Mystery Missionary BYD

The BYD this month was a Mystery Missionary Panel. We had 6 returned missionaries, that live in our ward, hidden and the youth had to guess Who they were and Where they served. The youth were divided up in teams and given a list of all the people in our Ward that have served missions and another list of places they served. The youth were placed in the Relief Society room with the 6 panel members hidden in the Primary room. Jim Stewart provided a voice alteration system that kept the game interesting and hilarious.  Each team started out with 20 points and were docked 10 points for each missed question and awarded 15 points for each correct guess. They were not allowed to ask the contestants who they were or where they served. Other questions were open. Team ‘Wasted Potential’ won with 85 points. After all the missionaries were revealed the contestants and youth met in the gym for yummy apple cobbler provided by Brian Wolfe and the chance to view tables set up by the contestants, Bishopric and their wives.

Team - 'The Originals'

Team - 'USA'

Team - 'Wasted Potential'

The Mystery Missionaries

Team - 'Girl Trapped'

Team - 'Good Looking'

New Beginnings

The Laurels chose a Circus theme for New Beginnings, so Stephanie and I met to decorate the Young Women's room.  We opted for a Big Top Circus tent style decor for the front table.

I made some circus type signs with the girls' names. We also had the back of the room decorated with concession type food.  The Nieskens brought in their cotton candy and popcorn machines, and we also had hot dogs, peanuts, etc. I wish I would have gotten a picture when the food stations were all up and running.  Next time.  Maybe.

Brandon was asked to speak at the end.  The topic given was comparing our life to a Circus.  He entered as a Ring Master. He spoke about how we are the Ring Master of our own lives and what we choose to be the 'acts' of our show.  He also talked about how when our life gets crazy like a circus, a lot of people drop church because they don't have time or other things are more important.  But then, shouldn't that be the most important 'act' of our lives?

For the new Beehives, we welcomed them into our Circus of Young Women by crowning them circus animals.  We also have a girl that has been attending weekly with one of our Laurels for the past 6 months, so we welcomed her also, but as a clown.

When we got home, I got a text from a mother with this message. So sweet!

Scout Campout

Brandon went with the scouts on their monthly campout.  He took Hoss with him and they bad a blast.

 Hoss was able to go fishing and caught a fish!  They went to Dry Creek, outside of Westfall, Oregon.

Elk Hunting 2016

Every year when I go through the pictures of Elk Hunting I giggle.  It's always lots of pictures of their campsite and living quarters.

 I always wish they would take as much care of our actual house as they do their tent.

 Everything has it's place, it's clean, they put stuff away, and it's tidy.

 Maybe someday.

 Cortney Forsberg and his boys joined the 'Bull Run Outfitters' hunting group this year.

 I love that the boys will have other boys with them now.  Hopefully Brandon and Weston don't scare him off after this first year hunting together.

 And look!

A successful Elk Hunt this year leads me to believe that maybe they do actually go hunting and it's not just a dad vacation every year.

Our First Truck

We decided that we needed to purchase our own truck to haul Brandon's sprayer.  He found a good deal online, so he flew down to California to make the purchase and drive it home.  He had some problems and spent a few extra days down in LA getting it road worthy.

But once he figured it all out, he hit the road for home.

Here it is all set up with the trailer attached.  He plans to give it a paint job, and get a logo done, but for now, it's perfect.

Idaho Approved

Brandon is officially licensed in the state of Idaho!  How exciting!  Living so close to the border of Oregon and Idaho, many of his clients have ground in both states, he is now legal to kill in both states!

Add Another Candle

Brandon is one year wiser!  I love this man!  We opted for a cookie cake this year, and he loved it!

 Birthday spankings are our favorite!  We love Brandon so much and are lucky that we get to have him in our lives.  We wish we had more time with him this time of year, but during the winter we will snuggle him like crazy!

SchulSon Annual Adventure

We love the annual Schuthies/Johnson family 4 wheeler adventure!

I'm always amazed at the beautiful places they visit.

The scenery is always gorgeous.

I love these boys of mine!

Boone is loving being able to be big enough to go with the big boys.  He thinks he's pretty tough stuff.

Lunch on the trailer.  Easy peasy.

Father & Sons

Ah the Father & Son's campout!  One of my favorite times of the year.  I'm so grateful that Brandon is dedicated to taking the boys on this adventure.  Not many from our Ward attend this Stake activity so I'm happy that Brandon sees it's importance.

Look how excited Boone is to be hauling his own sleeping bag!

 They made their way to the river and played with friends.

 And you can't go to Camp Hycliff without enjoying the waterslide.

 Hoss took a ride on Diesel's back.

 Boone found content on the swing.