your not going to believe this...

But last week-

Trent went to scout camp!

Not cub scout day camp---- REAL Scout camp.

He's 12 now & will be 13 in less than a month.

He was really excited & I was

 really nervous.

We worked it out (months ago) that one of the boys or Brett would be up there (the camp was near Wyoming) most of the time. We just didn't think Trent was ready for a week long overnight camp with out family. Now that it's over- we were probably wrong- I think he would have been fine.

 I guess it's easy to tell who's really not ready? 

I had ginormous plans for the week.

I was going to get so much done.

I put my list on a big dry erase board so that I could cross off the multitude of projects.

blah

It didn't happen.

I tried, really I did... but I just couldn't do it all.

Chloe picked the first of our tomatoes.

We enjoyed Slurpee's at 7-11 on 7-11.

I took this photo on the way home from work one day.

Can you see the smoky haze from all the wild fires?

It was hot- it hit 106 degrees on this day!

I did work on a new quilt-

this one is a project for one of my friend's mother.

 It is to go over her bed.

sigh

kind of bummed I didn't get more done-

but isn't that life? When I'm busy I get more done than when I have more free time. Crazy - I know.

Trent had a blast at camp!

He's been telling wild stories about it ever since.

When I got home Saturday after work he was here- it was so great to see him after a long week. 

Hailey told me he answered the phone all day- 

"Hello- this is Trent, just got home from scout camp."

awesome

catching up

This past weekend Brett & I went to a movie. did you read that? A MOVIE people! We never go to movies... so this was a big deal. Trent was at an over night scout camp & the girls had plans- so what's up? A movie -- that's what!

We saw The Big Year & I loved it! Of course we don't go to a lot of movies so maybe we are not the best judges. Still- I really loved it.

On the way in we saw this ultra cool car. I had to get a photo! It's in perfect condition & look at those sweet tires- wow. On our way home we had to run over to the camp sight (good thing it was only a couple of minutes away!) to take Trent a new pair of pants, socks, shoes .... ya- he had gotten wet- then gotten wet again. His pants, his extra pants & his pajama pants were all wet. They were camping near a pond & there was a marshy area- I guess we are lucky he wasn't soaked- or drowned? What in the world? We picked up the girls & headed off to get late night Chinese food! Ya- we're pretty hip~ going to movies~ getting Chinese food. We got into our favorite local place just 1/2 hour before it closed & chowed down on the best ever egg rolls & sesame chicken- yum. I can't remember the last time we did something like that- really fun. The girls & we visited & laughed & laughed. Good times- I wish I would have had my camera. (The view of our mountain on my way home from work Saturday afternoon.)
I got home from work the next afternoon right after Brett & Trent finished riding a 15 mile bike ride. Brett had met up with the scouts in the morning. Trent's hair was singed & he was missing a bit of eyebrow & eye lash hair... he had tried to help a leader light the propane stove----- poof. Oh my- I'm thinking maybe Brett should start going along on these camp outs?? Sunday we had a house full of company!Johnna & Clyde were in town so Ruthie & kids came down too. I'm starting to feel like our house is too small. The kitchen & eating space is always so crowded! I'm thinking we need to start eating out more, move, or remodel?
It would probably just be easier to eat out? So much for my healthy, home cooking ways-- I need a better/bigger kitchen. See what all this cooking has done for me? I'm certainly not getting any thinner & I'm seriously thinking I need a new kitchen. Golly if it's not one thing- it's another. At least I have all my eyelashes!?

a really big night for T-biz!

Last night was Trent's last pack meeting as a cub scout!

He had a lot of awards coming to him...

from camp & other activities this summer.

He went "fishing" to get them!

I have to admit...

I'm really sad that he won't be wearing this uniform or red vest any more.

I think it's so cute.

He also was awarded cub scouting's biggest-

The Arrow of Light!

We have a fantastic cub committee who put on a small program-

to honor this huge achievement.

As you can see-

Trent was just a little emotional.

Actually he sobbed.

He didn't want to cross the bridge over to Boy Scouting.

Cub scouts- Pack meeting- having mom for his den leader

has just been so much fun

Can you blame him?

We haven't had a scout move on for a year...

so I think he felt kind of like he was leaving his friends.

don't worry buddy- they're coming right along too!

He has been attending

Boy Scouts weekly,

has Over the Top- great leaders,

went on a FAntastic Over night Camp out...

still

no more pack meeting?

it was just too much.

We feel so blessed to have such a great troop for my little guy.

and

It was also announced- that this was my last pack meeting as a leader.

I'm being released.

I've been teaching R.S. for six months now & ya-

it's time for me to go too.

I am going to miss my boys!!!

I'm so glad I get to keep at least one.

a grand opening

Today was an extra special day for the scouts in my neighborhood!

It was the opening day of the new-

(the old one was torn down & rebuilt)

McDonalds

We were lucky enough to be asked to do an opening day flag ceremony.

This would have been a bit much for just the cubs so the Boy Scouts got involved too.

There was a ceremony

and three flags.

A McDonald's flag, the Utah State flag, & the U.S. flag, of course.

The boys did a great job & they looked great too!

This is not your ordinary run of the mill mickey d's---

Oh NO

It is SOO fancy, schmancy, nice.

It's a McCAfe.
It has a coffee shop feel.

It's beautiful inside & out.

Their are 4-5 water falls throughout the landscaping of the drive- thru!

A waterfall fountain, fireplace, and big screen t.v.s throughout the inside!

Black leather seating & mod colors.

there is even Wii Fii & a printer for use... free

you know... if you need to print out anything while eating your McChubble.

McChubble=

a McDouble + a McChicken sandwich.

the recipe

Take the top bun off the McDouble,

place the chicken sandwich inside then place the bun back & eat

scary yes- but Brian invented these when he got home from Chile.

No I have not tried one- thank you very much.

The people at McDonald's could not have been sweeter!

they gave us a donation for our troop

then told the boys to order anything they wanted on the breakfast menu

FREE

This proved to be overwhelmingly awesome for some of the boys.

tough decision!!

It was pretty much a gREat morning!

a scouting kind of week...

In the past week- we have had 3...

count them

3 scouting activities!

A week ago- pack meeting.

The next day- webelo day camp

Then today- a candy factory tour.

Day camp was AWESOME.

Every year I dread going.
SuPEr dread going- like I can't sleep- I get really crabby...
Then-
I get there & it's totally fun.

This year I spent the whole day thinking I never want to be released from this job! The boys were so good & we had such a fun time.
Then it started getting late in the day & hotter... & hotter.
I don't do heat very well.
I was absolutely exhausted when I got home.

Pack meeting is always good.

The candy tour...?

well- let's just say- my own son & one other fought the whole time.

lovely

maybe it's a good thing we don't meet again until August?

I don't even want to upload the photo I took

still- the boys had a GREAt time & that's what matters!?

*have you ever been a cub scout leader?

what do you get when you mix cub scouts with water?

Water Fight!

The webelos are working on their Handyman pin.

So- with the help of Brian we have been learning how to take care of a car. Brian taught us how to check air pressure & change a tire, plus check oil.

Then yesterday---

We washed his car & mine.

Of course, Brian got the boys all hyped up.
Sprayed them in their faces with cold water (it was a cool day too) then jumped in his car & drove away.

The boys stuck around waiting for him to come back...

then got him good!

Of course, Brian could have wiped them out completely but didn't.
He told me later he was thinking about when he was a scout & knew they would be thrilled thinking they had got him good.
These boys were so hyped up I could hardly get them to go home.
***

Have I told you lately how much I love having Brian home?
He works- then comes home & does projects around the house.
He helps me with scouts (this isn't the first time)
He has cleaned out
the garage
his room & all of Jack's stuff
Jack left a huge mess in his rush & excitement to leave that sat there for a full month.
I just couldn't push myself to go in his room...
runs errands
answers phone calls from solicitors in Spanish so they hang up
Picks up ballet carpool now & then
Mows the lawn
weeds flower beds
and
protected me from getting soaked by 5 cub scouts
I don't want him to move back to college in the Fall!

tuesday 2x2

1. Last night for family night- we had a lesson on following Christ.

After a story, sample situations, and discussion we wrote on foot prints -different ways we can follow Christ. All six footprints are hanging around the house.

I like it.

It's a good reminder to me of how I want to be.

this pink footprint is mine. It says on the bottom, "give hugs not zerberts." Zerberts, are when you blow on someone's cheek. On Sunday I was really, really missing Charlie. I decided to give all my kids kisses & zerberts as if they were still babies... they told me during our family night discussion that it was creepy & wrong & that they don't want me kissing them all over their faces or blowing on their cheeks again.

I guess I will have to stick to regular hugs & kisses.

jerks.

Sometimes family nights are so frustrating.

Good family nights are so rewarding.

2. Yesterday a package came in the mail to me & the Webelos.

It was all I could do not to open it!

It was from a webelo scout who moved a little more than a month ago. We have been writing to him & sending packages. He sent us these treats from a local candy store near his new town in Pennsylvania. They are the best suckers ever! We really miss him in our den & neighborhood.

3. Today was a beautiful, yet chilly 51 degree day.

Chloe - the most girly girl ever- was up in a tree in the backyard.

She is very well rounded in her interests & I love that!

4. We have had some unfortunate experience with a couple of neighbor kids helping themselves to the popsicles in the freezer that is in our garage.

Last week I opened it up to get something out & found this

"thou shalt not steal"

sign posted.

haha- Chloe took matters into her own hands.

problem solved