Kelsi's Graduation and the Pioneer Trek

Have I mentioned how sweet this little bug is lately? She is so funny. If Alisa is whining, she is always prompt to say, "Mommy, I happy!" I'm glad she is getting happier and happier. She is just a joy.

 Kelsi graduated from Flag High in June. What a hot, hot day... for Flagstaff. I think it was in the 90's. We were a sweaty mess by the end. :) We are so proud. She and a friend sang a duet. She's so talented. Now she's at BYU... and I enjoy student life vicariously through her!

And where do I even begin with Trek? It was AMAZING. Seriously. Ok...

Our stake (all of our church in Flagstaff, Williams, the Grand Canyon) combined with Tuba City. The youth from 12-18 went. They put about 8-10 youth in each family with a "ma" and "pa" and a male and female "adult child." My mom was in charge of music, in-laws were ma and pa this year, Kelsi went, and I got to go as an adult youth. Shout out to Scott and my mom for juggling the kids while I was gone for 3 days!  My family was great. I can't even tell you how much I love all the kids that were in our family. I love ma and pa Hakes. It was incredible. We almost had to cancel it since the fire danger was so high. We were able to go in the end, but fire was not permitted. We could not bring deoderant, toothpaste, etc. It was quite the experience. One of my sisters put deoderant on her shirt. Good idea.

Day 1 we met, played some get to know you games, had a "remembering moment" where ma and pa shared a story from someone in the handcart trek back in the 1800s. We also packed our bags on the handcart. We had water on the back of the cart, and each carried a water cup to drink along the trek. We met with the entire group (about 2000 youth, I think) and sang some songs, had prayer, etc. We started trekking through the dusty, dusty woods. We were on a trail for a bit, off for awhile, on for a bit. It was rocky, dusty, dirty, hilly... we told jokes along the way and everyone warmed up quite a bit.

Kelsi's Graduation Campout

For graduation, Kelsi had a family campout. We had a blast. Scott's family lives in the woods, so it's fun to camp there. I think Brookie slept inside while the rest of us were in a tent. We had a fun time all together.

Luke, Brookie, Ashlyn

 Grandma Frost (so lucky to have her so close!) Scott and I, stuffing our faces. 

 Caleb, Bethi, Alisa

 Kelsi and Jake in the hammock

 S'mores by the firepit

 I think Brookie was terrified.

Brag Post... Aren't They All?

Jake has turned over a new leaf on the praying issue we had. He willingly says prayers now, and is very fervent and serious about them. It is so nice that he's growing up. Tonight he was thankful that we could live with Heavenly Father and Jesus again if we do what is right, and he asked God to "Bless Kelsi to be able to do what she can to get her tumors out by taking her medicine." My kids, including Brookie, pray for Kels at every opportunity, so that she can get her tumors out. They've tried branching out, praying for the doctors to help her, etc. I thought the medicine route was pretty... thoughtful and sweet. Jake is reading like a maniac. I took a video of it (for grandparent purposes) so when I load it on here, you'll have to watch a few seconds. Seriously, I am amazed and I feel like his school has been really good for him that way.

Alisa has the funniest phrases. She will always say "last time ago" when referring to anything in the past. She also refers to bedtime as "bednight" (i.e. Mom, when it is bednight and next morning it will be my birthday and my presents!") She is the sweetest girl, most of the time, singing and dancing away. She literally sings all the time, about everything. She also is a fantastic independent player. She will play with her little princesses or do a puzzle, or color or paint.

Brookie has become a real screamer, so I try to cherish the sweet moments. Tonight Jake was reading her a story and she just kept looking at me and laughing. It was spontaneous and delightful. She kept covering her mouth while laughing. It was fun. She also will put herself in time out. She likes the space to calm down alone, I think. If we are somewhere and I threaten time out, she will put her hands over her mouth to stop herself from screaming. It's pretty cute. Her favorite song is I Love to See the Temple. She LOVES shoes. She insists on wearing them through her nap and tries to put them on for bedtime. She's got old hand-me-down crocs, and her feet are a soggy, reeking mess by bath time. Lately, she likes sparkly shoes and flip flops.

Well, off to make a castle cake for princess #1's birthday tomorrow.