It really brings me great joy to see my children in their musical performances.  Carson is in choir for the 2nd year at Willis Jr. High.  Grace plays the clarinet in the symphonic band at Chandler High School.  She’s 1st chair!  I’m so proud of both of these kids!

Our ward has been a little hit and miss with ward campouts over the last few years so we were happy to know that there would be one this year.  It was located in Happy Jack, AZ where our stake holds Girls Camp every year.  It’s a little bit of a drive & there’s no facilities so porta potties had to do.  It really wasn’t that bad. Overall, we had fun enjoying the cooler weather & visiting with ward friends.  We also got to participate in some service up there, creating new fire rings for the camp site & moving some gravel.  The kids had fun with friends.  The strangest part was only taking 2 kids with us.  Another factor of our family growing up.  Audrey, of course, is in Utah and Grace had a football game to play at as well as a band evaluation Saturday morning.  Here are some pictures from our trip.

So weird only having 2 kids with us!

We got a late start so we were very happy to finally be on the road!

Sophia coming out of the tent in the morning. Thanks Dean & Deanna for letting us borrow your tent!

MMM, S’mores!

It’s not a campout until Marc has serenaded us on his guitar.

Take a look at our family’s reading preferences.  Hasn’t changed AT ALL over the years.  Now it’s Sophia’s turn with Harry Potter and Carson’s turn with Lord of the Rings.

Conked out on the way home.

From mountains to the pool in 2.5 hours.

It was HOT when we got back to the valley.  Cooling off & soaking some of the camping dirt before showers was a great idea.

It might be high school football season if….

You find the Coria’s in the concession stand on home games.  We sweat up a storm & get bit by mosquitos, but we have fun helping the marching band earn money!  I even stepped up and got my food handler’s card this year so I can help making the hot food.  Carson and Grace like to help out for service hours.  Here’s a picture of the JV home game we helped out at this week.

These kids worked hard before the game started cleaning out the fridge where a case of Dr. Pepper had exploded.  Once the game began, they sold concessions to the fans.  We worked for about 2 1/2 hours.  We’ve signed up for several JV & Varsity games this season.  Grace of course can only help at the JV games as she is playing with the band for the Varsity games.  Sophia is also going to help out at some games next month.  She can’t wait!

I’m very proud of Marc.  He is a great provider for our family and is dedicated to Maricopa County.  Marc works for the Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management as the Emergency Operations Center Integration Manager.  I could tell you what I think he does, but it probably wouldn’t be correct so I’ll let him post about that if he feels it necessary.  He has just been recognized for 15 years of service with the county.  I thinks it’s more and more rare that an employee stay with the same company for many years in this day and age.  Congratulations Marc!