Where I left off.

I have a lot o' catch-up to do, but decided to do it incrementally, so as not to take my entire day (and an eternal post) to do it.

Let's jump back to June... and Girls Camp.

Mar was a 4th year, so she got to do the the long 3 day/2 night 4th year hike.

We got her ready in a very haphazard manner... bits and pieces here and there. Mar had invited two of our non-member neighbors (and Mar's life-long friends) to join her on the hike. It all came together in the end, which I suppose is what matters, right? Since this wasn't our first rodeo (Lex and Shi also participated here and here - Britt missed her year due to cheer camp, I believe), I wasn't too stressed about the practice hikes and pack weigh-ins. Besides, Bill was a Scoutmaster for years, and lemme tell ya, he knows how to stuff a backpack (keeping the weight-to-hiker ratio down, of course).

The only thing I slightly worried about was Mar's reaction to freeze-dried food, as she had not previously tried it. I knew, however, that she wouldn't starve (as in "starve to death" haha).

We dropped off their packs the night before they headed out.

Early the next morning, Bill drove Mar and her pals to the drop-off location and waved them goodbye.

We went to camp for Bishop's night a few days later (one of the very very few perks of being the Bishop's wife haha), and arrived just at the exact moment the 4th years were hiking into camp.

They survived!

 It's a tradition for the 1st years to carry the backpacks of the 4th years when they get into camp. Aren't those cute 1st years adorable?

Also tradition in our ward to give the 4th years a good foot soak and a shampoo.

We have the BEST YW leaders.

It was so fun to be present as the girls laughed and chatted about their adventures. We have a really funny Stake Presidency member that went on the hike, so there were a lot o' laughs along the way. The girls had broken their boards (I thought I had posted years back about this tradition in our Stake, but I can't find it... let it be said that I'm not a fan) prior to hiking into camp. Mar did NOT karate chop her board efficiently enough to break it by hand, so she told us she did it Shi-style and stomped on the dang thing (after endlessly trying until her hand was sore and red). When I saw her board, I could see why. I should have told her not to take a board with a big knarly knot in the middle of it. She wasn't that disappointed (Shilo had tears when she couldn't break her board), so I let it go.

Post posting note: I couldn't resist sharing a few pics of Lex and Shi's 4th year hikes, since I obviously haven't shared much previously (1 picture each).

Circa 2009. Bill and I went on this hike, and it was dang hard. Not to mention our group got a little lost (thanks to a poorly marked trail) and ended up walking at least 5 miles more than everyone else. All uphill. No joke.

Circa 2011. I was the camp cook for our ward, so was lucky enough to be at camp when the 4th years came hiking in. Also in both collages is the board breaking ceremony. I am not a fan.

Back to 2016, the Stake theme for camp this year was
"We Are All Enlisted."

Bill and I spent the afternoon and evening with the girls from our ward as they worked on crafts, had dinner, watched the 4th year skit with all the wards in the Stake, and listened to a message from our Stake President.

After the meeting the wards separated for testimony meetings. 

Such a great part of Girls Camp.

Bill and I spent the night, and helped pack up the following morning.

It is bad that I'm secretly celebrating the end of 4th year hikes (and board breaking) for our family?
{I think I'm tired. And old.}

Next up: Father's Day.