OFY

The church used to run EFY and a few AFY camps - A.F.Y standing for Adventure for Youth. A few years ago the church sold its property for AFY . . . and along came another group, not officially linked to the church, who started up their own camp - OFY (Outdoors for Youth).

So I had decided to send my boys there and invited my friend to send her son as well. This was back in February. I am so glad we did it - and even more glad the camp didn't shut down due to coronavirus. What a perfect summer for these boys to get to go - after being cooped up and shutout from so much.

We went up to Utah on July 4th. Miles worked until 4 that day, so it was a late start. But it was perfect to catch the fireworks in Provo. As soon as we came out of Utah county, fireworks were going off everywhere. It was so awesome! All over the skies we could see the flashing explosions. We parked and then walked down to the parking lot of LaVelle Edwards stadium and had the perfect "seats" to watch the show - even while keeping our distance from others.

We got to my parents' place late (12:15am) and met my dad still up. We went to bed and then woke up on Sunday to spend a few hours with my parents and my sister and her family - who are staying with my folks for about 6 weeks. We had a great, but short, time together.

My family then headed up to Idaho - Mack's Inn. Although, as it was not my dad's week, we did not stay in my grandpa's cabin (although the boys did sleep there that night on the couches as Randy wasn't coming up until Monday . . .). My cousin Andrew and his wife own a couple cabins right behind grandpa's and we were able to get the small one - which was adorable and perfect for just the 4 of us (which it was once we dropped the boys off).

After doing a few things in Mack's Inn, on Monday we drove the boys to Rexburg and dropped them off at a middle school - where they were picked up and taken to OFY camp.

We picked the boys back up late Friday afternoon - and they LOVED, LOVED, LOVED camp. It was fun to hear them talk all about it. Within the first 10 minutes of being in the car, they each declared that they were going to go next year as well. Group texts were going wild that weekend - as I knew they would. They have simmered down a bit, but the kids are still chatting it up over texts.

Here are some of the pictures from their Outdoors for Youth camp. A few of these pictures are taken from the boys. Most I got from the official photo's posted on the OFY site. Most are of Miles and Jonas, some are random kids showing something. Some I'll comment on; other I will not. :)

 Miles climbing.

 Miles on the slip 'n slide.

 Low-ropes challenge - Jonas is in the middle. Their good friend Aiden is the boy on the right of the photo.

 Apparently all the girls in their group (a cabin of 8 boys and a cabin of 8 girls made up a group - 6 groups total were there) wanted to get a picture of Jonas on their back. Don't ask why because I do not know?!

 Um, yeah, I can see why Jonas loved it.

 Their group at sunset.

 Find Jonas.

 Jonas during some challenge.

 I can't remember who this guy is (professor of religion at BYU-I?), but according to Jonas he gave an awesome fireside. Miles is the one in the straw and feather hat. :)

 Another group challenge - looks fun.

 Their entire group.

 Hmmmm, I forgot her name - Alyssa maybe? She was the girl-group leader and our boys thought she was the best!

 One activity was building a crate tower and standing on it - I think my boys got around 14 crates high.

 I don't have a picture of my boys on the swing, but it was just another activity they did.

 I guess girls weren't the only ones who liked to carry Jonas around. What the what? Yes, I have already warned Jonas that if it grows big by next year's camp, he might not be as beloved. :)

 Jonas on the slip 'n slide. What a cool blast.

 

 Not one of my boys, but definitely an activity my boys loved - archery, with foam tips so you can shoot at each other.

 Looks like a fantastic group!

 One of the girls created this Meme. Haha. I guess that's what Jonas replied to how he was going to get a girl to dance with him at the dance. "I will just tell her, 'You're a chick.' "

They went horse-back riding, but for some unknown reason to me, I cannot upload the one picture of Miles on his horse. Oh well! (Oh, I got it!)

 Again, not my boys but just showing an activity that they participated in.

 Miles. Mostly I can tell because of his socks.

 Don't know, Jonas, Aiden.

Anyways, again, just so glad the boys got to go and that they had such a fantastic time. They did have to get up at like 6:30 each morning and read the scriptures for 30 minutes before breakfast. Whoa!

OFY 2021 - They will go! (Emmy is planning to go in 2022.)

Another Week . . .

We started off the week celebrating Fathers! Ben mostly made this cherry pie - it was delicious. We sure do love him and appreciate the good work he does as a father! Ben was taught extremely well from his wonderful father . . . 

This is our backyard pergola - someday we'll fix the crappy carpet. But it sure does look awesome!

Our garden is crazy huge!

We built this to basically be a cover for our bikes. I really like it! Now we just need to make a few bike racks to make it more functional. Awesome!

Lucy has started the Harry Potter series - finally! :) She finished the second book a while ago, but we finally had time to watch it for FHE. Fun!

The three youngest kids all did 2-weeks of tennis lessons. They really enjoyed them! Now we just need to play more so they actually get decent . . . :)

The Crusty Cruiser Crew - I think that's the name they've come up with. At least Jonas came up with. Three of the four of these boys have motorized bikes. Jonas did crash on it once - slipping on gravel. It was a good wake-up fall that he's not as invincible as he thinks he is. I definitely do think it shook him a bit. Luckily it wasn't a horrible crash - just some good gashes!

Miles, Jesse, Jonas, and Aiden.

Csilla helps me out a ton on Tuesdays - since Ben and I (and Miles - our other driver) are working. She takes Emmy to gym, Lucy to her house to play with Lexi, then Lucy to piano, then picks up Lucy and Emmy. She's so great. This week, afterwards, the kids did a lemonade stand near Csilla's house. Then later they wanted a change of venue, so they came to our corner. The four kids did great - each making $10.

Jonas had a big day on Thursday morning - getting his top braces! He still looks handsome! He has his top ones for 3 months before he'll get the bottom ones on as well. He's doing fine. A little sore, but not horrible.

We tricked Ben that Emmy got braces, too! She found a braces "hack" and it was pretty convincing. It's earring backs and rubber bands. Nice.

 Emmy made some rhubarb bread for Brain Chase. It was yummy.

 The kids had a blast on Friday. They met up with a bunch of friends and played for hours and hours at Taviwach. Poor Miles had to leave early to go to work, but at least he was there for a couple of hours.

So much fun.

 

  We took home an extra 6 kids with us. :) They played Secret Hitler and other things. We had pizza for dinner. Then we walked down to Crash Burger and ordered shakes. Fun and delicious! Plus, we got to see Miles hard at work. :) The kids then came back, played some more, then settled down to watch Napoleon Dynamite. Fun day for the kids (I was thoroughly bored for most of it.)

 A big and so very annoying wind storm showed up Friday night. A branch fell and dented our car. :( Bummer.

That's about it!