My neice

Addelyn

Doesn't she make a cute little cowgirl?

The Trek

Monday Alex, Denver, and others spent the better or worse (113*) part of the day and most of the evening loading handcarts, dutch ovens, tables, and etc. When Alex got home I was the bearer of bad news with "I think something is wrong with the AC.?!" Yes the fan had gone out due to the extreme heat of the day.

Tuesday Alex's Dad and I rode with him up to Forest Lakes to deliver the handcarts. When we got to "Base Camp" we found a few people, tons of food and a lot of equipment (canopys, huge generator, freezer, refrigerator, bread proofer, camp trailers, and ect.) These were all donated by the generosity of those in our two stakes. I was told that there were many miracles big and small that made this trek possible.
Wednesday after about 2 hours of sleep we took Shan to the church at 4 a.m.

Doesn't she just make the prettiest pioneer?


This is what she could take~pad, sleeping bag, coat, pillow, and a bag of clothes and other items.
Elissa, Ashley, Heather, Karly, Shan, and Amanda.

Our ward trekkers and their fearless leaders.

A Dad Like Mine

If you have a dad like mine
You would think back when his hair wasn't so gray,
And try to remember the things he used to say.
If you have a dad like mine
You would reminisce about all the family vacation fun,
And the Alaskan drive that was a most adventurous one.
If you have a dad like mine
You would see broken things get fixed,
Without him being sure what did the trick.
If you have a dad like mine
You would watch him treat his spouse,
Like you want to be treated at your house.
If you have a dad like mine
When a priesthood blessing is what you need,
He is ready, willing, and worthy to do that special deed.
If you have a dad like mine
You would be glad to be a branch on the tree
Of his awesome family.
I hope you are lucky enough to have a dad like mine
Because your life would be real fine,
To have a dad like mine.
As you can see I'm proud to have a dad like mine
There is so much more I could say:
But, Dad, just know I love you in so many ways.
Love,
Mayann
Written Sept 07
I know 6 siblings, 7 inlaws, 26 grandkids, 2 grandkid inlaws and 1 great grand baby
that are lucky (blessed) to have a dad JUST like mine!

WeGoToGiRlsCamp

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Castlegate Ward Girls Camp

The Carroll Family Cabin

Strawberry, AZ

Tues, June 3rd...Shantae (YCL) and I (camp cook) went up to Strawberry with the 4th year girls. They went horseback riding and I took a long nap since I had stayed up until about 2 in the morning to finish getting ready!! Real smart~~I know.

Wed, Raenell arrived and Shantae welcomed her with a flower headband. We had skit night, the group got a bag with a variety of items then we had a "beauty pageant".

Thurs, we had a "Iron Rod" walk. Blindfolded and silent they had to walk up a hill, through the forest, holding on to a rope with the leaders taunting them to let go or encouraging them to hang on. Molly (Camp Director) had set up a slide show and then women from different time periods (Bible times up to a recent convert~Sarah Merkley) told their stories. We borrowed old costumes from the Easter Pageant. It was really neat.
Fri, was the hike and Bishop's night. I love it when the girls bear their testimonies and have had something during the week that touched or changed them. That makes it all worth it!!

One of the hightlights was "Grandma" Carroll (cabin owner) gave us a notebook to use during scripture study. She said that every day we need to Drop Everything And Read (D.E.A.R). Each day she came for DEAR time and gave another idea for studying, writing, or reading scriptures. She was awesome:)

Of course we had GOOD FOOD... french toast, (and yes my homemade syrup was a hit) salad bar, tinfoil dinners, s'mores, pancakes, potato bar, eggs, toast, and bacon cooked on a buddy bunner, navajo tacos, donuts, hootanany..YUM YUM

They did cute crafts, a big service project (raked around the perimeter of the cabin), alone time, and more...

Oh yeah, the laugh of the week happened later Friday night when the girls decided to play the woopie cushion trick on Bro. Rimmasch... See video on Tiffany M's Blog. (begins w/ empty couch)

The girls gave me an award for Best Mother Figure...I guess they do miss their moms just a little when they go to camp!

Our Neighbors Cactus

It blooms only in the Spring

It is AMAZING