Campout



Mesmerized by something....




...watching army men they found in the ground melt. Chalk that up to another facet I don't understand about boys.



Matthew enjoying the rope swing

We hiked along the river bottom for a ways-- we hoped it would take us right to the fish hatchery, but after a little off roading we made it up to the hatchery.

I had never been to a hatchery, not sure if Brian has, but it was quite amazing to see so many thousands and thousands of fish



Trying to catch rain drops




Avoidance at all costs to a kiss from his mom. He fought a good fight...someday he'll learn moms never give up!

We had a a fun time with members of our ward. Late night laughing around the campfire, delicious food and a fun time with the six of us. The campout came at the end of a very long two weeks. It was a needed break from Gilbert and the heat for many. We had spent the previous two weeks knee deep in a move which took more individuals than is typical and a sudden death which made us realize we know nothing about funeral arrangements. A gentelman in our ward died from a sudden heart attack, he was single, estranged from his family when he joined the church and had no money to pay for a funeral. One of the counselors in our RS Presdiency had dealt with numerous funerals, none of the rest of us had any experience in this matter. She took the brunt of the arrangements. As the week wore on family was found and notified and wanted to be part of the services. Our wise Stake President allowed the services to be Skyped back east to his family realizing there was more good to come out of this than not allowing it. We found out he had served in the military so we were able to tap into VA Benefits and a bureal plot in the VA Cemetary. Finally all these small pieces fell into place though it took almost two weeks.

Amid all this craziness, my dear fiend Laurel calls and says Tom and I are coming to Phoenix! I was able to spend one morning with her...not long enough at all. But grateful for friendships that stay the passage of time.