Camille and Tanner were able to attend Youth Conference together this year. I am so glad they get this opportunity since this will be Camille's last time going. They both had a great time. Camille is on the Youth Council so has been planning this activity for quite some time. She has loved being a part of the council. Bryce and Krista Neubert from our Stake were in charge of Youth Conference this year. Bryce Neubert is a musician that I remember listening to as a youth. He is so full of life and Camille loved working with him and his wife. Camille was asked to put together a musical number for the fireside on Thursday night. She ended up getting her close friends, Britlyn Hauver, Cara Sabin and Kaylee Merrill to sing "If the Savior Stood Beside Me." I played the piano for them. They practiced quite a few times before and sounded great that evening. Since I was playing the piano I was fortunate enough to attend the fireside. Christian and Stephanie Nielson came to speak. I have been following her blog for as long as she had her accident. She is such a huge inspiration to me. She spoke to the Youth along with her husband and did a phenomenal job. With parents wanting to see her also, the chapel and over flow were packed. They also let the 12 and 13 year olds attend this fireside. I loved being able to sit on the 3rd row back with Tanner, Johnathan and Camille. It was a memorable night.
Then Friday Camille and Tanner left for Heber Valley Camp. They had fun doing the rope course, ate yummy Café Rio food and had a fireside and dance that evening. While Camille was dancing, she rolled her foot and ended up not being able to put weight on it for quite a few days. She sat out the rest of the dance unfortunately. The next morning the youth all woke up early in the morning to hike up and see the sunrise. Since Camille had hurt her ankle she wasn't able to go, but Tanner did. They were able to go to the lake and canoe. Camille went out with Brother Rindlisbacher and Brother Powell. That evening they had a swing dance that Camille sat out mostly, but Tanner had fun dancing. Camille said he was funny how he danced with a straight face so you couldn't tell he was having a good time. Camille ended up dancing with Tanner for the last dance. That evening they headed over to Aspen Lakes and had dinner and a testimony meeting with the Stake. I heard later that the majority of the testimonies were from our ward. Tanner was almost to get up when they said there wasn't any more time. I am so glad Tanner and Camille had this amazing opportunity together. What an amazing ward and stake we are a part of!
We have found quite a few snakes while mowing up at our duplexes. Once I even ran over one which was really gross. Byron ended up catching this garter snake and the boys loved holding it. (Carter in green and Parker in blue)
I always love spoiling Byron on Father's Day. I woke up that morning to make him breakfast along with some of my boys. Byron is such a great father and the kids all adore him. When he comes home he has every child's attention and they absolutely love talking with him. He just has a way of making them all feel at ease and also is quite hilarious. When he tells a story the kids all stop and listen. I got him a water bottle for his new bike and also a device that tells how far you have rode on the bike. He was really excited about them. That evening we made stroganoff and baked potatoes and took it up to eat dinner with Dad and Mom. I can't get enough of having my parents living so close. So many new milestones each year with them here. What a fun and special day! Just wish we could have seen Dad Beck also.
Carter, Tanner, Parker, Bradley, Byron, Camille and Johnathan
Bradley with his drawing for Grandpa.
Carter and Parker started doing hormone injections daily for about 2 years. We were very hopeful that this would help with their growth by giving them a jump start on their growth spurt. They took Saizen shots every day and were really great at doing it all by themselves. Luckily they used a device where the needles were hidden and they would pop down right into their skin - it is called an easy pod. It took both of them just a little time before they were doing it all by themselves. Every 10 days the medicine had to be mixed together and I usually did that part - other than teaching Camille while Byron and I went on a trip. After going to the University of Utah's Endocrinologist, Marie Simard, for 2 years she said that it wasn't helping. At that point we decided to just stop them. The hormones were extremely expensive - about $1800 for each boy for a month. We were so fortunate to get a grant from the Chronic Disease Fund so we only had to pay $30/ month for each boy. I cried when we found out that we were approved for this fund since there is really no way in the world we could have afforded $3600 each month for this medicine. On June 17, 2013, we threw away our devices. These boys were quite excited to be done with them and I was actually excited also. I guess their bodies are on their own time clocks and nothing will change them from it:). It was really nice to be able to track their growth for 2 years and see their bone age. They will eventually be around 5'10" but it may take them until they are 19 to get there. These boys are troopers! I am just so glad they have each other.
While Byron was in Asia I had fun taking the kids out on our kayaks. We went to Willow Park in Lehi and had fun playing on them. Camille and Tanner are so good to know how to blow them up so I can sit back and watch. We had fun floating down the river also. Bradley even was daring enough to do it with Camille. Above Parker on the kayak and Tanner below.
Johnathan relaxing a little too much!
Camille, Bradley and Tanner floating down the river.
My parent's bought a Grandparents Pass to Thanksgiving Point which means all of the grand kids get in for free and I got in for half price. It was so fun to spend the afternoon with my parents there. My parents were watching Allyson's kids while she attended Girl's Camp for the week. I got to have them for 2 days also. It was fun to be there with all of the cousins having fun together and spending time with Grandpa and Grandma.
Parker, Myles, Eliza, Bradley, Carter, Tanner and Johnathan
Eliza was a little nervous so Grandpa was holding her hand on her pony ride - she had to pick the smallest pony also - cute girl!
A lady had a goat and was so nice to let the kids pet it.
Allyson's kids stayed 2 days - it was fun having them. They loved playing outside as much as I would allow them.
Cute Rose put this pod from the trees on her nose - the kids all followed suit - they are so creative.
