Well, well, well. We've been waiting for this day all year- the end of June. We've known June would be the craziest month of all, and we've been dreading it/preparing for it for like 6 months.
I'm camp director for girls camp, so I've spent the last 4 months planning and preparing for camp. It's been a lot. We were gone the 2 weeks before camp, so I had to get everything squared away before we left town toward the beginning of June.
We went to a camp in Mantua, Utah (pronounced Manoway, which makes no sense). We shared a campground with the YM, but tried to have as much separate time and activities and we could. We did meals together, and had a day together at Willard Bay boating and playing on the water. We also had lots of free time that the kids spent doing crafts and playing games. Hikes, devotionals, testimony meetings were all separate so we could focus on our messages and themes for each camp.
I'm camp director for girls camp, so I've spent the last 4 months planning and preparing for camp. It's been a lot. We were gone the 2 weeks before camp, so I had to get everything squared away before we left town toward the beginning of June.
We went to a camp in Mantua, Utah (pronounced Manoway, which makes no sense). We shared a campground with the YM, but tried to have as much separate time and activities and we could. We did meals together, and had a day together at Willard Bay boating and playing on the water. We also had lots of free time that the kids spent doing crafts and playing games. Hikes, devotionals, testimony meetings were all separate so we could focus on our messages and themes for each camp.
Our theme was "Great in the sight of God", so we focused on our worth and God's unconditional love. It was pretty special. We had great devotionals given by our YW leaders, the YCLs had some time to talk with the younger girls about their gifts and talents. We had lots of crafts, like Shrinky Dinks, bracelet making, hair tinsel, and Addie, who came as our medical leader, taught all who wanted to how to crochet scrunchies. She was a real trooper and showed a lot of patience with that. She was also kept very busy as our medic. We had a lot of kids (mostly boys) needing attention. Getting cut with pocket knives, breaking fingers, having a little heat exhaustion, high emotions, etc. She dealt with a lot and handled it with a lot of kindness. Love her.
Some thing that were hard for me but not that big of a deal:
Some thing that were hard for me but not that big of a deal:
• Sleeping in a little shed/cabin with all the other YW leaders. I am a very restless sleeper. The first night, I laid awake for so long trying to relax, but my brain wouldn't turn off. I was tossing and turning and probably only got 3 hours of sleep. The next night, I moved my little air mattress into the back of Nils' truck so I could be with him and not have to worry about being annoying to 8 other people that I'm not used to sleeping next to. That did help me to get a little better sleep.
• Peeing in the night. My #1 reason for not wanting to camp. I hate hate hate having to get up in the night and walk to a bathroom that is far away. And, I always have to pee in the night, multiple times sometimes.
• Peeing in the night. My #1 reason for not wanting to camp. I hate hate hate having to get up in the night and walk to a bathroom that is far away. And, I always have to pee in the night, multiple times sometimes.
• Being dirty all the time. Utah mountains are super dusty, so being dirty is inevitable. I did shower 2 times at camp, but by the last day, I didn't care anymore. My clothes and shoes were so dirty, and I was stinky and disgusting.
It was really nice having Nils in the same area as me. We got glimpses of each other once in awhile, and it did help me to be able to sleep in the back of the truck with him.
The girls were cute and fun. We had very little drama, and everyone participated in all the things. Sometimes begrudgingly, but they did it. We are lucky to have truly great kids in our ward.
Sandi and I are the camp directors. She's my church bestie, and this is the 3rd calling we've had together. Primary presidency, RS presidency, now camp. We inadvertently dressed alike.
Human pinata, where Nils and two other leaders wore shirts with candy taped to them and were chased by the girls with pool noodles.
Hatchet throwing. Had to document my near bullseye.
Blurry, but a cute moment with the girls all hiking down the trail back to camp.
It was so much work! I was getting about 20,000 steps a day just running around doing all the things. I was running on adrenaline big time, and when we got home on Saturday, I crashed and am just starting to come out of the coma.
But it was great, the kids all seemed to love it. We had some special moments together and made lots of memories.
The week before camp, we went to Orlando for the Rasmusson family reunion. We did a couple of days at Disney at Epcot and Animal Kingdom, and at the new Universal Epic park. It was super hot, but we did the things and saw family a bit and had some good times.
We played a game with everyone where we all went to the dollar store and had to find the best items and present them to the family. Whoever won got a prize- but I don't know if anyone actually got a prize. But Aani found these super awesome baby dolls with backwards hands that she named Bubble and Bubble. We left them in glasses for the next house guests to enjoy
We played a game with everyone where we all went to the dollar store and had to find the best items and present them to the family. Whoever won got a prize- but I don't know if anyone actually got a prize. But Aani found these super awesome baby dolls with backwards hands that she named Bubble and Bubble. We left them in glasses for the next house guests to enjoy
The little kids, Parker, Saylor and Tenzin threw a party for everyone. They had a disco ball, silly string, music, snacks and a dance party. They won the dollar store contest.
Just Katrina being Katrina at the dollar store. What a nut.
So we've done a lot of Disney in the last 9 months. We're good.
We left for Orlando on Father's Day, but Nils got his favorite Father's Day snacks in: Coke, sharp cheddar cheese on Club Crackers and cookie dough before we left.
We went to Dallas for a YouTube training. Flew in and out of Provo. Love those views, especially coming home.
I can't this picture to move up to the camp part, but we had a cereal bar one night for a bedtime snack, and the kids were like raccoons. They went nuts. They loved it and made a bit of a mess.
Before all of our trips, Nils and Anders spent two weeks putting up a new solar panel system on our roof, and it was big huge project. Just needed to mention that, because it's been a totally crazy month for Nilsy Nils as well. We're both really looking forward to July and August and having life be a bit more normal.
Look at me, publishing this post before midnight on June 30!
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