Fun Filled Days!

 

Casey and Kendal got to head up to girls camp at Camp Cumorah from June 20th to 23rd! I'll let them both add some since it's not my stories to tell. . . 

My (Kendal) girls camp experience was amazing. We went for 4 days it was really fun. I got to go with my best friend Renetta Welch (Netta). The first day we got there we were welcomed by the YCL leaders. We had to find our group. They were based off of flowers. Mine was a dahlia. After that we went to our camp grounds and waited for the tent's to be set up. Then we went on a tour of the camp. When we were done we went to the lodge and painted Book of Mormons. Mine was a sunset with clouds and birds. After that we went to an opening ceremony then dinner. That night we had neon night were we dressed up in neon clothes and danced and played 9 square. When it finished we had a devotional and then went to bed. That night was really cold. Netta roped me into running the next morning so I woke up at about 5:50 and went running. After breakfast we had skill rotations. That day we had a fire class challenge relay (we learned about the fire and the faith triangle and then played a game), flower craft (pressed flower bookmarks), outside time, hike + first aid, and Book of Mormon highlight. Then after lunch we had 3 hours of free time. I did archery then canoed with Netta (We almost swam but the water was too cold.) Then we went to the craft/hair tent and did things there. Then we had ward night. We did things with our ward. Then we had singing in the trees. We went up to an amphitheater and sang one ward at a time. We turned on flashlights when it was our turn. Thursday we did skill rotations again. We had Enneagram flowers's (I was a 6), Yoga, Iphotography + etiquette, outside time, and safety + self defense. After lunch we did a service project we cleared wood from the forest. Then we had 3 hours of free time. Me and Netta jumped into the pond through ropes a lot. It was very cold and we had no idea why we were doing it, but it was fun. Then we went to the art/hair tent and did things there. Then after dinner we had lights on the lake. We put lights in a balloon then sent them on the lake. That night we played Mafia in out went with some YCL's it was fun. Then on Friday we left and drove home.

I (Casey) went to girls camp as a priesthood helper for the full 4 days. There were 4 of us that fit this category, me, Brett Welch, and Brothers Cooper and Cluff. I rode up with Brother Cooper, but I spent most of my time with Brett. I stayed in a tent with Brett, President Funk (one night), and President Satterfield (2 nights). Our official job was to help where needed. That included setting up tents when we got there and taking them down when we left, serving food at most meals, and using a hand cart to take out the garbage. The rest of the time was spent wandering around, observing what the girls were doing, and enjoying our time with the girls and the beautiful campgrounds. Oh, and playing 9 square. This was probably the most common activity that Brett and I participated in, as most girls enjoyed playing against and with their teachers from school. I even got to take a canoe out after dark to gather balloons and lights that were sent out as part of an activity. Overall, it was a neat experience that I really enjoyed. My first girls camp was a pretty successful one. 

I took Alice and Peter to swim at the city pool on the 20th. It was an overcast and windy day making it not so great. The kids only lasted just over an hour before they gave up for the day. 

Pete had a great birthday on the 21st. I talked about what we got to do on his birthday post. I took Alice and Peter to the library activity on the 22nd. They got to see Smokey bear and do a few activities. On the 23rd Alice and Pete went to play at the Stricker Playground. Alice ended up getting soaked and consuming some of the irrigation water. For the three days following she was super sick. Couldn't keep much down and was on the couch feeling miserable. 

We decided to plant the front yard on the 24th. Casey and I went to Windsor nursery and looked around for a bit, (got some advice from Bob) and picked out a Plum Thundercloud tree, a couple of boxwood bushes, and some grass seed to start our yard! I wish I would've snapped a picture, but Casey had to sit in the back of the car with our tree hanging out while I went 5 mph down the road to get home with our tree. Quite the site I'm sure, the nursery lady looked at us like we were crazy. Our grass is coming in and we've been talking to it and encouraging our little buds to grow!! 

Monday (26th) we drove up to Boise to take Kendal to fsy. I'll let her write a bit about her experiences. . .

Going to Fsy was a very spiritual experience. On Monday I went to FSY and set up my room. after that we went and met our counselors. Mine was Annie. Then we went to meet our company. it had 10 girls and 10 boys. the boys counselor was Alex. After dinner we did a family home evening thing and then got ready for bed. We had a R & R (Reflect and review (we had one every night)) then went to bed. We started Tuesday morning with a participant devotional. I was in charge of it. We got a section from the for the strength of youth guide book and had to read it and give a summer of what we learned. Then we went to breakfast. After breakfast we had a devotional and gospel study. (We started each day with both). Then we went to classes. On the first day of classes every FSY in the world had the same two morning classes. Hear him and finding answers to your questions. Then we had lunch. I chose to do the musical program so every day we skipped the lunch line and went to a room to practice. Then we had more classes. After the first two the teachers got to choose their topics so I went to Amairca is the promise land and how to have faith based righteousness. Then after classes we had free time I did music program the whole time. Then we had dinner. After dinner he had a dance then we got ready for bed. we had R&R and then went to bed. Wednesday we had our participant devotional then breakfast and gospel study and a devotional the class I went to that day for the morning were How to do a "Great work" when you do not think you are great and how to say better prayers. Then I had lunch and a choir practice then two more classes which were Spiritual supper powers and who sits at your table of advisors. Then we had free time which I did choir practice. After dinner we had games night were we played games with a bunch of companies. then we got ready for bed, had R & R then went to bed. Thursday was probably the most spiritual day out of them all. We wore church clothes all day. We had a participant devotional then breakfast and gospel study. Then we had a YW activity where we studded the living Christ and had a devotional about the YW's theme. Then we had lunch and our choir practice then a variety show. People showed off different talents and other things. Then we had free time and we did the choir rehearsal. Then we had dinner and the choir concert. It was beautiful. Then we had a evening devotional and then had a testimony meeting. Then we went to get ready for bed and had R & R and went to bed. On Friday we had a participant devotional then breakfast and gospel study. Then we reviewed our goal and  had the morning devotional. Then we did a family history activity. Then we had lunch and the #ShareGoodness Debrief. Then we did a taking it home showcase were they showed a power point of the week and had a devotional. then I had my first free time (Which I spent helping prepare a surprise for our councelor. Then after dinner we had another dance. I Was set up with my first dance by my room mate Reagan and then we got ready for bed and gave Ellie her surprise. she loved it! Then we said a group prayer and went to bed (The end of the day got emotional). On Saturday morning we went home. We went to I hop (Which seemed to b a popular place for Kimberly people to eat breakfast (Their were 3 families including us that were from Kimberly) Then we went to do baptisms for the dead at the Boisie temple. It was an amazing experience. I made a lot of friends but The two closest friends I made were Regan and Hailey. It was over all an AMAZING experience. 

 

After we dropped Kendal off at Boise State we took Alice and Peter to Roaring Springs water park. They earned free passes through the reading program at school and so we went. Pete's favorite parts were the new lazy river and the wave pool. Alice loved it all (especially the "toilet ride"). She had no fears when it came to heights and crazy stuff, but she did get cold easily so we took it easy with her. (Just coming off from being sick, and it was an overcast day we made sure she warmed up regularly and didn't push herself). We had subway for dinner and freddy's ice cream afterwards. Both kids crashed on the way home. 

  

Pete had his birthday party on the 27th. Pete had Gage, Elijah, and Austin over. They started out with ice cream and presents then Casey took the boys into twin to play miniature golf. They had a great time and didn't want to end so we let them play a couple extra hours till dinner. 

Wednesday (28th) we went to the last library summer activity in Kimberly. They had the fire fighters give a presentation as well as activities and the drawing for reading. Peter was asked to help draw names and he ended up drawing his cousin Naomi's name for the preschool prize, his best friend Austin for his age group and he drew Kendal's name for the teenage category! She won a look and find book, oragami book, some gift cards, and a game. 

I had activity days on Thursday the 29th. We went to Sister Merrell's pool and had 14 girls there (including Alice who was dying to swim). 

We fed the missionaries that Friday and even got them to play a couple of rounds of Happy Salmon with us. I left early Saturday Morning (4:30) to go up and pick up Kendal from FSY. I took her to I HOP for breakfast then she requested we go to the Boise temple. So I booked a session for her to do baptisms for the dead. It was neat seeing her be baptized and I think she considered it a highlight to her day! After the temple we went shopping for a bit. First to Trader Joe's and then to the mall. We didn't get much, and kept it short because we were both tired and ready to get home. We drove home around lunch time. Kendal napped along the way, and I took a short siesta when I got home. That night Cody and Mia drove in from California. They had car troubles and wanted to stop for the night as well as see our new house so we had them stay over with us! 

Monday we headed to Raft River to spend time with family. We played games with Cody and Mia while the kids played the day away. Tuesday morning we went to a 4th of July breakfast put on by Kenny and Cheryl's ward. Afterwards we drove to Pocatello to spend the day with all of Casey's siblings and kids! It was the first time getting all together in a while, and will be the last for some time since Cody and Mia are now on their way to South Carolina. It was an easy going, but fun day full of cousins, water, play, and food. We had a kickball tournament and ended it with "Biggies vs Babies". (We won by won ; ). That evening we watched fireworks from a local park. The view while we waited was amazing we could see fireworks all across the valley and the show put on was the best we've ever seen! Downside though was waiting an hour to get out of the parking area (such a mess!!!) and not getting back to Raft River till 12:45 that night. 

We headed down to Logan on the 5th. Casey headed out to work after lunch and I took the kids to see Nana for a bit. She was getting her hair done for a bit of our visit and Alice was fascinated watching. After dinner we had cousin time and got to have an extra day of fireworks! It was a lot of fireworks and the kids were more interested in the glow sticks at times, but fun nonetheless. 

Thursday Kendal got to drive with Grandpa in the morning (She's getting in some practice and experience so we can ease into this in the next year). We took Subway to the boys at work and then the kids played all afternoon in the pool at David and Anica's. 

Friday Kendal had another lesson. We had the boys over for a while after lunch to play and that night we taught the kids to play capture the flag! Saturday we went four wheeling at the shop before lunch. We ate at Chick Fill A, then Casey took the kids up to Caspers to get ice cream while I had a good visit with Nana. We came home in time for dinner and let the kids watch a show before we watched the Kimberly Good Neighbor days fireworks. (We ended up just going down our street and had a decent view of the school area where they were being shot off.) Today was church. Casey had double duty; he had to give a talk in Sacrament meeting, and then give the lesson in Elder's quarm ( He rocked both!) We played away the afternoon and ended our night with a family game of Life (Pete won!). 

Pete turns 11!

A late birthday post for our Favorite son! 

Pete turned 11 this past week! We celebrated a bit early having his cake and ice cream Monday night before Casey and Kendal went off to girls camp for the week. He also didn't mind that he got cake every day following that for most of the week. 

Pete has grown a lot this year. He can still be a silly / stubborn thing, but he's lost his short fuse and maturing in many ways. He's still loud and a typical tween, but he's growing. Pete was praised all year at school by teachers and staff for his positive attitude, his willingness to help out, and his kindness towards others.  He truly has a big heart and cares for others. Peter did well in his sports this year, each season brought growth and success as he worked hard. It's hard to believe Pete is done with elementary school and now he's off to middle school. Pete is a quick learner in many things, physically (and when he wants, in school). Pete is a leader, (it can come across as bossy with his sisters) but he is confident, he has a can do, and will do attitude that is so fun to see bloom. 

For Pete's birthday he got to open presents in the morning. He got a swimsuit and deck of cards to play war with at his will, and a new compound bow. He's been wanting this bow for awhile. It's really nice and like Casey's so he's thrilled. We played outside with his bows for a bit and hung out that morning. After lunch we went to the library kids event.  Pete didn't care much about the activity he was more interested in the treat and new books.  After that we headed into town.  We stopped in at toy Town and Pete picked out a new logic puzzle with his birthday money from Grandma and Grandpa Loosle. Then we went to the mall to play on the arcade area for awhile. Alice and Pete had a lot of fun with the different games. Their favorite were the driving ones. We had sonic for dinner and came home and played the wii before bed. 

Happy belated birthday Pete! Here's to a year of growth, and so things good to come your way. We love you bud!

FAVORITE COLOR: BLUE

Favorite animal: Monkey

Favorite food:  Pizza

Favorite snack: kit kat, Twix, granola bars, and yogur.

Favorite book: Fabelhaven

Favorite Toy: Legos

Favorite song: I am a Child of God

What he wants to be when he grows up: Engineer 

Nickname: Pete, squdgy pudgy, bud

At 11 Peter is 4ft 9 1/2 in. and he weighs in at (TBD)

Favorite part of his birthday: going to the arcade at the mall. 

Tracking our June

 While Casey was gone to a basketball tournament in Pocatello the kids and I helped clean the church on the 3rd. Afterwards we went over to the Western days celebration in the park. We walked around a bit and I got the kids some ice cream. We made our way to Home Depot so I could get paint samples for the front door and the kids could do the craft. 

We've been waiting for better weather to paint the front door. We were undecided between blue and gray. None of the blues we tried out seemed right so we went with a rich gray. I did the door on the 5th while Casey was out of town for a school conference.  My roller was having issues so my paint job was harder than needs be, but it's done and looks good! The kids had track practice that afternoon. Alice played rock families with James during Pete's part.

Kendal and Peter did a Basketball camp through the high school from the 5th  to the 7th. They had fun and both got recognition for good sportsmanship! 

A group of my friends surprised planned a lunch on my birthday. We went to south town Market and I got to catch up with my 6th ward buddies that I miss dearly. Casey came home from Boise that afternoon, but had to go to Basketball practice. So the kids and I had an easy dinner with ice cream after. 

The 7th was Alice and Pete's last day of track. Alice got first place in hurdles. She took 3rd in her 50 meter dash, and 4th in long jump! Peter took 1st in both his hurdles and the 400 meter run! He was middle of the pack for shot put and just above middle for long jump. Both kids put in good work this season and were proud of their efforts and glad they had fun!

We've had Kendal and Peter running and doing a bit with weights this summer. Keeps them active and hopefully builds them up leading into cross country season.

Nicole, Jordan, and their crew came up on the 9th for the weekend to help us put in our sprinkler system. Jordan and his dad mapped everything out and gathered all of the supplies for us. We got to work early Saturday and put in a long 14 + hour day to get the pipes, sprinklers, and system in. We dug around 35 homes in the yard and worked all day to get a much as we could done. Brett came and helped us out all day and we even had Kenny around for a few hours. The kids watched a lot of tv and played the day away! We ended up finishing Sunday morning. I gave a talk in church and by the time we got home Nicole and Jordan had filled in our last hole. We've still got a bit of tweaking, but it is an amazing step towards our yard going in!

We left for Logan Monday morning to see family, and so Casey could help David with his foundation. We got in a visit with Nana Monday after lunch and played at the park with Billie and her kids after. We all got together for pizza that night at my parents. Tuesday Pete went out to play with the boys in Smithfield so the girls and I went with Billie and her kids to pick up crafts at hobby lobby and get our craft on in my patents backyard. Alice and Maggie were two cute peas in a pod all afternoon. Wednesday we went out to the Fat Boy factory for some treats after lunch. Anica and the boys joined us there. We got rained our before to long and the rain continued so we couldn't do a hot dog roast we had planned. We ended up getting chick fill a for dinner and then headed over to Elliots baseball game. Thursday Casey worked in the morning and then we had to head home. Kendal had her only June piano lesson that afternoon. 

Casey had a basketball tournament in mountain home Friday and Saturday. We had Jemma over for most of the day Friday to play while her brothers were at a baseball tournament.  She and Alice were in heaven playing together. Kendal also had her orthodontist appointment and got good news that she should be done with braces before the year is up!

We got a full bedframe from Nana's when she moved and finally got a mattress for it for an early b day present for Pete. He's loving the extra space and the new cozy mattress!

Saturday I took the kids to Raft River for the Brown family reunion. The kids eagerly ran off to get in the slides while I helped set up lunch. The day wasn't very warm but that didn't deter the kids at all. Brett and Vanessa came along and the kids got to slide with them for a couple of hours. We made it back home a bit before Casey. I got to ditch everyone that night for a girls night out at dinner and bowling. 

We had a nice Father's day. We showered Casey with some gifts and the kids got to put on a scavenger hunt for his present from my parents. We went to church and had an easygoing day together. Casey is such a fantastic Dad. He does so much for so many. Our kids adore him and love him so very much! We are blessed with the best!

Casey and Kendal went off to girls camp early this morning and are gone till Friday. Casey got roped in as priesthood representation and kendal is happy to have him this week! I took Alice and Pete to the pool today. We didn't last long because it was only 62 today and the wind made things chilly.