Austin is 18!

I set the dining room table for a fun change (rather than eating at the kitchen table) for Austin's birthday celebration.

Austin chose his favorite meal of French Dip, french fries, mixed vegetables (and we had Ryan's favorite: strawberries). We ate an early dinner and then he opened his gifts. Reid is missing from this picture because he had drama rehearsal for the upcoming musical at the middle school.

A fun card and a box of rootbeer float popcicles from our bishop (so nice!).

A book from Elly (they are gifting each other their favorite books) and she left him personalized notes within the pages, which Austin did not share with us. :)

James and I gave him a pass for skydiving on a future date. James may even go too - they are both crazy if you ask me. We also gave him a new electronic razor, two prom tickets to the Enchanted Evening Prom, $18 and a card game. He was thrilled that he also received money from his nana and papa and his Aunt Cindy and Uncle Tom as he is saving up money to pay for his prom expenses for the high school prom.

We had his favorite cake for a birthday dessert - red velvet.

After dinner and gifts Austin, Molly and I went to the mall and saw The Last of the Titans. A good day! Happy 18th Birthday Austin!

Eagle Scout!

Austin had his board of review on April 14, 2010, passed and received the rank of Eagle Scout! Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America.

Requirements for Eagle include earning at least 21 merit badges, know the Scout Oath and Law, perform service and demonstrate leadership. Each scout needs to do an extensive service project that the Scout plans, organizes, leads and manages.

Here's a close up of his Eagle pin.
Way to go Austin!

Thoroughly Modern Millie

We enjoyed opening night this past Friday of Cienega's musical. Molly was cast as Stenog #6, Mathilde and Millie's Understudy. She did great! They have had rehearsals for the past four months, it was so fun to see all her hard work pay off.
Wendi and Connor came to opening night - such a treat to see them!


Austin and Elly came to the show too!

Enchanted Evening Prom

Some of the youth in our ward expressed a deep interest in having a prom experience away from the yuck that the high school prom offers (immodest dresses, inappropriate music and dancing among other things). So with that need in mind a group of us came together to fill that need and an Enchanted Evening Prom will be happening. We are all very excited for this special evening!
The location we have selected is beautiful - lots of brick and tall, tall ceilings and wooden beams. gorgeous! We are excited to begin the process of transforming this neighborhood meeting room into something extraordinary for our event.

There is also a outdoor courtyard that we will be able to use with lovely green grass and a water fountain.

We are excited for this upcoming event.

Chase!

At the recent cub scout pack meeting Chase received the Outdoorsman pin, the Sportsman pin, Marbles belt loop and Chess belt loop. Great job, Chase!

He got to pick a cheer from the Cheer! box and lead the audience in performing it.

After the awards the cub scouts all got to have a competition with balsa wood airplanes. A fun night!

In the life of Ryan...

I got to attend Ryan's first grade field trip recently. We went to a production of Beauty and the Beast and then to the park to play and have lunch. It was the most relaxed field trip I've ever chaperoned.

I volunteered for spring pictures at the elementary school. Ryan was not happy to get his picture taken. too many people watching, too much attention, too much pressure... Yet when we got home he let me take this picture of him playing outside.

Ryan has been a big helper recently around the house. His favorite chore is mopping the kitchen floor! He helped me plant spring flowers for the front of our home. He did a great job and stuck with me until everything was done and cleaned up.

I took Reid and Ryan to McDonald's during a day off of school. Reid made him this hat from his happy meal box.

Ryan and I attended a therapeutic yoga demo at the local Barnes and Noble on a Saturday afternoon. He has discovered a love of yoga and is interested in taking classes. He did a great job following the instructor but if it was something new he would stop and shrink down until they moved onto something he knew and was comfortable with. Overall, it was a great experience.
We are so blessed to have this seven year old in our family!

Easter Sunday

I love that each Easter when we color eggs James makes one that says "I love Cori". It still amazes me each year. I also loved that Ryan made one that says "I love mom". so cute!

We only had a couple kids interested in coloring eggs this year. It makes me kind of sad that they grow up and we do less and less simple arts and crafts projects although because they grow up we do lots of other fun things!

The kids received very simple Easter baskets this year. Very minimal candy, the boys each received a t-shirt and Molly flip-flops. They also got a small gumball machine and some bubble wands.

I woke up Easter morning feeling awful and spent most of the day in bed (found out the next day I had strep throat). James made the entire ham dinner solo and did a great job! Since it was General Conference weekend we all enjoyed just being together at home. A blessed Easter indeed!