This is how it's done girls!

I am the girls camp leader for the our ward.  This past camp was my 4th year.  Every year I plan for 6 months every little detail of camp.  It is a HUGE job to take care of 26 teenage girls and their leaders for a week.  Entertainment, Menus, Crafts, Little dodads and thoughts, Sleeping, Cleaning and Cooking list...ect!  Every year I get teased by my boys, especially Scott (who is a scout leader), about how much effort and time we put into our camp.  This year the boys went to Sand Hollow and I learned how it is done in Boyville!  Take all the boys shopping with you on the way to your campout (cold cereal breakfast, sandwiches lunch, and a can of chili or stew for dinner) EVERYDAY.  Play hard boating, Repelling, Hiking, Bike Riding, Swimming, WEARING SHORTS AND NO SHIRTS ect....( the girls are allowed to Hike), then pull up to some random church parking lot and spend the night.

All kidding aside, the boys had a great time at scout camp. The real reason they camped in the parking lot was a huge dust storm came in and they had to hustle to pack everything up and move away.  I'm so thankful for all the men in our ward who take time off work to spend with these boys.

Clear Creek for Nikki

Austin loved Clear Creek week. Jess tolerated it and Sidney thought it was OK.  I warned Nikki of this when she wanted to sign up to go.  She of course had to try the week away from family and friends at age 11 for herself.  I knew she would get super home sick but I never dreamed she would cry and have anxiety for weeks before the big event.  It was so hard to send her but I knew this would be one of those giant growing times in life we just have to get through.  She cried and I cried getting her off on the bus.  Once she was there she had a better time then Sid or Jess and had many stories to tell.  Most importantly she learned a valuable lesson that she could do hard things and conquer her fears!  This pic is of all her friends that went with her to clear creek.  Kelsie came home after the first day with a broken leg and showed up to welcome the girls back.

Nikki's first triathalon

We are proud to announce every Snowden girl has completed a tri now.  I really want my kids to learn the love of a great workout and wanting to keep their bodies healthy and happy!  We are an energetic bunch and there is no better way to get the energy our than a great workout!  Nikki ran a mile, biked 3 miles and then swam 300 meters.  She loved it and we all loved cheering her on.  Great Job Nikki!  Next year Women of Steele with us!!

Football season is upon us??

Last night was austins scrimmage game! His first game is this Friday. He just went through "heck"week and hated it. I was so glad for him last night when he went off to a party with all his friends. Waking up for foot all every morning at 7:00 am sucks, having to go back at 3-6 sucks even worse but.... Having football for a straight week from 8am - 9pm is really really SUCKY! Even though Austin is small he works somhard to be a great contributing member of the team. I'm so excited for him. The booster club (which I'm a part of) put together a big luau for the football boys and their families last night. It was so fun. I think everyone enjoyed the night together. I am getting to know tons of new friends through football and I love it.
Conner has started football practices also. He goes 4 times a week. He loves it and is tackling even the biggest kids! He is playing for a mini Viking team right now but always wears his timber wolf jersey to practice. I think it makes the kids want to tackle him more for having a rivalries jersey on. I told conner this and he said he doesn't care he is still going to be a twolf. He then had me buy him a twolf tshirt last night to wear under his jersey! Crazy stubborn kid is going to get into soooooo much trouble one day!

Hard things are just Hard :)

Sidney attended OYA this past week.  The adventurous side of EFY.  I can't say she loved it but she faced a lot of things that were hard for her and took them on full speed.  I couldn't be prouder of her.  She went there all alone and had to make a lot of new friends.  She is a little shy when it comes to this and she said she did a great job.  She faced many fears and did scary hard things everyday.  I've got to post her pictures ASAP when this dang computer will let me.  She spent a day in the pouring rain, slept with bugs and strangers for 4 nights and had a 8 hour bus ride there and back.  She came back saying she never wanted to do it again and wanted to come home after the first day BUT said she was so glad she did it and will never forget all the things that happened that week.  Isn't that what our life is all about? Going through the hard ships to learn and grow and then being thankful for those challneges!  Love You Sidney! You're my Hero and I look up to you in so many ways!!

scotty's B-day

Why can't pictures download on my Blog! Sad day I want to put up my cute pics. I have the most thoughtful husband around. I know I have blogged about his 6 days of Scott before but I really can't get over what a sweet idea it was to come up with and the fact that he takes care of everything himself. I am as surprised as the kids to find out what is next.
Well this year we surprised him with his own scavenger hunt. The kids got together and made it up themselves. They really got revenge on him too. He has sent them on some pretty wild chases looking for their gifts in the past years. Scott was looking high and low, asking for help, and seeming all together lost on some of the clues. He had a blast and so did the kids. In the end he found a great present thought up by Austin

Afterwards we rode our bikes to Magelbys Fresh (Kneaders is 10 times better in price and taste we all decided). We then packed up and took the kids to see SALT. Conner and Nikki went to see DECPICABLE ME for the second time. ( LOved LoVed that Movie) Salt was OK.

AfTer the Movie we decided to run the Provo River. Actually our River has a Few exciting Moments. It was a blast. Then we created CulDeSac Fire with Strawberry Shortcake and Rootbeer Floats and Most of the Family came over.

IT WAS A GREAT BIRTHDAY!!!

Catch up time Again!! National Champs SODC and Sid

Sidney attended LA Dance Magic Nationals is Irvine CA last week! Our family tagged along to play and watch her dance. She informed me the first day that "I am not a part of your family vacation. I am here to dance and that is all I'm going to think about!" HAHA that is certainly what she did. Not only was she only one of two dancers to receive a National Year Long Scholarship in the TEEN division! (The hardest division to win) Her team won nationals! They ended bringing home over $3000.00! It was a great weekend for Sidney! She said she had the time of her life! I love the things dance has given to my girls. They learn dedication, hard work, team work and passion for something they love!! They always have 10 or so best girl friends to help them through the rough times and have confidence that they can do hard things! I hope my girls keep their love of dance through life! :)