Christmas Carroling

We went to the Logan House Rehab Center to visit the elderly and sing Christmas songs to them. I think the girls got a lot out of this. It was very humbling seeing the conditions some of them were in. Some of them were so friendly and happy to have us come by. There was even a man who wanted to play his instrument while we sang. What a neat experience.

Pajama Pants

Abbie, Brooke, Kim, Emily, Emma, Rylee, Ashli
The girls wanted to do a sewing project. We started with something very basic, pajama pants. We were able to cut them out one night and get them completely sewed the next activity night! I think the girls had fun and they turned out really cute!

Craft Night

The girls made these way cute pictures. First they painted the sides and then chose a saying and paper to match. Some of them did their names and some did quotes or sayings. They all turned out really cute!

Girl's Camp

Kim, Emma, Kjerstin, Ashli, Emily
Rylee and Emily at our camp
Each ward did a teaching moment. This is ours, teaching how to hula hoop!
Abbie, Pat, Brooke, Mo, Emma

The Amazing Race! All the girls were split up into teams to complete an Amazing Race style scavenger hunt.

First detour: some sort of crazy tag

Next, get everyone on your team over the rope without touching it.

The end of the race

This is all of us (except for 3rd years) at the end of the hike: Rylee, Kim, Krista, Allison, Ashli, Emily, Mo, Kjerstin, Danica, Kimmery, and Abbie

hanging out at the ampitheater

If you notice Kim is pulling a funny face in EVERY picture!

Girl's Camp this year was with the Stake and we went to Camp Earley. Brother and Sister Earley lived on this farm land a while ago and were unable to have children. They loved having their nieces and nephews over. So before they passed away they willed their land to the church so that it could be an official girl's camp sight for the church. What amazing people!

We had an amazing week. A lot of the girls commented on how much they loved "Mountain Moment". This was held each day for 15 minutes. Everyone in the Stake would find a quiet spot and read from the scriptures and write in their journals. The girls also liked "Golden Hour". Each day we went to two mini classes during this hour and learned from our Stake Leaders.

All the girls (all 10 of them) shared a tent and the leaders shared a tent. We had fun playing little pranks on each other. There were a ton of mice around camp and Rylee thought it would be funny to put one in the leaders tent. She claimed she was just joking but when I got home and unloaded my mattress pad a mouse jumped out! The first night one of the leaders tent from another ward was screaming because they had 3 mice in their tent! The next morning the dead bodies were hanging from a poster!

We had fun each night around the campfire playing games, especially the animal game, and roasting marshmallows and starbursts. The Stake fed us very well with lots of sweets and baked goods. The last night we had an awesome program by our Stake leaders and then we split off into wards to have our testimony meetings. I think we all bonded and became closer because of this special time that we spent together. There's just something about being outdoors (even if you get REALLY dirty Brooklyn :) that brings you closer to the spirit.

We did the usual hike and then we also worked on a very special project. We made a planet walk, thought up mostly by our wonderful Joy Ercanbreck. One day we dug holes for each planet, built wood frames, and poured cement. The next day we filled the dirt in back around the cement blocks, weeded around the block and the trail, and cleaned up the sight. That night we had Stake leaders and bishoprics join us as we walked along the trail and dedicated it. What an awesome experience to be a part of.

If any of you have pictures please add them to the blog! If you don't know how get them posted let me (Krista) know and I will help you :)

Leave your comments and memories so that we never forget.

Youth Conference

Youth Conference was so much fun this year. It was just our ward and we did plenty of fun activities.

We started with a service project right here in our own neighborhood. First we raked and leveled off the road near the canal. Then we went to a non members house and helped them with their yard. We picked up rocks, dug weeds, and even helped him get part of his sprinkling system in. The kids worked really hard and did such a good job. After the service project they went home to shower and get packed to go...

...to this beautiful place. The Jenks' were so kind to let us use their gorgeous cabin up at Bear Lake.

The first thing we did when we got up there (besides explore the cabin) was geo caching. They divided into groups and searched the mountain for boxes. They were guided by their own GPS.

And then it was off to the beach to play games. We tried bad mitten but it was too windy. So we had a lot of fun playing volley ball, digging in the sand, and some of the boys even got in the water. BRRRRR!!!

She may be small and petit but don't underestimate Brittany and her skills. She was an all star on the volley ball court!

BEAUTIFUL Bear Lake

After dinner and showers we played games. One favorite was Twister! By the last night though we (mostly the boys) were too stinky to be that close to each other!

We all got these matching cute pajamas from Travis and his awesome business. On the back we had a logo made for our Youth Conference. Thanks Travis, we love them!
The next morning we did a 20 mile bike ride from Garden City to Paris. That's right, we biked to Paris. Lori had crepes ready so we could say we had chocolate crepes in Paris. Everyone did such a good job on the long bike ride. In Paris we took a tour of the historic tabernacle. It was beautiful.
After the bike ride and lunch we went to Minnetonka Cave. This cave was incredible. Inside the cave it stays about 50 degrees year round. There were all these awesome stalagmites and stalactites. They are formed slowly over time by the constant drip of water. At the end of the cave before we turned back the tour guide shut off the lights. It was pitch black! We were told to hold to the iron rod to find our way back. It was a very neat experience and I think it really reached the youth. There was a lot said about it in our testimony meeting that night.

This is the "bride and groom". They will probably eventually meet up together. I don't think we'll be around long enough to ever see it though!

That night we had an incredible and delicious dinner from our Bishop. Thanks Bishop! And then we had an incredible talk from Sarah. Afterwards we had a great and spiritual testimony meeting. I just love our youth. They have such strong testimonies and are great examples. Keep it up girls (and boys), and endure to the end!

Leave your comments and your favorite memories so that we never forget.