Monkies In A Tree

Talk about power blogging!! 4 posts in one night... I'm on a roll!! I really haven't taken many pictures since we've been here. This is so unlike me. I better pick up my game here! On Sunday my adopted Oma and Opa Zaph came over to watch the big soccer game. Cheering for Holland of course (now that Germany got kicked out) We're not going to talk about how upset Oma was when Spain won. Let's just say it was a dark time in her life. :) I asked Opa to stand by the tree for a picture before they left... notice how I said by the tree. Apparently by the tree wasn't good enough for he 84 year old. H e just hopped up in that tree like he was climbing stairs and Oma cheered him on. Precious. I love them dearly.

On Saturday our ward was having a family picnic. The clouds threatened us with rain but the sun held out long enough for us to say hello to friends and for Jakob to play a little ball. the past few days though we haven't been so lucky. The price one pays for green: RAIN... lots of rain!

Sew Cute

For Mother's belated birthday and Mother's Day I decided to make her matching cooking and sewing aprons. My mother teaches several subjects one of which is home economics at a Junior High school (Grades 7-9). Her school is piloting a new technical programs which removes textbooks from the school and replacing them with an iTouch. Pretty neat! Mom really liked her gifts. Doesn't she look cute?

Guess Who?!

Meet Mikalya Chris's new girlfriend. She is cute as a button and I love her to bits! It was a little weird seeing my little brother bring a girl home for the first time but I can tell he's crazy about her & she fits right in with our crazy family. You can't be shy in the van den Berge home. It was great meeting her and I hope to see her around more often.

Come Fly With Me

Off to Edmonton finally! I have been looking forward to this trip for quite some time!! Nothing but clear skies and 12 days of endless possibilities. (Picture taken from across the plane through someone elses window. Creepy?? I love the zoom feature!!)

This is Summer??? Hopefully we will get a few sunny moments.

Vacation Time!

See you in 2 weeks!
I'll try to post while I'm away... I make no Guarantees. :)

(Aunt Brenda, Aunt Debbie & Courtney I'll have your cards made and mailed as soon as I get home!)

< 3

Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam

Or not...

On Sunday I was released from my calling of Sunbeam teacher and called as the co Primary chorister. It is bitter sweet leaving my Sunbeams. I have become very attached to them all. The one wearing Jakob's big blue tie is named Kade. Kade it so shy he only speaks in whispers. During sharing time he will climb up on my lap and snuggle his head into my chest and listen to the music. He is adorable. We have 17 Sunbeams in our ward and at times it gets a little crazy. I am looking forward to still being able to see them during singing time each week. Primary chorister is a big job but I'm exited to take on the challenge.

Girls Camp

Palo Verde Girls Camp 2010

I was called as Assistant Camp Director as well as Sunbeam teacher back in February. At first I was worried. I just got out of Young Woman's and now I'm a leader. I didn't know how seriously the girls would take me being that I am only 3 years older. Once I got up to camp all my worries were gone. We had an amazing set of girls and although I had never heard the pledge of elegance or heard of "decorations" for camp they took it easy on me.

There was acting:

Sister Christanson had made up a skit before we got to camp and had organized costumes, a dance and script. This is Mac rockin her Grandma costume.

Work it girls!

There were bugs:We had Ladybugs EVERYWHERE! Hundreds of them after awhile it got annoying but I rather it be ladybugs than mosquito any day!

There was Patriotism & Certification:

Presenting the flag in the morning.

The girls in the A Frame tents

There was Climbing, Zipping and Hiking:

I have never been to camp in Vegas before. Apparently the zipline was very slow so this year they cleaned it up and yes as you can tell from the look on Mac's face, you went quick! At the end they didn't even bother catching you they just let us run into a large mat.

Yes that is yours truly I wasn't hanging on until that moment when I realized how quickly that mat was coming towards my face. I hit it so hard everything went black and fuzzy. It was so fun! This is dear Shauntey at the top of the harness wall. Upon climbing to the top of the wall Shauntey went to let go to come down when she realized that her carabiner had come undone and she was no longer attached to the rope. She was hanging onto the wall with one arm and had one foot on a small rock in socks. She played it cool and a few minutes later she was able to reattach herself. That was scary!

I love the bum shot!

There Were Competitions With Other Wards:First Aid Foot Race

Beautiful Bombshell

There was service and Crafts:

And as Always There was Bonding: This is Nikki. I really enjoyed getting to know her. She has such a sweet spirit. I wish I was more like her when I was 16.

One of my favorite pictures of camp. This is Nikki and her mother who is in the presidency. When I was 12 my mom was in the presidency it was a wonderful bonding experience for her and I. I greatly appreciated having her at camp with me.

Our Bishop. I adore our Bishop. He is one of the funniest people you will ever have the pleasure of meeting.

It was a wonderful camp and our girls were awesome! Bishop told me twice that I was in charge next year and I hope that is his sense of humor shining through. I don't know how I'm going to be director?! Time will tell I have a whole year before I have to worry about that. For now I'm just going to enjoy the Candy Land memories.

p.s. thank you to all of the girls and Sister Steel for letting me steal their photos