Lindsey's Art Show Entry

A few weeks ago we had "Steele Days" which is American Fork's summer celebration. Part of that celebration is an Art Show featuring local artist's work. Lindsey took an awesome picture in Central Park while she was there last Fall. She decided that maybe just maybe she should enter it in the Art Show.

We are proud to announce that her picture received an Honorable Mention in the High School category. You can view her picture right here on our blog. Just go to our entry titled "Lindsey's New York Trip" it is the picture of the lake, with the fall colors. Way to go LINDS!

Summer is almost over!

Summer is coming to a close quickly. As a mother I have mixed feelings. It will be great to have the kids back in school. They are better entertained, and seem for the most part to really enjoy it. I really enjoy the peace and quiet that exists at the house during school hours. No fighting over the TV or computer, no lunch mess, less complaints about dinner, and 8:00pm bedtime (YES!).

I realize though that this will bring to end staying up late for sleepovers and movies in the Living Room, playing outside till it is dark, running through the sprinklers, and heading up the canyon for hot dogs and s'mores. AAAH, Summer is the best!

Lindsey will be starting High School and Drivers Education(aaagh), Ashley will be "alone" at the Junior High and Nathan will be in 6th grade, his last year of elementary. When did we get soooo old?

Girls Camp

We have just returned from Girls Camp. What a great experience it was! Bartley and I both were able to go (Thanks Grandma Mary:) and be there with Lindsey and Ashley.

I just want to say how wonderful, fabulous and terrific MY Young Women are. The media would have us believe that the world is falling apart and that teenagers are just lazy losers who are out to either kill each other or mooch off the world as much as possible. My Young Women are proof that the future of the world and church are in good hands.

My favorite part was sitting on the hill at the Manti Temple talking about Captain Moroni. It was a spiritual high that I will never forget. Some of the other activities I enjoyed were; Improv Night (Sis Frandsen and the Lemon HA! HA!) standing on the dock in the moonlight with Brianna, Value Hike, water fights on the paddle boats with Courtney and Nicole, Sister Smith and everyone jumping into the lake on Friday (it was fun to be a spectator) and of course Testimony Meeting.

Since my Young Women read my blog, I just have to say I LOVE YOU! Thanks for making Girls Camp the best I have ever been to!

Busy

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of activities for our family. First, we had Nathan and Bartley at the Dodgers baseball tournament and my Sellers Training in SLC. Then I took 3 kids and went to the Murdock Reunion in Carey, ID. Bartley and Lindsey did Band Camp that same week. Lindsey and I have just returned from Youth Conference this past weekend. Bartley and Nathan were in Rexburg for the All Star Tournament. Maggey and Abbey stayed with our wonderful neighbors the Vigues, and also with Grandma Mary. WHEW! We are so busy!

Youth Conference was soooo awesome. Some of my Young Women read my blog and so this is for you.... I love you all so much and couldn't have been prouder of you than I was at Youth Conference. Our youth were in charge of a HUGE activity(a dramatic "plane crash"), right before testimony meeting. (NO PRESSURE!) They took on the challenge and completed it perfectly. If I could hand out an Academy Award to each of you I would! Thanks again to my YW! I am so lucky to serve with you!!

Coming up next week Lindsey, Ashley, myself and Bartley will be attending girls camp. We are excited to be going to Palisade Lake(our favorite camp site). Nathan, Maggey and Abbey will be staying at Grandma Mary's (Thanks, MOM) and they are super excited.

I am hopeful that after girls camp things will settle down a little and we will all be able to relax before school starts in mid August.

Ashley will be coming home tomorrow, and we are excited to see her. She has been gone a long, long time it seems. She has been lucky to have this opportunity, and we are grateful to Dan and Julie for opening their home to her. She says that she doesn't really want to come home. (Surprise-not!) She knows that we miss her. So does half of our ward, they want their babysitter back!