What is a YCL??

A YCL is many things:

A YCL is fuzzy doin' the tootie Tot.

A YCL is all smiles for everybody.

A YCL loves to sing camp songs and is uninhibited when performing.

A YCL has to do skits to teach about camp rules and regulations.

a YCL knows you cannot over pack for camp.

A YCL welcomes the new campers to the program! She makes them feel special and is a "big sister" to them.

A YCL loves to act crazy and have fun all the time!

A YCL is a capable, loving, enthused Youth Camp Leader that devotes every Wednesday night from January through May to planning and executing the activities at girl's camp. Becca was the president of the YCLs in our stake this year, and she did an amazing job! Her leadership skills astounded me. Her dedication to her calling was impressive, and I am so pleased that she did such a great job, had such a wonderful time leading the girls in our stake. She is an amazing role model and will long remember this once-in-a-lifetime experience. She was so committed to attend her meetings and to do all that was asked of her. Way to go, Becca!

You did a FANTASTIC job!

April Stuff

We went to the Easter Pageant in Mesa.

We took Tricia and Hector, and baby Elijah.

Isn't he the cutest thing you ever saw?

It was so much fun. We ate Subway sandwiches while we waited for the show to begin. It was a special evening with special friends. We missed Becca - she was at her YCL meeting. More about that to follow.

I Love Relief Society!

  We had a "Jelly Bean" Dinner for our April monthly meeting. It was so much fun! We took a Jelly Bean when we came in and the color of the jelly bean determined which table we would sit at for our dinner. We had wonderful salads and yummy desserts. We also had a very touching Easter Story that Sister Potter read to us. This was my last monthly meeting as  Relief Society President. I love these wonderful women with all my heart. It was such a privilege to serve them as their president. I hope they will all know that I love them and that they are incredible, and special daughters of God.

Diana and Gloria - both have amazing testimonies.

Karen, an amazing counselor, Kathleen, ever cheerful, and Vandy - so talented in her sewing and cooking.

My sweet Rachel. How I love her! She brings me so much joy.

Dear Carol - such a positive and upbeat woman. Always willing to do whatever she is asked to do. How I look up to her.

Bethany, Jamie and Tammie, some of the younger sisters in our ward. I don't know how they do all they do and care for their young children. They are amazing!

Beth, I don't know how you eat like you do and stay so slender! I'm jealous!

Standing in line for the food. I love how these sisters have bonded with one another and how much love there is in our ward. What truly fantastic women!

Faithful and true, we will ever stand!

The Birthday Present Finally Came!

Rod wanted a rocket stove for his birthday. We ordered it online and then the wait began... We found out it was made in and shipped from Malaysia. Delivery was promised 8-10 weeks later. The stove finally arrived today! He took it right out to the back yard and started it up. This will be a really great addition to our emergency preparedness supplies. It cooks hot, with minimal fuel.

Here is a link to learn about the stove: http://www.phoenixstoves.com/

Rod took it right out to the back yard to give it a try. He got the fire going very quickly! I sent the first picture to the lady in Malaysia from whom we bought the stove, telling her how much we like the stove. She wrote me back and said her son said the flame looked like a fire fox. She was pleased with the picture.

Rod put some volcanic ash stuff inside for insulation. He is showing here that the outside is not hot. Another cool thing he got is a solar lighter. Here is a piece of hemp in the lighter that is starting to smoke before it bursts into flame.

The solar lighter is quite intriguing.

It only takes a few seconds for this much heat to be generated. If there is sun, we will always be able to light a fire. Another great emergency preparedness item we now have. So one night this week, Rod is in charge of dinner. He wants to fry a hamburger on his rocket stove!

Other things we did

Played games: Shrek Operation. I would fake them out by going "Bzzzz!" when they were carefully trying to take out Shrek's various organs and parts. It was funny!

Ava would have played this 24/7.

Ha! Julie got the breadbasket...

Lots of games of Monoply.

Made Ginger Snaps and Snickerdoodles (and ate them!)

Picking oranges at Rondaleen's is always so much fun! It is such a great springtime activity - especially now when the blossoms are there. It smells like HEAVEN!

Ava likes the smell of the oranges, too!

Rondaleen shows Ava the twisting technique to get the oranges to release from the stem. She also showed Ava the thorns on the tree. The can be wicked - my hands always look beat up after I pick oranges and grapefruit!

Peek-A-Boo!

Some of my favorite girls here!

Ava liked this fountain at the Arizona Center downtown.

We also got to have pizza at Organ Stop. The girls liked the organ music - very entertaining! I'm so glad that Julie and Ava came for a springtime visit. I miss my Utah girls and grandkids more than words can express!

Phoenix Children's Museum

I really love this place. It is so full of fun. Ava had a ball.

So cute up in the climbing tubes.

Her favorite thing was the store. She shopped...

...and rang up groceries. Didn't want to stop.

Then she found the kitchen and made some colorful pizza.

A Breath of Fresh Air

What a beautiful morning! Rod took Ava on a hike to Thunderbird Park while I took Julie to GCC to run on the track. Ava loved her hike with Rod. He had so much fun showing her the desert plants and the view of the city. Ava loved the rocks and the beautiful deserts flowers that are in great abundance right now.

I love these pictures of her. Usually her smile is too posed, but these are all just a natural smile for a beautiful girl that is enjoying the world around her.

I hope she will always remember her desert hike and know how much her Grammy and Rod love the desert!

The park . . .

It was a perfect evening for a stroll to the park. Ava was determined to do the monkey bars hand over hand. I always marvel at how strong little kids are and how they can use their bodies like that! All pretty in her St. Patty's day shirt. Ava was very proud of her sequined shamrock shirt. Andd she even did her own pig tails. Cute! We were mad because McDonald's was out of their shamrock shakes. Oh well. It got dark while were there, but we did have a good time just hangin' out at the park.

Green Eggs & Ham . . . Would you like some?

You know it's my tradition! It is a must have for breakfast every March 17th... Another tradition that I love is that Julie makes sugar cookies for every holiday and she did it at my house today! Yay!

Taylor and Becca frosted cookies...

Simbada, Ava, and Julie frosted cookies....

And I got to EAT them! It was fabulous!

Take me to the mall...

Before I could even give her a good hug, Ava asked if I would take her to the mall to get her ears pierced. I don't know where that came from.

She was pretty excited about picking out the earrings, still confident this is what she wanted to do.

With mom filling out the paper work, she is not looking quite as sure.

1, 2, 3 OUCH!

Trying to look brave as she shows her sparkly flower earrings. Good job, Ava!