First Day of School!

Pres. Hanks said it perfect Sunday in church. I'll paraphrase his words a bit. There are two favorite days of the year. 1st: The last day of school and 2nd: the first day of school. I am not one of those mom's who wishes their kids were in school for quiet and sanity. I enjoy spending time with my girls, so the long summers never bother me much.

We enjoyed the process this year of gathering school supplies and getting ready for school. It was a little freaky to walk in to "Back to School" night with Karina at my old Junior High and see some of my old junior high friends there with their kids. I love having my children go to the same elementary, junior high, and someday high school that I went to. Things have changed over the years, but it's home.

The best part about preparing for the new school year is the tradition in our home of Cameron giving the girls Father's Blessings. I'm so grateful he honors his priesthood and can provide this sacred gift to his girls. This year was not unlike any other year. Each blessing was specific to each daughters needs. Each hug after was special between daughter and father.

Karina loved her first day of Junior High. She made it to all of her classes without getting lost and without being late! It will take some getting used to 7 classes and 7 teachers. Hurray for a successful day! Thanks to Sister Galloway for watching out for her. It's nice to know that their is someone at the school who loves her and will watch out for her.

Kensington is in the 5th grade and has Mrs. Strong. She is excited to learn all of the great things Mrs. Strong learned at summer Space Camp. Kensi loves science and math and these are Mrs. Strong's strong subjects. She's in a split class this year so that will bring new challenges and experiences. Hurray for new opportunities!

Karadie is in the 4th grade and has Mrs. Ewell. She is so excited to have so many of her friends in her class. She is going to have a great year learning about Utah studies and continuing to strengthen her reading skills. Yea for another great year!

Elk Camp

The girls had an absolute blast this weekend. Sunday after attending the 25th Wards Sacrament Meeting, Kensington and Karadie went Elk Hunting with me and two of Robyn's uncles. We headed up towards Monte Cristo to smoke us an elk. This was the girls first time to go on an actual hunt. They were sure excited to get into their camo and sit in a ground blind.


The first night was spent setting up camp, which the girls did a great job. Then off we went, scouting for elk. A short drive later I spotted something huge on the trail, only not exactly what we were looking for. After trying to strike the 4-wheeler, the very large rattlesnake began to emerge from the brush. Kensington and Mont where on the 4 wheeler behind Karadie and I, they did not notice the snake until it slithered quickly under their stopped vehicle. I laughed my butt off when they both jumped on top of the seat screaming like little girls ( just kidding Mont).


After taking some pictures with the snake, we continued looking for elk. Our days consisted of seeing beautiful country, some moose, a few deer, but no elk. The girls had a great opportunity to sit in a ground blind by a water hole trying to master the art of being quiet. They did an awesome job trekking up and down large mountains trying to spot their game. They enjoyed seeing beavers building dams, coyotes running through camp, and setting up ground blinds and treestands.


When another rattlesnake was found the second evening and brought to camp by Eldon, we knew it was time to get off this infested mountain. All in all, we had a great time with the uncles in nature. The girls learned that hunting isn't as easy as just going out and smokin your game. There's alot more to enjoy and appreciate while spending time in nature.

Help Me Teach With Inspiration

Today in Sacrament Meeting the closing hymn was hymn 281 "Help Me Teach With Inspiration." The words to the second verse hit me like a huge title wave.

"Help me reach a friend in darkness;
Help me guide him through the night.
Help me show thy path to glory
By the Spirit's holy light."

The last few months I have become a little nostalgic over the high school days. Karina and I have also had many conversations about the friends that you make in Junior High and High School and how these become your life long friends. With this explaination of my mindset over the last little while I suppose it is no wonder that this verse effected me so strongly.

I had two very good friends that I had hoped I helped and have since last track of. The first, I met at Lagoon of all places when I was 14. Justin lived in Layton and I lived in Bountiful. Justin was only a year older than me so neither one of us drove, making it just that, a phone friendship. He was not LDS and we often had discussions about my beliefs. After Justin turned 16 and could drive he wanted to come pick me up and go out. I had already made up my mind that I would not date until I was 16 and I would only date LDS boys. This was a difficult decision to actually follow through on because I really liked Justin and didn't want to hurt his feelings, but I had made up my mind a long time before meeting him. He respected my decision and as it turns out, began to seek out the missionaries. He took the discussions and after a long time of making sure he was interested in the church for the right reasons decided to get baptized. He called me to invite me to his baptism. This was the first I even knew about him investigating the church. Justin went on a mission, I even spoke at his farewell. We kept in touch for a while after we were both married. I haven't heard from him since the day he and his wife were sealed in the temple to their son. I don't know where the last 12 years has led Justin. I only hope that he and his family are healthy and happy and I'm so grateful that I had the opportunity to introduce him to the gospel.

The second was a little more complicated. I dated a guy in high school that my parents didn't exactly approve of. Dale was a good guy, came from a semi-active family, but had an earring and a tail (hair). Maybe that is why I dated him, rebelling a little. We dated for about 6 months and then he started hanging out with a guy that I didn't really care for. This other guy was known to be a partier, something I wanted nothing to do with. Dale began to party with him. I broke up with him. It broke my heart, but I had my standards. Of course we had a ton of classes together even though he was a year older than me. It about killed me to watch him slip deeper and deeper into a scary lifestyle over the last few months of the school year. I cried as he walked across the stage at graduation. I wanted him to know the things that I knew about the gospel and the plan of happiness. I wanted him to be happy and I knew he wasn't. No one was more shocked than me when he showed up on my doorstep in the fall of my senior year. My parents were not home, so he wasn't allowed to come in. I invited him to go for a walk. Pretty sure we walked for over an hour before he began to talk. He poured his heart out, telling me all the things he'd done and tried, but most of all wanted to stop doing the things he was doing. He wanted to be happy again. We set out a plan together. The first being that he needed to meet with his bishop, the second, to drop his bad influence friends, and the third, to turn to Father in Heaven for help. Over the next many weeks, Dale and I mostly just talked on the phone while he tried to figure his life out and me just giving moral support. I prayed for him a lot. I didn't dare spend time with him. I didn't want to fall for him while he was getting his life back together. However, that plan didn't last too long. We began dating again and Dale put in his papers for his mission. I was so proud of him for the long road he traveled and the life changes he made. We agreed me waiting for him while he served hid mission would be a distraction, so we would just casually write. The letters over time slowed down and eventually stopped altogether. He came home early from his mission, and I never did know why. I went to see him after he got home. It was awkward and the conversation really never went anywhere. I have not seen or heard from him since that night. I have thought about him several times over the years and wondered where his life had led him. Is he happy? Has he turned his life around? Knowing Dale changed my life. I learned to stand up for my beliefs even the someone I loved could not be part of my life because of my standards was a life lesson for me.

I know I have had the opportunity several times in my life to help reach a friend in darkness and help guide them thru the night. I have also been led by dear friends who have reached out to me and guided me to the Spirit's Holy Light. The gospel of Jesus Christ is an amazing strength in my life. I am so grateful for the influence strength it is to me.

Six Quirky Traits!

Carrie tagged me with this crazy tag. Six quirky traits about me. I have far too many to narrow them down to 6 but here goes...
1. My shower routine cannot vary. Get in, wet down hair, shampoo, rinse, conditioner, shave armpits, legs, wash body, rinse hair. Be absolutely sure not to get water on face. Get out of shower, dry off, put on face moisterizer, deodorant, comb hair, you get the picture.

2. I cry, literally burst into tears if the windshield wipers go on and there is no rain. Just ask Cameron. Absolute hysterics.

3. I hate feet. They make me vomit to look at, especially old peoples. Back in the days when I gave massages, I tried to skip over the feet. If this could not be avoided I had to place my mind in a happy place.

4. I cannot go to bed with my door shut or the girls bedroom doors shut. I have to be able to hear them breathe at night. When they are not sleeping where I can hear them, then I don't sleep very well.

5. I hate reading books, blogs, newspapers, etc. with mispelled words or terrible grammar. Drives me crazy. I love Stephanie Meyer, but even she has a few mistakes in her books.

6. I talk in my sleep. Cameron loves to carry on a conversation with me when I talk. He can usually manipulate my dreams during my slumbering conversation. Not cool. One time he even made me believe the kitten's head popped off.

Now I get to tag 6 people. I tag...Linetta, Ryan (welcome to the blogging world), Rondi, Chelsie, Heidi, & Megan.

Fifteen Fabulously Fun Filled Years!!!

To some fifteen years may not seem like much and to others fifteen years might seem like forever, but to us, the time has gone quickly and yet it has been filled with many unforgettable events. Things that have shaped and molded our lives...

*Buying our home, Cameron age 25 - Robyn age 23
*The births of our 4 children: Karina ('95), Kensington ('97), Karadie ('99), Kazen ('01)
*Business adventures: Aurora Imaging (photography studio), Aurora Investments (construction). Both adventures were a family affair.
*Places we've traveled together: Kaui-Hawaii, Alaska, South Padre Island-Texas, Washington D.C., Sea World/Disneyland, Baja Cruise (Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexican Riveria Cruise (Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, and Mazatlan), Star Valley, and numerous camping trips.
*Over coming children's health problems: Karadie's craniosynostosis (3 major cranial reconstruction surgeries), Karina's open-heart surgery, eardrum reconstrustion, and Turner's Syndrome Diagnosis, Kensington's numerous allergies, Kazen's premature birth and stay in NICU
*Cameron's and Karina's terrifying 2005 car accident
* Ma and Pa on 2007 Pioneer Trek
*Buying Land (Plots) and Headstone
*Loss of loved ones: LeGrand 8/02, Kazen 2/03, Dad 5/03, MaryAnn 6/03, Grandma Richter-Beesley 5/06, Garry 10/07.
*Opportunities of many callings serving in the Church
*Beginning Our Own Family Traditions: Creating Unique Christmas Pictures, Advent, Memorial Day outing, Family Reunions, Buying Old Navy 4th of July T-Shirts, Bear World in October, Camping, Planting a Garden, Stage Plays and Musicals, and Father's Blessings
*Things we like to Celebrate: Birthdays, Baptisms/Confirmations, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve, Halloween, and Major Accomplishments
*Important things we try to teach our children: Respecting Elders, Expressing Opinions, Honesty, Hard Work, Self-Worth, Service, Cultural Arts, Trying Things Once, and Faith in Gospel Principals
*Family Mottos: "Enjoy the Journey", "It's a Kent Thing", "CNEBEAR", "No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care", "If the odds are unlikely it will happen to us", and "Families Are Forever"
*Creating an individual song for each child
*Family Prayer and Family Scripture Study
*Singing on Road Trips. Favorites: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Les Miserables, Church Primary Songs, Collin Raye, Disney, and anything 80's

The last 15 years have been full of so many adventures. Some are happy, some are sad, some have been fun, some have been hard but all have been worth the journey!

A Teenager Now!

Thirteen years ago Karina made us parents of an infant. Weighing in at 6 lbs. 6 oz. and 19" long, we fell in love with this little girl. There were many sleepless nights those first months as both parents took turns feeding her, burping her, cleaning up all the spit-up, and then starting over, but she had us hooked from day one. Now she's made us parents of a teenager.

She has made us so proud to be her parents. Karina has so many fabulous qualities. She's honest, she's a friend to all, she's kind, she's obedient, she's very sensitive to others, she's compassionate, and most of all she is an example of Christ-like attributes always.

Happy Birthday Karina. We love you so much!

Ward Camp-Out

The Bountiful 39th Ward Camp-Out has been a tradition of enjoyment for as long as I was a little girl. Years ago I went with my family to Monte Cristo, Bear Lake, and then later Hyrum Lake. For the past 10 years I've enjoyed going with my little family and my parents. This year was no exception. Off to Hyrum Lake we went Thursday. We had high hopes of putting the boat in the water early on Thursday, but with a few minor distractions we only succeeded to get to camp, set up camp, and enjoy the company of fellow ward members. We shared our camp with my parents and Tyler and Eva's family. Thursday night Cameron and I were in charge of dinner. Really, Cameron cooked because we all know I don't cook, especially camping. Dinner was delicious and we all suffered from "eating way too much." We anticipated a fun evening around the campfire, but ended up in bed early due to rain. The girls spent their first camping trip in a tent all to themselves. With no parental supervision, they talked until almost midnight. After shushing them a few times, Cameron gently reprimanded me, "let them have their fun."

Friday morning the kids chased a chicken while we prepared breakfast. Bryon got brave and with a little encouragement picked her up and held her. He thought that was the coolest thing ever. The kids each took turns holding this almost tame chicken. It was crazy. After breakfast was cleaned up we were off to the lake. The boat ran great with only a few minor glitches. I was so happy to see the girls share their boat time so willingly with others from the ward. Cameron played the perfect host Captain, making sure everyone got a turn and enjoyed themselves. Friday evening was the ward dutch oven bake off. Our tummies were very happy with all the many dutch oven desserts. Yum, Yum! My favorite was Brother Moffet's pumpkin dessert. Cameron cooked up crawdads for those that caught them. The young boys thought this was way cool. I was hoping to head to bed early, but Kensington burnt her hand on the lantern. After tucking them into bed, it wasn't long until I heard her crying quietly. I sent Karina to go sleep with Cameron in our tent and I climbed in bed with Kens. Poor thing, she had blisters on pads of her fingers as well as her palm. She was really hurting, but with mommy holding her she eventually drifted off to sleep.

Saturday morning we set up a little hospital and re wrapped Cameron's finger and our neighbor Tiffany's foot. Tiffany jumped out of the boat (not ours) onto a glass bottle cutting the bottom of her toe open. She made a trip to the ER and got 6 stitches. After cleaning up camp and visiting with some of the ward members we headed off to the lake again. We had so much fun watching Cameron teach some of the young men to ski. Alex Campbell got up on his first try and I think he is a natural water skier. Natalie Campbell hasn't skied in about 10 years and she got up on a slalom on her first try. Quite impressive. Many others skied too. I haven't skied in over 10 years and had way too much fun. My body is feeling it today. It was a great trip and it is always fun to spend time with family and friends!

"Red" Anniversary!

On Thursday Cameron and I celebrated Fifteen Fun-Filled Years of being sealed to each other. As we began contemplating all the tasks facing us for the day, Cameron sighed, "I can't believe that in ten years we will celebrate our silver anniversary." "Uhgh" I thought to myself. That means that we are getting old.

We didn't really have plans to celebrate this marked day in history alone together, instead we were going to celebrate with our children, my parents, and my younger brother and his family along with the entire ward at the ward camp-out. Our plan was to head out no later than 9:00 a.m. for Hyrum State Park. The truck and boat were packed with so much stuff that I was sure we were leaving for a month rather than 3 days. All that was left was to hitch the boat to the truck, and quickly stop at Smith's Marketplace for a few last minute items. We were closer to our schedule than usual. At 9:30 a.m. we began to hitch the boat. Oops, it turns out that one should leave the wheel chucks in place before hitching up the boat. As I was guiding Cameron back to the boat (I'm not so good at this part) I was about three inches off. No big deal. Cameron is super strong and could move the boat hitch to the ball hitch. Not so much. With wheel chucks not in place he was not quite as strong as the superman I thought he was. The boat began to move forward, Cameron tried to stop it by pulling the boat backwards rather then letting it go. Not a good idea. As it turns out the boat pinned his hand between the hitch and his truck. Needless to say Cameron lost that battle and the hitch went through his finger. I would have thought this was an interesting experiment if it hadn't been for the girls and a few neighbor kids witnessing this terrifying event. Quickly I got into the truck to move it forward, however, the the pressure of the boat was pressing against the parking of the truck and it would not go into gear. After pleading to higher powers, the truck went into gear and I lurched it forward. As I jumped out I observed blood squirting everywhere and my girls screaming with horrified faces of panic. They were concerned that Daddy had already lost too much blood this year, only to be bleeding all over the street again. The did not understanded that the body regenerates blood quickly. Normally Cameron would have "cowboyed up" and just taped and super glued the wound back together, but to oblige me on our anniversary, now forever know as our "red" anniversary, he allowed me to take him to the emergency. Dr. Feil was awesome and sewed him back together with 10 fabulous stitches after the x-rays showed no broken bones.

Thank heavens we were only delayed by a mere three and a half hours. After picking up the girls, off to Smith's we went and began our vacation. A normal anniversary would not have been sufficient for the Kent's. Everything in our life together for the past 15 years has always been dramatic. I wouldn't want to have shared it with anyone but my sweetie.

Bunko Anyone?

Yesterday my aunt called me at work and asked if I would be interested in filling in at her Bunko night. Apparently a random group of old ladies (except for my aunt and one other youngin') get together once a month for dinner and a night of Bunko. I was totally in. I needed a night out.

I have only heard of Bunko, yet never played. I was a little nervous, because I'm not a very good card player. For those of you who've played Bunko, shows you how much I knew about the game. I had so much fun! It got me thinking, I'm always looking for a girls night out, why not start something that stands monthly, we can plan on, and is SO much fun. Anyone in? We need a group of 12 committed players. Thanks Margy for giving me the bug!

Strolling Down Memory Lane

A new kind of tag...it is totally voluntary and you have more creative license - and it's about ME as well as YOU (Thanks Ash, this is really fun)!

Here are the rules:1. Ad a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember!2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.Not too embarrassing please!!!

Happy Birthday!

Happy, Happy Birthday

Anthony Dear

Happy Days Will Come To You All Year

If We Had One Wish Then It Would Be

A Happy, Happy Birthday To You From Me (Us)!

We know you secretly snoop and look at our blog every morning before normal people are even considering the thought of waking up, so we wanted to wish you a VERY happy birthday!

Smokin Archer!

This week I talked my wife into taking a Bowhunter Education class to prepare for our bear hunt next spring. There is nothing quite as sexy as watching your wife shoot a bow. Monday and Tuesday night were spent listening to class lectures. Wednesday Robyn had to take a 50 question written exam. I know my wife is smart, but I really thought she might miss one or two questions, so I placed a bet I was sure would go in my favor. With her score of 100% I will now be reading Twilight. Yes, I figure my sexy feminine wife has crossed the man/woman line, so I too shall cross and get in touch with my vampire side. I really don't see what all the Edward hype is about anyway.

Thursday night she had to pass two field test exams. Really, she is the sexiest thing alive! Trucking through the weeds and brush, she led out her group to track a fake Ram that they each took a kneeling shot at 31 yards away. First of all, she was the only one in her group that shot in the kill zone, and second, she followed the blood trail, leading her group in discovering the fallen animal in the shortest amount of time. Holy crap, was I proud! The second field test was estimating yardage distances. The instructor had me take it for practice and fun too. We must be connected, because Robyn and I not sharing answers got the exact same score of 91%.

I think she's beginning to show me up! Wait a minute, she's already proven smokin hot! Last fall she became the only member of the "Robin Hood" club in our family. For those of you non-archers, this means she shot an arrow into another arrow. Totally sexy and a very difficult achievement. There is something about her when she pulls that bow back that just excites me! Now if I can get her to pick out camo for our bedspread...

Rob, I am so proud of you. What should our bet be for the first black bear harvested? Love you!!!