Michael's 12!!!

Michael turned 12 last week, and had a great time at his party. They had a water balloon fight, played 7-11 (we just can't get away from that game, it's everyone's favorite), had a cake decorating contest, watched a movie with Janessa's projector (Thank you!), and did sparklers. The cake decorating got pretty out of hand, with Andrew's face going into his cake. Did I say 12 year olds? They had fun, and I am done with parties for a while, YEAH! I love the video of Michael's cake, we used trick candles, and it was a blazing inferno!

Family Reunion

We had an Adamson reunion last week right outside of Portland and had a great time together. We stayed in cabins at a campsite that was small enough that we reserved the whole area. We had a lot of room to play games, have fires, and explore. It was great! All of the kids had a terrific time together and got along very well. I think the best part was playing Capture the Flag--it was a lot of fun, although I felt like a bully trying to take out the Beck kids! We also had a barbecue at Jared's house for the 4th of July along with fireworks, went on a couple of short hikes to see waterfalls at Silver Falls, and talked about our family heritage. It's nice to be close enough that we can get together each year.Josh and Hailey

Lindsay, Rebekah with Jade, Camille. Rachel was carrying the puppy for most of the reunion, so it's funny that I didn't get any pictures with her holding Teddy.

Michael giving rides to his cousins - this was all fun and good until the wheelbarrow tipped, and then it wasn't so much fun anymore. Sorry Tavis and Hailey!

Dallin, Rachel and Johnathan roasting marshmallowsRachel, Elizabeth and Rebekah
Ashley and Rachel
Michael the firestarter - this is always his favorite part of camping!
kids playing Red Rover -
The other Red rover team - big size difference, Hmmm, I wonder who won?

Youth Trek

Before the pioneer trek
After the pioneer trek



Josh went on a four day pioneer trek to Southeastern Washington. It was a wonderful experience for him. I love the before and after pictures, Josh was quite a sight when I picked him up. The temperature had gotten up to 108 degrees their last couple of days, so most of the kids were pretty burned, and everyone was tired. Josh's favorite part of the trek was a dance they had. They did some square dancing, and ended with dances like YMCA. Not quite pioneer era, but they had a great time. The last day as the buses were heading home it was so hot that our stake president had the buses stop at a gas station and bought all the kids drinks. I have a great imagination when it comes to that one, 200 kids getting off of buses dressed as pioneers, and all of them FILTHY! I wonder what the people at the convenience store thought? It must have been quite a sight.
I am so grateful for this opportunity that the kids had to learn about their pioneer heritage. They pushed handcarts over about 22 miles, and even though they had it much easier than the pioneers (such as beautifully prepared meals), I think that in a small way they are able to appreciate some of what the pioneers endured. I hope that Paul and I can go with them some time in the future - it seems like such an amazing experience.