All camped out.

I work one week a year, and it happened to be this past week. (Yes, I know I work EVERY week of the year, but I mean actual paid labor away from my chillens). Luckily it's really fun work, where I get to dress crazily, teach elementary school-aged kids about problem-solving and creativity, and hang out with a staff comprised of really adorable teenagers and random family members - Camp Invention! It's a summer day camp through the National Inventor's Hall of Fame, and my mom got involved with it as a teacher ten or eleven years ago. I started out as a counselor back then and now co-direct the Nampa camp with my mom and help out with a couple of the modules (see last year's brief recap).

Me, my mom, and my awesome cousin Amanda, who was the other teacher at Camp. Wednesday was group color day - the kids come all decked out in red, yellow, or blue depending which group they're in. We picked random other colors as to not choose sides among the groups :).

My awesome brother Cody came and worked as the Blue Group counselor.

I spent one afternoon outside creating soap bubbles with the kids and the sprinklers came on, so I let the kids run the length of the field and back once - here some of the super cute yellow group kids (including my cousin's sweet daughter Kara) are challenging me to a race. I did not win.

My favorite camper from last year, Neal, came back as a junior counselor this year, yay! Thursday was crazy outfit day. You should have seen me from the waist down - plaid shorts with my swim skirt on top :). As I was leaving the house that morning, Clyde was very concerned that I was wearing one blue Croc and one red Croc. It seriously cracked me up that THAT was what he was concerned about upon looking at me - apparently the rest of the ensemble didn't faze him at all.

Oh, the goofy boys I got to boss around all week - Logan and Josh (red and yellow group counselors, respectively), and Neal and Grayson (junior counselors, aka unpaid servants). They were all such sweet boys and I had tons of fun teasing them and ordering them around and they all put up with it very well!

This pretty much sums up one of the classes I was in charge of - I Can Invent. At the beginning of the week, the kids bring an old appliance that doesn't work anymore and we slap safety goggles on them and give them screwdrivers to take it all apart. Then they put it all back together as some sort of new invention - this was a robot, I think. SO much fun!

One morning in base camp (the cafeteria, where we started and ended each day of camp) we were letting the kids doodle with markers on their paper-covered tables. I reminded the campers that I love seeing 'Jana rocks!' written on tables, and that afternoon I went around with my camera to document some of the obliging graffiti:

The red group was the youngest - kids going into first and second grades. Can you tell? :)

It should be pointed out that my mom actually spelled her name 'Pamb' on her nametag - she thinks it's hilarious and tells people it rhymes with 'lamb'. That's why we love her!!

One of my favorites - I rook!

My darling first cousin once removed Rachel did these - sooo sweet!

Somehow 'Jana' became 'lang'. I like it.

The yellow group was not quite as adoring, but that's all right.

Logan was a super cute girl in the blue group. Funny story: to differentiate between camper Logan and counselor Logan, Amanda spotted shaggy-hair counselor Logan's hazy resemblance to Justin Beiber (scroll back up the picture and note that the hair done in multiple little ponytails for crazy outfit day is usually swept across his forehead, ala Beiber) and promptly christened him 'Beiber Logan.' We called him that all week and laughed every time we said his name!

Kenzie was a returning camper (for the third year, I think) and such a doll.

Camp Invention was really, really fun and my sweet husband made it much less stressful by taking a couple days off of work so he could stay home with the boys during the day all week while I was gone. Naturally, they had all sorts of fun and Chuck even had a delicious dinner ready every day for not only me, but my mom and Cody as well. AND he spent three of the evenings helping a friend paint his house - such a superstar! Thanks sweetheart!!

As luck would have it, my 'camp' adventures did not end Friday evening after the Camp Invention clean-up since Cub Scout Day Camp was bright and early Saturday morning!

Our Pack 101 flag - most of the other Packs had super cool fabric flags. I don't do fabric; I do paper and posterboard. . . but I thought it turned out pretty cute!

The boys had an excellent time - we weeded in the community garden, shot BB guns,

made our own ice cream, made bottle rockets,
learned about how to be safe when dealing with strangers with Officer Matt,

worked on some physical fitness requirements,
and did some archery!

Also, I made some time for a quick self-portrait. Shocking, right?

Aaaaand, that was my super fun week o' camp!

Elder Braden's final t-shirt

Today is my brother Quinn's 21st birthday, hooray! I've created a bit of a tradition of making him a t-shirt with a picture of the boys for Christmases and birthdays while he's gone so I started brainstorming about this t-shirt a few weeks ago. Clyde is super into Star Wars right now, as was young Quinn, so I wanted to incorporate that somehow without going the standard 'May the force be with you' route. I googled Star Wars quotes but couldn't seem to come across anything that really struck me, so I figured I'd do a photo shoot first and come up with the wording later.

(Sidenote: Chuck and I did find a funny (but way too harsh for this our purposes) quote - Han Solo as they're flying away from the about-to-explode Death Star in Episode IV: "You're all clear, kid. Now let's blow this thing and go home!")

So after we got home from helping at the orchard one night I corralled the little boys (already wearing coordinating Star Wars t-shirts!) into the living room and armed each one with a 'light saber' aka 'pool noodle cut in half' and let the magic happen.
(And by magic, I obviously mean frustration and desperation as I try to get a decent shot of both boys looking somewhat cute).

Witness Protection Jedi knights. Maybe we'll turn into one of those blogs that doesn't publicize their children's names or show their faces.

Will jumped ship (er, couch) so it's a solo shot of Clyde. . . who looks entirely too happy to be outfitted with a weapon and given free range to have a go at his younger brother.

Luckily for Will, Jedi Clyde uses the force to guide his light saber rather than eyesight. The force may or may not be strong with this one.

(Jana's thought process becomes: Maybe something posed by the wall will click . . . literally and figuratively.) Hmm, maybe we'll just hide Clyde's face. Also, does anyone else feel like Will's gunning straight for them? I did.

Will ponders General Grievous' early success and decides that multiple light sabers are ideal. Unfortunately, Clyde refuses to comply.

So Will opts to channel his inner Darth Maul and use the reddish one. I decide to channel my inner goose girl and corral him back to the wall next to his brother. . .

Who is still feeling a little camera shy. Hey, Quinn's going to see him in person in a couple of weeks, who needs the kid's face on the t-shirt too, right?

I DO!! So I gently coaxed the light saber down to Clyde's side, during which time Will seized the opportunity to flee.

So I seized the opportunity to try for another solo shot of Clyde. I asked for a smile; this is what I got. Sigh.

However, it's actually pretty great in comparison to what awaited me when I finally found Will and returned him to his spot:
Yeah, it became very apparent that these younglings were ready to be done! So off they went to bed, and off I went to the computer to attempt to utilize all of my creativity/wit/googling power.

And here is the final product, safely shipped to Quinner last week
(quote courtesy of Yoda in Episode I):

(click to enlarge)
Happy birthday, Elder Braden!

Sixes

Six days ago, Chuck and I celebrated our sixth anniversary.

Grandma Pam watched the boys for us overnight so we could go out on a camping adventure. In honor of the World Cup, I wore a soccer-y shirt (granted, it's Ireland, but the D.I. didn't have a USA shirt) and in honor of Boise State accepting an invitation to move to the Mountain West Conference, Chuck wore a BSU shirt (also because it was a day ending in 'y').

My very handsome Eagle Scout provided an excellent fire and dinner.

I provided random self-portraits.

And Idaho provided beautiful scenery!


Six months ago exactly, I graduated from college with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. (I put it to good use blogging). I never properly documented the day since it happened right before a family wedding and Christmas. . . and I'm lazy.

Our family! These three boys were SO very patient and supportive while I went to school. I'm so grateful for Chuck's continual encouragement - and willingness to pick up the slack at home, especially the evenings I was at class or the days before a big paper was due. My collegiate experience was definitely not typical (Chuck and I got engaged a month into my freshman year, and I spent my junior year spring break having a baby) and it took me a little bit longer (lots of people go to college for six-and-a-half years!) but I wouldn't trade my husband and sons for anything.

My wonderful dad - I'm his first child to graduate from college! He's always been really good at keeping track of what classes I was enrolled in each semester and taking an interest in the different things I was learning. There was a big crowd at graduation and Chuck and the boys were on the side opposite me, but my dad found a seat within my line of sight and it meant so much to be able to see him there. (I was pretty bummed that none of my brothers could make it, but Sam was able to watch it live online and we texted back and forth quite a bit during the ceremony, which was super fun).

My sweet, sweet parents-in-law made a whirlwind trip up to be there to support me. Unfortunately, this is the only picture we have that documents their attendance there, BUT I really appreciate them and their encouragement!!

That night we had a little shindig to celebrate my achievement - thanks to everyone who dropped by to offer their congratulations!!

My aunt Iris and uncle Larry and my MOM! Iris and Larry have always been so supportive of me and have made such an effort to be at special events. And what can I even say about my mom? She has consistently believed in me and sacrificed a great deal so that I could go to college, both at BYU before I got married and Boise State afterwards. During my last three semesters of school, she consistently gave up one to two evenings a week to watch Clyde and Will. She was, of course, happy to do it, but it was still a pretty serious time commitment for a busy schoolteacher. Thanks Mama!!

And this last one is a bit of a stretch, but six days from now, there will only be six days left until this baby brother of mine comes home from his two-year mission for our church:

It's kind of freaking me out a little that it's almost time for him to come home. He's had some amazing experiences and provided some amazing service and met some amazing people (some of whom I've been able to get to know too, facebook is wonderful!!) and I'm excited to see firsthand how he's grown over the last two years.

And of course, I'm excited to have my best friend more easily accessible! Let's face it, who wouldn't love this goofy kid?

Around Christmas 2007, we all went bowling with my dad. I had Quinn take a quick picture of Chuck and I . . . and then I took a picture of Sam and Terri . . . and Quinn figured he'd practice for the eventual time when he'd have someone to take a picture with :).

This is one of my favorite pictures ever - Sam, Clyde, and Quinn. Clyde and I had just flown into Salt Lake to meet my mom and drive back to Idaho with her, so Sam and Quinn picked us up. Such doting uncles!!

And I'm definitely excited to find more pictures like this on my camera. Taking random self-portraits? No wonder we get along so well!

Memorial Day weekend with Grandma and Pops!

We were excited to have Chuck's parents visit us over Memorial Day weekend. They drove up early Saturday morning and left Monday afternoon, but we fit a lot into those few days!!

We spent Saturday afternoon at the Discovery Center in Boise. The little boys are both too young to understand all of the science (I'm too 'not scientifically-minded' to understand all of the science) but they still had an excellent time checking out all of the little exhibits.

There was something to be learned here about static, but all Will knew was that he was being allowed to play in a sink with running water!!

There's a little 'store', complete with pretend food, carts, and even checkout stands for the kids to play in; Will LOVED it.

Will and Chuck making echoes :).

Will borrowing Harry Potter's invisibility cloak!
(Well, really just draped with green fabric in front of a green screen, but whatever. I heart HP.)

Clyde and Grandma playing with the beach ball and the, uh, reverse vacuum thing (I repeat, science is not my thing).

Clyde and some sort of tornado illustration. A little eerie since a tornado-type formation hit Boise a couple of days later . . .

Clyde and Grandpa and the wheel o' death - well, that's what I called it. I was so sure Will was going to walk right into it as it was spinning, but luckily that didn't happen. It was something about spinning and tossing the animals just right so that they would land and join the spin.

Chuck built some sort of arch. Good job, babe! I wish I understood the scientific significance (well, I actually don't, but it sure looks great!!)

Ahh, resorting to a self-portrait in the funny mirror exhibit so that there's proof I was in attendance :).

Chuck gave Will a ride in the little chair lift - he LOVED it, especially the 'free fall' down!

Sunday we utilized our fabulous new fire pit to cook tin foil dinners and s'mores.
Mmmm, marshmallows! I have all sorts of excellent intentions for a post all about our backyard renovations, but for now please admire the BEAUTIFUL grass and disregard the unfinished area immediately surrounding the fire pit.

Classic. Right down to the Star Wars t-shirt.

The 'long' weekend ended all too quickly (although we also fit in a couple of meals out, some playground fun, and a walk around our neighborhood) and we sent Grandma and Pops on their way. Luckily for us, they left a couple things for us to remember them by:

1. A lovely and spacious new tent!! We've outgrown our little two man tent and so Dave and Chuck found this upgrade at Cabela's. Its maiden camping voyage will be this weekend as Chuck and I head out to celebrate our anniversary, and then in July it will hold all four of us when we camp at Lagoon with all of Chuck's family - thanks Pops!!

2. Homemade salsa! Terri whipped this really fabulous papaya salsa up on Sunday afternoon and I'm pretty sure I ate half of the batch by myself. She planned to make a mango salsa but the limited produce selection at the store dictated that papaya be substituted and it turned out amazingly! Although it definitely started me on a kick - after I finished it off I picked up a container of mango salsa at Costco that likewise disappeared quickly. I'll be replenishing that again tomorrow :).

Thanks again for coming, Grandma and Pops! We love you!!