Summer Fun!

School's OUT!

Pioneer TrekNAUVOO, ILLINOIS

WOW - Summer packed fun! 5th grade graduation for Alyssa - I can't believe I will have one in Middle School - yikes! We had a great time with Grandpa Buzz and Sue in Nauvoo, IL and Minneapolis, MN over Memorial Day.

When we got home TJ and I were in a rush to get everything planned for Pioneer Trek, June 11-14 we went with our stake and the Topeka, KS stake on trek. It was certainly a once in a lifetime activity (I hope)! It rained the entire time we were on the trail, if we stopped to eat, or take a bathroom break, the rain would stop, but as soon as we started to walk again, the rain would come. But we had an amazing time and loved the kids we were given, 4 from our stake and 5 from Topeka.

After trek, I headed to Girl's camp. The first 2 days the heat index was about 112 - so needless to say, not much happened those days. My friend Nancy and I went up the end of the second day, after a cool front moved in, and were so lucky to enjoy perfect weather the rest of the week. The camp this year was very "layed" back - and it enabled us to bond really well as a ward - which we totally needed.

As soon as I got home, our very kind Bishop called and asked if I would speak - so it seems like it never ends with church! TJ was also hit with the dubious task of planning the Stake Preparedness Fair in August.

We had a great 4th of July with our friends the Anderson's and Patterson's. We had a bbq, pinata, and a million fireworks! I have never been in a place where fireworks are so crazy! It was truly like a warzone on our block, let alone the rest of Omaha. It was a blast!

We next planned a "camping" trip for the kids (not like I hadn't had enough camping this summer already). But thankfully it included a Marriott. We went down to Kansas City to go to the new Schiltterbaun, which wasn't open for business yet, unfortunately, but ended up at the Moon Marble Company, Worlds of Fun and The Legends Mall. We are planning on going back to KC in August, because the water park opened 4 days after we left - never trust what you read on the Internet.

We are ready for school to start and trying to enjoy the rest of our time off before the craziness of school , fall sports, back to work, etc., rolls around.