Beevention 2016

This year's annual Beevention was a retreat at Gloria's beautiful cabin in Heber, Arizona. Eleven Bees spent the weekend laughing, sharing, eating, crafting, playing, talking, hiking, crying, paddle boarding, and having a marvelous time together.

I flew to Seattle, then on to Phoenix, arriving just before the girls. Tara flew to Houston, then got on a flight to Phoenix with Amy & Alex. Gloria picked us all up, then we met the rest of the Bees at In'n'Out for burgers & fries before the 2-hour drive to the cabin in Heber.

The next morning we were off on our first adventure -- riding in the Razors up to Black Canyon Lake. We hiked completely around the lake, and even saw a herd of wild horses.

We enjoyed the beautiful afternoon crafting out on the deck, then went into town for dinner at the Wild Women Bar & Grill. Back at the cabin, in our pajamas, it was time for one of our favorite traditions -- sharing our favorite things. It is always so fun to see what everyone brings, and we all left with a new tote bag filled with an interesting collection of fun items.

The next morning we took another Razor ride to the Circle K for Diet Cokes and treats, before packing up to spend the afternoon at Willow Springs Lake. We made a taco lunch stop at Alberto's, then headed to the lake where Sarah had arranged for paddle board/kayak rentals. It was a beautiful day to be on the lake, and everyone (except pregnant Mandy!) had great fun trying out the paddle boards and kayaks. I even faced my fear and got in a kayak with Amy! In her attempt to go from standing to kneeling on the paddle board Alee fell in! It took a little help but she was able to get back up on and paddle around some more!

That evening the Francom Bees put on a fabulous Nacho Bar. We had original cheese nachos, two different flavors of "tot-chos," and yummy dessert nachos. We circled around the fire pit for our annual Bee Meeting, and the coronation of our new Queen Bee. Mandy gave her farewell address, and we all shared thoughts/quotes/stories that have inspired us in the last year. Alex was crowned as our new Queen Bee for the next year, and she issued her first challenge to us -- to "pay it forward" in some way during this next year, and come prepared to share our experience at the next Beevention. We all found a spot around the tv to watch Farmer Oak in "Far From the Madding Crowd," but it was late and there was lots of dozing throughout the movie!

All too soon it was time to clean up and head back to reality. The Thorpe Bees were traveling out of the Mesa Airport so Sarah's car went that direction, and Gloria took the Christensen Bees to the Phoenix Airport. My return flight was not until Monday evening, so Gloria and I had a little extra sister time together. It was an amazing Beevention and weekend, shared with the most awesome women. We all left feeling enriched, inspired, and a little stronger.