I See Trees of Green, Clouds of White...

We went camping earlier this week! We packed up the car (to the gills) for a quick overnighter to Mt. Charleston. We like Mt. Charleston because it's close to home, about as lush and green as Vegas gets, and 30 degrees cooler too. We purchased a new tent after our last camping trip simply because our last one had several weak stitches that had come apart in one use. Thanks to Costco it wasn't a big deal to return a tent that was purchased over a year ago and used once :)

I forgot to charge my silly camera battery so this is all I got:

The coleman instant tent! It's the easiest, quickest, most hassle-free family tent I've ever seen.

Emma's First Oreo

The View

The Family

Emma's first Band-aid, wouldn't have needed it if she left the scab alone.

Look at that curious face!

Life, it ain't Easy:

Hi, I'm Emma! Let me take you on a quick tour of 'A Day in the Life of Me'. I'll be including a few tips on how to deal with grown ups of all ages.

I like to start my day being pretty productive, find and gather 2 or more items that your grown ups say 'No, no!' It's a sure way to get their attention. My personal favorites are Mommy's purse, and Daddy's computer.

Next, when in public, show you're a big girl. Somebody is sure to point out to your parents how big you are...this may help grown ups understand that you don't need them to baby you so much. If you're lucky they'll even let you start playing with the toilet paper or remote.

If your grown ups have to take you somewhere boring, like the tire store, be sure to scope out whatever toys they may have. If it's a good toy that you'd like to own in your own home be cute and charming and give your full attention to the toy for at least 5 minutes. This is a sure way to communicate to your parents you like THAT toy.

All parents talk on the phone. There's nothing you can do about that. However, if you're grown up takes too long on the phone pull a quick 'uh-oh' move that will be sure to grab their attention.

The trick to staying out of trouble is limiting the amount of times you pull the same 'uh-oh'. Plus it never hurts to giggle and smile wide while your grown up stares at you in disbelief.

Well that about covers the basics. You'll find more tips on my blog: terrible_two.blogspot.com.

What I like about YOU:

LDS Living magazine had this quote, I appreciate the truth that's behind Emma Watson's statement...now if I can only convince the Las Vegas party girls to stop wearing mini skirts and less than swimsuit tops while around my husband at work-GROSS.

"I find the whole concept of being ‘sexy’ embarrassing and confusing. If I do an interview with photographs people desperately want to change me – dye my hair blonder, pluck my eyebrows, give me a fringe. Then there’s the choice of clothes. I know everyone wants a picture of me in a mini-skirt. But that’s not me. I feel uncomfortable. I’d never go out in a mini-skirt. It’s nothing to do with protecting the Hermione image. I wouldn’t do that. Personally, I don’t actually think it’s even that sexy. What’s sexy about saying, ‘I’m here with my boobs out and a short skirt, have a look at everything I’ve got?’ My idea of sexy is that less is more. The less you reveal the more people can wonder."

Stars and Stripes Forever:

Well this forth of July I had the BEST of intentions: fancy meal, coordinating red/white/blue dessert, big firework show, homemade ice cream-the works.

Well these things weren't accomplished in the slightest but it was still a GREAT holiday.

We started out at the Boulder City Parade...there's only one word to describe it: BORING!

We were deceived, things started out full of promise: fun ribbons, a quick air show, and a long line of floats...

They weren't floats, they were cars, most of them boring everyday sports cars what were either political in nature or advertising their local shop. Emma was a good sport and gave it a good try...

...but her efforts quickly melted to boredom!

We spent the rest of our night eating out (a grand Holiday treat for me), playing card games, and watching other people's fireworks while Emma was in bed. We made sure to buy an Emma sized box of fireworks before she hit the sack though. I think she enjoyed it. Next year will be even more fun.

It's Always Fun when Grandpa Comes...

Emma loves her Grandparents, all of them actually, but she holds a special place in her heart for her Grandpa Succo. I've been hearing a lot of "Where Papa go?", and "Phone! Papa?!"

We Succo's had a mini reunion in St. George just a few weeks ago. My grandma (Grammy is what we're calling her for Emma's sake) puts a lot of heartache and effort into getting our families together so we can rekindle our relationships and relax at the same time. I'm always grateful that Grammy does this, you never know who will show up and how things will turn out, but in my opinion our families are getting larger and more distant. I hardly know these people anymore-which makes me sad.

I couldn't list the amount of fun things we did and there's not room for many pictures so I'll do my best to narrow them down:

Brigham Young's St. George home (to help with the pain of Arthritis in the Winter)

Pine Valley: Home of the Oldest LDS Chapel, fashioned after the hull of a boat

Fun Fact: The Salt Lake Tabernacle holds a famous LDS organ that was build from the pine trees from this town. I never knew the organ was made of wood!

This cute town could hold a Summer home for me some day-I'll keep dreaming

Mountain Meadow Massacre Memorial Site

The St. George Temple-breathtaking

Ok that's plenty for now, perhaps I'll do round 2 later.

Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise:

While on our family vacation in Saint George (more on that later) we made sure to stop at Zion's national Park! We lathered up in sunscreen and put on our hats:

It was beautiful and very enjoyable. It was nice to see some water in the desert, a few falls were still showering down from the Spring Season.

Beautiful as it was, there's no denying how that sun can pack a punch. Even the wild life found some shade, or ice cream:

Happy Day, All is Well:

Be forewarned: This is not a silly, funny, or sarcastic post, but it is positive:

The youth (12-18 year olds) of our church were invited to participate in what we lovingly call 'the Trek'. It's a small and simple (in comparison) reproduction of what the early Latter-day Saints experienced while crossing the plains to get to Utah.

This week long endeavor for the youth includes wearing pioneer clothing:

(pictures from internet)

cooking over a campfire, pulling a handcart:

and re-living the hardships that early pioneers experienced in an effort to worship God.

Saturday, the last day of the trek, Shane was asked to meet at the stake center to help unload the trailers full of equipment. Emma and I went with Shane and we were met with very intense news that really struck me.

Within half a mile of the youth's final destination one of the leaders (a healthy 53 year old man) collapsed of a fatal heart attack.

The news has been riveting to our youth, they were shaken up by the reality of death. However, they have felt the Holy Spirit and have gained a deeper understanding of this life and its' purpose. Their testimonies and mine have been strengthened concerning God's Eternal Plan of Happiness. I was also touched deeply yesterday when I heard the conviction and love of this man's wife-she and her husband were asked previously to speak about the experiences on the Trek and this strong Sister did so.

I don't proclaim to understand all the doctrine of God's church, I have my questions and I look forward to a perfect knowledge someday. Yet I do know Heavenly Father loves us, He sent us to Earth to test our faith. He did not send us to fail, he gave us guides and helps through prophets, scriptures, the Holy Ghost and of course Jesus Christ.