1st Annual Parker's Landing Young Womens High Adventure: Mt St Helens Day 1

On our way up! Kaci looks stoked! LOL

Now there are some smiling excited faces!! I rode with the Beckwith twins, Kaci, Kilo, and Monica

k that Savanah must have gotten bored...... or just wanted to make us all smile! Mission accomplished girl!!  You girls definitely made the drive lots of fun! We all told embarrasing stories and I am pretty sure mine won, these girls will never look at me the same ever again! We had left later then the rest of the crew so it was pretty late when we got there so this is the end of the pics of that night.

            One really neat thing that did happen on the drive up was that we had almost gotten to the campsite but for some reason we could not find the turn off onto the dirt road to get us there. We had some pretty vague directions and just could not figure out where to go. So after the 4th or 5th turn around we decided to stop blindly driving in the dark and stopped to say a prayer. We started driving again and came across a road that we had driven past several times already and decided to drive down it even though it was missing the sign we had been told to look for. I am so grateful my Heavenly Father heard our prayer and took us down that road cuz we would have been lost for quite a while if not.


That night we had a devotional about Faith. Each of the leaders took a turn sharing a story about something that happened to them to help strngthen their faith. It was so incredible to hear people talk about letting their trials or struggles help them to grow rather then breaking them.

This is our boys cooking us breakfast the next morning. Every time it was time to cook Mike would start and somehow Kilo would end up behind the grill and Mike would end up keeping him company talking to him. Kilo loves to grill. Puts him in his element.

Let me explain that Kilo loves to grill, but hates his pic being taken, hence his scowl at me   hee hee

The girls getting their lunches ready for the 12 mile hike. Well we thought it was going to be 12 miles actually ended up being 14... I think. A lot is all I have to say! The girls had no idea what they were getting into. They were still waiting to eat so they look edgy. We were hungry!!!

Abby is ready to go with her lunch....and flip flops?

Girls get out of bed!!! It is time to hike!!! Actually this was Mike's bedding inthe middle of the Kitchen the whole time. I guess he wanted to protect the food LOL Somehow the girls ended up on it more then Mike

BWAHAHAHAHA Monica kept walking up on Tammy and I changing. She ended up protecting Tammy from a couple of interruptions by standing guard. I ADORE these ladies!!!

The "line up" for french braids. Maybe my hair will be long enough next year to join the line up. Do you think the girls would think it was lame to braid one of the leaders hair?

The group looking happy and energized before heading out. ya that did not last long! LOL Before we left Nattie talked about Temples and the importance of making sure we get there. It was a great start to our hike.

Poor Jayde hurt her foot the first night we had arrived. Well she was trying so hard to hike anyway and was such a trooper! We finally decided it was in her best safety and interest to head her back to camp to hang out with Mike. When we got back her foot was even worse then when we left.

The pics do not even show how bad it was. Seriously she was so brave. Hiked 2 miles on a broken toe!

Kilo and I had left the group to take Jayde back to camp. The group had continued on and ended up with a two hour lead by the time we could leave Jayde because Mike and left to get a couple things in town. So we ended up doing a six mile trail run to catch up to the group. They were just finishing up lunch when we got to them. We got to a couple of forks in the road where we were not quite sure which path to take.......

Luckily our Young Women are smart and thought ahead by leaving us some really good signs...can you see what it is?

We were really happy to know they had not forgotten about us and we were headed in the right direction. So we stopped to take a picture of us not dead....or maybe just an excuse for a break.

                           Another fork in the road....which way did they go which way did they go?

That way!!!  Do you see it yet?

Hint: I am pointing at them!

The arrows on the ground! On your mark...get set....GO!!!!!!!

This hike was absolutely incredible and fun!! We live in such a gorgeous part of the country. The Lord will have to take us out kicking and screaming to get us to move anywhere else!  Ever!!

Me walking across the bridge....I mean big huge tree!!!! Across the water

Hey look....it is the group!! We found them!!  Can you see them? Where is Waldo.....I mean Monica

I love my husband and luckily he never reads this blog but that is disgusting! Yes that is sweat. Back sweat AND BUTT!!! Monica's is not butt sweat(or so she kept saying) it was from her camelback

We were almost to the end and decided to take some pics of the gang surviving! We did awesome!!

Just one last major obstacle....the hill!! Man this thing was quite the monster to come across right at the end of 14 miles! During the hike we had a small devotional where Nattie talked about her fear of the hike and how she had relied on the Lord to make it through it. She did amazing!

Apparently I still had a little sass left in me even after 16 miles(Kilo and I had to do 2 extra for Jayde) Or maybe I am just trying to show off the booty lift I am sure that crazy hike had given me.

The girls pretty much ran to the end!! Somehow they mustered up the strength!

Monica doubled back to give high fives to everyone for making! Thanks Monica! Such a spirit booster

The girls went down to the river to wash off and the leaders sponge bathed at camp. I felt like a million bucks after a simple sponge bath. That mountain was nasty dirty! Then we all pooped out around the camp fire

All of us except Kilo. He decided he was bored and that the decaying tree was going to get the affects of his boredom. He chopped it down. Literally. Boys. That is all I have to say

Our devotional around the campfire that night was by Sister Wright and was about testimonies. She did such a great job getting the girls involved and helping them recognize parts of their own testimonies. The spirit was so strong with all of us sharing what we believe. It was fantastic.

Of course we had to play campfire games.The girls loved them! I felt bad for anyone trying to sleep within a twenty mile radius cuz it was defintely NOT quiet!

Ok well that is it for day one......keeping you in suspense for day 2, which actually ended up being my fave! Off to bed!

Free is Always Better

The local Methodist church does a free movie in the park every Friday during the month of August so Kilo and I decided to go check it out and see if it would be any good. It was really fun. It was not AMAZING itself but the company and friends we went with both times was, so it was all worth it. The first Friday was Despicable Me. Well I love this movie so I just knew it would be a great one to go see. We met up with the Harper family for this one. We shared our blankets and pillows and they shared their treats. I thought it was a great trade! We have adopted this family as our own! :-)

Cole was cheesing it for the camera! He is a crack up!

The other boys were not so willing to get their pictures taken. They kept hiding under the blankets. I think they were worried about what their hair looked like.

Kilo and I snuggling on our blanket before we sacrificed it to the Harper boys. I love this man!

Sometimes we can be a tad ridiculous. Hee hee We keep it light and have fun doing it!

 

The next movie in the park we went to Mary Poppins. Really made me feel like a kid again. This time Paprika came with us since her hubby was out of town she had to solo it. We went and grabbed some dinner at Top Burger, which is a lot like my favorite Utah joint Kirt's. It was yummy! We had a lot of fun that night cuz after the movie we went over to the Harpers and watched the meteor shower witha bunch of friends. It was such a blast! I have not laughed that much in soooo long!! We were cracking up! The shooting stars were just an added bonus to having so much fun with such great friends.I am super bummed that I did not get any pics of our shooting star party. Here are a few of movie in the park with Paprika.

Paprika was really excited to go to Top Burger!



I think I should explain that Paprika is not always a spaz in pics, but man oh man I love these pics because it shows how much fun I have when I am around her because of how much fun she is!! I never stop laughing!



The Best Calling EVER!!!

Over three months ago I got called into the Young Womens Presidency with some of the most amazing women I have ever met! I was really glad to get this calling in this ward because in our last ward in Tigard I had gotten called in the Young Womens Presidency two weeks before we moved out of the ward up to Washougal. I was so bummed that we had to move because Kilo was told he was getting put into the Young Men's program as well and we were very excited about these callings. Well the Lord knows where we are supposed to be and who we need in our lives because he moved us to Washougal into a most incredible ward and put me back into the Young Womens Presidency and Kilo into the Young Mens. If any of you have never had the chance to work with the youth in your church, whatever denomination it may be, you need to. I have learned sooooo much from these girls about believing in Christ, praying to our Father in Heaven, strength in adversity, and so many other things. They seriously have strength beyond their years. Well not only do I get to spend loads of time with these young girls but I have gotten to know the other leaders that I serve with and they are women with strong testimonies, kind hearts, and experiences with life that teach me daily. Here are some pics from one of our Presidency meetings to show you how much fun we have and how close we are. We all get along so well and help each other in our strengths and our weaknesses.

Tammy and I went to a movie and dinner before our meeting. Love me some Panda!

Teresa and Monica

Nattie what ya doin back there hiding? Tammy is our President and she is always on her A game. Seriously so organized all the time! She rocks!

Debbie is one of our advisors. We try and keep them as involved as the rest of us because they have so much to share. I ADORE this lady! She has taught me so much and bring an incredible strength!

Tammy is getting serious and down to business, Nattie is listening intently, and Debbie is goofing off in the back. LOL! Love these ladies!

Oh Monica what would we do without your sense odf humor!!??

Ifeel so blessed to get to know these women and find out what they have been through to be who they are today. I am so grateful that my Heavenly Father gave me that opportunity! Love you ladies!

Visit from Mom and Pop Varble

About a month ago Kilo's parents came into town for a visit. It was a lot of fun to share with them where we live and a few of the tourist spots in the area, but mostly just to get to spend time with them. We took them to downtown Camas for Camas days. I love the town we live in and all the fun events they constantly do.

We took them on a small hike that is really close to our house. It goes to a waterfall. Nothing too intense, it just gives a small glimpse of how beautiful our state is. I love this hike.

Kilo is still a momma's boy even though we live states away. I would not have it any other way. He treats me with so much love and respect because his mother taught him right. She is a wonderful women and I completely understand why he is a momma's boy. So cute!

Very dark and blurry pic, but the only one I have of Kilo and I. I try really hard to hide behind the camera. Does not work out so well when Kilo's dad is behind the camera. :-)

We did have Freckles with us. He is apparently camera shy as well. He is in the background of this pic with me. This bridge goes right over the waterfall and isso gorgeous.

The next day I had already committed to a Zumba training so I did not get to enjoy the day with the parents and I was totally bummed! While I was off shaking my groove thing Kilo took his parents to two different museums. I wish I could remember the names of them, but I can't. They had a blast looking at airplanes

Kilo was trying to imagine himself as a pilot

They had different games to play

Apparently Kilo decided he was better as co-pilot with his Dad in the driver's seat.

We took them to church the next day and then they headed out. We had a great time with them and are so grateful to have such a great support system! Thanks for the visit mom and pop! Can't wait to see you next time!