father & son moment

I couldn't pass up this moment at church.  I had to grab my phone and take a picture.  It was so sweet.

A couple of weeks ago Mason mentioned that he needed a new tie.  His clip on tie was too short.  We went to a store and found out that all the clip ons are too short.  We got him a real tie.  He was excited.  Then this morning, Brian was already at church when it was time for us to get ready for church.  For some reason the girls knew how to tie a tie.  They did their best to help.  When we left it looked pretty good, but not quite right.  When we arrived at church, I sent Mason up to the stand to ask his Dad for help. 

Dads are great!  Mason's tie was perfect.  This week we'll need to teach him how to tie a tie, or this could be a weekly occurrence.  ;)



full day

This time of year Saturdays are very busy, today was busier than most.  Our first basketball game started at 9am.  Mason's was right after in another town so we drove in two cars.  After the game we had a team party at CiCi's.  The kids love eating there, me...not so much. 

Patty Cake

 Shortly after the game I took these three over to the elementary school for a carnival. 

While at the carnival Brian worked on this quilt.  A young man from church is working on his Eagle Project and Brian offered to tie a quilt.  Brian really did do most of it.  Karlee sat down and helped near the end.  I helped tack and roll.  Does that count? ;) 

All the boys received haircuts tonight. 
It's almost bedtime for the boys.  Yay!!
We still need to walk the dog.  A need not a want.
I'm hoping to sit down and catch up on our DVR.  Our favs...Grey's Anatomy and The Big Bang Theory.
It's been a good day.

Blue and Gold Banquet

 Tuesday night was our Pack's Blue and Gold Banquet.  The cub scouts have been working on it for weeks.  The wolves started making a pinata in January.

 Then with the help from an art teacher/friend, all the boys made maracas. 

The big night.

 The bears made this sombrero for our "mexican hat dance".

There were many activites to keep the boys busy.  It was a fun night!

Now back to working on our books.  I have two boys to help advance by the end of May.  We have our work cut out for us. 

fun nights

Thursday night we attended New Beginnings with Bailee and Karlee.  They had a cute baking theme and received aprons.  Love it!  These are all our young women with a few 11 year olds that will be joining them in the next few months.  They are a great bunch of girls.

When we went out to dinner Monday night, at Chili's, there was a "balloon lady" there.  Brian and I have been there on other nights without our kids and I wished they could be with us to get a cool balloon.  Well, Monday was the night.  Carson was soo excited when she told him she could make him a pirate hat and sword.  Mason also got a sword.  Karlee an adorable penguin, Kinz a turtle, and Bailee got a flower bracelet.  It was a fun surprise. 

parties...sort of

 Mason had his Valentines Party on Monday, but it wasn't a party.  They exchanged valentines and had a treat and drink.  Where's the party?  I was told it was due to all the snow days we had and the teachers needed the time for work instead of a party.  I won't be surprised if next years "party" is similar.  I think it's sad. 

Carson's party was Tuesday.  They exchanged valentines then they frosted and sprinkled their own cupcake.  These kids are so sweet and well behaved.  I hope some of these kids are in Carson's class next year. 

my valentine

I wanted to surprise him today and take him out to lunch, but instead we made it a date.  I never know when he'll be in the office.  Besides, when he is he's usually on a conference call.  I didn't want to take a chance.

I love you Bri!!!  Thanks for lunch.

warmer

 Thursday I noticed this fountain when I was dropping Karlee off at school.  It was still that cold.

 Friday is was in the 50s and we couldn't wait any longer.  I took the boys to the park.  Adam loved the gazebo...and the ducks.

Bailee went on a VC camp out on Friday night. Then today we went to Mason's basketball game and Carson starting saying his stomach hurt.  He was sick.  He didn't make it all the way to the restroom, but he was close.  Brian was grateful he didn't go to the boys bathroom.  Then he would of had to clean it up instead of me.  :/  With Carson sick that really lighten up the rest of our day.  He had a game and 1 then a bday party at 2:30.  He was very upset he couldn't go to the party.  It was a Chuck E. Cheese. 

Since our day was free, Brian helped Mason work on this project for cub scouts.  He did a great job and was very excited to finish it. 

Tonight we were all going to go see the Harlem Wizards.  Now Brian will be going with Mason and Karlee ( Bailee has a babysitting job).  I'll admit I'm disappointed I won't be going, but I know Carson would prefer me to snuggle with him since he's sick.  Also, I think I can get Carson to the bathroom faster than Brian. ;)  Mason had an assembly at school yesterday to see the Wizards in action.  He's extremely excited.  I'm going to send the camera with Brian.  Maybe he'll get some good shots.  My fingers are crossed.

den leader

Have I mentioned...that I was recently called to be the Wolf Den Leader?  that I know nothing about scouting?  that I never had a desire to learn about scouting?  It's all true.

I've now had a few Den Meetings and you know what?  It's kinda fun.   I have three boys.  Mason, his non-member friend from school, and another boy from church.  They are all good boys.  I think I might like it.  Shh...don't tell anyone.

I went to the Scout Shop for my shirt and patches.  Ouch!!  They're expensive, not to mention the hours of painfully hand stitching the patches to my overpriced shirt.  Oh well, I'll have that shirt forever. 

Mason has been asking for a scout hat ever since he became a cub scout.  Today, I gave in.  This one looks so much cooler than the traditional cub scout hat. After I had checked out, I noticed they had a cookie cutout!!  Now I'm set.  I can't wait to make some sugar cookies for all the boys in our Den. 

funny story

"My wife Lizzie came home one day giggling, handed me a piece of paper while saying she loved the story on it. It read: “Sally was driving home from one of her business trips in Northern Arizona then she saw an elderly Navajo woman walking on the side of the road.  As the trip was a long and quiet one, she stopped the car and asked the Navajo woman if she would like a ride. With a silent nod of thanks, the woman got into the car. Resuming the journey, Sally tried in vain to make a bit of small talk with the Navajo woman. The old woman just sat silently, looking intently at everything she saw, studying every little detail, until she noticed a white bag on the seat next to Sally.'What in bag?' asked the old woman. Sally looked down at the white bag and said, 'It's a box of chocolates. I got it for my husband'. The Navajo woman was silent for another moment or two. Then speaking with the quiet wisdom of an elder, she said 'Good trade.'"

snow day...again

My iPhone couldn't decide if it was snowing or hailing.  :0)

Outside it is cold...very, very cold.  But the roads are fine.  Ugh!!  We now have three days to make up for school.  Two days were already built into the calendar. 

birthday

Today is my Mom's birthday.  I love this picture of her with Mason.  This was taken November 2003 in Florida at my oldest brothers wedding. 

My Mom taught me soo many things, but there are two that stand out the most. 

• When sharing, one person cuts and the other one chooses. 

This happened last week when Bailee was about to eat the last cinnamon roll and I told her I wanted half.  So I asked her, do you want to cut or should I.  She pulled a face and replied, if you cut you do it even.  Imagine that, we get equal parts.  I ended up cutting and Bailee chose.  Not much to complain about that way.

• Give your spouse a "real" kiss.  It helps every situation.

When we lived in California there was about 3-4 months that Brian and I didn't discuss a certain topic, it always made us fight.  It was during my pregnancy with Mason which of course compounded every emotion I had.  On Mason's blessing day it all came to a head and I was a mess.  All of Brian's family was there and my parents.  My Mom came to me, when I was a crying mess, and told me to give Brian a "real" wet kiss.  I was a little surprised to say the least.  She told me to go find him.   So I went and found Brian and gave him a "real" kiss.  It melted our hearts and helped us to communicate.  It didn't fix the problem, but it caused us to feel the love that we had for one another. 

These two things might seem silly, but to me they are wise.  Advice that I will pass on to my own children.

I miss you Mom.  I know you are in a better place and without pain.  But I still wish you were here...

missionary ~ almost

This handsome young man, Brian's nephew, received his mission call yesterday to....

Bucharest, Romania!!

He leaves June 29.  I'm sure he's very excited.  We are very proud of him.  He's such a great example to all of his cousins.

Go Chase!!!

Day 4 ~ no school

Can you believe it?!  Another day of no school.  But this day will be fun.  We have snow!!  Real snow.  I went outside before the kids were awake so I could get a few pictures without foot prints all over.  It's beautiful...and peaceful.

 It's has been 84 hours that we have been below freezing.  If we're lucky tomorrow afternoon we should make it to 34 degrees.  I'm surprised it took this long to form, but we now have ice on our pool.   

 Before breakfast, before 8, we all went out to play.  We were the only ones out and we were noisy.

 This is sad, but this is the first year everyone has boots.  No ski pants, but two pair of pants work very well.

Off they go to the park.  I think Stella had fun too. 
It's still snowing...

We're going to try the movie again today.  Wish us luck!