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!

Memorable MondayCamping in Utah

On Monday, I was camping up on the rim with my family. I wanted to post my memories even though I'm away camping, actually I'm just writing this post at home a few days after my trip and posting it on Monday. These Memorable Mondays are bringing back great memories of years past.

I was thinking about when my family went camping when I was a kid. We lived in Sandy Utah at the time and would drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon to a campsite called Spruces. We went to the exact campsite numerous times and it soon became our favorite spot. We camped on the edge of the campground with a creek a few feet from our campsite. We would hike down a few feet to store our water, soda, and watermelon in the creek to keep it cool. I miss that when we camp in AZ. We quickly found our favorite hikes around the campsite, collected our favorite rocks, and rode our bikes around the campground. I have fond memories of camping at Spruces Campground.

Here is a picture of the Spruces campsite and the creek that

runs through the Big Cottonwood Canyon.

My dad bought a "Spring Bar" tent, which was the latest craze in tents in the 80's. It was a great tent and we loved it. We were so excited because it advertised that one person could put up the tent. We reminded my dad of that often when we camped so we didn't have to put up the tent. I remember one night when the tent fell down on me while we were lying down getting ready to sleep. I told my dad that the tent was falling, but he didn't believe me at first. It was a freaky one time event that's fun to remember. I still loved to sleep in that tent. My sister and her family inherited the tent and it's so fun to remember the good times when we camp with the Clawsons.

Here is a picture of the tent a few years ago during a Family Camp out.

Dani's Second Set of Braces

Dani went to the Orthodontist this week to get braces. She really didn't want to get braces on again. She remembered how it felt the first time and was nervous about it the second time. She was very brave while getting them on. When we arrived home, she had one bite of cucumber and one of the braces popped off. We had to go straight to the Orthodontist to get it sealed on. The funny thing is that when before we left the office, Dani expressed concern over that particular brace to the assistant.

Dani before her braces

Dani with her full set of braces

Dani received this cute shirt from the orthodontist. So cute and I love the saying.

Dani has seen the orthodontist since she was 7. She had a bar placed in her mouth to prevent her from sucking her thumb and fix the damage that had been done. After the bar had done it's job, she had braces placed on the top 4 teeth and bottom 3 teeth, there wasn't space for four braces down there. Her teeth looked so good after going through phase I.

Dani before her first set of braces

Dani with her braces on. The pictures show the first and last day of the Phase I braces.

The Orthodontist sang a cute song to Dani and gave her a bucket full of goodies - goodies she couldn't have while wearing braces.

Angela memorized the 13 Articles of Faith

Angela told me on Sunday that she passed off all of the all 13 Articles of Faith. I am so incredibly proud of her and this great accomplishment. Her primary teachers and leaders have really pushed learning the Articles of Faith this year. Her primary teacher, in particular, has helped Angela pass off the Articles of Faith. Congratulations Angela!

Memorable MondayGrandpa Wall

My dad was in Utah during Father's Day. His side of the family had a reunion the day before Father's Day. I've been thinking about a memory of my dad while we lived in Utah. My mind was racing because we had a lot of good times as a family. My dad taught our family through example how important family truly is.

My Grandpa Wall had a major stroke when I was 14 years old, just a couple of years after my Grandma Wall died. He was placed in a rest home near our house. My dad would visit his dad every day on his way home from work. Every weekend, we visited my Grandpa as a family. My Grandpa was unable to talk to us, but his sense of humor came through and we enjoyed visiting with him. My Grandpa was such a big tease and now we know where my dad got it from. My brother did his Eagle project for those residents in the rest home. We visited my Grandpa Wall just about every week. I know that it was hard for my dad to leave AZ and leave my Grandpa behind in Utah. We moved to Arizona when I was 18 years old, just 4 years after my Grandpa's stroke. I know that it was hard for my dad to move to AZ and leave my Grandpa behind in Utah. While in AZ, my dad called his sister often and checked up on his dad. When we visited Utah, we would visit my Grandpa and these are visits the ones I remember the most. I have good memories of my Grandpa before his stroke and they are very sweet memories. After my Grandpa had his stroke, we saw him more often and became closer to him through our visits. I so glad that my dad arranged it so our family would visit my Grandpa often while we lived in Utah. We saw a different side of my Grandpa that we wouldn't have seen otherwise. We know that my dad loved my Grandpa through his actions.

Father's Day

"The father of our home leads our family with wisdom’s light in all that’s right; My father’s good to me. Fathers are so special with a very special love. They watch us and protect us. They guide us and direct us back to our home above."The kids have such an amazing father who loves to hang out with his kids. It' so fun to watch Jim with his kids and interact with them. His sense of humor comes out when he is with them. The kids love to go on dates with Jim and have their dad's attention. I am very grateful for Jim and all that he does for his kids, most of which the kids are unaware of. He supports our family financially and works hard to update his skills needed for his career. He gives the children priesthood blessings when needed and shows his son how to honor his priesthood. I felt it was very important for my children and I to honor Jim on Father's Day and let him know that we appreciate him very much.

"I’m so glad when daddy comes home, glad as I can be; clap my hands and shout for joy, then climb upon his knee, put my arms around his neck, hug him tight like this, pat his cheeks, then give him what? A great big kiss."

Jim and I have wonderful dads and I want to spend some time honoring the both of them. They are great men who have done so much for us and continue to help and bless our lives.

Here is my dad and I during a Father and Daughter dance.

Grandpa swinging Angela in a hammock.

Scout Camp

Josh just finished scout camp at Geronimo on Saturday. It was so good to see him after such a long time. He said that he had a great time and liked his merit badge classes. He took 5 classes and earned 4 merit badges, not bad for a week's worth. His dad went with him for a couple of days and then came home. I thought about Josh all week and hoped that he was having a great time. When he came home, he brought the flu home with him. The boys had the flu bug up there at camp, but it didn't stop them from having a great time. I sent a camera with Josh and he took some great pictures. Moms love to see pictures of their sons while they are away. It's so fun to see what they were doing at camp.