CONVERSATION STARTERS around the TABLE

Dinnertime is a natural meeting place for communicating with our families. We can use this time to eat good, wholesome food, share ideas, and report on our day. So turn off the TV, turn off the computers and cell phones and start talking and listening to each other. It can help your family bond together for a lifetime.
You might want to try these conversation starters taken from the game"Lets Chat".
* What is the nicest thing someone has done for you?
* What superhero would you be? What would your name be? Your super power?
* What was your most memorable toy?
* If you found $1000 on the street, what would you do with it?
* If you could have dinner with someone famous, who would it be?
* Are you a city or a country person?
* Do you remember your dreams? Any recently?
*What do you think was the best thing ever invented?
* What is your favorite holiday?
* What is your favorite school subject? Your least favorite?
* Do you have a lucky charm?
* What is the hardest thing you've ever had to do?
The list of dinner conversations can go on and on - and the conversations should go on and on.

2nd Annual Wild Woman Triathlon

 On Friday, August 19 we held our 2nd Annual Wild Woman Triathlon.

Brenda Snizek and Ranee Berg organized the event, made sure the word got out, figured out the course, and generally pulled things together.  They did a fabulous job, and we are so grateful for all of the work they did to put the triathlon together.

We had a wide variety of participants this year, from the young and tough....

 ...to the mature and strong (Sister Clark, you are my hero!).

 After everyone signed in

 

and paused for a group picture,

they were off!

The first part of the triathlon is a swim in Lake Elmo.

There were several boats in the water to ensue that everyone made it out of the water safely.

As well as several future triathloners

cheering on their moms.

The next leg of the event is biking.  Women bike clear out to the refinery ---but no one will tell on you if you turn around before you get there : ^) .

 The final leg is a run/jog/walk/crawl twice+ around Lake Elmo.

We had a number of moms and daughters participating together this year, which was wonderful.

It was a perfect day for a demanding triathlon--our high on Friday was 78 degrees. 

 

This year we had 35 participants. It was so much fun!

 

Thanks to all of the volunteers who helped along the way, passing out water, cheering everyone on, and making sure that everyone was okay.

Make it your goal to join us next year. We don't care if you do the whole event, or just one or two of the three. We don't care if you're slow or fast, we just take joy in your accomplishment!

Thank you, Brenda and Ranee, for all of your work, and thanks to the wonderful participating women of the Billings East Stake!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Just a reminder that the WILD WOMAN TRIATHLON is taking place this friday, Aug. 19 at Lake Elmo. You still have until tomorrow Aug. 17th to sign up. Give Brenda Snizek a call at 256-5476 or email at bsnizek@bresnan.net.  Participants need to arrive by 5:00 at the boat dock. Families and friends are welcome! Come and cheer for all the Wild Women!

STAKE CONFERENCE is scheduled for Saturday, August 27th and Sunday, August 28th. The Saturday schedule includes Priesthood meetings at 4pm, dinner at 5:30 and an adult session starting at 7pm. The Sunday meeting starts at 10am at the Stake Center. Hope to see you there!

READ KIDDO READ

If you are always looking for a good book for your children to read you might want to check out www.readkiddoread.com. The web site was started by the author James Patterson to encourage his son and every other kid to develop the habit of reading. The site gives a rundown of the best books for kids, broken down by age and genre. I find it easy to navigate and plenty of books to choose from. And of course just because these books are labeled as children and young adult literature doesn't mean that adults won't enjoy them. I think of them as books the whole family can read and enjoy and build a connection with. Of course many of the books suggested are popular so trying to check them out at the library can be discouraging. Sometimes it is easier to just put a hold on a book and pick it up when it is available. Check it out! and Happy Reading!

GENEALOGY FAIR

Who Do You Think You Are?

Saturday, August 27, 2011

10am-2pm + 1711 6th Street West (Ave. D Chapel)

Free to the Public!

5 PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS

*LDS Family History Center

*Yellowstone Genealogy Forum

*Big Sky Paf Users Group

*Germans From Russia

*D.A.R. (Daughters of American Revolution)

Each organization will have a booth/table at which to provide information & display what can be accomplished when tracing family history, plus Mini-workshops: how to fill out pedigree and family sheets, Using websites for research & Genealogy 101.

This should be a great event for those interested in family history. Both stakes are involved and working hard to make it a success. And of course, lunch will be served!