YW Camp Fundraiser...AKA Adult Prom

When we found out our budget for camp this year we almost laughed out loud. It wasn't even close to enough for food, let alone anything else. The bishopric worked tirelessly and did find us a bit more, but in the meantime, we decided a fundraiser was a definite must this year. We brainstormed and after much thought, came up with the idea for an adult prom. The theme of course was "Forever Young." Quite appropriate for couples spanning the decades. For better or worse, we were super ambitious and didn't just want it to be a cheesy, let's take your money and run kind of fundraiser. So we went all out and transformed that gym into a real prom. I'm talking, Christmas trees with lights on them, backdrops, TONS of balloons, old prom dresses and pictures to decorate the place, etc. It took tons of time and effort and even some of the budget to put on, but it was a great success. We had a nursery with scheduled activities so the kids wouldn't get bored (the older kids were still naughty and needed some supervision and a bit of a lecture from yours truly). We also had the girls perform throughout the night. So we would play 2-3 songs, then have a performance (piano, violin, dance, etc). One of the girls drew sketches of couples and our newly released 1st counselor (we miss you, Keli) took pictures....real life photographer pictures with flashes, umbrellas and a backdrop and scene that looked JUST like a prom setting. It was really cool to get all the girls involved in the fundraiser. We had really good food and punch (yep, everyone loved my punch creation) and danced our rear ends off. I'll be honest, people were nervous at first. I thought I would literally be the only one out there that dared let loose and make a fool of myself, but a little bit into it, people got up some courage and let their guard down a bit. We had a big circle with all sorts of dance moves going on. It was so much fun and a great bonding experience for the whole ward, and especially the YW. Those girls stepped it up big time too! We weren't sure what to expect, but they didn't complain or anything. I had a girl ready to help every time I turned around. Oh, and it's a weird dynamic because a good portion of them are my new Beehives, most of whom happen to be inactive. So it's super exciting (and yet nerve racking at the same time) but makes me smile through and through to see them responding and getting excited about coming to camp and even maybe to church.

I wish I would've documented the entire process from start to finish, but I was so busy and tired and overwhelmed....and my stupid camera battery died. But I did manage to have Marcos capture a few couples at the dance before the battery died completely. I will post my "official" prom picture at 30 weeks pregnant when I get it back (not many people can say they went to prom 30 weeks pregnant and danced their socks off!). ;)

If you were wondering, yep, my belly has grown tremendously! I knew it was just around the corner! Crazy pregnant body of mine! A few people commented how crazy I was at the dance and could not believe I had that kind of energy pregnant. It's pure adrenaline baby! Going to a dance with music pumping is my cup of tea. Making it through a day of cleaning house, picking up kids, running errands and chasing a crazy 3-year-old, however, completely exhausts me! :) I did push a bit too hard though. Not at the dance, but between the set up, the dance and taking everything down at the end of the night, I was definitely feeling it. Oh well, totally worth it! :)

Me in a formal dress at 30 weeks (thank goodness for stretchy material...this is not maternity, people). Gotta love all those extra curves! ;)

A few random couples in the ward Marcos managed to capture on film