Fun In The Sun

This is the last week the children have of their summer holiday and we're making the most of it!  Today was a bank holiday, so with James at home and our friends visiting from Stroud we took off for a picnic on Dartmoor and climbed dead trees:

Got hot climbing hills:

Reached the top of the Tor to admire the views:

Posed for the parents:

Climbed between rocks:

Wound our way down many country lanes to reach Bantham beach:

Splashed in warm water:

Tried to surf the body board:

Went a little mad:

Had a barbeque and roasted marshmallows:

Enjoyed eating them:

And saw a beautiful sunset.  I want to do it all again!

By The Light Of The Silvery Moon

With both James and I in the youth programme, we thought it was high time night hikes on Dartmoor should been re-introduced... because we're a little insane... and it's been ten years since we last did it! We took over 20 youth from our ward and hiked uphill for most of the night:

Then slept rather snugly under the stars in a gully:

We woke early to a beautiful sunrise:

And continued our hike, passing Vennford Reservoir:

And beautiful trails:

It was also great to have Ben with us, I still can't get used to the fact he is now one of the youth:

The sight of our car at the end of all that walking with rather large blisters on my heels was indeed bliss:

Messing About On The River

Today we renewed our love affair with Dartmoor by visiting Bader's Holt with some friends. James was first in:

Rosie fishing with a friend:

Rosie and Ethan:

Friends:

Ben and Noah:

Maisey

I want to meet my niece so bad, she pulls the best faces:

Evening Stroll

Tonight we skipped the normal bedtime and went for a walk when daddy got home from work.  We visited Shaldon, the nearest beach to us.  I love this view across the water to Teignmouth, a beach isn't right without huts:

I also love this pub and wish I could live in a house like this:

Someone Feels Fabulous!

It's True

Dear Jay,

I did promise I'd post a photo of me in a frock.  Can't say that I love this photo (when do I ever like pictures of me?!) but it's the only one that was taken at the wedding.  Here is the evidence that I found a dress to cover my excessive features:

Can't wait until I see you at Amy's wedding, roll on next year!  Miss you,

Love Naomi xxx

Mr And Mrs Peres

I'm so happy for Gemma!  (So is she, can you tell?)  I've known Gemma for a long time but I've gotten to know her really well over the last four years when she moved close by with her young family after her husband had left her, pregnant and with two toddlers.  I saw her grieve and adapt to her new life, raising three incredible boys on her own.  I also saw her become a strong, confident woman... and find the true love of her life!  Gemma and Nick tied the knot on Saturday and it was such a beautiful day.  Don't they make a handsome family? (I love that Jamie is hiding behind his brothers!):

Sisters:

I think all weddings should come with pick and mix sweets on the table:

The first dance:

The reception was held in Mary Tavey on Dartmoor and as we drove home over the moors I got to see my favourite sky: grey clouds and sunshine!  The perfect ending to a perfect day:

(News flash:  I wore a dress, the first time I've worn one since my own wedding day... photo to follow!)

Monday's Smile Lines

Today we attacked the garden.  Ben and Ethan worked hard all day as we cut back trees, dug trenches to edge the lawn with bricks and generally tidied everything up.  After I started cooking dinner, Ben popped back out to finish sweeping... in my wellies!

I have also been singing 'Dog Days Are Over' all day... James started his new job today!

Camp

It's that time of year again... girls camp!  Many would run screaming, but personally I love it.  We stayed in a field in the beautiful Treskilling, Cornwall and to break tradition we had mostly sunshine!  Highlights of camp for me was a trip to the beach:

Water slides for leaders to show the girls how it's really done:

And a little archery (I struck a pose... got a bulls eye!):

My favourite part of camp was the overnight hike.  I was randomly assigned to help the level 4 campcrafter leader (who just so happened to be my sister Amy) which meant I had an unexpected night under the stars!  Where did we sleep?  After a couple of miles hiking we ended up in our stake YW president's garden in Trethurgy: 

Where we all slept on the trampoline:

Well.  I say sleep.  Have you ever slept on a trampoline with 8 other people?  It's like sleeping on a steep hill... that is slippery.... so you slide down in your sleeping bag... into lots of legs... I think you get the picture.  Sleep was not to be my friend that night, even though it was warm and dry.  There was a magical moment for me though around 4:00am, when with great frustration I pulled myself into a position that gave me the feeling back in my left leg and I looked over the girls in my care.  I felt so privileged to be their leader, to see them grow and flourish through the opportunity to be with other like-minded girls, to see their testimonies strengthened.  And then I looked up at the night sky and felt my own testimony grow.  For me there has always been something special about being in nature and feeling closer to God.  I finally slept.