My parents decided that this was the year to answer the call for couple missionary service and they were blessed to be chosen to serve at the Heber Valley Camp. They are having a great time serving as camp hosts and doing a fantastic job (so great they were asked to stay the winter and be the camp host team leads next year). I am very proud of them, it makes me feel so happy to know they are sacrificing to serve the Lord. And I love the example that they are setting for us and for our kids.
I've been surprised how hard its been for me, I went from talking to them pretty much everyday for quite a while to talking to them maybe once a week. I miss them. A lot.
So....while we were in Utah we definitely had to make a trip to the camp to visit them! Time is pretty limited for family visits, we got there around 5 pm on Saturday night and they rushed us over to the challenge rope course. My brother and his family joined us so there were a lot of us to go through the course! But it was lots of fun! It was fun to watch the kids react to it, some were hesitant, others were eager, and sometimes they started out as one of those and switched mid-course!
Up first from the Woody clan, Jonas.
Abe was next in line for our fam. He was not making any headway on the net, so they tried helping him along...
...until he lost his grip and footing altogether and so the missionary holding his rope told Grandpa to give him a push on the swing. He giggled and giggled, it was so much fun to watch (and hear!).
I just love watching my dad with the little ones. I mean, look at that face!
Levi followed Abraham up. He was one of the less eager, more hesitant kids. Looking over my shoulder right now, he keeps telling me, "I did not like that!"
But you would never know it based on this smile. I guess its the relief of being done with the zip line.
Bryant was too busy being determined to impress everyone with his speed to enjoy the ride. He raced through the course.
I thought Eliza might be more hesitant, but she surprised me and just got up and did the job. She had fun, too!
Bolton wasn't even scared. I'm not sure how much of it he had to do on his own. I know I was a bit nervous when they were changing his balay thing (no idea how to spell that one) at the top of the course.
Grandma even got a turn! The mission + her family + adventure = Happy Grandma.
Blue Steel in the mountains. I was surprised how nervous I was when I got up to the jumping off point for the zip line. Once I was flying I had a blast, but taking that step was scary....I'm sure there's a lesson underlying there.
Finally, Ethan got his turn.
After the challenge course we went over to the lake and got to paddle around. Some of us were in paddle boats, others were in canoes. I got to ride in a paddle boat with Bolton which means I got a really good workout. They urged us to leave our picture taking devices on shore, the lake is filling up with cameras, I guess. My dad used my phone at the shore to capture a few moments, though! What a sweetheart. I had forgotten just how beautiful it was.
While we were out on the water we saw a handful of baby ducklings, as well as several other varieties of water fowl. We spotted a beaver and I think someone saw another critter. And, of course, we couldn't miss the alligator.
After our time on the lake we went back to our camp and made dinner. The kids retreated into their cabin and played and played while the adults tried out a game one of the missionaries designed that my dad actually plays and enjoys. All was well until several kids came running out of the cabin yelling that Abraham fell off the top bunk. He was pretty upset and his mouth was bleeding pretty badly. It pretty much killed the rest of the night. So once he settled down we all went to bed.
In the morning we got up and got ready for church. They have a sacrament service for the missionaries and their families, right at camp under a pavillion. While we were getting ready we spied a lot of wildlife.
Other critters were seen, but not pictured. It was one of the highlights of the entire trip for some of the fam. There is definitely a peace in the camp that I've not experienced elsewhere. I guess that animals sense it too.
After church, Bryant led us in a flag ceremony. Jonas, Levi, and Lincoln were the color guard.
Then we headed to the amphitheater and had a little talent show. Grandpa did he rap while Grandma beatboxed. It was epic.
All the kids (and adults) that wanted to got a turn at the microphone. It was lots of fun! My kids had been practicing for a musical revue so Grandma and Grandpa wanted a chance to see what they were going to perform. Too bad the accompaniment was on my dead phone so we all had to sing acapella. We should have just asked Grandma to give us beat.
And then it was time for the Woody crew to bid adieu. Its always the hardest part. But we had to hit the road so Ethan could be back at work on Monday. Scott was kind enough to meet up near the airport so we could take our dog home with us. And then we drove away from Utah not knowing when our next trip would be.
We hope we can squeeze in a visit to the Heber Valley Camp again next year! It was such a fun visit!
