Here's the Scoop

So, it's been a crazy two weeks. But I will do my best to review everything and if I forget something then forgive me :) So after my little sister and her family left, we just hung out waiting for the storm of people and craziness to come. We had a soccer game or two and I was getting really oriented with things in YW (stake training, presidency mtgs, and major drama keeping me out until 11pm two nights). Then Robert's sister, Lisa, and her family came for a visit. They joined us for church and for the monthly family dinner on Sunday at Robert's aunt's house in IF. Monday we just kinda hung out and chatted and I finally learned how to make ribbon roses (now I just need to go make a hundred or so in order to get it down pat). Then the craziness came. I left for Girl's Camp early Tuesday morning (Eric and Lisa were still visiting until Wednesday morning and then we had Robert's cousin and her family come Wednesday to Friday).
Unfortunately my camera decided to go nuts, so I only have a couple pictures from the first day and that is it!

 Day 1: we drove to Lava Hot Springs where we proceeded to float the "calmest and shortest" section of the river. Ended up losing several girls off the tubes and having to be rescued. There were many scrapes, bumps,  and bruises. But all in all it was a blast! Then we finished the drive to our campsite and we set up the tents and then had the 8th Ward traditional spaghetti dinner that you eat without utensils. That is what all the pictures are from. We also went on a hike after dark, which was pretty cool.

This girl's dad smashed her face into her plate and she had quite a good time playing it up!
Day 2: Everyone got to enjoy the big 5 mile hike. We drove to some ice caves and then hiked all the way back to camp. It was a beautiful day and the hike wasn't too bad. At the end, though, we were faced with the choice to go up, over, and down a big hill or continue down the road we were on, but go an extra 2 miles. Many of us chose the hill, but it was tough and left many of us sore the next day. The afternoon we spent playing games, chatting, and finally got around to doing camp certification. That night we split the girls into three groups and had them come up with skits using items they were given in a bag. It was quite funny to see what came together and us leaders did one as well reviewing some of the highlights of camp up to that point.
Day 3: the fun day! We went and did the tour at the Minetonka (?) Caves. It was quite chilly and there were lots of cool things to see. Probably the biggest cave I have ever been in. There were 444 stairs in and we walked all of those back out, too. Talk about your workout! At the end, they turned out all of the lights and had the girls (well, I guess us leaders, too) walk a little ways out holding on to the railing, comparing it to holding on to the iron rod. Very cool! Then straight from the caves, we headed over to Bear Lake for three or four hours of water fun. It was great! Some of us washed our hair (or even went as far as to shave legs) and we buried people on the beach. One leader brought a parachute to play with in the water. It was a great time had by all. Then we came back and had yummy dutch oven pizza dinner made for us by the bishopric. We enjoyed some messages from the bishopric and then after dark we had our testimony meeting.
Day 4: We packed up and went home! I was so happy to go to camp, but also VERY happy to see my kids and husband again. It was a hard thing for me to leave them. But we all survived! I now have a very large appreciation for flushing toilets and my own bed.

But coming home from camp wasn't the end of our adventure. Four hours later we were packed up and headed out for Utah. My sister was going through the temple for the first time and all of us were able to be there for her special day. It was awesome! I had never been to the Bountiful Temple and just like all temples, it was beautiful in its own way. We enjoyed time talking with my family and some bowling. We went to sacrament meeting, then packed up and headed home with two extra kids and a new vehicle. I had offered to my parents to have my two younger brothers come stay with us for a week. So this week we are enjoying extra playmates and a luxury minivan to haul four kiddos around in. I'm still fairly certain I don't want one, though! :)
So that's it! I believe we are all caught up on what's been happening around here at the Skousen home. Hope your summers are going great! Sam is almost done with soccer (and even scored a goal in his game last night!) and then we begin swimming lessons for him and for me and Amy!