The FUN has begun!!

 We had our biggest group in the camp this week! 420 from the Ashburn, Virginia Stake. Another group of only 70 from New Haven, Conn. were here too. They were camping in the field right in our front yard and had about 30 tents set up. So FUN to see all the activity going on!! The kids arrive by bus mostly!

We also got a new ice machine put up in Zion's and the old one will go in our missionary quarters in the Craft Barn. Yay, ICE!

We have about 3 of our golf carts not working right now, so I had to lend my little red one out. LaVerl hasn't been using his, so I had his. 

The ZIP LINE, the garden, the ER and trip to El Paso!!

 It seems we do a little work and then we take off and play!! The camp was busy last week, lots of groups in. We got the zip line working better with a new stand to help make it easier for the kids when they switch cables to go back over to the other side! It was mostly Bro. Harmer doing all the work, but LaVerl helped a little, although, still not feeling good. We went to the Emergency Room on Monday night and spend 4 hours to find out he has no broken ribs, all his vitals are good, but his muscles and cartilage between his ribs are bruised. He was in so much pain, I think he thought it was more serious! He threw up in the ER too!! He is a sick boy!

THE NEW ZIP LINE PLATFORM!

It started out like this. Then the boards needed to be ferried across!

Now we have added another 2 steps down to get off better.

THE GARDEN

We took a fast trip to El Paso because Mark was put into the High Council and needed to be ordained a High Priest. He wanted his priesthood authority to come through his Dad's line, so he paid for our flights to come to El Paso. LaVerl was still not feeling well at all, in fact the trip was pretty miserable for him, but he made the best of it. We flew in Saturday at 7:45pm and left Monday at 7:10am.

Mark is having a little trouble with the Model A. It won't start, so he got his dad to help a little. AND it's still not starting, bummer! He's spent so much money getting it all restored!

Each of the boys have a snake!! Zallen has a Boa Python, Bolden has a Gray banded King snake and Daxxon caught a little Garter snake that he kept. It was feeding day and we got to watch each snake eat- the biggest one got a rat, the red spotted one got a mouse and the little one got a baby little pink, hairless mouse. It was quite a sight watching them attack and eat!

Visiting---- KIRTLAND, OHIO Friday June 14-15

 It seems we take a lot of days off! A month ago, LaVerl signed up to do a 5K race/walk in Kirtland, OH. They have been advertising the "Kirtland Heritage Run" that's been going on since 1984, so this was the 40th anniversary. They had special guests come, like Hank Smith, Kirby Heyborne, the Nashville Tribute Band and Jon and Michelle Schmidt from the Piano Guys. We found out that they were all there for the YSA conference going on that weekend, so we didn't get to see any of them, except the band that played outside at a park. We got to see the Kirtland Temple, Joseph & Emma's Smith's house, enjoy all the festivities for Strawberry Days, which was really like a bug carnival and walk in the 5K race along with about 2000 other people. 

This podium is the same on both sides of the chapel.

This is on the second floor, again on both sides.

They have the same podium on the second floor, just not quite as ornate. 

Brigham Young and his brother made all the windows for the temple. This is the original that they have taken out and put inside on display.

Friday evening we walked around the carnival and looked at all the booths of crafts and food. Then we lined up along the road, along with 2000 other people and watched the parade. They throw out more candy than we do in Eagar at the 4th of July Parade! We had to try a Tornado Potato, but it wasn't all that good.

The parade was lots of vehicles, bands, baton twirlers and CANDY!

Saturday was all the festivities. First thing that morning, we walked in the 5K race! Lots of families with kids and babies in strollers did the 1 mile walk. I wasn't planning on walking, but LaVerl talked me into doing it, in my sandals and carrying my purse!!

Saturday afternoon, we toured the Smith's home, just down from the temple.

And that evening we enjoyed listen to the Nashville Tribute band.

The trip was a nice break, but LaVerl was not feeling well at all. He's still sore from his fall at the church and no appetite and upset tummy. Kind of took the fun out of things! We left to go back to the camp early Sunday morning (a 5 hour drive) in time to have Father's Day dinner with all the other missionaries.