Scouts

R is now an 11year old scout.  He made it through Wolves, Bears and Weblos.  Although scouts (meaning, doing the work to earn the badges etc.) for R is not always his favorite, I know he always looked forward to scout camp and the monthly pac meetings.  Larry and I were talking about how the leaders always do such a great job at making the boys feel good about themselves when they give the awards out.  This month was no different.

The Pack Mtg. this month was at a park and we were told to be prepared for some water fun.
Here is the ceremony when R got his Weblos badge and Arrow of Light.  Nice work bud.  And thanks to the leaders for a really nice ceremony.

Here are some of the older boys "welcoming" R into Boy Scouts.

 And shaking the hands of the other leaders.

After, the boys had a blast with water balloons and a sling shot.  We also had a couple of races across the field.

When we got home the kids were excited to see the neighbors sprinklers on.  Since they were in their swimming suits already, why not play in those for few minutes.

Cooking with the Girls

Cooking.  Yes, I'm they type that wants to get in and out of the kitchen with the least amount of mess.  Not that I don't like cooking, I just don't like cleaning up the kitchen.  So in my eyes, the less mess the better.  Which often means, not cooking with the kiddos. 

I often hear other moms talk about cooking with their kids and what a great time they have and how they feel they are teaching their children the importance of......? What are they teaching their kids?  I guess, how to cook and clean?  Anyway, I would rather do something else with my kids to be honest.  Something that doesn't leave flour, sugar and sticky all over the floor and me and them.  Like I have said before : Admitting that probably won't get me the mother of the year award.  Oh well, just being honest.

But...... today we decided to have a little fun.  A got a very cute new apron from Larry's friend at work so we had to put it to good use.  I had to make some brownies for a family party so I asked the girls if they wanted to help.  Boy were they excited!

Here's the result. 

Good thing I happened to have the camera on the microwave, within arms reach, to capture the fun.  And it really was pretty fun!

First Day of School

School has officially started.  Last Tuesday (7-26-11) the boys started and today (Wednesday) A had her first day of Kindergarten.  She was so excited and had a great day! On the way home from school she admitted she had been a little nervous, though.

Here are the boys on their first day.

Here is T at school by the doors where he is supposed to line up.

A before we left for school.

A at school in line and with some friends.  The principal came out to greet them on their first day too.

Another milestone happened for A even before she went to school (she's in afternoon Kindergarten).  She has had her training wheels off her bike for several weeks now but has always been nervous to try it.  I guess she was feeling especially brave today because she hopped on her bike and ended up riding down the trail!  She was so proud of herself.  It was fun to hear her laugh as she rode and Sunny ran next to her.  What a fun day A, I'm proud of you!

I have a feeling this school year will be so good with great teachers for everyone and lots of friends in class already.



11 Years Old

On July 23, 2000 our lives changed forever!

My beautiful baby boy is now 11 years old.  I can still remember the day I really fell in love with him.  He was 4 days old and I was laying on the couch with him and it totally hit me.  I knew I would do anything in the whole world for this little person. I loved him more than anything in the whole world.  I had never felt like that before.  Sure, I love people in my life (of course) but this was different!

R was such a wonderful baby!  He gave me such confidence as a mom.  I thought I totally knew what I was doing, but years later, learned he was just such an easy baby and little boy.  Thanks R for being so good.

So.... this year what did he want to do for his birthday?  Go the the Bees game that night.  Lucky for him, they were having fireworks after because of the Pioneer Day weekend. 

Who did he want to invite? His baseball team and a couple of other friends!!!!  I thought for sure many would be out of town for the holiday weekend so I said, OK.  Just like us, many people decided to stay home so Larry and I got the privilege of taking 12,  boys to the game.  The lady sitting behind me tapped me on the shoulder and said, " You are brave for taking all these boys to the game." 

Here are some pics of the celebration before the game.  Everyone came over for pizza and root beer floats and then we left for the game, borrowing Larry's parents SUV that also seats 7.  So I drove our van with 6 boys and Larry drove the other 6.

The game was really fun.  Bees won 18-9 and there were 5 or 6 home runs!  We all survived without any major mishaps.  Here they are at the game and watching fireworks. (No they didn't sit like that for the 4 hours we were there!  They were up and about the whole time, but I think everyone had lots of fun.)

If you know R, you know he has the softest heart.  He is a great athlete and VERY smart.  I know he will be so successful in what ever he does because everyone he meets loves him.  I'm so glad he's such a great brother, friend and son.  We love you R, Happy Birthday baby boy.



A Few Fun Things

Here are a few fun things that we have done at the end of the summer.

1. LAGOON
Last weekend we took R, R's friend, T and A to Lagoon.  L stayed with Grandma and Grandpa for the day.  The boys have been there before but this was A's first time.  And this year T was FINALLY tall enough to ride the big roller coasters! He was so excited when we figured that out.  He has wanted to ride the big roller coasters since he was 4yrs old.  Larry took the boys on the bigger rides and I took A to kiddie land.  She had fun riding some by herself and there were also a bunch I could ride with her.  We would meet up every once in a while with the boys and toward the end of the day, T and A rode some rides together.

T and A really wanted to get their face painted. 

2. R went to Weblos Scout Camp.

I was asked to be one of the drivers and stay for the day at camp which I was excited about because I've had fun the last few times I have gone with him.  Everyone had lots of fun!  Here are some of the things they got to pass off.

Archery, BB Guns and Boating

There were also obstacle courses, hikes and funny skits. (The skits weren't R's favorite but he still played along.)



3. Roommates - like college room mates from many years (18yrs to be exact) ago!

I got to have lunch with some of my college room mates from my freshman and sophomore yrs. in college.  We were at Ricks College together in the dorms the first year.  Here are 3 of us (there were 6 of us total).

And here are 4 of us from my second year at Ricks.

Being with them brought back some great memories that I thought about for several days after. It was so fun to see them again!

5. Water Fun

L had fun with the hose and Sunny's water bowl  for a while the other day.  Here are some cute pictures.

***School starts in 2 days!  Even though it still feels like summer I guess we better get ready for a new school year.  6th grade, 2nd grade and Kindergarten HERE WE COME.....

Home Run Derby and All Star Game

R and a few of his team mates had a really fun opportunity on July 11.  The AAA baseball Home Run Derby and All Star game was hosted by the Bees here in SL and these guys got to be on the field getting the balls that didn't go over the fence during the HR Derby.  R was TOTALLY in his element, this was right up his alley and if you ask him, he couldn't think of anything more worth his time!  To say the least, HE WAS IN HEAVEN!  All the boys in our group came home with a ball and R got his towards the end of the derby.  He said he was standing by the warning track, by the outfield fence and a ball came his way but some older boys tried to grab it and fumbled it and R scooped it away.  Everyone out on the grass past the fence was yelling for him to throw it over to them but he put it in his pocket.  Nice job, bud.  He saw some awesome home runs and a high school senior from Spanish Fork almost won the whole thing.  R was pretty excited.

Two days later they got to go back and see the All-Star game.  They all had so much fun.  Thanks to their coaches for setting all that up and giving these guys such great memories.
Here are some pics.

Top 2 pictures he is in the dug out.

Independence Day

We gather 'round to celebrate
On Independence Day
Pay homage to our country
As the children run and play.

With barbecues and picnics
And fireworks in the air
The flag we own is proudly flown
To show how much we care.

The stars and stripes spell freedom
She waves upon the breeze
While bursts of colors can be seen
Above the towering trees.

This is all quite wonderful
We revel in delight
But God above in divine love
Has brought this day to light.

With just a stroke of liberty
A touch of his great hand
He gave democracy to us
And helped this country stand.

The stripes upon our stately flag
were touched by His sweet grace
Each star of white that shines so bright
Reflects His loving face.

So as you turn to face the flag
For battles that were fought
Be filled with pride for those who died
And freedoms that were bought.

And don't forget to thank the One
That gives the bright display
The reason why we paint the sky
On Independence Day.
-Marilyn Ferguson 2003

Happy 4th of July!

We are grateful to live in the land of the free because of the brave.

We are proud to have military on both sides of our family and thankful to those that fight for us now.

There's nothing like being in our Nation's Capitol on the 4th of July but we will celebrate safely here with family and friends and for that we are HAPPY.