Brandon is a Star!!

Last night Brandon and his Scout group had a Court of Honor. Brandon is a Star Scout now and in 3 months will be a Life Scout. He has 17 merit badges and got a bunch of other patches from scout camp. - - 2 being the 14er patch (climbing Mt Sherman) and the Polar Penguin (for jumping in the lake ever morning at 6 AM at camp) I just sewed all of those little buggars on his sash today! He is doing so well and we are very proud of all he has accomplished and his leadership skills along the way. He has recently been called to be the Deacons Quorum president as well. He is taking it very responsibly. Thank you to AWESOME scout leaders and Young Mens Leaders!

Before we know it we will be working on his Eagle project! - Hopefully next summer and before he starts High School Band activities.

Christen's Class Field Trip

I am Christen's room mom this year. Of course I signed on before I realized the change in my calling. Anyhow, I love her teacher! Both of the boys had her as well. Their field trip last Friday was a walking tour of our town. They stopped at the Police Station, the Library, a local cafe for a milkshake, and the Fire Station. They were working on their mapping skills. It was fun -even though it was rainy off and of through the day!

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I seem to be having issues with posting my slideshows from slide.com. It keeps saying there is an error and wont show the slideshow right on the screen. Any ideas? You can click on View all images to see the pictures. Then press Original View to see how I actually set it up! Help!! Ann-- we NEED to get together!!

9/11

I felt like I wanted to post today. Now its late so I may finish this tomorrow. Anyhow 7 years ago today Todd called me up from work to tell me the news. he left very early to work. It was Trevor's very first day of preschool. I was doing a co op with my friend Pam -remember Pam? - We didnt realize the extent at the time and I remember later she wished that we would have cancelled. Brandons first day of kindergarten at his brand new school was 4 days later. Christen was 7 months old. Todds brother Roger was our closest contact of people being in the area. He actually had a meeting either in the Pentagon from what I remember - or very close to it. He was safe.

What an emotional day, and weeks to follow and years now. I made sure we posted our flag today. We have several family members and friends who have served or are serving in the military then and/or now -- in the action or away. Thank you so much for your service to our country. We so appreciate you!

Will it ever end? It is so sad.

I have been pretty emotional lately - not just from the anniversary of 9/11. Thanks to mom and dad E for being so supportive and for my friends in my new calling. Its interesting how sometimes you can be so contemplative about your life and those things around you that affect you -- and then you dont think about those things for a long time. Todd, you are the best too! Thanks for putting up with my ups and downs!!

I was in the temple today and thought while I was there that it was the safest place to be. I saw someone there that I hadnt seen for 10 years from our last ward. That was fun! I also got my peaches that I ordered from the western slope. Cant wait until they are ready to eat and can!! Yummy.

Calling ALL Crafters!

So, with my new calling we are preparing for the annual Activity Day girl Conference - in Nov. that they have. I feel kind of out of the loop with the older girl thing since I have done cubs for so long. We are thinking of a possible SIMPLE craft for the girls. We cant do paint or anything messy because they will be in their church clothes. I was thinking of maybe a bookmark that you get from Deseret and then adding some beads on a string or a small notebook / gratitude journal with simple scrapbooky thing on the front and beads on the bookmark. Maybe even a frame with a picture of them or Christ or a mirror. It cant be too costly. The Theme is "To this End I was Born" - referring to the girls and to Christ's life. There are about 150 girls - 8 yrs to 11 that we will split in 2 sections - one having lunch, one doing the craft for about 30 minutes.

So -- I need your help/ideas. Please comment or email or call!! I know you all and how TALENTED you are in these areas -

Let me know!!

Cute Chrissy

I just had to post these pictures of Christen. She was looking particularly cute the other day as she waited for her ride to school. Maybe it was the fact that we actually did her hair back or her uniform was put together just right, or that she has lost several teeth lately. I dont know. It reminded me of that song in Mama Mia (love that movie) called "Slipping Through my Fingers"where Donna is singing to her daughter as she prepares for the wedding. . . "School bag in hand, she leaves home in the early morning, waving goodbye with an absent minded smile. . ."

Time goes too quickly. You have to enjoy those little moments together!!

Labor Day Weekend

We had a nice long weekend and it was fun to just hang out and not worry about "stuff" Saturday I actually layed around alot. I wasnt sure why I was feeling so drained but then I determined that it was allergies. Monday we went to Todd's parents house for a visit and lunch. We havent gone to Garden of the Gods for a while so we did that too. They live right down the street from there and we dont take advantage of it as much as we should! It was a beautiful day. I LOVE this fall weather. I just hope it doesnt snow too soon. You never know here!

Their First 14er!

A few weeks ago Brandon and his scout group and Todd and Trevor climbed Mt. Sherman. Todd has been wanting to climb a 14er for a long time so he want about to pass up a chance to volunteer as a dad helper. They had a great time and made it just fine. Brandon and Trevor were troopers getting up. I will have to get Todd to fill in some of the details. Anyhow, it was a success!