I do what you do...

Emmett has finally gotten to the stage of toddler hood that he wants to interact with his siblings and do the things that they are doing. Paige dresses up everyday and dances around whether it is before or after school she is dressed up. Well today Emmett felt like he should dress up to. So I am laying on the couch and Grandma brings Emmett down to see me. I almost busted out my stitches laughing so hard. Here's Emmett!

Emmett keeps us laughing all day. His personality is really starting to blossom! Here is Emmett marching with Grandpa to include Grandpa in the fun!

Arrow of Light

Tonight was a very special Cub Scout Pack Meeting for Garhett. Garhett has turned 11 and advanced from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. In honor of completing all the requirements, his Weblos leader presented him and a couple other boys in his group with a special presentation. Unfortunately I had to miss it, I was still in the hospital, so Scott and my parents took the kids and here is there recap.


Garhett's leader Brother Davis stood at the front with a bridge between him and the boys' new Cub Scout leader and shared some of these words.


As a Cub Scout, you have been guided through the Cub Scout Trail with the help of many people. Soon, when you become a Boy Scout, you will find that, while there are still many people willing to help, you take on more and more responsibility for blazing your own trail to Eagle. 

Garhett  - you have been called before the Pack because you have satisfied the requirements for Cub Scouting's highest rank: The Arrow of Light. 

The first band of color is to remind you of the lessons you learned as a Cub Scout.

Blue represents the spirit of Cub Scouting : the spirit of giving goodwill and doing your best. Do you promise to fulfill the Cub Scout Promise and the Cub Scout motto, Do Your Best, when you receive the Arrow of Light badge?

Webelos Scouts have faithfully promised always to keep the spirit of Cub Scouting. As their parents, we also promise to continue to help Garhett in his Scouting adventures.

The second band of color, white, represents the Scout Law. Youth and adult leaders will cheerfully show you the skills you need, but it will be up to you to live up to the 12 points of the Scout Law. Daily you will be faced with decisions and, at times, the trail will seem most difficult to follow. Make your choices by always remembering the Scout Law. In all you do, do you promise to be forever Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent?

The third band of color, yellow, stands for the Arrow of Light. Within the teepees of many braves, the Arrow of Light has an honored place. Its shaft is straight and narrow : just as is the path that you Scouts should follow throughout your life. Its tip points the way : the way to success in all that you do. It is pointing to the right : a symbol that nothing should be left undone; if it is within your power to do it, see that it is done. And lastly, this is the symbol of the seven rays of the sun, one for each day of the week; this is to remind you that every day is a new day : a day to Do Your Best in everything: 

A day to honor your God and Country,
to do your Good Turn,
a new chance to follow the Scout Law
and to remember these words: On My Honor

Each boy has blazed his own trail toward the Arrow of Light award, and now the Arrow of Light will help them remember their promise to keep the Spirit of Cub Scouting alive. 

You are now full-fledged Arrow of Light holders!

Next, they asked the Webelos to pin upon their mom a miniature Arrow of Light, but since I wasn't there Scott received in place of me.

The last band of color, is Green; it symbolizes the beginning of your path toward Eagle as a Boy Scout. Then Brother Davis  lead Garhett to the bridge that connects Cub Scouting with Boy Scouting. Garhett crossed over the bridge where his new Boy Scout leader Brother Patton was waiting to welcome him into their troop.

What a special evening for Garhett. As my mother and Garhett told me of the evening it brought tears to my eyes. One because I missed it and two because of how special Brother Davis made it for each of the boys advancing. Brother Davis took the time to engrave a personalized plaque to each of the boys advancing. Brother Davis really went above and beyond to make this advancement a night to remember. This year of Weblos has been Garhett's best year in Cub Scouts. Here's a big THANK YOU to Brother Davis who came in mid-year as a leader to the boys and rocked it! Brother Davis came in, took notice of where the boys were lacking in completing the requirements and helped each one of them progress and had fun while doing it. So thank you Brother Davis.


Now to my dear sweet Garhett, I am so proud of you. You worked hard to complete the requirements, sometimes you and I both in tears, but the job got done. I'm sorry that I missed your special evening, but I want you to know that this is a great honor to have achieved your Arrow of Light and my heart is full of love for you. This is a stepping stone for you as you continue on with scouting and earn your Eagle.

Great job Garhett! We love you!

Happy Birthday Garhett!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GARHETT!

Eleven years ago today you joined our family. It was a rough go at first whether your dad and I were going to be able to have our own children, but then the blessed day arrived! You were born!

Garhett you have been such a good boy from the day you arrived. You slept through the night from the beginning - which was heaven on earth since mom worked full time.  Garhett you are very smart, tender hearted and kind. Dad and I feel very blessed to have you in our family. You bring us great joy!

Today is Garhett's birthday and school picture day. So mom had to torture Garhett and make him wear a collared shirt for pictures. As soon as pictures were over, he could change his shirt.

We decided a couple of years ago that a party every year for the kids was over kill, so we decided on their even year of birth they could have a party. So this year being an odd year for Garhett - no party!

I love birthdays! I wanted to Garhett to feel extra special on his special day. So for breakfast he chose crepes. Granted the very first time we had crepes was on our visit to Oregon with our friends the Lowes. Today was going to be my first time making crepes and hopefully wasn't going to ruin Garhett's birthday breakfast. SUCCESS!!!!

 Emmett wanted his picture taken like Garhett

Before heading off to school, Garhett begged to open a birthday present, so I let him open two one from his siblings and one from Grandma and Grandpa.

A pack of Webkinz

DS Pokemon game Heart of Gold

Garhett was so happy with his gifts so far, I can't wait for him to experience the rest of the day! So many more surprises for our Garhett Man!

After putting the boys on the bus, I rushed over to their school so I could put a love note on Garhett's desk to welcome him to school.

It's been a great day so far. We continued the festivities, by going to Garhett's choice for dinner Primos. All you can eat pizza - Garhett was going strictly for the cookie dough dessert pizza! After dinner we came home, had cake and opened presents.  Garhett wanted an ice cream cake with Reese's peanut butter cup ice cream. Ok, so here I go again, trying my hand at making an ice cream cake and hoping not to ruin Garhett's birthday.

I did it! Wasn't very pretty, but tasted good.

 Garhett opening another present from Grandma and Grandpa - MONEY!!!!!

 This is the present that Garhett was secretly hoping for but knew forsure that he would not be getting it! But we surprised him and got him the iPod Touch! Garhett was so excited!!!! He wrote down a list of games and songs that he wanted us to load for him. I can't believe how grown up Garhett is.

Happy Birthday Garhett! You are such a shining light in our family. We hope you had a great birthday! WE LOVE YOU!

Trip to the Oregon Coast

We went to Oregon over Labor Day weekend. We stayed with our awesome friends the Lowe's, who live in Eugene. It was an all day exhausting drive. The kids did really well.

After arriving at the Lowe's home, Scott and Jamie took off to the river to do some fishing. A couple hours later I received this text from Scott!



















This is the biggest fish Scott has ever caught in his entire life. It was a steel head (like salmon). Great Catch!

The second day we woke to an awesome crepes breakfast. Our kids haven't ever had crepes and they were loving it!! So naturally I had to get the recipe. After breakfast, we drove over to the coast and stayed the night in New Port. Our hotel was right off the beach, our kids loved it! I was happy the hotel had a decent weight room so I could work out. I was feeling real sluggish after all the car riding we've done. This is my view out the gym window. HEAVEN!!!


We had a great time playing at the beach, building sand castles, walking in town, seeing the seals. I love the beach and the ocean. It is such a serene place for me.

Eileen helping the boys bury Paige!

Scott and Emmett

Emmett loving the beach

Eileen walking with Lalia

Trent and Dylan

Garhett and Emmett

Emmett running from me

Garhett and Wyatt

Garhett

Emmett enjoying the sand

Emmett

Trent

Look at all those SEALS!

After our fun at the beach we drove back to the Lowe's home in Eugene. The kids were bummed that we weren't able to have a bonfire at the beach, so Jamie was nice enough to make a fire in the backyard for the kids. So here are the kids gathered around the fire - making smores. Notice that my kids don't have their shoes on.

Garhett roasting marshmallows

Emmett kicking it on the Lowe's garden bench

 Thank you Jamie, Eileen, Wyatt, Dylan, and Lalia for hosting us at your home. As always, we had such a great time.

On our way out of town, I begged for some shopping time at the outlets and IKEA. Whenever we are that close to either I must stop. We first did a little shopping at the outlet mall. Scott slept in the car with Emmett, while Garhett, Trent, Paige and I hit the stores. I LOVE TO SHOP!!! After the outlets we went to IKEA!

 





What a great Labor Day Weekend!

Type A and maybe a little OCD

Well it's time to admit that I am Type A and most likely have a little OCD. Why? I like order and planning and everything has it's place. Right now I am feeling out of control (oh yea, that's another type A - OCD trait) with my life in all areas and with this blog.

I am so far behind on my blog updates that I didn't want to post anything recent because then I would be out of order and lost in the moments of life that led us to the latest post (in my mind). Not that you as readers would know because I would post the updates with their proper dates. I know - FREAK!!!!

So after admitting all of this and the crazy person that I truly am. I am going to go ahead and jump to present day of our life and update the past posts as I get a free moment.

So ENJOY!!!!

Back to School Party!

We were invited to a back to school party tonight with some friends. The kids were so excited! We spent the evening with the Roskelley's, the Halladay's, and the Tolman's. Jen is simply amazing. Jen is the perfect hostess of a party. She had lunch boxes on the counter with treats in them, Capri Sun's for the kids to drink, and fun bracelets for the kids. After the kids had fun running around their property, we sat around a bond fire and made s'mores.

Here is a little fun the kids had.

Paige and Brighton enjoying a horse ride.

Here is the gang enjoying conversation around the fire pit.

More conversation around the fire pit.

Scott helping Emmett roast his first marshmallow.

Carson jumping in on the roasting fun!

In the Roskelley's backyard they have a zipline for the kids. Trent was digging it. So I finally was able to capture Trent on one of his many zip rides. The video is kind of dark because when I captured him, it was dusk.