ARCHES National Park
Our second day of "vacationing" was spent in Arches National Park. Our timing was perfect--both my parents, brother, and sister (along with her family) also stopped at the park on their way to the reunion so our circle of family grew as we visited the park.

 I absolutely love God's creations. Every time I have the opportunity of beholding my Heavenly Father's amazing creations something stirs within me that brings me closer to my maker and to the people I love. The Arches National Park was no different--I was amazed as my eyes scanned each horizon within the park, and my soul felt a closeness to my family, and my God. I am grateful we were able to visit such an amazing place.

We were able to hike through many different terrains. Here are a few pictures depicting our adventures:

HIKE 1

My family is always goofing around. Here is a picture that illustrates just how "goofy" they can be.

Waterhole Amidst Desert

HIKE 2; Double Arches

HIKE 3; SAND DUNE ARCH

 HIKE 4; Delicate Arch

LAGOON; July 26

This year the Elkington family reunion was held in Blanding, UT. To break up the long drive, we decided to "vacation" along the way. Our first day of "vacationing" was spent at Lagoon.

I love family bonding. I love anything that promotes family bonding. Right now in our lives, I feel particularly blessed that (for the most part) my kids enjoy eachother, and our time spent together truly is a bonding experience. Lagoon was no exception.

Girl's Camp; July 10-22

 Girl's camp. Just saying this simple phrase brings a memory to every girl or woman who has ever had the opportunity of attending girl's camp. Memories of camping, hiking, swimming, and all out laughing. Girl's camp is a time of bonding. It is a time for growing both spiritually and physically. Girl's Camp. With these two words each and every girl and woman has to take a moment and smile.

This year girl's camp held many memories for me. Memories that were precious at the time, but much more precious afterward. It was two weeks after girl's camp that I was informed of my release. I remember sitting in the bishop's office feeling a bit surreal that my time as YW's President had come to a close. If it wasn't a calling from the Lord, I would have argued, and insisted that I was still capable and able of fulfilling my duties and responsibilities; however, because of my faith and my knowledge of the plan, I understood that the Lord is overall, and if the bishop felt it was time for my release--well then, it was time for my release. It was a difficult time for me. A time of sadness, but also a time for growth. Slowly I started receiving the inspiration I needed to sustain me. I began to understand the Lord's timing and I began to embrace the idea of the new presidency. The Lord granted me an understanding that the new presidency was exactly what these beautiful young women needed, and although I would miss them terribly--I wanted what was best for them because I loved them. I loved them with all of my heart. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for the time I spent as YW's President. I have never cried or laughed so much in my life--I grew so much from my experiences, and I will cherish it always. And so...here is another year at girl's camp, and a close of a chapter for me...a chapter full of memories, full of love, and full of growth.

Sister Olsen and Hailee prior to Hiking

Sister VanderLinden started a game of pine cone soccer. It was a riot!

Eating Lunch by the lake after hiking for 3 miles.

I love Stacia Bates, and I absolutely love this picture of her!

Alexa Phillips. Alexa was using a knife her father had given her, and slipped creating a deep cut in her wrist. I almost died. Gratefully, she was okay. She was brave and an example of persevering.

Scripture study. We set a time aside every day in which we could study our scriptures. The girls were fantastic at this challenge!

Kennedy and Ashley preparing for SKITS

Katie Canning, Kennedy Haskell, Ashley Olsen, Ashley Perez, Cheyenne Hall, Brooke Tarbet, and Ashley with our SERVICE PROJECT. We painted pictures for a women's shelter.

Free Fall. We had so much fun playing games. One of the games we played was called free fall. In order to play we had to fall backwards into the outstretched arms that were waiting to catch us from certain death. The trick--trusting those were doing the catching. I absolutely loved this game! It not only taught us about trust, but it also brought unity to our group! So FUN!

Alexa Phillips ready to fall. Most of the YW and Leaders participated in the Trust Fall.

Obstacle Course

Obstacle Course

FREE FALL ROUND 2
When the bishop arrived, we convinced him to allow us to catch him.

We were confident...the bishop wasn't quite so sure...

Polar Bear Plunge. The girls were awarded a prize if they were able to run into the frigid water during the early morning hours.

FOURTH OF JULY; Idaho Falls 2011
 I love driving home. There is just something about my childhood experiences that brings a sense of nostalgia. I like to be left to my own thoughts as my eyes scan the horizon and behold miles and miles of open farm land, cows grazing in pastures, and the rolling hills.  As I drink in the landscape, years of childhood experiences brings a calm to my soul. Something about fishing with my dad, hiking the nearest hill, horseback riding on a cattle drive, and feeding the cows that simply brings a sense of peace. As I drive, I often find myself missing the farm...missing my childhood experiences. With that being said, after years of being away from the farm--I have definitely developed into a true blue city girl (as my dad calls me). No matter how much I love the farm, I do not miss the dust blowing in my face on a windy day, or the manure in the house from the men's shoes. No..., I do not miss the dirt and the grime that go hand in hand with farming, but I do miss the memories shared, the character developed, and the sense of belonging to something greater than myself. Farm life was not easy--nor was it clean, but somehow through the dirt and the grime children grew into hard working adults who knew what it meant to have fun simply by being together! If only I could give my children the same experiences I enjoyed as a youth...., which leaves me to conclude: I will always be a farm girl at heart!

Fourth of July is a difficult holiday for my family. Fifteen years ago my older brother passed away on the third of July. Ever since--there is somewhat of a struggle each and every Fourth of July. An internal struggle. A struggle only noticed by those of us in the family.... We still have fun, we still laugh, we still enjoy fireworks, fishing, and eating...but, somehow Eric's presence is missed more during the celebration of the Fourth of July than any other holiday. Perhaps it is because he died so close to the Fourth that a memory is sparked of so many years ago. The holiday is somehow a reminder of who we are missing, and he is missed all the more. With that being said, missing him also reminds us of our Heavenly Father's plan of happiness, and it serves as a reminder that we truly believe that we will see him again. And although we wish he were still with us, we are grateful to know that this life is not the end, which knowledge provides us with peace, and happiness. And so, with a memory of Eric intertwined with the knowledge of our Heavenly Father's plan, we celebrate!

OUR CELEBRATION OF THE FOURTH OF JULY:

 FIREWORKS

HORSEBACK RIDING

FISHING