mom2four: The Trek- Natalies version

Day 1- I when I first find out who is in my family I have no clue who my ma and pa are. But when I find them most of my family is already there. This girl in my ward, and this girl I knew from school was in my family so I was kinda happy about who was there. After I got everyone together we took our first family photo. And then our Ma and Pa said it was time to learn each others names. We would say a name and something to go with it to help remember the names. I was the only person that they couldn't think of something to go with my name. Then we get into our companies. I was in the Johnson Company. Then our company was the first one to leave BUT, our cart broke right before we got on the trail so we had to go back and get a new one. We were behind 2 other companies before we made it back to the trail. It was really muddy. I slipped and fell and got myself filthy. Some of the parts were kinda scary because our cart almost tipped several times. There were these random 3 foot drops and it was hard to get the cart down. Then we made it out to our first river crossing. Where I was planning to walk across BUT, as I get my flip flops on to walk across some random kid comes and picks me up and carries me across and I was really mad. And then we hiked on this really rocky, rocky terrain for a long time until we stopped and ate lunch. When we set our cart down it was soooo bottom heavy that it flung itself up. Then we continued on the rocky terrain until we came to our second river crossing. We were told it was our last one, BUT people lied because there were 3 more after that. We hiked more until we got to this one campsite. Me and my brothers and sisters worked so hard to get a beautiful fire pit ready when these mobbers came yelling "Get out of here Mormons. We don't want you here." My family thought it was kinda funny so we just stood there and smiled. They forced us to go so we picked up our cart and left. We were told that it was another half a mile to the next campsite where we would stop for the night, BUT people lied there was 3 miles. Thus was born "The Johnson Mile" because he told us only a half mile was left when there was really 3 miles. Finally we got to our campsite and there were a bunch of baby rose bushes everywhere. We set up our tents and built a pit. The boys had issues finding firewood so my sister and I went out looking where we found a huge abandoned pile of firewood. We came back as hero's. But everyone else was having a hard time finding firewood. We decided to do the heroic thing and bring back firewood for everyone. Boy was that a lot of wood too. Man I'm awesome! When we finally provided wood for EVERYONE our dinner was cooked and we enjoyed it very much. Then right after I put out the fire and crashed for the night.

Day 2- My sister had to pee in the early morning hours so I went with her to the potty. When along our way we ran into a moose that charged us. We ran around trees and tents and ran into our tent. We couldn't sleep the rest of the night so we got up an hour later and built a fire and sat around it in terror. I woke up the first time and my sister was laying on my mat while I was laying on a giant patch of rose bushes. At least she slept well. We cooked breakfast and packed up for another LONG day. After a little bit of hiking they took the Young Men away from us. They had to go to war. With guns and knives and Eskimos. Hey don't judge we live in Alaska. And 4 small I mean small like a buck five soaking wet, girls had to pull a very large hand cart. It weighed more then all of us put together. And we pulled it across a stream, and the largest rocks we had to cross ever. Before we started to go we were told to pretend that the Young Men were dead. And I thought to myself they better be dead cuz this is so heavy I am going to kill them for making me do all this work by myself. They better not come back ever! Anyway I digress... My sisters and I pulled a cart on a trail with Young Men on either side of the trail just staring at me. It was really awkward. I know I'm hot but I have never had this many men staring at me at one time before. So I looked down at my feet. I didn't want to lead any of them on. We kept on pulling we turned around and all of the Young Men were running up to me but I couldn't be selfish so I let them help their families too. My brothers (not blood brothers mind you) came and rescued me and let me and the other girls have a break. And we hiked and hiked and hiked. When we finally got to our campsite we found an amazing place across a small stream. We find a large log and make a tiny bridge across the stream. Which was perfect because I would of hated to walk across it. We pulled the cart over to our beautiful campsite (made even more beautiful cuz I was there) and set up for the night. That day there were also a bunch of fun activities you could do. I made a doll. Then we had a sling shot building contest with another family to see whose rock could go the farthest. We lost because our rock when we shot it went straight up and straight down. BOO! But it was pretty cool to watch. Then we went and jump roped where I taught my family to play cat and mouse and many, many other people wanted to join in. It was Epic! Then we did square dancing. I was so embarrassed because everyone insisted on dancing with me. Because I am pretty and humble. But because I am fun sized I got stuck with a whole bunch of shorties. I left early because I am clumsy so I went to bed.

Day 3- I woke up and once again lost a mat to my sister but at least my bum didn't get all scratched up by the thorns. I just had bruises from the rocks I was sleeping on. Once again we packed up and took off on the trail. Along the way my sister got sick and was blind. It's ok though because it only lasted an hour. Until my little brother got sick and I was his guide. Angels frequently are guides you know. Then we stopped for lunch. He really surprised me because he was still blind and I made lunch for him. I forgot to open his fruit leather but some how he did that all on his own. That is the only time I will agree to "Go make me a Sammich!" Then everyone got all better and hiked onto our third campsite. We once again set up for the night. I made our family flag because I am so creative and all. When I got the surprise of a hair washing station I realized I didn't need to go to it because even out on the trek my hair looks fabulous! But I took my brothers man card when he went and washed his hair with all of the other girls. We had pie and ice cream that night and it tasted amazing and I went to bed.

Day 4- Surprise I woke up on my mat today. My sis didn't steal if from me. We did the usual and then took off on the trail. Along the way my brother Mitch died. I was sad so I decided to build him a grave with the rest of my family. But we had to keep on keeping on for about 2 more hours until we crossed another river crossing and we got my brother back. We continued on our way and we came to a river where they made me get carried across the river. It was quite hard picking a suitor out of the many that were fighting over me. I stuck with the first handsome, strong young man, who proved his loyalty by carrying me across the first day. By this time we had made it to another really muddy place. And along our way comes a giant hill that was very steep. The carts had to go one at a time. I was towards the back so when I finally got to go it was scary. We had 2 people pulling the rope, 2 people in the yoke like oxen. and 4 people pushing the back. One of my sisters was running next to me. She tripped over her skirt and fell. I may of laughed a little but I didn't mean to. Finally someone as clumsy as me. We only had 1 more mile to go. That was the hardest mile of my life. There were parents lined up cheering for you (but not mine because they suck) and you know you are almost done but your not quite there. When we got to the end it was like amazing and there was yummy food waiting for us and all of my young women leaders who managed to show up on time but still no parents. (FYI my parents did not get the right info or they would of made it on time. My mom was very upset that she didn't make it and still feels guilty about it. Stupid Jerks for not passing on the information) My Young Women President wasn't there because she had her baby. We all screamed when we found out. Finally my parents show up and I am so happy to see them. We eat BBQ and then go home. Where I take a shower and got to bed and sleep until 10 the next morning.