony.

Audrey, our YW president, and Mundi

Mundi and Jenny, camp cooks

our fun first year girls learning how to tie knots for certification

working on our temple craft

I may or may not be raiding the food trailer looking for cookies.

Soooo, if you know me at all, you know my drama of being banned from attending camp this year.

(I am still not sure of the exact reason, and I still feel that I was treating incredibly unfairly.

I did meet with a member of the Stake Presidency, but never got any follow-up.)

(Not going to rehash it here.  or anywhere really)

But, I am happy to say that I am totally fine with the whole thing now.

I was ready to give up on the whole thing, Young Women's, church, the whole thing.

But, my husband fought for me behind and the scenes and allowed me to stay with my calling in YW's just a bit longer.  I think it was necessary for closure.  It helped to be so heavily involved in the whole July 24 Celebration 5K.  (that was sooo time consuming, but certainly a good distraction)

I have chopped all my hair off (also necessary when reinventing yourself, I say)

I filled my cup at Education Week last week.  I nearly didn't go.  Just didn't feel up to it.

But, I signed up at the last minute and dragged my sorry butt up to campus.

It was a good thing.  Those darn leaders told me exactly what I needed to hear (and not necessarily what I wanted to hear).

So, school has started, I have been instructed, and I am refreshed and ready to move on with it.

That may or may not include YW.  But either way, I'm good.

But, I am certain that my girls camp era is over.  So, so sad that I don't get to share in that journey with Sierra like I did Summer, but that's life.  and someone else's decision.

Ready for the next adventure.  I just pray to heaven it's not Cub Scouts.

sugar free ketchup from garden tomatoes

2 pounds fresh plum tomatoes, chopped

1 large onion, chopped

1/2 fennel bulb, chopped

1 celery stick, cut in cubes

chopped fresh piece of ginger, about the size of a thumb

2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped

1/2 red chili, seeded and chopped finely

large bunch of fresh basil, picked leaves and chopped stalks

1 T. coriander seed

1 t. fresh ground black pepper

extra virgin olive oil

3/4 cup +2 T. red wine, balsamic or apple cider vinegar

sea salt to taste

Place the onion, fennel, and celery in a large saucepan with some olive oil, ginger, garlic, chopped chili, basil stalks, coriander seeds and garlic cloves and season with salt and 1 t. black pepper.

Over low heat, cook for about 12 minutes, until the veggies have softened, stir occasionally.

Add 1 1/2 c. water and the tomatoes.  Let simmer gently until the liquid is reduced by half.

Add the basil leaves, pour the sauce in a blender or food processor and process until very smooth.

Strain the sauce through a site into a new or cleaned saucepan and add the vinegar.

Simmer again until it reaches the desired ketchup consistency.  Adjust seasoning to taste.

Cool in the refrigerator and enjoy.

*I didn't have fennel.  I used the apple cider vinegar option.  I would totally make this again.

here is the website where I found this:  Paleo Condiments

Provo Beach Resort

 Summer and Sierra played at the Provo Beach Resort last Saturday.

I guess you would say that it's their first official appearance as SASH.

One of the BYU students that Summer studied music with this past school year has graduated and is now responsible for scheduling entertainment for Provo Beach Resort.  Several weeks ago she contacted the girls to see if they would sing.

 So they have been practicing for a few weeks now to be prepared to perform.

Trevor is a friend of Summer and is amazing on the drums.

He's great to come practice and perform with the girls. 

We had a cute little front row cheering section.  

Summer has been friends with Maddy, Alexandra, and McKenna since we moved here in 5th grade.

So, funny story...this one is for you, Amara. You'll appreciate this.  again.

I was sitting there watching the girls set up and I look over and see someone that I recognize.

I have been blogging friends with this lady for years now.

This is the same gal that I "bumped into" in Chicago.

I couldn't believe how random that I saw her in Chicago just a few months ago, and now I am sitting in Provo and here she is.

What is so crazy about it as that she lives in Mexico.  They visit Utah every summer.

This year they are staying in Salt Lake, but they came to Provo for a Saturday evening.

How funny that they would be at Provo Beach Resort on the same night as the girls were singing.

I introduced myself to her before the girls started singing.

Then afterwards, we stood and chatted for a few minutes and introduced our kids (that I have secretly set up weddings for) and our husbands.  I also introduced my mom because she reads Shelley's blog also.  

What a fantastic family that seems just as wonderful in person as they appear on the internet!!

Thanks for taking time to visit with us Jones Family!!

Cole's reward for enduring another performance was an ice cream cone treat.

Mapleton 24th Celebration 5K and fun run

It's still so bizarre to me that it's an assignment from my ward/stake to do this.

Our Stake has had the responsibility of the Mapleton 24th Celebration last year and this year.

Next year it goes to the other Stake in Mapleton.

And because of a series of misfortunate events, Rick and I were asked to step in about 8 weeks ago and be in charge of the 5K and fun run.

And that is about 4 months less time than anyone should have to pull of a 5K event.  serious.

Well, this is how it happened...in May, we were asked to meet with a member of the bishopric.

He said, "Bro. & Sis Herl.  We just want you to know how much we appreciate you, and your hard work.  We admire you for your dedication and organization skills.  

You're important to our ward.  

And...(this is where I thought he was going to say, "we have made a mistake and would like to invite you to attend Girl's Camp.")  uh, no.  he said, "We think you'd be great at organizing the 24th of July 5K.  thankyouverymuchandletmeshowyoutothedoor."

So, here we are at the City Building on Tuesday afternoon doing the late registration and packet pick-up.

 Getting organized...

 Thank goodness for the help of my girls.

Here are Summer and Shelby helping to put together packets for the racers.

Lanny donated bag, water cups, ice, ice, and more ice, and ice cream cone coupons.

Here are the committee members...Jason, Sadie (unofficial) and Rick.

Sierra somehow missed the picture, but let me assure you she worked hard and didn't complain.

Trent is pictured in the grey T above.  His horrible job was to get sponsors and donations.

Which was good since he was not able to be around for the actual race.

 Walk-up registration...well, the set-up, at least.

Thankfully we had online registration and late registration the day before,

so the walk-up registration wasn't nearly the nightmare that it has been in years past.

I have heard nothing but horror stories about the 6 am registration chaos.

This was about the same time Rick had to leave to get to work.

So sad that he missed out on all the fun.

The 1 mile fun run... 

 The 5K crowd waiting for the mile fun run to finish so that they can line up for their race.

The first girl to finish the fun run... 

16 minutes into the 5K... 

 here come the runners...

Having fun on the mic.

Glad that one is over.

Cross that off the bucket list.