Can we build it?

Yes we can!! Yesterday we got one more good snowman-snow day. There wasn't much there, but just enough for two little ones to make something special.

They were so proud that they did it all by them selves. I was proud of them too.

89 Years Young

Isn't my Grandma BEAUTIFUL?! She always wonders why we all want to have our picture taken with her. But it is simple, she is beautiful inside and out and we all love her! Well my Beautiful Grandma turned 89 this week and we had to celebrate. Her birthday is on Valentines day and I love it, because I get to spend my day thinking about how much I love her. For her birthday, my Aunt and Uncle came to visit. So I invited the whole family over for cake and ice cream. Anyone that knows my grandma knows how much she loves chocolate and so of course her favorite cake is chocolate with chocolate frosting. I always try to make her a chocolate-chocolate cake for her birthday and this year was no different. I wanted to make a cake that was as beautiful and elegant as she is (well with my limited decorating skills). So here is my cake. I must say that it was YUMMY! I am not a chocolate cake lover (I prefer my chocolate in is pure form), but this recipe is delish! I have discovered that sour cream and buttermilk make any cake, pie or cookie so so much better. I know look for recipes containing on of those ingredients.Back to my beautiful Grandma...I hope that I am half the woman that she is when I am her age. She is kind and loving and you just want to hug her all day when you are around her. I love you Grandma, I hope that 89 is a wonderful year for you. I am so glad that I live close enough to you to spend it with you.

You Have a Freind in Me

Gramma gave Owen this Woody doll for Christmas. She took them to see Toy Story 3 in the theater, and he has loved all things Woody ever since. A couple of nights ago I went to check on him before heading to bed and this is what I found. Owen loves to give Woody piggy back rides. It is so fun because he is almost as big as Owen.

A Royal Tea Party

For Bailee's birthday she was given an Easy-bake Oven. This Sunday, Bailee insisted that we have a Tea Party. She stared planning it on Saturday and was so very excited. We thought that it would be fitting that she use the easy bake oven to make our refreshments. She so sweetly spread out her blanket and set each of us a place. We were each adorned with proper head attire and she picked what she felt was her perfect dress for the occasion (the one with "puffy sleeves", it always reminds me of Anne of Green Gables when she says that). We all had a wonderful Royal Tea Party on our quiet Sunday afternoon.

Bitter Sweet

FYI . . . This post maybe long because of what I am writing about. This is basically a journal entry about being a scoutmaster. Scattered Thoughts

During the month of July of 2006 I was asked to be the Scoutmaster for Troop 423. I was excited as much as I was optimistic about the experiences I would have over the course of this 4 1/2 year journey. Today I was released as the Scoutmaster. This is a day that for the majority of my time I never hoped for but knew one day it would come. This journey is one that has changed my life forever and one I hope to enjoy again in the future. The day I accepted the responsibility I never new I would grow to care for these young men as much as I do. There were a lot of days and night spent laughing, prodding, encouraging, promoting, strengthening and preparing and everyone of those moments was worth it in my mind. People often praised me for what I did and I received several honors over the last few years. I never felt like I was doing anything special I was just giving it everything I knew how to give. It is funny how you always learn more from those you serve then what you give them. The moment I was called I made a commitment to my self the I would offer these boys the best scouting program I knew how to provide. Even though the program evolved over the 4 and 1/2 years. I can honestly say I have very few regrets. I know I have had boys upset at me and proably some parents but I knew that my first responsibility was to be a Leader and Second to be there friend. I know for a fact the happy, joyous moments far out way the times my pacience was tested. I have spent 60 + nights sitting around a fire on a cold evening then getting in the tent hoping to get some rest. I can't say that I ever got much sleep but I can say I wouldn't give back anyone of those nights if I could. I also spent add'l 15 night getting trained on how to deliver even more opportunities for the boys to grow into leaders. For Tami and I the sacrifice my family made far out weighs the blessing and joy we received. I never could of done this with out Tami, she never once complained about the time I was spending. No one truly understands what a scoutmasters wife goes through unless you see it first hand. There were many of night where we would sit up and I would tell her what was on my heart and how I wanted so badly to affect these young men for the good or wondered how I could help a boy that struggles. I have had some great experiences and seen so many places I never would have if it wouldn't of been for the troop. One of the things I enjoyed the most was the 50 miler. If you would of told me 4 years ago we would take 13 boys on a trip of a life time in the white clouds I wouldn't have thought it was possible. I am not really sure what I am going to do with myself other then spend more time playing with my kids and being with my wife. Who knows maybe I will take her on a date that doesn't consist of stopping at REI or Sportsman's Warehouse. However, with all that said I am sure the lord has other things in store.

Being scoutmaster has truly been a part of me. My kids don't even know any different then dad goes to scouts every week and he goes camping once a month. I was talking to a friend of mine and she says that often it becomes self defining. I would have to say that is probably the case for me. I don't really even remember what it is like to not be the scoutmaster.

A couple of the boys jokingly said they almost started crying. Some of them said why can't you be the scoutmaster forever. As good as that sounds there comes a time when you have to step aside and let someone else take the reigns. All I know I will do my best to jump back on the wagon in hopes of enjoying some more of the ride.

I met many adult scouters that have also affected my life. People not of my faith who truly showed me what it is to love my savior. People who gave so much of themselves to better the future of the people they served. One of the things that had greatest impact on me are the men and women in the battle right along my side. Just like my boys know I would do anything for them, if these mentors needed something I would be there.

Bitter
Not having an excuse to go camping once a month
Not having an excuse to buy more gear
Not being the one directly responsible to help shape young men into men
Not being there to watch them grow physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually
Not seeing them realize they are capable of what ever they set their mind to

Sweet
Time with my kids and family
Camping and hiking with the family
More bike rides and family outings
Watching these young men prepare to go on mission
Time to run and hike

I just hope and pray that in some way I affected those around me as I served. This definitely isn't the end of the book. It is however time to start a new chapter.

Deep thoughts according to Bailee

This morning I thought I would try and find out what Bailee is hoping Santa will bring to her. I don't want another rerun of last year's chase...

Mom: "So what do you want Santa to bring you?"
Bailee: "Umm, let me think"
..........
Bailee: "I want...I just want lots of loves. Maybe Santa could bring me a love machine that makes hearts and puts them in my heart so I can give you lots of hugs."

What a sweetie! I love that girl!

Now hopefully she will give me something to work with...

Dreams

Me: Owen, did you sleep good?

Owen: yes

Me: Did you have good dreams?

Owen: Yes, I dream about Scouts.

Poor brainwashed child :) Love it!

For the Beauty of the Earth

While we were on our June camp out I took the time to try some landscape photography. I tried out the filters that my sister Diane gave to me and a few different settings on my camera, here are a few of my favorites. They are mostly un-touched.

Strawberry Jam

I got my hads on these beauties...

And made some jam out of them...now we will get to use them all year long!

How much do you love books?

Matt's parents kept some books that were his when he was little and gave them to us when Bailee was just a baby. We put them up for a few years, until we thought the was old enough to take care of them properly. They have be down for a year or so now and Bailee loves them! They are often her choice for her bed time story. One night I went in to check on her before I went to bed and found this sweet sight...
Baille sound asleep with her book draped over her and tucked under one arm as if it were a blanket. I love that she loves books, so much so that she will fall asleep with them close to her heart.

Trying to learn to Ride

Bailee decided one day that she wanted to learn to ride her bike without training wheels. She gave it a good effort for about ten minutes, she was doing well and then got a little scared. I think that next summer with a little growth and a little more confidence, she will have it for sure!

Father's Day 2010

So if you know anything about Woodbadge-ers, you know that they are proud of their patrol critter. Matt isn't as proud as some....so I force it on him. *smile*

For Father's Day, I wanted to do something special. I decided to make breakfast, I don't make breakfast for breakfast very often especially on a Sunday morning. Since it was a special day I had to make his pancakes ina special shape. Of course it had to be the shape of a...

beaver!

Then Owen decided that he wanted to help... he love to help me cook. I sure love both of my men!

Girls Trip 2010

About two weeks after the wedding I got a much needed getaway. My sisters, Chantelle and I all headed to Austin, Texas for the annual girls trip. I was the last one to arrive and was picked up by Chantelle and Eric at the airport an quickly whisked away to a nail salon for pedicures. The lovely Mnisa(and Eric) treated ALL of us to pedicures...I wish I could to that every time I fly!

After the pedicures we all piled in the car and went to Chick-fil-A for some yummy food. Then we did what girls do best...went shopping! Karin had a fun idea to go to a flea market, we found some great bargains there.

Once our shopping was done we headed to our "resort". Eric and Mnisa have some friends who let us kindly stay in their beautiful home right on Lake Austin. We had a lovely time there filled with paddle boarding and kayaking.Of course we always get a little silly just visiting and playing games.Mnisa, Janae` and Julie after church. It was a nice relaxing week filled with tons of fun! I always love being with my sisters. They were great company and even let me practice my first Woodbadge presentation on them. Their feedback was awesome!

Pond Fishing

After the wedding it was time to get ready for me to leave for Texas for the anual Girls Trip. The night before I left we decided that we needed some family time before I left.

There are several ponds around the valley that are stocked with fish so people can fish at them
right in the middle of town with the backdrop of baseball feilds and one of the busiest roads in the state. This particular pond had just been stocked the day before so we decided to head over there. There were lots of other people there too, but we still had fun.

Owen tried casting a couple of times...without much success. He was perfectly happy throwing rocks in the pond and trying to catch things in the butterfly nets.

Bailee was diligent and was gettig pretty good at casting, her aim still needs some work. She crossed lines with a couple of people, but they were nice about it. I think that she enjoyed it.

Didn't seem like many people had much luck catching fish. But this guy and three of his freinds did great! We sure enjoyed watching them circle above and then dive into the water to catch their dinner.