Laguna Beach with the Young Women

What great YW leaders the girls have! The girls were treated to a weekend in Laguna Beach, Balboa Island, and Newport where they got to go to the Temple, the Sawdust Arts Festival, and The Pageant of the Masters (an awesome artsy show). Thanks to Rachelle VanBuskirk for all the beautiful photos! Madison Barney, Dayna Mattson , Shannon Howell, Tatiana Sterling,

Rachelle VanBuskirk and Sierra.

These girls were really "Kids in a Candy Shop" and I am not talking just about the thirteen

year old girls. Nice to see Sierra takes such a lady like bite of her oversized

Reeses Peanut Butter Cup!

I know there is always the question, "What to do with three thirteen year old girls?" NOT! Whenever you see three thirteen year old girls you know there will be shopping, squealing, eating, playing, trying on, painting, and making. You can count on them to keep you quite entertained throughout the weekend. This weekend was no exception. I am sure they needed all three leaders to keep up with them. I am so glad Sierra has leaders who provide her with enriching experiences outside of home and school. They are all great examples for her to look up to and respect.

Everyone got to stay at the Newport Beach Marriott which was a treat all in itself!, then they went to the Sawdust Festival where there was music, art projects, glass blowers, and more fun things to do -- especially shop. Sierra spent her time looking for the perfect accessories -- and of course she scored.

Apparently the girls honed in on an art project which was meant for the younger kids, but no one stopped them, and they made these pieces of art. Then they got to get their handy dirty and throw some clay.

Everyone was looking forward to The Pageant of The Masters, which is a 90 minute show depicting paintings of classical and contemporary artists (Gaugin, Monet, Parrish, Larche, da Vinci). These recreations are done by PEOPLE who are posed to look exactly like the painting. It is presented on stage, and the people are completely still while the painting is described by a narrator. It is hard to describe this, you just have to see it for yourself. The show has been going on for over 70 years.

After a long hard day of shopping, painting, eating, and festival going the girls were ready for a long night's sleep. Not a bad day!

After a good nights rest the whole group traveled to the Newport Temple where, thanks to Rachelle VanBuskirk, there were some beautiful photo taken. I am so glad Sierra has Rachelle to take photos on all of their trips because if you know me, I am always the one clicking the camera. So if I am not there what better hands could my girl and her trips be in other than Rachelle. Thanks so much Rachelle!!!

Rachelle loved trying out her new camera and lens. She does a great job of creating some wonderful photos of all the YM and the leaders.

After the temple they all went to the beach to catch some rays and to get a lesson from Sister V on watercolor painting. They all got to paint their own seashells. What a wonderful day.

I know the girls were extremely tired on the drive home, but I am sure the leaders were as well. At least they all had a great experience together and I am grateful for all the time the leaders took out of their schedule to make it happen.

FIREWORKS

We were lucky this year because the fireworks show was about three minutes from our house in Indian Wells. We went to the show with our friends the Whitlocks (where we had spent the afternoon) and they have five kids -- so ease and convenience was a plus! We left the house at 8:45 PM, the show started at 9:00, lasted about 20 minutes and we home around 9:30. We had an extra added bonus because the Palm Desert fireworks was about ten minutes down the road and the show was in perfect alignment with the Indian Wells show. We got to see the entire Palm Desert show in the background! Way cool. Best EVER 4th of July fireworks show -- short, close, with family and friends.

Happy 4th of July

The Great Goldfish Caper

Jamie had an inspiration for games at the 4th of July party. He remembered when he was a kid he used to go to the Brookville Swim Club which he described as the biggest pool ever. On the 4th of July the pool would host all of these games for kids to participate in, so Jamie brought this nostalgia to his own 4th of July party in 2009.

The was the Goldfish Catch --

Jamie released 20 goldfish into his pool and the kids were to jump in and catch all 20 fish. The kids thought this idea was bombdizzle! They scurried around the pool. We would tally how many fish were caught and then the kids would dive in to find the remaining fish. It was so much fun to watch from the sidelines. Eventually all 20 fish were found and then the games really began.

The kids wold tend to these fish on into the night (and at our home even this morning), however, as we parents know, goldfish do not last for a long time if not taken care of very carefully. throughout the evening we would have several causalities -- Bob Marley, Nemo, Marlin, Marlin Jr., Jessica, and Sue Anne just to name a few. There would be tears when some of the fishes passed away.

Carson and Tanner decided to give their fish a proper burial and proceeded to take the fish to the bathroom, read a scripture, sing a song and flush them away. Others decided a proper burial would be to bury them in the dirt. All in all it was a great activity and the kids had a great time.

Thank you Whitlocks for sharing this great game with us!

Scout Camp Looks Like Fun -- But Smells real bad!

Tanner and Dad survived Scout Camp at Camp Mataguay in Santa Ysabel, which is northeast from San Diego. Tanner earned his rifle shooting badge, wilderness survival badge and forestry badge. Great job Tanner. Polo earned his trip to a chiropractor and a massage badge! The cots were small, the sleep was minimal, and the clothes were extremely dirty -- meaning they boys were in hog heaven!