Happy Birthday Veronica!

 The fun thing about taking your friend out for lunch on her birthday is that you also get to enjoy good food, and great company!

 And of course, the more the merrier!

 Even though it wasn't my birthday, everyone humored me (on a very hot and muggy day) as we explored some of the shops on main street in Midway.

 The shops were so old and quaint.

 And even Merinda found some treasures.

 

 For dessert, we went with a healthy alternative and had protein shakes from The Wooden Straw in Georgetown.

 Thanks for putting up with us Veronica and Austin! We can't wait to do it again next year (only this time we'll go where YOU GUYS want to go!).

Girl's Camp

 Merinda had a great time this year at Girl's Camp as a Youth Camp Leader (YCL). Her YCL group was over all of the First Year campers. Above is a picture of the YCL's over First Year, and the First Year girls. 

 All ready to check in the First Year girls!

 Putting up about 40 cots in the "Black Hole", or the cabin where Merinda slept with the First Year's.

Merinda, and a First Year she took care of, in front of the Black Hole.

 The girls had fun swimming with President Jenkins, on the Stake President's day to visit camp. 

The YCL's also got to be the victims for First Aid certification. 

Liz sporting an awesome arm wound! 

 Merinda was passed out from "Heat Stroke". But everyone was so used to seeing her asleep, they just left her alone thinking this was probably normal.

 Even though I didn't go camp for the whole week, I still enjoyed driving the girls up on Monday, and then spending Friday with them for Bishop's night.

 On our way to camp, we pick up some Papa John's pizza for dinner.

 The girls made dutch oven cobbler for dessert.

 As much as I love dutch oven cobbler, I decided to skip dessert this year.

 Brad giving his devotional.

 The Georgetown Ward girls and leaders.

 The Bishop's "Hall of Shame"! I don't really get it, but every year the Bishop's are publicly humiliated as a form of entertainment for the girls. 

 It usually includes eating or drinking disgusting foods as fast as possible, but luckily the Bishop's got off easy this year and only had to be subject to the Tape Game.

Brad's handsome photograph after having tape being strategically placed on his face whenever he was unable to answer a question quick enough. Just another perk of being a Bishop!

Memorial Day

 I so much appreciate all the men and women who have fought and died preserving my freedoms and quality of life! And I also like to remember my loved ones who have passed on. 

(Above, Brittney visiting her Grandma Manwaring's grave site with her Grandpa Manwaring, and aunt's Becky and Kim) 

 I had to live vicariously through Melanie and her family as they visited my dad's grave site in Lindon, Utah.

 Mom, and Sasha and family, also visited dad's grave site.

 Also on Memorial Day every year, the Georgetown Ward has a picnic at Scott County Park. The Bishopric barbecues hamburgers and hot dogs and provides paper goods and drinks, and the Ward members bring their favorite sides and desserts. 

 But mostly we all just love getting together and catching up.

 

 

 The youth enjoying one another. 

 

 

And it's always nice for the adults to just sit and visit, without any pressures or responsibilities! 

Brad's Buddies

 Brad loves little kids, especially when he can get them all riled up and then send them home. 

 When my friend, and her little boy Archibald, came to visit one day, I had Archibald try on my pink boxing gloves. 

 Once the gloves were on, however, he needed something (or someone) to punch (of course...he's a four-year-old boy!). Brad seized the opportunity as he egged Archibald on. 

 Archibald got in some good punches to Brad's face...

 and head!

 I finally put the kibosh on boxing (in my living room) once I noticed Brad sporting the gloves! 

Brad spending some time with his good friend, Spencer.

End of School!

All good things must come to an end, and that includes Merinda's Tenth Grade Year! It was a little rough towards the end, but she survived.

Merinda's last day of seminary and school.

Sadly, one of Merinda's good friends Maddie, moved to North Carolina just before school ended.

 And in addition to all the end-of-term assignments and finals, Merinda had a big spring piano recital thrown in the middle of everything.

 

 We also can't forget about her final Media Arts Project and Presentation!

 

It was plagued by obstacles, but she and her partner Julianna, pulled it off and did a great job!

The last few weeks weren't all bad, however, Merinda's Media Arts group received an award for best long film...

and Merinda won a tablet, when they drew her name, for getting all A's. We sure are proud of Merinda for all of her hard work this year!