Anna

          This month has been a fantastic birthday month for me. I just got back from a weeklong swim camp at BYU (go cougs!) which was also phenomenal. The coaching was very impressive, so I didn't mind quite as much how long the workouts were. We swam 4 hours a day, had two hours of technique class and a evening activity. We went to Seven Peaks once and had dances twice which were also really fun. Being from DC I thought I would be coming from farthest away but I actually met a guy from Alaska!
          Our swim season back at home is also just starting to rev up which is very exciting. Tomorrow, I am swimming in the first A meet of the season in 50m Freestyle and 50m Backstroke. I have high hopes, especially for backstroke as I improved a lot last week.
          This past school year I have been taking Spanish 1 and have enjoyed everything except the school part. Next year I am hoping to test into Spanish 3 so I am making a summer project out of the Spanish 2 vocabulary and grammar. In addition to the language, the project is going to involve bio-type pieces on various Latin artists and architects.
          Next week I will be heading up to Palmyra, New York for my first Youth Conference. I am very, very excited to spend time with friends and at the Church restoration sites. I am particularly looking forward to the potentially poignant experience of doing baptisms for the dead in the Palmyra temple with names I found through my own (ok, maybe Aunt Cynthia's too) hard work and sweat.
          The week after Palmyra will be my third year and Paige's first at Girl's Camp. We drive about two and a half hours into the mountains actually very near Deep Creek. My favorite things are the raindrops on roses and whiskers on ki- wait, I really meant the Wednesday night testimony meeting. Even though I am not usually a crier, the Girl's Camp meeting always has everyone sobbing. Mom is convinced that is mostly because of the sleep (or lack thereof).
          Sometime in August, we will be making a trip into Boston. I have made the trip once before, however it is not one that I can remember. The only remaining momento is a picture of my three-year-old self on the bronze statues of Jack, Mack, Lack, Quack...... don't make me name all of them. If the poor ducklings aren't crushed under my weight, maybe we can repeat the experience. One that will be a first for me is visiting the Revolutionary War sites such as the North Church which I am sure will be a highlight.
          Purely because I didn't think I was going to be busy enough this summer, I am also teaching camps. I have taken a few cake decorating classes from Wilton so one of the camps I teach is a cake decorating camp. As my mom has been teaching cooking camp for the past few years I have been the sous chef. Recently though, in a thankfully nonviolent coup d'état, the position of power has been passed to me.
          In our larger family too, the torch is being passed on. It will be fabulous to hear from everyone, so all those Olympic Athletes, CEO's and Professional Babies out there had better start writing. Love to all from Washington, D.C.