"Start Cutting Those Orange Wedges, It's Soccer Time!"

Soccer!!! It has begun again, goodbye Saturdays. The girl enjoy it so much that I can't complain. And I do like watching them run around in those cute uniforms. And I can't pass up the chance to make them matching hair bows for the whole team. One great thing, I am not a coach this year. I get to sit on the side line and eat the rest of the leftover oranges. Madison moved up to the Girl's u12 division. She is now playing with the older girls. She learned a lot last year being in play-offs and winning Sectionals. We are excited to see how her new team does. Her team name is

the "Energizers". And she is lucky again to be on the same team as her cousin Kate. Can you just imagine the side lines with the two Melendez sisters screaming for their girls! Yes, it is bad. Payton also moved up this year to the Girl's u8 team.

She is also on Cousin Emily's team. We are so spoiled! They are on the "Purple Lady Bugs" team. Payton is really learning from the older girls how to be aggressive. She may be small but, she is mighty!

Looks like we are in for another great year. Good luck with the season Girls!

"LSM Youth Conference"

Youth conference was done on the ward level this year. We had a really good experience planned for all the youth. And the exciting thing about planning it was I knew this would be R.J.'s first conference as a young man! It has been so neat to be able to watch all his "Firsts" as a youth. We centered this conference around service. Focusing mainly on the homeless. Friday night all the youth met at Sis. Exon's parent's house. They have a beautiful home in the hills of Escondido on a ton of property. They have an outdoor amphitheater that was perfect to hold our fireside to kick off the conference. Brother Conforto spoke about his life growing up and the events that lead him to love on the streets and be homeless for a year. He is a dynamic speaker and was really able to hold all the youth's attention. He made us all realize that someone on the streets is still "Someone". After the fireside all the youth prepared and made over 300 sack lunches. We set up about 4 long tables and made an assembly line to put together the lunches. The kids worked hard and fast and never complained. After all their hard work, we then had some fun. The kids then went swimming. But, first it started with throwing in people with their clothes on. Poor R.J. was the first one up and dunked by his own dad. It finally caught up with Rob when a bunch of the boys and other leaders dunked him. At the end of the evening they all had a sleep over, the girls at the Berry's and the Boys at the Nuendorf's home. Of course they snuck out and met to go toilet papering. The next morning they met at the Berry's for breakfast. Then headed out to Down Town San Diego to deliver the lunches. The kids were divided up into cars and given a specific route to follow and hand out lunches to the people in need on the street. Having the kids see the kinds of living conditions some of the people were surviving in made them realize how good they had it. They got to spend an afternoon concentrating on feeding people instead of thinking about themselves. The conference ended on Sunday when with a fireside at our house. Sis. Jamie Pyatt spoke and then we watched a dvd made by Bro. DeBaikes. I took photos of the kids during the whole conference. The video was put to music and let the kids witness their own unselfish actions. It was very touching to see and I think the kids felt it too.

"Bonfire At Ponto Beach"

Rob just went out and bought a fire pit. He has been dying all summer to have a bonfire at Ponto Beach and have a weenie roast. So, he finally did it! We called up a few families and had them meet us at the beach. Everyone brought food and laughter to share! The kids just played in the water, ran around and had a ball with each other. The adults just sat around the fire in a circle and just talked and enjoyed each others company. The end of the perfect night was capped off with Smores' of course! Our mouths were filled with yummy, sticky, chocolatey goodness. That fire pit was worth every penny. It was a fun summer night that memories are made of!

"Catalina Scout Camp"

This year the boys in our ward were lucky enough to attend Scout Camp on Catalina Island. R.J. was so excited. He hasn't been there since we went on our cruise there about 3 years ago. I was kind of nervous sending him, he hasn't gone on a long trip with out his dad with him. But, he was ready to spread his wings and venture out on his own. We packed him up with all his gear and also sent him with a lot of snacks to share. His tent mate was Trevor Joyce, they get along really well. At camp R.J. earned a lot of merit badges and learned so much. Earning the badges at camp is way easier to do! I am so glad he has these great opportunities to do on his own. Scouting is really preparing him for life, he is becoming so self reliant. As much as he enjoyed being on his own, there were some girls at home that missed him so much and couldn't wait to see their big brother. When R.J. got out of the car they tackled him and hugged him so hard. He was so cute, you could tell he missed them too. He brought them each a little token from camp. He made them lanyards. We are so glad to have our boy home!.