I was part responsible for this year's youth conference experience. We reserved a camp site and followed through on the youth's request for a Survivor themed event. I was nervous that we wouldn't be able to pull it off, but it went together really well. We have the most amazing youth in our ward which made the experience even more fun. That and Matt was able to come up with me. We shipped the boys off to Idaho (thanks Mom & Dad).
First, we took them to Rock canyon for some real rock climbing. For the record, many girls made it to the top but none of the boys did. Some girls went more than once. This was the first (of many) times I realized that I am getting old. Where did all the energy go? I got about half way up and knew that it would do me in for the rest of the day if I went any higher.
Our campsite was amazing and perfect. We had a lots of room to run around and a little creek that ran through it. This was an added entertainment bonus. The water was really cold, but it felt good on my sore feet. By the second day some of the girls actually rinsed their hair in it. Oh to be young again... I am way too old for such folly. Plus, someone has to help cook dinner.
Probably the craziest thing we did was the bungee swing. A guy in our bishopric made this bungee that attaches to the tops of two trees and then you just hook someone in, let go and watch them fly. You can also attach someone underneath-which is how I opted to go. It was scary but fun and I lost my gum in the trees. It took every guy we had to pull it down. They were all very sore the next day.
The girls were yelling for the Superman pose. The only super I was feeling was super scared.
Sticking with the survivor theme, we had teams, flags and tribal councils. Our team name, 242 point four, is our ages added up including the McBride's little baby. The skull symbolizes that we all are old and have one foot in the grave.
The other teams were way more creative with their flags.
We did some survivor-ish things like blind folded tent building, catapults, water balloon targets & all sorts of things with ropes. It was all very fun, mostly because the kids were all willing to do anything.
This was probably Matt's least favorite challenge. His title of "tent Nazi" is well deserved and it pained him to see them poking at our tent with semi-sharp poles. Fortunately the tent survived, especially since that's where we were sleeping for two nights.
We also went canoeing. Our original plan was to have a build a canoe out of cardboard challenge, but we didn't. We just used real canoes and had a relay where they had to go to the other side, one player climbed out ran up some stairs, did a jumping jack and then they came back. Only one team tipped over. That team lost. But no one cried.
Our plan for the third day was to hike Timp caves then go float the Provo river on tubes. We couldn't get a reservation for the caves and so we just did the river. What a blessing that was. I don't think I could have made it up the cave I was so wasted. I expected the river trip to be a calm, relaxing experience. I've done a little white water rafting in my day and I knew that the Provo river is pretty mellow. Not so much. We had some girls who were terrified and it was a challenge to keep your tube from crashing into trees and boulders and the water was really cold and was pretty fast moving. I had a blast though especially since everyone made it out safely.
As much fun as it was, and it was SO much fun, I was ready for it to be over. I haven't had that many cuts and bruises in a long time.
No cast (dry skin & everything):
The end of this:
and this:
Who am I kidding? That will never be over. At least it's not all day...
Kindergarten soccer:
Rain gutter regatta:
Winner: boat most likely to be eaten by a shark
First Rage game (& win):
(indulge me here, he's my baby)
I think that's it. At least that's all I have pictures for.
Charlie refused to walk, but at least she's light and she says the funniest things.
We've never been to the gardens. I had no idea this water feature existed or I would have been better prepared. It was hot enough that the kids dried of quickly.
The beauty of the gardens was not lost on these two.
They all loved the mazes,
waterfalls,
and hanging out with Nana.
We were so worn out we didn't even attempt the farm. Later that night Matt & Leanne took the kids to the canyon for a cook out. Check out Noah's hair. This is precisely the reason he CANNOT have longish hair (unless he's going to create an 80's tribute band).
The next day we hiked to the Timp caves. I love this hike, it's so pretty. But it's also stressful with the little kids because they don't seem to worry about falling off steep cliffs. Abby and Zack led the whole way up.
This is a cave, just not THE cave.
This was the big news on the hike-a rattlesnake eating a chipmunk. Gross, yet strangely fascinating.
Water break.
At the top, I promise. The nice man who took our picture neglected to include the sign that says it. You'll have to take my word for it.
Inside the cave:
The long walk back. For some reason, going down seems to be more stressful and tiring than going up. 
On the last day we went downtown to walk on the moon,
I just like this picture of Max and Ben. Even though we went a bunch of places, the best part of their visit was watching them have so much fun hanging out together.
First, we took them to Rock canyon for some real rock climbing. For the record, many girls made it to the top but none of the boys did. Some girls went more than once. This was the first (of many) times I realized that I am getting old. Where did all the energy go? I got about half way up and knew that it would do me in for the rest of the day if I went any higher.
Our campsite was amazing and perfect. We had a lots of room to run around and a little creek that ran through it. This was an added entertainment bonus. The water was really cold, but it felt good on my sore feet. By the second day some of the girls actually rinsed their hair in it. Oh to be young again... I am way too old for such folly. Plus, someone has to help cook dinner.
Probably the craziest thing we did was the bungee swing. A guy in our bishopric made this bungee that attaches to the tops of two trees and then you just hook someone in, let go and watch them fly. You can also attach someone underneath-which is how I opted to go. It was scary but fun and I lost my gum in the trees. It took every guy we had to pull it down. They were all very sore the next day.
The girls were yelling for the Superman pose. The only super I was feeling was super scared.
Sticking with the survivor theme, we had teams, flags and tribal councils. Our team name, 242 point four, is our ages added up including the McBride's little baby. The skull symbolizes that we all are old and have one foot in the grave.
The other teams were way more creative with their flags.
We did some survivor-ish things like blind folded tent building, catapults, water balloon targets & all sorts of things with ropes. It was all very fun, mostly because the kids were all willing to do anything.
This was probably Matt's least favorite challenge. His title of "tent Nazi" is well deserved and it pained him to see them poking at our tent with semi-sharp poles. Fortunately the tent survived, especially since that's where we were sleeping for two nights.
We also went canoeing. Our original plan was to have a build a canoe out of cardboard challenge, but we didn't. We just used real canoes and had a relay where they had to go to the other side, one player climbed out ran up some stairs, did a jumping jack and then they came back. Only one team tipped over. That team lost. But no one cried.
Our plan for the third day was to hike Timp caves then go float the Provo river on tubes. We couldn't get a reservation for the caves and so we just did the river. What a blessing that was. I don't think I could have made it up the cave I was so wasted. I expected the river trip to be a calm, relaxing experience. I've done a little white water rafting in my day and I knew that the Provo river is pretty mellow. Not so much. We had some girls who were terrified and it was a challenge to keep your tube from crashing into trees and boulders and the water was really cold and was pretty fast moving. I had a blast though especially since everyone made it out safely.
As much fun as it was, and it was SO much fun, I was ready for it to be over. I haven't had that many cuts and bruises in a long time.