YW's camp & stuff

My calling at my church is in the Young Woman's. I teach and do activity's with the girls in our ward aged 12-17. I just got back from our yearly camp trip. It was a stake one, which means all the girls in YW's from 6 other wards. I was originally really excited to go. I work on the night that our YW's hold activity's so I usually miss out on those and because of that don't know the girls as well. I thought this was a great opportunity to get to know them better. A couple of days before we had to leave, I started to feel a little torn about going. I'm not much of a camper, I love being outdoors and doing outdoorsy stuff, but I love sleeping indoors and using nice clean bathrooms with running water. I also was having a hard time with the thought of leaving my baby (I've honestly never felt like that with any of my other babies). I knew I would regret it if I didn't go. So Tuesday morning my Mother in-law came in and drove me to the church and took the kids home with her for the three nights that I would be gone (Ryan was working most of the week in Fort McMurray). By the time we got to the campground, it was starting to rain. We hurriedly put up the three tents we had and a nice little garage canopy that we used for our kitchen area, and then it started to rain hard. I forgot my warm jacket in the van when my MIL dropped me off, so all I had was my hoodie which was wet. I was cold and miserable. I wasn't sure I made the right choice in going. After a few hours of this, a couple of friends let me borrow a fleece jacket and a raincoat and we headed off to meet with all the other wards for a fireside. By the time it was over the rain had ended and things started to look up.

I was actually really warm and comfortable at night, and the next day and for the rest of the time the sun shone brightly and the weather was beautiful. We had a really fun time. We went on a hike, swam and canoed in the lake, ate yummy food, played games, and just enjoyed each other's company and being in nature. We had 5 girls with us and they were seriously so good. They all got along with each other and were always happy to help and do what we asked of them. There was no grumpiness and no drama. I had so much fun with the girls and got to know them really well. They had so many opportunities for us to feel the spirit, and to learn and grow together. I am so glad I went. It was so nice to get home though and see the kids and have a nice hot shower! But at night when I was laying in my nice cozy bed and it was very, very hot, I was actually wishing I was in the cold tent all wrapped up cozily in my sleeping bag. I loved the experience, but it is good to be home! I missed my family. Especially Hayley. She was asleep when I got home so when she woke up I went in to get her. She stared at me for the longest time. It looked like she was thinking "is this really you". Then she would cuddle me, then look at me and laugh. I held her and just thought "I never want to put you down again". It was so nice to be re-united.

It has been hot, hot, hot. I shouldn't complain, but our house is like an oven. Hopefully we will be able to get out and spend our days playing in some water to keep us cool. Hayley is walking better and better each day. She is trying to walk more often. I'm sure she will be going full force in just a few days. It is very exciting and will make spending time outside much easier. Here are some random pics, and sorry, I didn't even take one picture of YW's camp. I just didn't want to worry about my camera.

She loves climbing into this box and out of it over and over.

Ty is my little monkey...I was the same way when I was young

I watched my cousin's for a couple of days. 8 kids ranged  10 months-12 years

McKenna and my friends little girl Alivia. Her Momma and I have been friends for  25 years. Since grade  one

this is seriously what this girl's hair looks like every morning

Hayley started using this as a walker to get around the house.

we made rootbeer float popsicles. they were delicious!

Love these two cute girlies!

July 1st

This post is so late because I just returned home from YW's camp, which was awesome but I will post on that later.

Since I was a little girl we've been celebrating Canada Day out at my Grandma's in Raymond. When Ryan and I got married I told him Canada Day with my family was something I would never give up for anything. Maybe just a little unfair, but seriously, its like my Christmas. To this day, I've stayed firm in this and we've always been there to celebrate (he hasn't complained though, he loves it too).

We watched the parade, ate yummy food all day, Grandma rented an astro-jump for a few hours in the afternoon, we played in the water, and did our traditional waterballoon volleyball, and this year we rented the town pool for an hour in the evening. It was a beautiful day and the kids had so much fun playing with their cousin's and I loved visiting with my family. It was the perfect way to celebrate our beautiful Country's birthday. We love Canada! We weren't able to stay late because I had to leave in the morning for YW's camp, Ryan was leaving for Fort McMurray for work, and the kids were heading out to my in-laws (yes, that is a lot of packing). I didn't take a lot of pictures but here are a few...

Baby Food

When I was pregnant I saw a Mother at the swimming pool using this handy little thing...

to feed her baby. I thought that was just about the coolest, and handiest thing I've ever seen. (you just stick the baby food in, and squeeze it onto the spoon and voila. easy eating for little baber while your out and about. I had to have one. I told my sister in-law about it and the next time she was out she spotted one and picked one up for me and one for herself. 

Hayley is now 10 months old and has been eating baby food for 4 months now, and to be honest, this is what this is used for...

a toy. Hayley plays with it and I haven't used it once. Why you say? Because I found these little gems...

baby food in these little packages with a nice little spout. You just squeeze it onto a spoon, and voila. And you don't even have to wash anything. You just put the lid back on and stick it back in the fridge and when its all gone, you throw it out. And who wouldn't want to eat these delicious food choices...harvest pear, pumpkin & banana, juicy pear & garden greens, old fashioned apple crisp, roasted squash & fruit medley, apple sweet potato berry swirl...just to name a few. We love this product! So before you buy the first handy little item check out these even handier items first!

Britt, do you use your's?

Captain Underpants

Oh how I love little boys!

June

Wow. I can't believe that June is almost over and I am still alive. What a crazy, busy month. I feel like there are a lot of things to post on...

First of all...June 10th marked 4 years that I have lived without my Momma here on earth. Its always a weird day. Its not that I think about it all day or anything, but I have weird moments and feelings that just kind of pop up subconsciously. I'm usually a little emotional and I just want to be close to my Grandma and Mom's family. I don't need to sit and talk to them about her, but just be near them. Its comforting.

We've had a busy few months of t-ball and coach pitch. Nate playing Monday and Wednesday evenings, and Ty playing Tuesday and Thursday evenings. I work every Tuesday/Thursday so when the weather wasn't nice we would have someone babysit Hayley (thanks to our family who helped us out doing that) and if the weather was nice Ryan fed, and packed up all the kids all by himself and went to Ty's t-ball game. What a great Daddy. Well on the 16th they had their final tournament. It was a really great experience for both of them, but Ryan and I are definitely glad its over. We're thinking that next year we'll put them on the same team, so its not as busy.

Here they are with their trophy's

We had a nice Father's Day. We let Ryan sleep in a little (it was Sunday morning, so he couldn't sleep in as much as he would have liked), the kids got him some treats for Father's Day and Hayley wore a special "I love my Daddy" shirt. We then had my Dad and Penny and my siblings over for a Father's Day BBQ. It was nice seeing Dad and Penny and we had a good visit. I forgot to mention that Ryan got called as Elder's Quorum President earlier this month. We are excited about his new calling but know that it will be pretty busy. There are two Sunday morning's a month I will have to get the kids ready and to church all by myself. I know I'm not the only one who has to do this, but I'm not looking forward to it. Wish me luck.

He really is the best Daddy! We love you Ry!

McKenna is all done dance for the summer. We had a busy week leading up to her Year End Show. She had to be at the Yates two separate nights for rehearsals. Saturday she had a matinee show and then an evening show. She was in a little ballet number titled "somewhere over the Rainbow" (she danced to that song, the one with the ukulele). It was so precious and she did such a good job! I was so proud of her. She loved every minute of it and can't wait to do it again next year.

The last two days I've been watching my cousin's. 4 kids ranging 12 (I think) to 4. My kids had so much fun playing with them. They all get along so well. It was fun but busy. 

The company Ryan works for just got a huge job up in Fort McMurray. Ryan will be spending a lot of time up there for awhile. He went for the first time last week. Monday to late Wednesday night. I will be going it alone a lot this summer while he is up there. We all hate it, but will make the best of it.

Here's Hayley protesting his departure!

Cousin Bella came to sleep over this month. Bedtime is always crazy, but we always have fun! The kids love playing with their cousin's. 

Having a dance party...or yoga,  haven't decided which.

Today I packed my last lunch and drove Nate to school for the last time this school year. It feels good to be done. Yeah for no schedule for a couple of months!

We've got two birthday parties on Saturday, Canada Day festivities, and I have YW's camp, and then I'm hoping life will settle down a bit. We are excited for Summer.

First tea party together

BBQ with the Olsen's

Best.Day.Ever!

Monday morning I woke up to find that my husband had slept in. I looked over at him and said "well you might as well just take the morning off". He surprisingly agreed. Then I got the brilliant idea that we should keep Nate home from school and go swimming as a family (we haven't gone since Hayley was born). It was Nate's half birthday so we decided to go celebrate. We all went swimming in the morning and had so much fun. Hayley loved the water! Oh, and then Ryan decided to just take the whole day off! Even better!

Then we went and got cupcakes...

Hayley was so tired from swimming she slept through cupcakes

My yummy peppermint cupcake

Then we went to Toys R Us and let Nate pick out a toy. He picked out a pack of sonic toys. And we got McKenna a new bike! She's been riding the strider, so we thought it was time for her to learn how to pedal.

I love doing spontaneous things like this sometimes. It was a day our family definitely needed. We've been so busy lately.

Then Ryan and I ended the night with some delicious fondue!

Seriously, Best.Day.Ever.

Ballet

Picture day! She's missing her little white tutu.

McKenna has her last ballet class today. We have both loved it. I have always wished that I would have taken lessons when I was little, so having McKenna in dance has been so fun. She has her year end show next weekend. I can't wait to see all the things she has learned this year.

Fun...

this shopping cart...

bath time...

watching friends play soccer...

playing together!

Hayley

I love this little girl. I wish I could stop time for awhile because this is my favorite stage. She sleeps through the night, and is starting to get a little personality, and everyday she is learning and doing something new. My favorite right now is when she does something and then laughs at herself like she thinks she's so funny. Its so cute! We are so blessed and so happy to have this little girl a part of our family. We love you Hayley!

Not too sure about some of her Uncle Adam's antics.

She loves watching the kids play in the backyard.

watching big brother play baseball

She spits her food to let me know she's all done. This time it ended up on her face!

Standing all by herself

trying her first sucker