Camp Joseph 2010

Memories to add to memories....this was our 12th trip to Sharon, VT. Our first trip was just for the day back in October 1997. Camp Joseph didn't exist. We went to the chapel on the Joseph Smith Memorial site and watched General Conference, and then spent some time walking around the visitor's center and the beautiful grounds. The leaves had all turned and it was just beautiful. The summer after they dedicated Camp Joseph, we helped build some of the cabins during our ward's campout. We've camped in rain and shine, and every year we have left with lots of smelly laundry, but with memories we'll treasure forever.

This year's Camp Joseph memories....

• Wesley and his 1st BFF, Garrett played and played and played....the best was their band performance (I must find a picture!) on the last day.  Garrett had sticks for drumsticks and banged on a garbage can for the drums.  Wesley had a long walking stick for his microphone and they sang their hearts out their version of "Yellow Submarine."  Eventually they recruited Leah for vocals because Wesley moved on to the guitar.  Leah didn't really get the no real music thing, "But I don't hear any music!"   Unfortunately the band broke up, but we're hoping for a reunion someday.  Sadly Garrett moved to Austin the day after the campout which will complicate the reunion, but  Camp Joseph is huge incentive.
• Games!  The 3 legged race was hilarious.  Christina and Lillian tore it up.  Thomas and Josh were impressive in practice, but not so much in the race (no offense, boys).  The kids had a blast doing the scavenger hunt.  Then there was the marshmallow race with the controversial finish- I still don't know who really won...and the gum contest (biggest bubble?) which I missed.
• More rockets!  This year Jim brought 2 rockets!  Caroline was right in the mix with set up and launching.  See if you can find the bottle rocket soaring in the photo just below the bottle rocket pre-launch photo.
• Amazing cuisine.  Again, Wayne's steak tips were the bomb-diggity.  Neal bought the meat this year and we grilled veggies with the meat again.  Divine.  For the marinade recipe, go HERE.
• S'mores.  There was plenty of Ghirdelli's chocolate/caramel squares to go around.  This treat brings me to VT!  We had so much fun around the campfire.
• Slip 'n Slide....I'll work on pictures for this too.  It was epic this year.  Again, Wesley was in tears when the fun ended, even though he was FREEZING.  This may honestly be a highlight of his childhood.
• Hammocks.  We had 3 this year.  Wayne slept in one, Thomas another, and the 3rd was the "hangout hammock."  I'm surprised it held up.  I heard lots of laughter coming from Grace, Caroline and pals in hammock #3.  At one point I came by hammock #3 to see how things were going.  Grace and her friend, Arianna were talking about the age of their parents.  Grace said, "My mom is 40, but DO NOT make fun of her!"
• Catching frogs.  The kids caught lots of frogs, and of course brought them to camp so they could have pets during the campout.  The kids thought that the water/muddy spot by the water spigot near the hammocks was a great habitat for the frogs, but I let the kids know that the frogs would be dead in the morning if they didn't get back to their home at the pond.  Thankfully, they returned the clueless frogs to the pond.
• The Joseph Smith Memorial.  We went as a ward group to the visitor's center on Sunday afternoon.  The missionaries were especially knowledgeable and informative this year.
• Golf Cart rides.  On our last day there, Caroline waited patiently for Sister Corcharan to come out of the bathroom so she could ask for one more ride on the missionary cart.  Such fun!
• Planning a mission.  I told Sister Corcharan that Wayne and I would love to serve a mission at Camp Joseph when our kids are grown.  She asked how long before we are empty nesters, and I said, "Our youngest is just 3."  We laughed knowing it will be a while, but agreed that Camp Joseph is a wonderful mission call.
• Exercise.  Those hills!  After 4 days at Camp Joseph I feel like I've had a huge workout.  Christina played some volleyball with the youth and Wayne got a football game going.  FUN!
• Friends.  Between late night campfires, potlucks, ward games, and down time in between, there was lots of time to visit, play, and laugh sometimes to tears with friends- our ward family.  We are so blessed to feel that closeness with our ward.  Fortunately our kids don't realize yet how unique that really is because they haven't known any different, but someday they will, and they will know from experience what to strive for.
• Food for the spirit.  We had a wonderful testimony meeting on Sunday, and an inspiring fireside by the Robisons as well.  The fireside was about using gratitude, service, and prayer to endure our trials well....something I'll think back on often.
• A dose of peace.  Often I stopped to take it all in.

Mom's favorite photo....

At one point I hustled Wesley up to the bathroom. I went to the stall next to his and could clearly hear that he had some explosive business going on.  I said, "Wesley, I am so proud of you!  You made it to the bathroom and kept your underwear dry!"  Without missing a beat, Wesley replied, "I'm proud of you too, mom."