Girls Camp 2009!

I just got back from the Rose Park Ward girls camp. I'm exhausted and dirty, with a pretty good sunburn and a couple of blisters, and a whole new love for my young women. I left on Monday afternoon with the 6th years to spend the night at my father's cabin in Palisades. It a tradition for the 6th years to go up a night early. Their last year is bittersweet as they are anxious to move on to the next step in their lives. The extra night allows them to bond and to remember all the good times they've had at girls camp. On Tuesday, we drove to camp at Big Elk Creek and watched as everyone else arrived and helped set up camp. We did certification and team games. Tuesday night we had skit night. The theme was a Miss America pagent with 4 categories: talent, interview, dance, and fashion. I've never laughed so hard in my life! Wednesday was the hike. We hiked to the lower Palisades lake, which was 4 miles up and 4 miles down, total of 8 miles. Josh came up to be one of the priesthood leaders on the hike. The Young Women's President said, "Berries go to the front to lead the group. Go at a good quick pace." So that we did. Josh was almost at a jogging pace the whole time and I was almost running to keep up with him. By the time we reached the top, only 1 girl had kept up with us, a few others came quickly after, and 20 minutes later, we had the whole group. Everyone made it to the top! A few out of breath girls said, "Brother and Sister Berry are on steroids!" I secretly wanted to scream, "Yeah baby!" I have been working hard to get in shape and I was so impressed with myself that I could lead the group. Overall we had way too much fun. For those of you who are friends with me on facebook, I'll post all the pictures there. There are way too many to put all of them on this blog!

1st years rock! Don't they look a little nervous :)


2nd and 3rd years are seasoned and excited about girls camp!


Whitney, a 1st year, during the fashion show part of skit night.


Josh and I on the hike.


What's he pointing at? I don't know but he looks cool, so whatever.


Me on the ledge.


The first half of the girls to finish the hike.


1st years enjoying smores.

Happy Father's Day!

Just wanted to say Happy Father's Day to my dad, my stepdad, my father-in-law, and especially Josh. This is a day to rejoice in all that father's do for their children and others. My dad worked so hard from the first day he was married to make sure we had a good life. He worked full-time while getting his bachelor degree and while in medical school. How he did so I have no idea. He is always thinking of his family.
My stepfather has been so good to my mom and no words can express how much it brings me joy to see my mother content and happy. He is a so great with the kids. Once when my mom was watching our little girls, Ray took the girls outside and taught them how to shoot a bebe gun. He cuts down a real Christmas tree for us every year, and last year he took Jozlyn with him. Thanks Ray!
My father-in-law is one of the nicest guys I've ever known. He never says anything bad about anyone and I've never heard him raise his voice. He is loving and kind toward everyone he meets. He tries to help Josh and me in any way he can.
Now for my favorite dad of all...Josh! Words cannot express how much I love him. He has always worked hard for our family. Having two little ones, going to school, and working is definitely hard for us, but Josh always sees the silver lining. He spends a lot of time with the girls. He takes them to the park, to the library, and plays with them all day. He's not one to turn the TV on and plop the girls down in front. I love truly love him and could not have chose a better man for the father of my children!

Josh with the girls on Father's Day!

Twilight Anyone?

For all those mothers out there who read Twilight and secretly wanted Edward to rescue her, I'm totally with you. I know that the Twilight phenomenon has been known for quite a while, but 2 years after reading the series, I still find my mind wandering to it now and again. Last week Josh drove us to a camp site he went to with some of his buddies. It was just 45 minutes away and I couldn't believe we are so lucky to have such beauty near where we live. We wandered around a bit and promised the girls we would go camping there when it got warmer. As I stood admiring how green everything looked after all the rain we've had, it hit me....could Edward be out there in the green woods?

Doesn't this remind you of Forks, Washington?


My dark and handsome man, with our girls!

Backyard Time!

I have found that no matter how little or how many toys my kids have, the backyard is always the place they want to be. Here is just another Monday night in the backyard, in between the rain showers of course!

Haylie Jo with Zoey.


Isn't Jozlyn such a ham! She loves to play basketball with daddy.


Josh has got hoops!

Hansel & Gretel

Tonight the girls had their spring ballet performance, Hansel & Gretel. They did so well. Jozlyn was a swan and a gingerbread cookie that made up the witch's fence. Haylie Jo was a flower girl who picked the witch's flowers only to have her take them back. Their studio puts on a great show. If anyone is interested the studio's website is www.idballettheatre.org. I was so excited after seeing them perform I had to post the pictures I took. The studio does not allow pictures or video during the performance so these were taken before and after the performance.

Jozlyn in swan and Haylie Jo


Jozlyn, Haylie Jo, and their cousin Jordyn (who was a butterfly)


Jozlyn in gingerbread and Haylie Jo


Haylie Jo in flower girl


Jozlyn in swan

New Piano

The last year we have really begun to notice that Jozlyn is very interested in music. She is constantly singing and is pretty good at it. I decided to enroll her in piano lessons in the fall and wanted to start looking early for a piano in hopes of getting a great deal. My Aunt Rhonda happened to have one at the exact time I was starting to look. It was such a great deal we couldn't pass it up. Although it won't really be played until the fall, Jozlyn tries to play at least five times a day. I have a feeling she'll be great at playing but who knows, being her mother I think she is great at everything! Here are a few pics of our new piano!

This is Jozlyn trying to play the new piano right before church.


This was the morning after we bought the piano. When I walked out and saw the girls sitting on the bench, it truly looked like a Greg Olson picture. Obviously I did not capture the Greg Olson image I wanted but it's still cute.

Josh is Accepted!

Yesterday was such an adventure. Josh and I had an appointment at 7:30 in the morning, then Haylie Jo had a field trip to the zoo at 9:00. We got home from the field trip at 11:30 to see our new piano being moved inside (those poor movers were sweating like crazy). I was talking to Josh while the movers were working and he told me I.S.U. had called. He had filled out an application for a job there so I asked him if he got the job. He smiled and said, "I got into Graduate School!" I screamed and jumped on him wrapping my legs around his waist. We are so excited. Out of 6 1/2 years of marriage, 4 has been spent in school. When Josh applied this year we knew that the competition for only 15 spots would be fierce. He didn't get in right away but was told he was 1st choice alternate if someone were to drop out or decline the acceptance. I felt sort of mean for hoping someone else would fail or change their mind. Josh had been promised by our Lord, God, that he would have the education he desired but of course, our faith had to be tested. I kind of feel like I'm sending him on a mission because he'll be so busy for the next two years. It will all be worth it in a few years. He was accepted into the Masters program in Speech Pathology at Idaho State University. Go Bengals!