Shrek on a Trek

So Graham and I went on a pioneer trek from Thursday-Saturday. My feet are swollen, I have blisters everywhere, and Graham's back is bruised from being thrown into the river, but we're good to go.. The trek wasn't really that difficult... it was just exhausting with having to manage 10 kids and walking 10 miles a day pushing a hand cart. I'm proud of myself for not complaining the entire trip.. Go me.

Oh, and I look disgusting--French braids don't really flatter my face--but I'm posting these for humor. I swear I don't look this gross when I look in the mirror everyday.

So hot right now.

I look like a baby in the bonnet.

Our "family". I'm hiding in the back.

Pushing the handcart.Mormon pioneer "stick pulling". Graham didn't beat this girl's husband, so I had to make up for it by beating her twice.
We had to cross a river at the very end of the trek. They said it was thigh-deep, so I decided not to go since I couldn't even put on my shoes with all the blisters. I ended up walking 3 miles instead in someone else's shoes... literally. Walking in those shoes only made my feet worse. I ended up finishing the trek barefoot.

Anyways, we had a good time. We had a good group of kids and it was really mind-clearing. However, I hope to never do it again.

Do I look like a pioneer?

Ok, I don't know how many of you have experienced one of these activities, or even heard of one..

Graham and I were asked to be a "ma and pa" on our stake's annual TREK.

This means, we both have to wear pioneer clothes and haul a wagon and possibly some oxen (?) in the mountainous terrain around Portland with a "family" of 13-17 year olds.

A man who's in our ward, who's also in the stake presidency, recommended us for the job. Apparently, we impressed him and he really likes us. But really--Graham has pioneer potential, but what about me?

1) I've never squatted to go to the bathroom in my whole life. I'm not about to start.
2) I like air conditioning.
3) I hate dresses, and I totally hate bonnets.
4) I appreciate a real stove and a refrigerator.
5) I love my bed, down comforter, and down pillows.

My mom is making me a pioneer outfit. She's made me one before--I had a speaking/singing role as Mary in the play about Tom Sawyer in 6th grade. I wish I had a picture of me in this outfit to show you all, but I don't.. So yeah, it's a good thing my mom can sew or I'd be wearing just a smelly old dress from Goodwill. Graham has to wear suspenders. Ha ha.

Needless to say, this will be interesting..