Pioneer Trek - part 3 (Saturday)

I forgot to include this picture in part 2. This picture was taken at the top of the hill where the burial was taking place. While the youth were listening to that story, they were able to look out into the vast desert. The couple that buried their baby made many comments about having to travel many more miles and not knowing where they would end up. The youth only had to travel 5 1/2 miles round trip but the pioneers traveled thousands without knowing exactly where they we going. They saw scenes like this time and time again.

Couldn't resist this picture. On the left is Greg Lundeen (Stake YM Pres.), my dad in the middle and President Spencer. He is the 2nd counselor in the Stake Presidency. Both men are from my fathers ward.

Once the trek was over and the youth were back at camp, the water fights began! Kelsey and Hannah couldn't resist soaking eachother!

Chris was so proud of Kelsey. It took a lot of teamwork to accomplish what she did. Not only was the terrain rocking but they also trekked through sand.
O.K. so I cheated! Since I was taking pictures of the youth, I had to be in many places at the same time. It was too hard to do that while pulling or pushing a handcart. So I got creative! This was my modern day handcart with my personal chauffer, President Spencer.

One of the final vignettes on their way back to camp was listening to the story of B.H. Roberts. Bro. Schiller from Parkview Ward sure did ham it up! He shared experiences of being a rowdy 10 year old boy who crossed the plains with another company and his sister. His mother was in a company hundreds of miles in front of them. He got into so much trouble along the way. He had encounters with Indians, getting swept away in a river and much, much more! The kids really enjoyed his story!

Back at camp, it was dinnertime. One assignment the youth had prior to the trek was to make hand carved wooded spoons to eat with. Doesn't Kelsey's look great!

A delicious dinner was awaiting us! Chicken and biscuits along with....

four different types of cobbler! Berry cobbler...my favorite!

Before the trek ended, we passed out small sacks of flour. Each consisted of 4 ounces to represent the rations that some companies had to survive on daily. This really put things into perpsective for our youth. During testimony meeting, we had several youth express their gratitude for what they have and what they just experienced. All in all, it was a great experience!!

Pioneer Trek - part 2 (Saturday)

Saturday moring started bright and early. The original plan was to wake the kids up at 6am to tear down camp, eat breakfast and start trekking by 7:30am. Due to the 100 plus degree weather, we woke everyone up by bugle at 5:00am. The first company left by 6:30am. We had 3 - 4 carts per company. I grabbed a picture of our Bishop, Bishop Garcia and a few of the youth before they headed out.

My husband is such a trooper!!! He absolutley loves my new calling!! I am always roping him into things. Chris so graciously accepted the role of an Indian. His job was to look menacing in the canyon where the youth would make their way through. He did a great job! I think he had more fun than he would actually admit too! He played his role very well!

Here comes Kelsey's family making their way to the canyon. She is such a trooper! It was sooooo hot! As Kelsey's family came through, Chris played it up. If you look closely, you can see my Indian on the top of the rock.

Just wanted you to have a glimpse of the terrain the youth covered. You can barely see a company right in the middle of this picture.

It was nice that the Woodruff Family (Kelsey's group) was the first to start the trek. I was able to take several pictures of her!

About 2 miles into the trek, we had an Indian Trading Post set up. The youth earned beads by doing good deeds, helping their families, being examples, etc. They used these beads to trade and barter for food from the Indians. Another casuality to my calling, my parents. I roped them into helping! Thanks mom and dad!! Love you! Here they are on the right, with Sis. Lundeen who is the Stake Young Men's President's wife.
Cute picture of Kelsey at the Trading Post.

Once the youth rested at the post, they had one more difficult task. They had to all work together (all families) in pulling one cart up this hill. It was very steep and rocky.

They all chipped in and made it without injuries to themselves or damage to the cart.

Once they got to the top, we had a vignette for them to stop and listen to. Throughout the trek, the companys were able to stop and listen to real pioneer experiences. This one happened to be the most heartbreaking! We had a couple share their experience of having to bury their 2nd child along the trail. I listened to them 3 times and cried each time. Thinking about now is causing my eyes to well up! It was very emotional. The spirit was so strong and touched many of our youth!

The Evan's family placing their baby boy in the shallow grave.

Once they were done listening to the Evan's family, it was back down the hill! From the campground to this point was about 2 miles. Time to turn around and head back to the campground.

Pioneer Trek - part 1 (Friday)

After months of planning, preparations, meeting after meeting, the day has arrived! Our 2009 Youth Conference was a Pioneer Trek planned for the weekend of May 8th and 9th. Here we are in Paradise Valley, CA which is about 30 miles northwest of Barstow. We have a member in our Stake who owns property where the first saints orginally made their way to San Bernardino. What an exciting weekend this was. To actually think, our youth literally walked in the footsteps of our pioneers. While we were assigning youth into families, I grabbed a picture of the youth from our ward. What a great looking bunch I must say!

The youth were seperated into families of about 8 youth with a Ma and Pa. This was Kelsey's group, the Woodruff family. Kelsey only had a Pa since Ma "died" along the trek. The youth walked 1.5 miles Friday night before they set up camp.

Once all the carts pulled into the campground, they set up their tents and got ready for the evening festivites. They only had a sack dinner which consisted of beef jerky, a roll and dried fruit. They had to experience pioneer life! After dinner, we had a professional hoe-down band perform for the kids. One of the youth, Erin Hannett from our ward taught the youth the Virginia Reel.
Here's a picture of Kelsey and her partner Austin. She had a blast!

After taking what seems like millions of pictures during the dance, I was able to sneak away and spend a few minutes with my hubby! I think I like this pioneer thing. At least, the lack of make-up!!

After the dance, the youth retreated to their tents for a devotional with their families and then it was lanterns out!

A day late...but worth the wait!

Yesterday was Ethan's 12th birthday. I can't believe how time flies. Ethan is an amazing young man. He is a great example to all around him, he works hard and excels at everything he does. He may be dad's "little" shadow but we have a very strong bond. It all started before he was born. We had a difficult pregnancy along with complications that he was suffering from while in utero. Through fasting and prayers from many people, we have a beautiful, healthly young man today! He has a strong testimony of the gospel and is an inspiration to his family.Last Sunday, we celebrated Ethan and his cousin Austin's 12th birthday . Both boys were born only 3 days apart. My parents gave Ethan this poster of the Armies of Helaman. Little did they know, it is Ethan's favorite scripture story! He can't wait to hang it up!

In a few short days, we will have another priesthood holder in our home. Ethan will receive the Aaronic Priesthood this coming Sunday . It's something Ethan has been looking forward to for a long time!

We are so proud of the decisions Ethan has made thus far in his life. We love him so much! Happy Birthday Eats Dog!

Start your engines...

Riley loves Pinewood Derby! This year Chris and Riley made a "cool car" according to Riley! He was so cute about the whole thing. He couldn't wait to leave his friends in the dust!

Ready...set...go! Riley won 1st place in the Bears Den and 2nd place overall! He also won the award for most Aerodynamic Car!

Riley sure does love his dad! I don't know who had more fun...Chris or Riley!

It's great to have friends!

We were so excited to have old friends stop by and visit us last month. Morgan, Kim and Michael moved from Victorville to Utah a few years ago. It was a sad day when they left us but for good reasons!! Kelsey and Morgan enjoyed hanging out with eachother and talking about boys! They have been friends since they were about 3 years old. They have grown up so quickly but they sure are beautiful. Kim, you know we're going to have our hands full when they start dating! Look how cute they were on the first day of Kindergarten back in 2000! Time sure does fly!

I enjoyed visiting with Kim and reliving good times! I sure do miss you Kim!!!

Mormon Prom

My calling in church is the 2nd counselor in the Stake Young Women's Presidency. For those of you who do not know what that means, we work with the youth of our church, ages 12-18. One of our assignments was Mormon Prom. This is an opportunity for our youth to have a dance in a safe environment. Actually, we combined the youth of 3 stakes: Victorville, Hesperia and Apple Valley. Our responsibility was to decorate the Apple Valley Stake Center. Our theme this year was: Enchanted Realm. So we needed to come up with Renaissance decor. Many months of stress on my part, turned into one beautiful evening! We used Rock Wall paper to cover the stage as well as side walls to make the feel of a castle. My brillant husband came up with the idea for the basketball hoops. It was Wednesday night, three days before the prom, we were standing in our church building still trying to figure out how to cover the hoops. Chris, in his infinite wisdom said, "Why don't you make a torch?" Brillant...Brillant...Brillant!!!

We measured the hoop and I started sewing. This was the outcome! We took the same rock wall paper, covered the back of the hoop, placed the torch over the hoop and turned the tea light votives on. We used tissue paper to give the flame look! It was a hit!

This was the picture backdrop. Another stake was in charge of providing the photographer. They did a great job on picture taking!

Not one of the prettier centerpieces, but it worked. At least you have an idea. My family and I went into the desert and cut down dead trees to line the walls with and to use in the vases as centerpieces. We hung votives with tealight battery operated candles and jewels from the branches! Thanks Kristi for this idea. She used these decorations at her daughters wedding reception!

We took the same trees, larger form of course and lines the walls. We used white christmas lights and wrapped each tree and even draped lights across the ceiling for a dropped celing effect. I sewed 12 tapestries as well as buckets covers for our trees. Not bad, for just learning how to sew. I must say, creating your own pattern is much easier than reading one!

We had a great turn out! About 130 kids attended! They all had a blast!Task complete! I look forward to next year! I think we are in charge of desserts!!!!

Easter Fun - part 2!

We always try to take as many family pictures as possible whenever we are together. This is a picture of Kelsey, Ethan and Riley with their Great-Grandma Denkers. Here are most of the Denkers great-grandchildren with their Great-Grandma and Grandpa Futrell.

And my most favorite picture of the night goes to Kelsey and her Grandpa Denkers.

Their is a story behind this picture! Caden is not fond of taking pictures but he thinks his Uncle Chris is the best! Actually he believes his Uncle is a Jedi Master! A few months back, Caden stayed with us while Jeff and Denise where in Hawaii.

Chris bought one of those "snuggie" blankets that you see on T.V. You know, the one that has sleeves and looks like a choir robe. He knows I am constantly cold! Of course, when we opened it up and tried it out for the first time, it had so much static electricity it in, I could hardly stand to touch it! This is where the Jedi Master comes into play.

Uncle Chris and Caden played swords all day long and would use the force on eachother. Chris had the brillant idea to use my snuggie to his advantage. Chris wrapped it around his arms, rubbed it back and forth
and created even more static. He called Caden into the room and started playing again. He told Caden that he could "shock him" with his force. Of course, Caden didn't believe him. So Uncle Chris went right up to him and touched him. I didn't know Caden could jump that far! He was amazed. Uncle Chris was able to shock him a few more times before Caden finally realized that Uncle Chris really was a Jedi Master.

Now, whenever we see him, Chris always asks Caden if he would like to feel the force again. He always denys. He is so convinced that Chris has this power, not even his dad Jeff can change his mind!

Easter Fun! - part one

After church, we headed down to Rancho Cucamonga to celebrate Easter with Chris' family. Look at those cute cousins! From left to right: Emree, Kennedy, Kelsey, Riley, Braxton, Ethan, Gavin and Caden. They are all soooo anxious to open their Easter goodies! Kelser Bear with her basket.

Smiley Riley (his nickname since birth!)

Good ol' Eats Dog as his dad calls him!

Part two under construction! Check back soon!