Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Today is Ruby's fourth birthday but Darrel says they aren't telling her because we aren't celebrating until next week.
I woke up feeling tired and dizzy. James made me take my blood pressure.  It was 149/89 after taking blood pressure meds. One of my meds says: may cause high blood pressure. How does that make sense?
James and I made a trip to town today. He had an appointment with Dr Me on. The doctor says he is in good health and took him off his blood thinner, Plavix.  Now James can schedule his back surgery with Dr. Lieberman.
While in town we went to CalRanch, Walmart, Home Depot, Safeway, the Cat equipment store, Show Low Motor sports, and to get gas.
James put some oil in the Ranger and got it running so the boys, (Dallin, Alex, and friends), could drive it. They took it to the pit and swing.
I took a nap this afternoon then watched The Waltons. I marinated some chicken for dinner. We had dinner with the boys. Kevin made baked ziti and we made chicken, rice, corn, and salad.
This evening I watched SYTYCD choose the top20 and The Voice finale. Danielle Bradbery wins!!!
The boys took another hike after dark.
James's aunt Faye just got married for the first time in February, (she's in her 80's) and she just found out her husband has two leaky heart valves and only has a short time to live. So sad.

Monday, June 17, 2013

As soon as I left my room this morning Alex asked me if I wanted to play Five Crowns.  James and I played with him and I won.  A rare occurrence.  Yesterday we played a game where Alex only got six points.  Dallin and his friends are still asleep.

I cut James's hair this morning and I must admit I did a good job!  Afterwards he and I and Alex left for town.  It was around 10:30.  James has his white shirt and tie and suit jacket on with jeans and tennis shoes.  He's getting his picture taken at Lofgreen's as part of the Show Low High Council.  The rest of the high council already had their picture taken.  They will photoshop James's picture in.  While James was in Lofgreen's Alex and I went through the Sonic drive-thru.  Because it took them so long they gave us our drinks for free.  Next was a stop at Licano's for lunch.  I had my usual, a carne asada burro with green sauce.  We went to Show Low Motorsports and stared through the fence at the ATV's.  They are closed on Monday.  We saw a red four passenger Razr 800 that we really liked.  Alex says that is the one that we will get.

When we got back home it was nap time for James and I.  After my nap I watched an episode of the Walton's, one of the best shows ever on TV.  Talk about family values!!  Beat Alex and James in Five Crowns for the second time today.

Tonight while James and  I watched the final performances on The Voice, Dallin, Kevin, John, Mario, and Alex all went for a hike to Chocolate Lake and then to the old Boy Scout camp.  Alex found a tree frog, 

Finalists on The Voice:  The Swon Brother, Michelle Shamuel, and Danielle Bardbery.  Danielle is only 16 but I want her to win!!

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Happy Father's Day to all those awesome Dad's out there.  James is an awesome husband, father, and grandpa.  He loved his gifts that I got him:  An ASU Shirt, a Superman watch, and three books from the Church bookstore.

For Young Women today I prepared a review of 1st Nephi.  Since I was busy preparing for a lesson, James took the chocolate chip cookies that Sheri made to the church for the goodie plates the Relief Society is making for the men today.

Erin Windsor, Lorraine Tieman, and Rick Laurtizen were the speakers in sacrament meeting.  Erin is a priest and an awesome young man.  He bore a powerful testimony of the Savior a few months back that I will not soon forget. He spoke on how families are ordained of God and that we should all love and care for each other. Lorraine's talk on the restoration and temples was quite lengthy so Rick only had a few minutes to talk about the Atonement of the Savior.
 It was nice to have Sheri, Ian, and all their boys with us today in Sacrament meeting.  After the meeting all of them except Alex went back to the cabin.  Alex stayed with us for the entire block.

In Sunday School we had a lesson on the 2nd Coming entitled: Looking Forth for the Great Day of the Lord."  My review of 1st Nephi in Young Women's went quite well.  Next week Kaeli Nicoll and I are taking the girls who have read through Alma 1 to our timeshare in Scottsdale.  So far five girls, Jordyn, Trenda, Shelly, Kilee and LeeAnn say they are on track.

After the block Kaeli, Julie and I had a short meeting to discuss camp awards.  James and Alex waited in the car for me. 

When we returned to the cabin Sheri, Ian, Max, and Ben were in a heated game of 5 Crowns.  Ben was losing and wanted to quit.  I know how he feels.  I have felt that way many times.

For Dinner we had steak, 3 bean salad, and broccoli and coleslaw.  Quite delicious.  Sheri and Ian left this afternoon with Ben, Max, and Evan.  Alex stayed here with us in spite of the fact that his right wrist is still bothering him.  I think he wanted to stay for the Mutual fish fry on Wednesday.

I took a nap after our early dinner or late lunch, whichever you want to call it.  After my nap I decided to clean the wood floor which always looks so terrible after a lot of traffic.  I swept, mopped and waxed it.  Now it looks beautiful!

Alex made up a card game called "Tricks"  which he and I played.  Interesting.  He also made a trap outside to catch a critter.  He was aiming for a chipmunk but no such luck.  He did catch a little
mouse.

James and Alex enjoyed watching the show "North America."  We waited around for Dallin and his friends to arrive.  James and I went to bed around 10:30.  About five minutes later we heard them arrive.  There are four of them; Dallin, Kevin, John, and Mario.  They are all singers and musicians.

Saturday, June 15, 2013

The Dettman's left yesterday so now it's just us and the Trezise's.  Sheri went running this morning and met Julie Wilhelm.  Sheri, Alex and I went in to town to see about getting Sheri's tire fixed.  We took my car.  The tire was torn with a rock and is not fixable so they have to buy a new tire.  We mixed business with pleasure and the three of us had breakfast/brunch at Persnikkity's.  I had a chicken salad sandwich, Alex had French toast, and Sheri had oatmeal.  We also got lemon squares, cheesecake, and German chocolate brownies.  Everything was delicious. 
Sheri bought gas for the Ranger and we made a quick trip to Walmart so I could get James a watch.  He mentioned yesterday afternoon that he needed a watch to wear for work. I got him a Superman watch because he is known as Superman in some circles.

I came home and took a nap.  When I woke up it was hailing.  It lasted less than ten minutes. 
This afternoon we played Five Crowns and Sheri and I watched a Hallmark movie called, "Smart Cookies."  Ian fixed us a delicious dinner of fish, wild rice, mango salsa, salad and broccoli.   It was delicious!!

I fixed Alex's shorts and Sheri made cookies for me.  The Relief Society is making goodie plates for all the men tomorrow for Father's Day.

Friday, June 14, 2013

Today is Brian's and Dallin's birthday.  Happy Birthday to both of them.  Brian is in San Diego and Dallin is doing a concert tonight at Sozo Coffee House so I guess they both will have a great birthday.

I was up at 5am to make a trip to Walmart to buy the fixin's for a pancake breakfast for girls camp.  The cooks left bagels and cream cheese for the girls but last night Shelly mentioned the pancake breakfast in the morning and I didn't have the heart to tell her there wasn't going to be one.
James came with me to help.  Thank you honey.  Kaeli was there and so was Millie Scott.  Millie did most of the cooking.  After breakfast we spent about three house cleaning the camp.  Sister Stepp, the camp supervisor, was there every step of the way making sure we did everything we were suppose to.
Those helping to clean and to take the girls and their equipment home:  Julie Wilhelm, Brother Scott and Brother Smith, and James and I.  James and I took Mary, Maddie, and Kilee to the church, and then we took Maddie and Kilee home.  We were all exhausted.  It has been an event filled week!

When I got home instead of taking a nap like I should have, I went to town with Sheri and Alex.  We did some father's day shopping at Walmart.  When we got home Sheri's tire went flat on her van.  This is the third bad thing to happen since they have been here.  Max chipped his tooth on a Ranger ride, and Alex hurt his wrist.

Evan helped Grandpa do some reloading today.

 

 

 

 

 

He really was a big help!

 

Ben learned how to drive the Ranger.

Ian and his boys.

Trezise and Dettman children.

 

 

This evening we played Five Crowns and watched a movie.  I was exhausted when I went to bed.











Thursday, June 13, 2013

Sheri, Ian, Nate, and Mandy and all the kids leave for Greer and Sheeps Crossing this morning.  Alex wants to do some fishing and of course Evan wants to go to Greer to get ice cream.

Fishing at Sheep's Crossing

Evan enjoys his ice cream with Maddox and Griffin.

Back at home I do some baking before heading back up to camp.  I use a couple of recipes I got off of Facebook.  The first is a double chocolate Coca Cola cake and the second if four ingredient lemon cookies.  

I arrived back at camp around 1:30.  Brother Wes Smith was teaching the girls how to tie knots.  He use to be a sea captain so he knows what he is doing.  

Hope practicing her knot tying.

Brother Smith giving some pointers and Sister Smith

looking on.

 Sister Nicoll and the girls.

 Jordyn striking a pose.

Shelly and Trenda.

Mary and Maddie.  Maddie loved the lemon cookies.

Alex Jones.

Kaeli Nicoll helped the girls make lanterns to put their glow sticks in for the testimony meeting this evening.  LeeAnn made one for me.  I wanted to take a picture but it got broken last night when James was taking the garbage out. 

Brother John Wilhelm taught archery this afternoon.  He was very good and so was his daughter Trenda.  Karla came back and loved shooting the bow.

Getting ready for archery.

Left to right: Kelly, Hope, Alex, Shelly, Maddie, Kilee, Jordyn, LeeAnn, Mary, and Trenda.

Determining if they are right or left eye dominant.

 Brother Wilhelm in the red shirt  Getting ready to shoot.

The guy on the end is Brother Stepp.  He and his wife are in charge of the camp during the summer.

He was very interested in the archery.  I guess his son has won several awards.

Half the girls shot while the others waited.

Trenda was the best shot.

This afternoon was the 1st Annual Vernon Ward Hunger Games.  Julie dressed up in a pink wig but I didn't get a picture because my camera ran out of batteries.  She had people at six different stations and the girls had to figure out quardrants with their compass to know which station to go to next.  They got different colored clothes pins depending on how well they did at the stations.  Purple was the best, and black the worst.  When the girls were in the center of the "stations" circle they could steal each others clothespins but as long as they were at a station they were safe.  Here were the six stations: At Randa Covert's station they had to eat fire hot Cheetos because after all they are girls on fire.  Denise Hall was in charge of the tent setup station, Brother Justin Covert did the 1st Aid, Brother Smith did the knot tying, Tamara Applegate the scripture station where she asked them questions about scriptures that had to do with fire, such as, who saw the burning bush?  And Julie did the orienteering station.  Trenda and Jordyn tied for the most points.

Back at the cabin Sheri and Mandy had a cookie contest.  Sheri made her delicious chocolate chip cookies.  I have never tasted Mandy's so I don't know how they were. 

Of course these kids voted for their mom's cookies.

 

 

Back to more girls camp news.  The bishopric cooked a nice steak dinner for all of us.  After dinner we sat around the flag pole in the dark since no campfires are allowed, and had a testimony meeting.  All of the girls, including Alex, bore their testimonies except Hope who is a little shy.  I was a great evening.

When I got home James had come home.  He wanted me to try some of the pork chops that Nate had cooked so in spite of the fact that I had already eaten a steak dinner, I had a pork chop.  They were delicious.  Nate is known for his culinary skills.

 



Wednesday, June 12, 2013

I made a camp bag for Alex Jones this morning.  It's pink.  I hope she likes it.  The other girls made theirs on May 22nd with the Relief Society. 
I made another trip to town this morning for my prescriptions and some last minute stuff for the pedicures.  Kaeli got some cheap flip flops for the girls to wear around camp after they get their pedicures.  I picked her up and we rode up to camp together.  We got there in the early afternoon just about 20 minutes or so before the girls arrived from their hike.  Brother Curtis and Brother Skousen filled up our wading pool and had it ready for the girls when they arrived.  They loved soaking their sore feet!

Kilee says thumbs up!

More girls join in the fun.

Kilee likes the camera.

This little pool served it's purpose.

That's Jordyn in the background painting her toenails.

After the spa treatment, it was time for lunch.  Sister Theresa Smith, Diana Curtis, and Judy Hunter had made chicken salad for us served on croissants.  We also had chips and watermelon, grape salad.  It was quite a yummy lunch.

After lunch Karla and Brother Reynolds left.  We wanted Karla to stay but couldn't convince her.  

Sister Sherry Swansey helped the girls make leather bracelets.  Julie Wilhelm had ordered the mocking jay symbol from The Hunger Games for the girls to put on their bracelets.  

Working on bracelets.

LeeAnn made a bracelet for me.

Trenda forgot her sleeping bag so after she made her bracelet I took her home to get it.  The girls camp is only 8 miles from Vernon.  We had a nice visit.  According to Trenda the hike was a little too long and she thinks we should have prepared for it by doing some hikes before camp.  She also got very cold sleeping on the ground last night.

When we got back it was time to set up the two tents the girls will be sleeping in.  It took awhile for Julie, Kaeli, Brother Applegate, and I to determine what the tent assignments would be.  Because Alex Jones is openly gay it was decided that two leaders should be in the tent with her.  Here is what we finally came up with: Tent #1: The leaders - Julie Wilhelm, and Kaeli Nicoll, Alex Jones, Jordyn Applegate, Madalen Carroll, and Trenda Wilhelm.  Tent #2: Kilee and LeeAnn Hunsaker, Hope Lootans, Kelly Reynolds, Shelly Applegate, and Mary Swift.  

I am exhausted and anxious to see if Sheri, Ian, Nate and Mandy have arrived at my house so I leave a little before 5.  I miss dinner and Judy Hunter's history of the camp.  I think I pretty much hear the history the day Judy brought us up to show us where the camp was.  

Back at home my guests have arrived.  I go shopping with Mandy and Sheri at Safeway in Show Low.  Since today is Ian's birthday I left him a card on the counter with a gift card inside.  I also bought him two pieces of cheesecake at Safeway, one with cherries, and one plain.  When we return home Ian and Nate have already fixed dinner.  Grilled shrimp, and chicken and some other goodies.  Sheri had brought me a green chili burro from Burger House so that's what I ate for dinner.  We watched Master Chef.  I fell asleep.  I guess I should tell a little about Nate and Mandy.  Nate speaks Mandarin Chinese and works for the government.  Their family has been living in Indonesia the past two years and now they are going to live in Bejing, China for the next two years.  They have 5 children who are very well behaved.  They have 3 girls who are the oldest, and 2 boys, just like we did.  Their oldest is 12 and the youngest 5.  The two boys love Evan.  The names of the Detman children are: Bryn, Rhiannon, Aderyn, Maddox, and Griffin.