Girls camp as Head Cook! June 19th

I headed up to camp Zion to start the longest month at camp. We had to go to Costco and buy all our produce. The hardest part was fitting it all in the car. Also on that day, Bella and Sam and Liv loaded up to head out to Louisiana 

The two ladies I served with were life savers. They truly lighted my load by takin on so much. Sherrie Jones is a master organizer. She had wonderful spreadsheets and cross checked prices. She is a total doer and I love her for all her hard work. Kam Gibson was a first time cook but not new to working with me. She was my preschool assistant for many years. She has a calming influence and works incredibly hard.  They were my dream team.

Adrian headed up to camp to be a 3rd year...that might not mean a lot to you but it means Adrian's getting older Parkin had a swim meet and the Pershing crew arrived into Baton Rouge with Liv going 115 mph at times 

On Wednesday June 21st I made the worst camp biscuits. Well I really made them early and then I froze them which did not hold up well. They were so hard to unstick and didn't rise well...normally my biscuits are good. It made me think of my great great grandmother Sarah Loader who crossed the plains in the Martin Handcart company. She was traveling next to a man that said he couldn't walk another step. She asked him what he needed to carry on, he said if he could just have a biscuit he thinks he could make it. She reached into her apron and boom there was a biscuit! She saved his life....so as far as miracle biscuits go I'm glad he got a miracle instead of me 

Thursday June 22nd last full day of camp! Each day at camp feels like a week so I had already been there for 3 weeks. I served smoked pork sandwiches and homemade Mac n cheese, luckily that landed! 

Friday we woke up early to make cinnamon rolls. So much effort. I wonder if Costco muffins would suffice... 

A week later I got surveys about what meals the campers liked best....the results were unexpected. Meals that I thought I botched were voted the best like the biscuits and gravy!! I don't know how many times I have told my kids "you are doing better than you think"....and that applied to me. Other items that got votes was mac n cheese and my cinnamon rolls...what a success!! 

Parkin made the aprons for the cooks. He did an amazing job! I was so grateful for his help. 

 

Beryl Graduated from UCLA June 17th

 

On June 17th Beryl graduated with her Masters! Her boyfriend Rex and best friend Suzie met us at the Bruin statue so we could sit together in the stadium. Rex even busted out snacks. The speakers did a great job and didn't speak too long but the reading of the names took forever. After the ceremony we went to a very small celebration at her college were we mingled. A lady took our picture and said "what a nice blended family, we might put you on the department website."  We were so thrilled to be invited and so very happy that we have kept in touch. Later that night Beryl treated us to a yummy Italian dinner. It was very generous.

Later that night we met up with a missionary friend of Benjamins. They shared an apartment for 6 months. He took us to the pier and we went to his ward on Sunday where he is a Bishop.

Later that day we went to Salvation Mountain its an unusual art installation in the desert devoted to God's love.

At our family Lake on June 5th, and FSY!

We love to go to Lake Patagonia several times during the summer break. We usually take off mid afternoon and get there in time for a couple of hours of lake fun. 

Parkin and Adrian were at FSY, a youth camp for church held at the University of Arizona. They were both incredibly brave and went not knowing their roommates. Luckily they both liked there roommates and had a great time at camp. A lot of kids from the ward were there so it made the dances and other activities fun. They didn't take a single picture which is fine because they never called to come home...like I said they were very brave!

 

Unexpected trip to Havasupai

 

John Webster gave Benjamin and I the opportunity of a lifetime. He needed a couple of people to helicopter into the Havasupai reservation at the bottom of the Grande Canyon to help unload pallet of cabinets for the new medical clinic.  It was short notice and a perfect adventure!! School is almost over for the year so it was a bit tricky to get the time off but luckily my principal approved it, in large part due to the fact that I have an awesome parapro!! Benjamin asked Scott to go and luckily he could make the trip too. We unloaded about 12 crates worth of cabinets and put them into their correct rooms. It was heavy manual labor and I got some pretty good bruises but after the work we got to go exploring and wow what a beautiful place! We talked to a couple of hikers who have been waiting three years to get into the canyon. Benjamin has been before so he was able to navigate the hikes good. 

This is were we slept. It had cold air and cots...look at those cliffs

This is the medical clinic. It is huge!

The air filed in which the helicopter lands.

The top of the canyon.

This is the LDS branch. It was actually right next to wear we were sleeping.

 

Pershings Graduate!!

A year after they got married these two graduated from the University of Arizona. We are so proud of these wildcats!! Sam got a Business degree and Bella got a Conservation Biology degree. Both are smarties and are going places. Sam has a job with Honeywell and they are moving to Baton Rouge for his first of 3 rotations. Bella has gotten several job offers out there and is now needs to pick. We love these two cant couldn't be more happy for them....although we are beyond sad to say goodbye!

Bella was featured on the news as one of 5 outstanding seniors at the University....talk about impressive!! Her dedication to developing STEM curriculum for under privileged populations has made an impact in the community, and she was noticed for it! She sounded sophisticated and compassionate and looked brilliant...that's our girl!

Thee two didn't want to walk they just wanted a party.  Adam and Jen helped us host. They got an awesome taco truck. It was incredibly yummy especially the sonoran dogs! I made brownies and we had chips and salsa. The dance floor was left up after prom so we partied it up.

 

Parkin turns 16!

After his first failed attempt baby boy got his license!! (He's proud that he beat Holman's record). The week he turned 16 he was crazy busy. He was playing Sherlock Holmes in the play titled, "Sabino High School just wants to produce Sherlock Holmes." It was one of the best high school plays I have ever seen. It was hysterical!! He had lots of family and friends come out to support him. We love this talented, funny, smart, handsome, loving boy. Only two more years till this guy is an official adult. We can't stop time but we sure can appreciate what a beautiful ride it is. Love you so much son!!

 

Parkin goes to Prom

 Parkin had two proms that he went to with two of his friends. We ordered a suit off Amazon and it fit like a glove. He's so dapper!!

This is one of Parkin's best friends, Brianna. She's a drama kid who's really talented.