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.

college bound brian - off again

Brian I am sorry the camera card was not in my camera when you left today.

please email me a picture from Cory's camera soon!

Please feel free to come home anytime....

we like you around here.

mom

they're off- well almost...

Today is it

THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!

Here's Hailey

Junior extraordinaire!

ready to go at 7:04 AM

You can't see from the photo- but she is wearing a darling shirt that she made herself & headed out the door with a glass of apple juice.

9th grade Chloe left next!!

Here she is ready to go at

7:40 AM

She's rulin' the school as a 9th grader.

she's so confident she hasn't even found or opened her locker yet-

that's easy, baby, sevey stuff ya know?!

Trent here-

woke up at 6:45...

even though his alarm was set for 7:45!

He was ready!

5th grader Trent is so ready-
this picture was taken a whole hour before he needed to leave!

Because we've got so much time to kill
I thought this would be the perfect time to pick up his room a bit?
He decided last week, in an effort to get ready for school, he would rearrange his room. I had no idea that rearranging his room meant he would put all furniture in the middle of the room?
It's crazy in there & not going to work for mom.
He seems to think it's perfect.
He doesn't want to put things back...
I don't want to clean the toilets...
so we are job swapping.
oh the joy
It's going to be a GREAT year!

worth the wait

One day last spring

my sweetheart called in the middle of the day-

to say that Earth, Wind & Fire was coming to Utah!

should he buy tickets?

YES

AND FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!!!

We listen to their music all the time...

you can ask Megan (she's been around the longest)

these kids grew up on it.

(p.s. we really missed you megan & tony)

(p.p.s. we haven't told missionary jack yet.... we are not sure how to break the news to him shh)

(in line 1 hour early to get in & claim our spot)

So-

We've waited all summer.

Knowing that -

even though the end of summer meant school starting-

it also meant the

Earth, Wind & Fire

concert was here!

We got into the venue at

Deer Valley in Park City.

Then pulled out our picnic dinner, blankets & chairs.

The view in front of us.

The view to the left- west I think?

above

to the west again?

where's my photo from the east?

oh well...

When the music started-

everyone around us started doing this...

Evidence - that besides being a fabulous concert,

this was an excellent people watching event.

Something tells me, some one out there may have even enjoyed watching us?

they started out with

boogie wonderland

and ended with

let's groove tonight

I really love these kids...

this music...

and this guy.

This picture above is for you Jack.

When you get home... and if you read my entire blog like Brian did.

Or, if I break down & tell you?

Which is very likely, considering I am the worst secret keeper on the planet.

Earth, Wind & Fire

YOU DID NOT DISAPPOINT!

It was a GREAT concert.

Worth every penny & all the months anticipation.

blogger's block

Typically if I am not blogging....
things are not going to well with my mood or just in general.
**
But not lately....
I just am burned out/blocked/can't think of what to say
and
very busy!
It's the very end of summer this week for us, ya know!?
**
Here are a few things we have been doing:
Chloe earned her YW medallion!!!
(big celebration & big post to come on that - I am waiting for pictures)
We took a little trip up to my sister's town & stayed overnight in a fabulous hotel
(thanks to hotel points)
While there- we visited with her family & my parents, who were there. We went out to dinner & the kids went swimming. It was super fun & nice to get away for even just one night!
**
Yesterday
Besides hitting the refresh button on my email over & over
(I was waiting for the missionary to write- which he did - which = happiness)
my sweet girls & I
cleaned closets, bedrooms & took a big load of stuff to the local thrift type store.
It felt so good!!!
I went through & organized (purged out junk) from every kitchen cabinet!!
**
Today
Besides driving Chloe to ballet-
my parents are stopping by on their way home
I am hoping to clean out:
my laundry/sewing room & trent's room...
pray for me.

a cell phone conversation

(photo from last month's Ikea trip)

mom: Hey Trent, I'm bringing you home a surprise!

Trent: what is it?

mom: it starts with a "ch"

Trent: chocolate?

mom: no - it starts with a "chee"

Trent: cheetos?

mom: no - it starts with a "chees"

Trent: cheezits?

mom: no - it starts with a "cheesb"

Trent: just tell me

mom: a cheeseburger!!

Trent: I knew it.

thursday, friday & saturday

Thursday Brett & I took these two to see this- Ramona & Beezus. Beverly Cleary books were the only books I loved as a kid & I was thrilled to take the kids to this movie. Last summer I read Ramona to these two out loud. I fell in love with her again.

Friday...
OH FRiday
Trent was over the top excited to go on his very first scout camp out!

He packed a day ahead, then put on the pack 2 hours before it was time to go, then told everyone to say hurry & say goodbye- he was leaving... in 2 hours.

Brett was the lucky one & got to go with him.
There was thunder, lightening (not near by but a good showing) rain, wind- just enough to keep them awake most of the night.
It's been 3 days- Brett is finally starting to recover.

Saturday morning Chloe & I got up early to drive to Provo & pick up Hailey at EFY.
She had the "best time ever."
She became an instant celebrity after the variety show where she wowed them with one of her original songs- I didn't take any pictures of us because I'm an idiot, but we had a great time. I'm so glad she got to go- we were not going to send her, but a couple of weeks before- we went on line saw one open spot & signed her up. It was meant to be!
We went out to breakfast & shopping with Marcus & Brittany- then to see this exhibit at the BYU art museum. IT WAS AMAZING. I highly recommend it.
more to come...

it wasn't supposed to be a party......

This year -

we told Trent (Brett & I) that

because he was getting a cell phone & expensive scouting stuff for his birthday.

We would not have a big party.

He was totally fine with that....

until last week when he I told him he could invite a couple of friends over for dinner on his actual birthday. I knew we were celebrating as a family earlier, that the girls & Brett would be gone- so what the heck? Invite a friend or two & I'll order pizza. I'm kinda nice that way.

Then- in the Sunday paper I saw the Diary of a Whimpy Kid movie was being released on DVD -on his actual birthday, so I thought- hey we can have dinner & a movie- no sweat right?

then-

he started inviting people

anyone walking down the street basically.

I cut that list to the basic friends he had asked & told him at least 1,000 times-

Trent, this is NOT a party.

we had no invites- just phone calls- no gifts- just dinner & a movie!

I don't know why i was so insistent?

I guess I feel like he is so spoiled being the youngest, getting a cell phone (it's ridiculous if you ask me) etc?

Then in the car, late in the afternoon, on the big day.

I repeated again- this is not a party just pizza & a movie.

He said-

"mom, that's a party to me."

my heart sank.

I'm such a loser.

he's a little kid for heaven's sake!

I took him to Dairy Queen & we bought an ice cream cake.

I felt guilty the whole night for not inviting his many other friends.

What would it have hurt to invite a bunch of boys over?

At least his cub scout troop?

I could have spent a few more bucks on pizza?

I felt like dirt.

After the kids left I was about to apologize when he ran up, hugged me & said

"mom that was the best party ever!"

note to self:

life is short

Trent is already spoiled

the youngest of six- he should be spoiled, poor kid

next time - have the party - have fun.

it doesn't have to be a big deal

lesson learned

I hope

happy birthday trenton!

It's absolutely impossible to believe...

that my baby turns 11 years old today!?

Using his favorite words.... WHAT the HecK?

We celebrated last Friday night with Grandma & Grandpa Messer, plus Megan & charlie. So much fun- We also celebrated Megan's birthday which was Sunday--- but that is a post for another day (I'm so behind!)

I have learned so much being Trent's mother.
He was surely sent to our family to teach me many things.
I can honestly say- I am learning.
11 things I love about Trent:

1. Trent hugs me many times throughout the day- I think his love language is physical touch.

2. He always tells me he loves me & thanks me for things I do for him.

3. He likes to help & is working on helping more- which is part of being in a family (something we are working on.)

4. He is very literal- (probably the aspergers) we joke around too much in our family, so he is continually learning that not everything is for real, or serious - which keeps us/me on my toes & make him extra fun to tease... sorry buddy, but ya know I love to tease ya.

5. Because he is so literal- he never lies or keeps secrets well. This is very convenient & helpful for mom.

6. He likes to play with friends no matter what their age & has several good friends much younger than he is & older than he is. Still- he has friends his own age too. He is just friends with everyone!

7. He gets his jobs done every morning without complaining.

8. He is tall for his age- which is a big deal at our house!

9. He likes to stay up late & get up early (I'm not sure I like this... but it does keep us moving!)

10. He is a FANTstic Speller- spelling is his best subject in school.

11. He is adorable, says the funniest things, has the world's best freckles, is a good uncle & brother & son, tells jokes, is great at fixing things... I could go on & on & on.....

PLUS

He got a cell phone for his birthday!
If he has your number- you can bet you'll be getting a call soon!

last week

last week was

WonDERful!!!

Why???

megan & charlie were here

We had the BEST time!

Playing with Hailey....

and Trent ...

and Chloe!

We had so much fun & did so many fun things together-

I just don't know where to start?

Charlie spent a lot of time-

shyly smiling, then rubbing his face on his mom's shoulder.

so cute!

He loved his aunts & uncles,

Grandma & Grandpa (0f course!),

and even the dogs!

I have loads of photos

These are just a few.

They are back home now-

we miss them.

But, we are so happy they got to come-

and so happy they have a good home & could go back to their sweet Tony/Dad.

Love you guys!