After packing up the entire house and hauling it away for a four day camping trip, we came home after only one night. Last year Anika was so happy about camping so I thought this year would be the same, and while she was happy (relative term) all day, she would not accept sleeping in the tent. She kept screaming. We would drive her to sleep and then try to sneak her in the tent but she would wake up freaking out. Letting her cry it out would be the solution if there were not other people in the campgrounds. She ended up sleeping all night in her car seat and I slept, or at least tried, all night in the front seat of the car. There was no way I was going to pull one of those nights again. I bet the whole place was glad to see us pack up the next morning.

The next morning Anika said, "I freak in the tent; I scream in the tent." Oh yes you did, my little fire-breathing dragon.

We still managed to have a great weekend. We took Anika swimming and also headed up to the cabin. Better luck next time.

Remember the days of packing only a backpack filled with ramen, flies, and a few changes of panties? Oh, the joy. I'm not kidding, with a kid and car camping I have to pack the whole house. I think we're going to try and take off this October for a good-old-fashioned backpacking trip, me and the B. Bust out the two-man and call it a day. Oh, the simplicity.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CIARA!!! Read all about her:

Ode to Ciara:

Ciara is the kindest gal,
the truest, sweetest, loyal pal-
She's never mean,
and oh so lean-
so here's your B-say howl!!!

Happy Birthday to my best friend Ci!
I found some old pictures so I thought it would be fun to embarrass her a little and post them... the problem is, it kind of embarrasses the rest of us who are in them as well.

For those who don't know Ci, I will tell you that you are for sure missing out!
She is one of the few people I know who hold no malice, no vindication, and are simply incapable of judging others. She is so responsible and follows through with everything she commits too. She is a hard worker, a endless supporter, and an even harder player. She has so much energy and is athletic and coordinated. She doesn't watch TV very often, she loves the outdoors and horticulture. She also loves repelling and hiking.

In days of yore I was always impressed with her spontaneous ballet moves. She also survived college trig! Most recently I have been floored by her devotion and stamina. Not only does she deliver all her babies (which are not small) without anesthesia, she goes swimming a few days later to boot! SHEESH! Plus- she has a perfectly FLAT stomach!

I will always remember sunrise rise breakfasts, driving over to hang out with the pine view boys, Havasu Pai (I could never keep up with her), Lake Powell trips, sharing lunch at Albertsons, yearbook for 5 years!, the night she came over because my boy friend dumped me (seriously she helped me so much), endless chats and all-nighters and crazy adventures! We have so many memories together it's hard to pick a few. I know for sure that I absolutely would not have survived middle school, high school, and college without her.

We've been best friends since 8th grade!
That's 16 years!

Happy Birthday Ci!
I love ya to death
and I MISS YOU so much!

My life is absolutely SO MUCH BETTER because of you!

When I was little, I remember the one thing I prayed for every night and wished for on shooting stars whenever I saw them: A BEST FRIEND!

IT WORKED!!!

You have been and are a great blessing to me!

HAVE A TERRIFIC DAY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CIARA

I know it's tomorrow (the 26th) but I am leaving this morning to go camping with Anika and B! I have been thinking a lot lately of all the little fun things we did that made life happy. Like the pea. And sleeping outside more than inside. The rooster alarm clock, Omar and Diane. I'll leave you with this:

with beauty before me I walk,
with beauty behind me I walk,
with beauty above me I walk,
with beauty below me I walk,
with beauty all around me,
I walk.

Remember that?

I love you dearly, bosom buddy.
I hope you have a good day tomorrow and get to be pampered with a pedicure or something great! Enjoy our last year of our twenties!

strokin' out

Is it just me or are you also unable to quit sweating? I know summer is here because I showered three times today. Remember Nicole's New York apartment and my repeated showers? So is it my body's thermostat or my loathing for feeling gross? Hot, yes. Humid, no. I'm counting my dry blessings.

Williams - Tumbling Showcase

Sage - Tumbling Showcase

She has been taking tumbling for a few months and today was their big show.

Williams - 1/2 Marathon

Ashley

Meredith (Bryan's wife)

Bryan

Keren (Mom)

Herb on left

The 5 Williams 1/2 Marathoners

The rest of us raced in the car to mile 4 and mile 10 to cheer on our tired runners.

Boy are we tired!

Williams - I Can Breathe

Well, I can breathe easier. If it weren't for this seasonal allergy issue I am having which I have never had before I might be able to breathe easier. I survived an extremely busy couple of weeks.

I completed the last item on my agenda and that was teaching RS today in church. I taught a lesson on the Holy Ghost and it went really well. Atleast I felt great about it. Enrichment is over, Herb is home from his business trip, and my 4th year overnighter is done.

We had a few tent mishaps and bike crashes but other than that I would say it was a success. I will post a few classic photos from the event. One girl crashed so hard on her bike down a really steep hill because her brakes weren't working. I have never seen someone crash so hard in my life. We cleaned her up, got her a different bike, and she finished the rest of the trail. She was a trooper.

Herb and his friend Aaron (Our fearless Priesthood holders)

Tent with three wrong sized poles. This group of girls brought a gigantic tent and the wrong poles. Herb and Aaron had to figure something out with some rope and the poles they brought. This is the result of the Tepee Tent

Herb and I riding Tandum. Don't we look dorky!

Now the only thing I have left is to finish out my course for school. Two more weeks and then summer vacation. Anyone want to visit me?