Shooting rockets- July 4, 2012

 We have a tradition in the Morris Family. We like to build and shoot off model rockets. For the past decade or so, we've done it on the 4th of July. It's a little hot, but we bring lots of water and watermelon. This particular year, the weather cooperated nicely, and it was overcast and breezy. Still hot, but bearable. We usually start with swimming at Grandma and Grandpa's recreation center pool and have a BBQ at their house. Then we head over to the "sump" by Dobson High School and shoot our rockets. We used to end the night by watching a fireworks display at Mesa Community College, but they don't do it anymore.

 Canon doesn't like the loud sound when the rocket shoots off.

 We like to build a new rocket every year and name and number it. Hopefully, we bring it home and it sits in the rocket collection until the next year. But, sadly, sometimes we lose rockets and then we have to retire that number and observe a moment of silence. :)

 This year, Kim and Trent brought hoola hoops to keep the kids busy while the parents figure out how to set up the launch pads. We caught Grandma and Grandpa having a contest.

 A rare moment.

 My sweet boy is getting too big for my lap. :( The heat tires the kids out fast when they run around all afternoon trying to catch the rockets before they hit the ground.

Girls' Camp/Camp Zion, Mt Lemmon, AZ/June, 2012

 As Stake Young Women's President, I got to plan, carry out and attend Girls' Camp. One of the perks of that responsibility is calling capable men to serve as priesthood leaders. I don't know anyone more capable than Scott. :) Need a zipline put up? He's your man. Priesthood blessing at midnight? Again, he's got you covered. Want the men to do their own skit for skit night? How about Taylor "not so" Swift singing, "Scriptures to Learn", a spoof of "Pictures to Burn". And with that, we had 5 of our 7 family members up at camp that year.

 Aubree getting off the zip line. Not everyone got such individualized service. ;) Thanks, Dad, for not dropping her.

 Kiersten hates being in the pictures. She'd rather be taking them. I always have to be very sneaky when I'm taking a picture of her, because if she knows I'm taking it, she'll look away or hide.

 You can see Aubree doesn't suffer from shyness. This was her first year as a YCL, a Youth Camp Leader. They got to pick a ward to be in charge of, which meant they slept and ate with that ward and got them where they needed to be when they needed to be there. They also helped them pass of their certification and kept their girls in a good mood. It was part of our efforts to give the older YW as much leadership experience as possible. It ended up being a very rewarding opportunity for Aubree. She really blossomed that year and grew to love the girls she served.

Rylee's first year at camp. She had a lot of fun with everyone and I know having half her family there helped her not get homesick at all. :)

Our ward picked the theme SMILE: Spiritually Minded Is Life Eternal (2 Ne 9:39)

The Stake theme was SOS, Seeking Our Savior, and everything was nautical. The camp song was, "Like A Lighthouse" by Michael Webb. Each ward picked a "ship" name, such as friendship, sportsmanship, etc. The stake, of course, was leadership.
I loved the lighthouse analogy from Pres Monson's talk, "The Lighthouse of the Lord",and so I used that as the theme of one of our classes.
"Look to the lighthouse of the Lord. There is no fog so dense, no night so dark, no gale so strong, no mariner so lost but what its beacon light can rescue. It beckons through the storms of life. It calls, 'This way to safety; this way to home."

Sunday Selfie

This is the most recent family picture we have with all of us in it. This was taken over the Christmas break when Aubree was home from college for the holidays. We started this tradition a year ago and we call it our Sunday Selfie. After church, we all meet at the bishop's office to spend 5 minutes together before Dad continues his meetings. It helps us feel connected as a family, re-position our priorities and helps him start his meetings in a positive way. This is the serious selfie where no one is goofing around. Most of them are pretty silly. :)

 Case in point. :D

Sorry about your board!

Aubree in Rexburg, ID

 Aubree has been having a lot of fun learning how to survive in snow. She's had several roommates who have shown her many different things you can do living in the great, white North.

 She assures me she only has fun AFTER the homework and studying are done. :) Hmmmmm....

 Halloween 2014. Imagine Aubree's surprise when she went to a costume party and found a whole family of OZ characters that were missing a scarecrow!

Dressing warm!!

Getting back into it!!

I'm getting back into blogging because it's a great way to journal and Aubree, who is away at college, can keep track of what is going on. The last time I blogged on a regular basis was 3 years ago because Scott's parents were on a mission and couldn't come visit, and we didn't want them to miss out on what the kids were doing. Now if I can just figure out how to post pictures and change wall paper on this site....I used to know! Wish me luck. :)