Cold Camp

Two days after Christmas I had the opportunity to spend two freezing days and one sleepless night with my awesome young women.  It was cold but fantastic! 

Every winter for many winters past, the boys of the Briargate ward have bundled up and headed to the mountains for a winter campout.  Three years ago the young women of our ward decided that the boys were having all the fun and declared that they wanted to be included in the activity.  The first year the girls slept in tents outside like the boys.  Apparently that was too cold.  As luck would have it, the Rocky Mountain Mennonites have a camp with cabins near to the boys' camping location, so the past two years the girls have slept there, but don't think we ladies are too pampered!  We spent every minute of the rest of the time outside with the boys.  And honestly, I don't know if I would have minded sleeping cold as much as I minded the uncomfortable and loud crinkly cabin beds!  Plus, I felt like I had 15 daughters I was listening for all night, every sound woke me up, nervous that someone was sick or scared or needed something in the night.

This was my first year at our winter campout.  And yes, it was very cold, although I've heard that one of the past years was much worse.  The daytime temperatures this year were in the upper 20's and the nighttime temps were in the mid-teens.  The snow was a couple of feet deep in most of the places we were, and we had to pack it down just to make our camp.  A few of the girls were not-so-well prepared, so by nightfall I was shedding my layers to help cover them up.  One of my Miamaids ended up with my mittens on her frozen feet.  Fortunately I had a lot of other leaders lending me their blankets and extra jackets, so I didn't get too cold when I had to take off my coat to wrap around another pair of too-cold feet.  But even with the cold, it was such a fun time! 

We did some sledding; hiked up and down the hill from the boys' campsite up to the Crags parking lot a number of times; hiked down to the girls' camp; did some more sledding and sled racing; tried out the RMMC tubing run; ate a lot of good, warming food and drank a lot of hot cocoa; laughed a ton while playing games in the cabins before bed; got in a few rousing games of broomball on the frozen pond; listened to a wonderful fireside lesson; enjoyed the company of friends; and dug a lot of stuck cars out of the snow...ours and other winter mountain outdoor enthusiasts!  

I realize that while the activities sound fun, the cold and snow sound awful.  However, the the youth of our ward, who are simply amazing, tipped the scales in favor of the fun side.  They get along so well.  They are supportive and encouraging.  They laugh together a lot.  They jump up to help when needed.  I am so humbled by the strength of their spirits.  In spite of the cold, and in spite of having to leave my own sweet family behind at home when Adam was off work and I wanted nothing more than to snuggle up with them and play some of the new games and watch new movies that we received for Christmas, I am SO glad I was able to go spend a chilly two days with these beautiful daughters and sons of God!  It took me two days at home to warm myself back up again, but the experiences we had and the goodness of these kids will forever warm my heart. 

Three of my Laurels, Bailey, Sam and Krystal

Leslie, Bailey, Sam P., Alexa and Mylissa (front)

Camille, Mykinsay, Olivia and Mikayla

Two of my Miamaids, Sam H. and Leslie, and me too!

Beehives!  Maryanne, Mykinsay, Camille, Laura (behind) and Olivia

Mylissa, Leslie, Sam P., Sam H. and me!

Sledding!

If we didn't want to walk, we had to pile in the car that had the best chance of not getting stuck.  This drive up to the boys' camp had 19 of us in one Suburban!

Cold toes!  Those are my mittens.

Broomball!!

I had to include a picture of digging out a car.  It was amazing how much time we spent digging out cars!  The car in this photo isn't one of ours, but that of a cross-country skier who we helped out, but we dug out our own plenty of times!

Christmas Day Poem '11

'Twas Christmas Day '11.
Mom and Dad had vowed:
Seven-thirty the hour
When waking allowed


Four little boys
Crept quietly in,
Then shouted, "Santa came!"
It made quite a din.

Dad leaped from bed,
Mom sluggishly behind.
The little one still sleeping
Once woken, didn't mind.

We walked down the stairs.
Mom put breakfast in the oven.
By the hearth, Santa's gifts found
Their toys, boys were lovin'.

Then to the living room,
The boys dashed for the tree--
Where more gifts were found
From friends and family.

Smiles and shouts,
Joy and glee,
Five boys found all they wished for,
And then so did we.

To church we all went,
As it should be this day.
To Celebrate Him,
Who showed us The Way.

Music abundant,
The Spirit was near,
Tommy's blood sugar soaring,
Dad struggled to hear.

Then home for some lazy
New toys and games play.
Luke absorbed in Batman.
Took most of the day.

Ben took pictures,
Zac Wii'ed in pieces,
Josh was Fidget friend ga-ga,
Tommy plundered the Reese's.

Mom took a nap,
Dad ate homemade caramel
Then tried out the new Zelda,
And did rather well.

There were games played together,
And games played alone.
Laughter was king,
In our warm, cozy home.


Feeling a bit sad,
For family wasn't here;
But with them in our hearts
They will always be near.

Dinner was scrumptious,
Dessert divine.
Family karaoke.
Boys sleeping by nine.

Christmas was great,
We had lots of fun.
And are so very grateful for
The birth of God's Son.

When Luke first started to unwrap his Squinkies gift he exclaimed, "Mom!  It's PINK!" in a tone that frankly stated "This could not possibly be for me."  It was so funny.  Then he saw what it was and was so excited!

 

This year Ben REALLY wanted a Rapids uniform.  Santa could only find the scarf and away team shirt, but Ben was mighty pleased!

Adam got a few new bits of ski gear from Santa.  Once upon a time (read: pre-kids) he was a season-pass-holding avid skier.  This season he will be skiing for the first time in 13 years on skis purchased in 1988; Santa figured at the very least he deserved some cool new goggles. Adam also got a great pair of Rayban sunglasses from his dad.  He looks pretty cool in them!  Now his eyes, at least, will be prepared for the slopes in modern gear!

Ruby's expression is clearly saying, "Is this ALL?  Sheesh."  But she loved her "hide a treat" chew toy.

Luke found the Christmas Pickle!

Luke was in Batman heaven all day.  This was HANDS DOWN the most beloved gift of Christmas 2011.  Even more beloved than the homemade dark chocolate covered salted caramels I made for Adam and that's saying something.  (On a side note: the caramels were my first go at candy making and came out TOTALLY awesome.  Oh yeah!  I may or may not have danced around the kitchen in glee when they came out so well.)

Can I eat these?

Tommy's expressions at every gift he opened were priceless.  He's such a happy boy and was SO excited about everything, including brothers' toys!

Fifth and sixth graders in the state of Colorado are given the opportunity to ski/snowboard for free at 21 of the different ski resorts in our state.  Adam and Zac are going to take advantage of that this winter and will hit the slopes together as much as possible.  Zac got some snowboarding gear to ease Mom's worried mind about trees jumping out at him as he gets started boarding on his real board.  And he's thanked me for that watch about 20 times already.  It was a Christmas home run.

Adam brought me home Trader Joe's Mini Rice Crackers for Christmas!!!  One of my favorite snacks, but not available here because there are no Trader Joe's.  YUM and HOORAY!

Alea had my name for the Conlin adult family name draw this year.  She picked out some SUPER cute things!  I love new clothes....

Grandma and Grandpa got the boys five different "Green" craft kits.  They are so cool.  Tommy carried this one around ALL. DAY. LONG.  He's excited to paint rocks!

The boys have played Apples to Apples, which they received from Aunt Sara, five times already!

Luke was given a great art kit from Ben (who had his name for the brother name draw).  Luke was extra excited about the colorful dry erase markers to use on the giant dry erase board we have in the dining room. 

I made Tommy his special plate the week before Christmas.  It came out so great!  I just love it.  His rocket says, "Tommy shoots for the moon."

Christmas Eve 2011 In Pictures