Aug 2011 - When the hula princess goes missing

When the hula princess goes missing always check the garage.  She's got skills.

She's doing good, doing good.

June 2011 - Josh sparring

Josh's Taekwondo sparring.  Hilarious.

June 2011 - Jared's first scout camp

I let my baby go to scout camp near Wimberly Texas, and just prayed for the best.  Guess what....Jared is designed for scout camp.  He fell in LOVE with scout camp.  He even made it through scout camp without any serious injuries.

One of his favorite activities....of course is shooting.  

He also loved this game called Ga-Ga ball.  The object was to stay in this hexagon court and kick the ball against the wall.  When someone else kicked the ball you had to jump and avoid being hit by the ball.  Once it bounced off the wall someone else kicked it.  No...we are not putting a Ga-Ga ball court in our bag yard.  He lobbied hard for it but we held firm.

Chow time.  They were not super impressed with the food but it was doable.

Jared completed the canoeing merit badge.  

 Patrick said it was pretty hard for him and his partner since they were so small they could not lift the swamped canoe out of the water.

 After watching them struggle forever Patrick finally had to tell the leader in charge that there was no physical way they could lift the canoe without some help. Once they got some muscle they were able to manage it enough to complete the requirements.

 

June 2011 - Cub Camp

This year I volunteered all week at Josh's scout camp.  And it was HOT!!!  and exhausting!!!  and as soon as cub camp ended I had to rush home, drop him off and head out to either a basketball game or a baseball game.  This became a serious weight loss program since I spent so many hours in the heat.

BB guns....hardcore with master sargeant

  Josh is at the far end.

One of our favorite stations was archery.  The leader who taught it was British and we all felt like he was about to invite us for a cup of tea.  He had a great presence with the boys.

Cooking corn on the cob....in 105 degree heat...yeah....it was interesting.

Games

Our nature people taught us about owls.  Then they handed us these pellets that the owls regurgitate and you can dig through and see what they ate....there were little bones in them.  It was very interesting.

But the best part of scout camp is the bonding and making new friends.  This was our den by day 3.

Is there anything cuter than that???

June 2011 - One step closer to the Eagle

Jacob's Eagle Scout project was to make improvements in the school district Clothes Closet. Clothing donations are sent to the Clothes Closet and sorted.  Families in need can go visit 4 times per year and pick out 4 outfits per trip for their children.  The Clothes Closet was started by a sister in our ward.  She got the building donated by the district and it is run by PTA volunteers.  

A man in our ward is a regional manager for a lumber store and donated almost all of the items needed for the project.  And when I say almost all of the items I mean $900 out of the $1000 worth of items. Thanks so much Trevor Crozier.  You rocked this thing for us and made it easy.

The boys side of the clothes closet needed shelving connected to the wall to fix a safety hazzard

Jacob and his scoutmaster Brother Edwards tackling the shelves

The hanger area needed more rods and better anchoring.

The boys side also needed shelving fixed above the hanging areas.  Some where bowed or pulling out of the walls.

The girls side needed a complete redo.  The chalkboards needed removed, the walls needed painted and brackets put in to hang the clothes and shelves added above the hanging racks.

Most of the painting was done on Friday night.  We had a crew of mostly kids.

 Ahhh Kayle...it is your opportunity to drip a little paint....go for it.

The rods and shelving were put up on Saturday

We even had enough paint to take care of the hideous purple shelves that blocked off the dressing area.

A few days later we were able to go back and add in shelving behind the door.  It wasn't part of the original project but we had the left over wood and this created a space for all the donated lunchboxes.

May 21, 2011 - 12th Birthday for J-rod

I can't believe this boy is turning 12. 

And ready to be turned loose on camp outs with his scout troop

For his party he wanted to go to Main Event for rock climbing.  Not my kind of fun but this kid digs it.

I love taking Jared out to restaurants on his birthday because he is always such a good sport about the staff singing to him.  I do not know where he gets his "public persona" from but it is always a good laugh watching him.

This was a chicken wings restaurant and so he had to imitate a chicken with his beak and wings. 

Yeah...that kid is a goof!