Issue 122

Eagle Project Report

Well, my eagle project is done! The troops in Qatar have limited supplies, and are feeling pretty uncomfortable. So for my project I gathered supplies to ship to them. I spent hours putting fliers on doors, and then more hours collecting the supplies. We had a great turn-out. It filled our whole front room! Then we had to have a breakfast to raise enough money to ship it. That went well to, although there was a bit of a problem, on where to have it. Thanks for all who helped! We had grandparents coming and helping, as well as other scouts. We raised a total of $400. Just enough to ship! Of course we had to pack everything, and then fill out a sheet explaining what was in it and how much it cost! That's not too easy with 31 boxes! Well we finally got it shipped, (that took a while,) and now I just have to turn in my packet! Yay!

Note by mom: We are super proud of how hard Steve worked on his Eagle Project. He spent so many hours making flyers and signs, marketing, speaking to Store managers for donations, shopping, leading the scouts, collecting items for the drive, running his breakfast/car wash fundraiser, packing 31 care packages and shipping them to the troops. Way to go Steve!

The Big 14!

Thinking hard about his birthday wish! Happy Birthday Steve.

Steve was ordained a teacher today, and doubled the teacher's quorum. His friend Eric is glad to finally have some company on Sunday! A huge thanks to Grandparents that helped make this day special. We are so proud of you Steve!

You and Me @ Camp Cloud Rim

Janey and I finally got to go on our Mother/Daughter Girl Scout camp out! I say finally, because Janey has been counting down for about 6 months for this event. The weather was perfect, the scenery gorgeous, and the company delightful. My favorite part was having 24 hours of one-on-one with my spunky Janey.

Janey says:
"My favorite parts were going canoeing, tie dying bandannas and covering Journals. It was really fun!"

We both can't wait for next year!

A Lovely Young Woman

After many years of hard work, Whitney was presented with her Young Women's Medallion today in Sacrament Meeting. They have many requirements that they fulfil for each of the 8 Young Women values and then a Value Project for each one. They are supposed to take at least 10 hours to complete, but most of hers took much longer. For her projects she:

Danced in the Temple Celebration for the Prophet

Planted a Garden

Volunteered at Courage Reins (therapeutic horse back riding for disabled children)

Menu Planned/Shopped/Cooked meals for a month

Learned to do all the chores in house for a month

Read Book of Mormon

Produced a Documentary on how to get a book published

Served as a school Senator

She said: "Through serving people I was able to grow my testimony."

Whitney, we are so proud of the lovely young woman that you are and the wonderful choices you are making in your life. We love you!

Issue 121

Local Fire

Blogging time was preempted by fire watching. Steve and I put the kids to bed and then drove out to see how bad the fire we had been smelling all evening really was. Our "quick trip" lasted an hour and a half as we watched the fire eat it's way down the mountain and engulf home after home. The wind is fierce tonight and is fanning the flames and spreading the fire. We have many friends in the area and pray that their homes will not be included in the casualties.

(My iPhone did not do the scene justice, so I borrowed this picture from the Deseret News.)

Issue 120

Knight's Summit 2010

The Knight's Summit of 2010 was the best one ever! The two day simulation taught the boys (age 8-12) the virtues of Knighthood, they went on a quest, participated in the Queen's tournament, had the final battle and the ending feast. Daniel had a blast and was so worn out at the end of the two days he could hardly walk.

This picture doesn't even begin to show the 150 boys and 75 villains (dad's, big brothers and uncles) that participated in the final battle to return the kingdom to the rightful King and Queen. (And it's not just because my thumb is in the way! I'm still getting the hang of my new iPhone.)

Issue 119

1st Day of Kindergarten

All our kids have gone to at least some kindergarten, and Ellie is so excited for her turn. We do our homeschooling together in the morning and in the early afternoon the other kids have lessons, clubs, classes and tutoring to fill their time. Ellie has just been along for the ride come afternoon, so afternoon kindergarten turned out to be a perfect fit. Janey was green with envy that Ellie gets to ride the bus home everyday, since there were no buses to take her to kindergarten when it was her turn. So, to fill her life long wish, I drove to the school and made sure Ellie got on the right bus and asked Janey to sit with her. I followed the bus and arrived just in time to snap a picture. Ellie thinks her teacher is very nice and I think she will have a great year.

Issue 118

Sweet 16

Whitney's friends threw a surprise party for her 16th birthday, and it couldn't have been more perfect! She was caught totally by surprise. Grandma was in on the conspiracy and picked her up from school and took her to Jamba Juice while I picked up some of her friends. Some other friends were running late, so we stalled Whitney by saying the cake had burned and asked them to pick up another mix on the way home. We hid her friends' cars in the garage and hid a dozen of us in the kitchen for the big moment. Whitney has such a great group of awesome friends and it was fun to celebrate with them for the afternoon.

After the party and dinner, Dad took her driving. Seeing her behind the wheel, I wondered how she could possibly be sixteen, since I don't feel nearly old enough to have one.

Happy Birthday Whitney! We love you!

Issue 117

Arrow of Light

Three Generations of Scouting!

Daniel moved from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts on his 11th Birthday. Before that he completed all the requirements for his Arrow of Light, the highest award in Cub Scouting and the only badge that you get to transfer to your Boy Scout Uniform. It was exciting to celebrate all his hard work in Cub Scouts and witness his transition to the Boy Scouts.