Sylvester and Zorro

It all started when Camille's friend begged her to join 4-H so they could take a sewing class together.

Unfortunately, when we got to the meeting we discovered that the sewing class had been moved to a night that just didn't work for us.

She wasn't too disappointed as apparently she didn't even want to take a sewing class... but she was fascinated by the kitten class.

I told her we'd have to talk to her dad about that one. Luckily for me he hates cats and was sure to veto the idea right off the bat.

What is it with little girls? She asked and he said yes!!!???

And now... Camille is the proud foster mother of two orphaned baby kittens.

Meet Sylvester

and Zorro!
Heaven help us all!
( At least she's learning a little patience!)

11-11-11

Eleven-eleven has always been a special number for Brad's family, so on 11-11-11 we joined up with the rest of the gang
for a day of family fun at the happiest place on earth!

We were a bit famous with our snazzy shirts- and perfect strangers insisted we have our picture taken at 11:11 on 11/11/11...

We even met our newest cousin for the first time!

On day two the boys took off with their cousins, so Camille had to coax her dad into riding some rides with her,

and talk her mom into the ones dad wouldn't get on.

And sometimes she just played by herself.

On the way home we just had to see the infamous American Girl Store,

and then we drove around Beverly Hills.

Brad and I admired the homes, but the boys just looked for these...

and these. It was a really fast trip, but it was fantastic!!!

Lake Tahoe Family Reunion 2011

This year for our Wilkinson Family Reunion we went to beautiful Lake Tahoe. Here are our top ten--

#1 - Cousin Bonding Time

The #1 best thing about our trip didn't have anything to do with where we went or what we did while we were there. The best thing was who we were with!

#2 - Tubing

On one of the days of our trip we rented a ski boat. So! Much! Fun!

#3 - Horseback Riding/Mountain Biking

Coming a very close second behind the tubing bonanza was the morning we spent horseback riding/mountain bike riding (depending on your preference.) Everyone had a great time... though Brad says it will be a while before he gets on a bike again. #4 - Playing in the Lake

The water was a little cold for swimming (though we did it anyways), but it was great for goofing around with cousins! #5 - Rock Beach

By far our favorite beach in Tahoe because it's so secluded and so much fun!

#6 - Mini Golf (Tahoe Style)
Our favorite miniature golf course it the whole world. It's location is perfect, and every hole is handmade (and about 50 years old at least!).

#7 - Celebrating Matt's 17th Birthday

Somehow we always end up on vacation during Matt's birthday- but he's always a good sport about it! #8 - Playing Pool

The house we stayed in had a pool table, and the boys probably played 2-3 hours everyday. A kid's gotta have something to do while his mom slaves away preparing meals and cleaning up the messes. #9 - The Hot Tub

The spot to be for those who weren't old enough (or interested enough) to play pool. #10 - Minute to Win It!

A fun addition this year-- maybe it will be a tradition???

All in all, a great trip! Thanks Mom & Dad for such a fun time!

Ten Things We Loved About Nauvoo, Part One

We always do a "Top Ten" from our trips, but it seems wrong to do that with this trip as everything was quite wonderful! So, here are ten things we loved about our trip to Nauvoo, in no particular order!

#10 - Pioneer Pastimes

Not only are their lots of things to see in Nauvoo, there are lots of of things to do as well. One of our favorites was hanging out at Pioneer Pastimes. After we FINALLY got a picture of all the "kids" on stilts at one time,

they decided to have a race.
The boys quickly took the lead,

but I have to say that Camille never gave up! She kept on going till she reached the finished line, even though everyone else was long gone!

And who knew that some wooden teddy bears and two pieces of rope could be so much fun?

All the families that are preparing for the next week's pagent gather at the pagent site about an hour before it starts and teach you how to play period games. Camille tried everything, but in light of her recent struggles in the stilt race, she spent quite a bit of time with these kiddos...

who gave her some great tips on how to use these...

#9 - Hands-On Fun

Everyone told us that Nauvoo would be super crowded during the pagent, but it wasn't! We spent the better part of one morning enjoying the Family Living Center -and we had the whole place to ourselves. We learned how to weave rugs on a loom,
and we got to make a rope!

and may I just say... my children have made rope-making skills!

#8 - The Tours

We saw Joseph and Emma's home,

the Mansion House,

and the Red Brick Store,

where Camille did her best "Future Relief Society Teacher" impression in this famous room.

But our favorite tours were the ones where we learned about the saints... about their hard work,

about their sorrows (baby's gravesite),

about the stories behind the things we say ("sleep tight"),

about their businesses,

and their ingenuity (combination cradle and butter churner).

The gun shop and the history of Jonathan Browning was fascinating and a highlight for Brad and the boys,

and we all learned how to make our own wagon.

#7 - Nauvoo's Cultural Life

We enjoyed lots of plays while we were in Nauvoo, and we definitely had our favorites! Our award for best song goes to "Just Plain Anna Amanda" which Camille loved and the rest of us couldn't get out of our heads for the rest of the week!

Our award for best moment goes to this scene from "Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo" because before it started Adam said this play couldn't be as good as the last one because none of those old missionaries would be shimmying up the poles...guess he was wrong!

Our award for best skit goes to these guys at "Sunset on the Mississippi" who performed the famous "audition" skit. They were hilarious!

And best music goes to the fabulous Nauvoo Brass Band - especially the entertaining girl on the flute and the best percussionist we've ever heard - Elder Busath from Elk Grove.

#6 - Wide Open Spaces
One of the first things we noticed (and loved) about Nauvoo was all the wide open space. The historical part of town is set up just as it was then, with no more than four little houses on each acre lot, and no fences! Lots of room to roam - and to play frisbee!

I think the boys had this thing with them everywhere we went, and they made the most of it. And we had the BEST weather while we were there - a little muggy in the mornings, but nice afternoons and cool and breezy evenings!
To be continued in part two...