Memorable MondayEncourgaing Music Teachers

Josh was so excited to start band camp last week. Band Camp is designed for students entering 7th grade through those students entering 10th grade. Josh came home the first day discouraged because the music was difficult and he didn't know all the notes. He told me that he was faking playing and it wasn't fun anymore and he wanted to quit. On Wednesday, I let Josh stay home from band camp and talked with his teacher after camp was over for the day. He was very encouraging to Josh and told him that he didn't except him to know how to play all the music. Josh listened and took his advice and continue with band camp. It was an awesome experience to see the interaction between Josh and his band teacher. Josh is a great clarinet player who just needs time to learn how to play those intricate notes. When he's heading into 10th grade, he will be playing those songs with ease. He is excited to play when school starts.

I played violin in junior high and high school. I wasn't the strongest violinist in the orchestra of 12-15 members. There were times I wanted to give up because I didn't play as well as the other students. My parents arranged for me to have private lessons for a time. I practiced hard and followed the advice she gave me. She was a encouraging teacher and I am so grateful that I had lessons with her. During orchestra one day, another violinist made a comment that my playing had improved. I owe it to all the practice I did for the lesson and the pieces I learned from orchestra. I'm glad that I kept on playing through high school and didn't give up during those years.

Memorable MondayGirls' Camp

My sister and her girls are getting ready for Girl's Camp. I want to hide in their suitcase and go with them. I have such fond memories of Girl's Camp in my teenage years. I've never been back but would sure love it.

When I went to Girl's Camp the first year, I was so excited to go camping without my family. We slept in tents and moved to a different location each year. The first year we went near Tooele, UT. One evening, the older girls took us on a snipe hunt. I was so excited and searched for a good 20 minutes and didn't find anything. After 20 minutes, the gag was up when the leaders told us we needed to stay closer to camp. When we arrived back, we saw police cars at camp. There was excitement close by in another camp and the leaders wanted us to stay close by. Those were the highlights from my first year.

I don't remember much of my second year, except we had the best camp director ever. After our long hike, we know Sis. Adams was there starting a huge water fight. That helps us get through the hikes. Sis. Adams was so much fun and was the source of many pranks. She started some, but more often that not, the pranks were on her. She was such a great sport. She was released before my 4th year. Camp was never the same. Several years later, She died in a freak hiking accident. We love her so much and I felt grateful to have known her.

My third year was a great year. Our hike was on the back of Timpanogos. Since the those in third year take a longer hike, we were the only ones to make it to the glacier. I remember how awesome if felt to arrive there. We stopped there for lunch and to play in the snow. Bishop's night was always a highlight too. That was a neat time to feel the spirit that Girl's Camp had to offer. I remember feeling the Spirit so strong and bearing my testimony each year.

My fourth year was my last year at camp. Our stake only did four years of camp. The stake tried to start a 5th, but it didn't succeed. Our fourth year hike was an overnight hike. We hiked to our campsite and had several hours of light left. So, we left our stuff and went for a exploration hike and found a small lake or pond. We played and had a great time. We got lost on the way back to our campsite, but found it about an hour later. I enjoyed my fourth year and sad that it was my last year of camp.

WICKED

Jim, Dani and I went to see Wicked as my Birthday present. I have heard about this play for so many years and couldn't wait to see it. I thought Dani might like to see this play as well. Dani was so excited and counted down the days until it was time to see it. Dani was in awe of Gammage especially when we had to climb all of the stairs to get to the balcony. The play was amazing and I thoroughly enjoyed it. When I was a kid, I hated the Wicked Witch of the West so much that I refused to watch the Wizard of Oz. I now have a different opinion of her now and I think I can watch the movie again. The music was so good and we storyline. We bought the CD and Dani has played it a great deal and knows most of the lyrics. I enjoyed Wicked and would love to see again soon.

Josh's next set of braces

Josh received his second set of braces on. He just recently finished his 1 phase a little less than a year ago and is now moving on to phase 2. . He should have this set of braces on for about 2 years if everything goes as planned. I wanted to get them on a week before Band Camp so he could get used to them before then. He tells me that the braces don't interfere with him playing the clarinet, but I want him to be comfortable with them before then.

What a great picture of Josh. He is always cracking me up.

Memorable MondaySwim Lessons

Angela and Emily started swim lessons this week. It's always fun to watch the kids learn to swim. They are doing a great job and participating.

I remember when I first put Josh and Dani in swim lessons. Josh was 3 years old and Dani was only 2. Josh was in a swim class with his cousin. I noticed that he was playing more than practicing swimming skills, but isn't playing learning? They were having a great time in their swim class. I put Dani in the toddler class where the child teams up with mom. Dani hated being in the water with me and wanted to be in the same class as her cousin. She would cry and fight me during class time. I talked to office staff and they let her join Josh's class. I didn't realize children had to 3 years old to be in that class. The staff didn't enforce that rule either. Dani had a great time after that and started to enjoy swim lessons. At the end of two weeks, all the instructors had the kids in their class jump off the diving board. I thought for sure that the younger kids would be excluded from this activity, but I was wrong, My little daughter who wasn't even 3 was asked to jump off the diving board. I watched the instructor help her jump into the water as another instructor one was in the water ready to catch her. She did a great job and after watching Dani I wasn't as nervous when it was Josh's turn. When Josh jumped, with a lot of help from the instructor, he didn't land in the instructor's outreached hands. The instructor had to swim quickly to reach him. That incident scared Josh for several years. I took the picture hoping that I could see the instructor catch Josh, but you can see that he didn't.

Dani had to be in the same class as Brittany. She insisted in her own little way.

I took these pictures hoping that I could see the instructor catch Josh, but you can see that he didn't.

Memorable MondayFireworks

This 4th of July, we sat super close to the fireworks, about 60 yards away. My younger two girls were scared of the loud noises at first. It was an awesome display of fireworks with great company.

It reminded me of a time when my sister Debbie and I hiked up with some friends up the Squaw Peak (I know it has another name, but I'll always remember it as Squaw Peak). It was a Sunday evening and we could see the different firework shows from atop of the Peak. It was an awesome sight and one of the best firework show I've ever seen.

I always remember the fireworks show we had in Sandy growing up. Since buying fireworks are not illegal up there, we would have a neighborhood firework show right on the street. It was my favorite part of the 4th. I was to nervous to light the fireworks, so I would just enjoy them from the sideline. There were some minor injuries, but tons of fun. We would light our sparklers and would pretend they were pencils and write our names in the air. When it was completely dark, the Wall kids would sit outside our porch to watch the main fireworks. We tried to convince my dad to take us to see them, but we always watched them from home. The best part was we watched the fireworks 20 days later on Pioneer Day. I sure do miss that part living in AZ.

Happy 40th!

I turned 40 this year on the 4th of July. I was the oldest granddaughter born on both sides of the family. When my mom told my Grandma Shaw about my birth, she was so excited to call all of her friends and share the news. It was a major holiday and her friends were out celebrating with family. She was so disappointed that she was unable to share her great news that day. Sometimes it tough has a birthday on a holiday, but it always works out. Jim and I went out for breakfast on the 3rd and spent the whole day with my family on the 4th. What could be better than that. It was a great 40th birthday!

No glasses on during pictures = squinting eyes

Independence Day Parade

Our ward has an annual 4th of July parade and watermelon bust. The day started off with a flag ceremony at the church and a breakfast cooked by the Bishopric. Josh participated in the flag ceremony, but I slept in just in time for the breakfast. Having someone cook breakfast for you is awesome. We then gathered at a neighbor's house and begin the parade. We spent the day before decorating the bikes and scooters. Emily's trike is too small for her, but she sures looks cute. It took Emily a long time to finish the parade, but she did it on her own. Next year she will have a better bike. After the parade, there was cold water and watermelon for all. It was a great success and no water fights, except Dani did pour some water on my head. I'll admit it felt good on that hot morning. It was great fun. Josh and Dani stayed a while and then headed on home. The younger girls stayed a little while longer with mom and dad and were able to go on a golf cart ride and had a great time.

Camping

Our family went camping just up on the rim near Wood's Canyon Lake. It was so fun to relax and enjoy each other's company.

We left to go camping on Sunday. Before we set up our campsite, we went to an awesome scenic spot that overlooks the valley below. It was so beautiful spot to snap some photos. After we set up camp, we toured Wood's Canyon Lake and went for a little nature hike. The kids had a great time exploring the rocks surrounding the lake. At the end of our hike we learned that there is a bald eagle nesting area nearby. We talked to the Park Rangers about it for awhile, and learned a little more about the eagles in the area. The hike to see the eagles was steep and we didn't bring water with us, so we decided against it. We had a campfire that evening and roasted marshmallows or should I say burnt our marshmallows. The kids love to put them in the fire and let them burn. I don't think half the marshmallows ever get eaten.

On Monday, we spent the morning taking pictures of the animals surrounding our campsite. There were many chipmunks, a squirrel, and too many ravens. It was fun following the animals to get the perfect shot. There was a big storm that came after lunch. It poured and hailed for a good hour. We huddled under a canopy, but the campsite was starting to flood and we were trying not to get muddy. We decided to go for a drive and see the other lakes in the area. It was fun to take a picture of Woods Canyon Lake while raining. When we arrived at Willow Springs Lake, we noticed that it was just barely sprinkling. We went and toured the lake and wondered why we didn't come earlier and avoid the mess at the campsite.

On Tuesday, we went on a fun hike. The trail was marked with blue diamonds and the younger kids lead the hike by following the diamonds. It was so fun to hike with the family. Later the afternoon, we returned to Willow Springs lake in a different spot. The kids put their feet in the water and cooled off their feet off. We stopped by the Mogollon Visitor's Center and played in a meadow near the edge of the rim. The kids found some dandelions on the rim. It was so fun to listen to their wishes before they blew the petals, especially Angela. We had a great time camping!