Hooray for super activities!

Tom and Kohler got back last week from a really great teacher/priest super activity.  They went to San Diego and camped on the beach at a boy scout camping ground called Fiesta Island.  There were 22 boys and 12 leaders who went.  12 LEADERS WHO TOOK A WEEK OFF OF WORK TO BE WITH THESE BOYS!  THAT IS INCREDIBLE TO ME!!!  Anyway, our entire bishopric was there for the whole week because they wanted these boys to know how much they love them.  (I love our ward!)  The boys hiked the Mormon Batallion trail, did a service project at Sharky's Pier, had a football game on the beach, did baptisms for the dead at the San Diego Temple, went to a Padres game, had incredible devotionals complete with guitar and singing hymns for over an hour, and ended with a 4 hour testimony in which EACH and every boy bore their testimony and comitted to going on a mission.  Kohler is the teacher's quorum president and each member of the bishopric told me when they got back what a great job Kohler did in being a leader to the boys.  He rounded everyone up when it was time, lead gospel discussions, and really rose to the occassion in helping out any way he could.  I was so proud of him. 

I love this picture!  This is Kohler's Teacher's Quorum.  They had 100% attendance.  Kohler is the third boy from the left and the boy standing to his right is a kid that wasn't going to come.  The Sunday before they left I had the strongest impression to call his mother and ask why Davis wasn't going.  She was so sad and simply said that he didn't feel like going.  This family used to be in our ward, then the mom got a nasty divorce and they moved out of the ward.  She is a dear friend to me and I love their family so much!  But now they moved back in our ward boundaries because the mom (my good friend) really wanted her boys to be around good YM leaders.  So, after talking to her Sunday morning I quickly called Tom who just happened to answer the phone at the church.  I told him to quickly gather the teachers quorum presidency, who just happened to be having a presidency meeting at the church, and to go to Davis's home and get him to come to this activity.  So, these cute 15 year old boys ran over to his house in their white shirts and ties, got this kid out of bed and brought him to church with him.  He helped them prepare the sacrament and Kohler sat next to him during the entire meeting.  After church he decided to go on the activity with the boys and last Sunday his mom just stood there and cried to Tom--telling him how grateful she was that the boys came over and got him.  He feels like he fits right in the ward now and that he so happy.  What a great story.  I love the power of going after the "one" with love and sincerity.  It has just filled my heart every time I think of those boys being all together doing GOOD things!

I have done the impossible----

Well, my sister Melanie and I have been working hard on a "cleanse" diet.  It started out with a 10-day cleanse (and it was truly a cleanse--yuck!) then a 14 day lean and fit where your calorie intake is dramatically reduced and mostly just protein with very little carbs.  We really wanted to lose some weight before we head up to our annual summer feeding fest!  It seems like every summer we gain about 5 pounds from all of the awesome eating out, traveling, and baking at mom's house!  We needed to get down so we can go back up!  ha  ha!  So anyway, during the last week of this diet, I was asked by 3 separate people to bring sugar cookies to two baby showers and one bridal shower.  Of all the weeks----sugar cookies are one of my all-time favorite things in the world and I have to make 5 dozen cookies????  What in the heck????

So, I have done the impossible----at least for me this seemed impossible.  I made all 5 dozen cookies without eating a single one!!!  I didn't even as much as lick the frosting! 

Even Kelsey made some incredible looking cupcakes for a family swim party and I stuck to eating my grilled turkey patties.  It was rough!!

 But, you know what?  I am down about 7.5 pounds and I feel REALLY good.  I actually would like to lose another 5 but that's going to have to happen when I get back.  We are headed to Florida and Tom and I go crazy on all of the great food at the different resorts.  It's heaven----------  But for now, I am glad I made the sacrifice.  It will hopefully pay off when I'm eating those chocolate crepes at Epcot!!!

By the way, here is what happened when I went to Girl's Camp for a week and nobody checked the garden.  We had a zucchini grow out of control!  I can't even imagine what I'm going to find after being gone for 5 weeks.  Yikes!

How cute are my nieces??

OK - this is a bragging entry-------my two little neices in Utah are seriously the cutest little girls ever!  I can't wait to see them when we visit them this summer.  I love how their mom, Ali, sends me pics so I can see how much they are changing----especially little Parker. 


This is my sweet niece, little Parker Belle Marshall.  She is such my brother's little girl. 
 She looks just like Steve!



Here is sweet little Hayden Kay Marshall after her first ballet recital.  Isn't she a doll?  Dancing just like her mom, Ali.  I wish we could have been there!!!!

I can't wait to give them both a big hug and kiss!!!  I am the luckiest aunt in the entire world to have nieces like these two!!! (and I kinda like their mom and dad a whole lot too!!)

The End of the School Year Has Come!

It's been about 2 weeks since my last post.  I've been to Girl's Camp and back (photos of that to come!) and we are well underway with summer vacation.  Yahoo!!!!!

Yes - finals are done and school is finally out.  I am SO glad!  I love summer when my driving schedule is dramatically cut by about half and I don't constantly worry about who has what test or a project due this week!

Kelsey went to a "school's out" party in our neighborhood that she thought would have been really fun but soon found out that some kids (even members of the church) lower their standards to impress (or fit in) with the crowd.  She came home early and in tears.  She had stood up for the values she believes in---she said, "Mom, I was the ONLY girl there in a tankini.  Everyone else had a bikini on."  The kids there also started playing a truth or dare game that got out of hand and that's when she left.  We had a really nice talk with her about how hard it is to stand for the right but how awesome it makes you feel when you DO the right thing!  Tom and I are so incredibly proud of her.  She is an Angel Daughter.  :)

Kohler had an "unplanned" swim party at our house.  I went to the high school to pick him up from his last final and saw one of his good friends there.  I offered to take him home and decided to grab them some lunch at In and Out.  Then, after a few phone calls and texts, we had about 8 boys over at our house--swimming and having a blast. I actually love having the kids over at our house---I prefer it that way!   After a few pizzas and rootbeer floats, they decided to have an airsoft gun war in the park.  Oh my gosh----these boys were in heaven.  I got a good laugh at how much they are in love with their muscles.  You might get a good laugh too when you see the photos!!!!

Here is how I would be dressed to play airsoft guns---those things sting!! Of course, he's the smallest guy in the bunch!

Kohler is the one in the middle.  His friends said it didn't matter if his face was covered or not---
they could tell who he was from his "six pack abs!"  ha ha

Conner, Sean, and Kohler

Spencer and Hailey joined in the fun playing with their friends and then some video games.  They pretty much left the big boys alone and did their own thing.  Good idea kids!

Mom, wait a minute to take the picture-----------

OK - now snap it with my mouth wide open!!!

Hailey with her "cuddly bear" friend from school. 

I LOVE HAVING MY KIDS HOME FOR THE SUMMER!!!