Another Rank Advancement- 19 Merit Badges

Noah received 5 more merit badges and his Star rank at this last court of honor. He also was able to conduct the meeting to get his final requirement for his Communications merit badge. He is currently working on about 7 merit badges and is planning to get his Eagle by next fall.

I am thankful for...

Home, heaters, sweaters, holidays, carpet, flowers, toilets, music, family, opportunities, vacations, anniversaries, smiles, taste, blue skies, smell of baked bread and new plastic, creativity, sight, doctors, medicine, dancing, employment, new friends, imagination, scriptures, prayer, patriarchal blessings, freedom, privileges, education, love, automobiles, babies, memories, old friends,traditions, warm socks...there are so many more things that I am thankful for- and who do I thank for all of these marvelous things? I thank my Heavenly Father!

Turning Nine

Elijah has now turned the ripe ol' age of NINE! He chose a C3PO cake for his birthday. (I think it turned out pretty good.)

Beauty and the Beast

Saturday our family attended the Bingham High production of Beauty and the Beast. Valesca was dressed as a peasant girl selling "light up" roses before, during and after the performance. The orchestra sounded better than I remember it sounding when I performed in my high school musical. There were various special effects and fireworks and all in all it was a very fine performance.

Ordained a Priest

Joshua was ordained a Priest by his father- what a great day!

Marching Band

I finally got a picture of Josh in his uniform.

City Councilman- Youth Version

Valesca is a member of the South Jordan City Youth Council. She participates in many activities and services for our community and other communities around the valley. Our city also has a Youth Mayor. This is part of the swearing in ceremony.

Happy 16 Josh!

At our house, when it is your birthday, you get to choose where you want to have your birthday dinner and what kind of cake you want mom to make for you. This year Josh chose to eat at Granny Annies all of the way up in Kaysville.

After the long drive, Josh ordered a scone "the size of a small baby". He also ate a cinnamon roll that size as well as a plate of hashbrowns.

Can't believe that 16 years have gone by since he chose to come and be a part of our family.

Happy Birthday Josh- We love you! ( I guess you can see what kind of cake he requested.)

Bingham Ball...Josh's First Date

Josh and Taryn made cookies blindfolded earlier today. After the dance they are going to go play games and eat the cookies.

Brad usually interviews Valesca's dates when they come to pick her up. Since this was a girls choice dance, I had to interview Joshua's date. She got BROWNIE POINTS because she brought ME these flowers! We hope that Josh has a good experience on his first date.

Valesca and Robert had fun this morning as he was kidnapped and taken to breakfast. They

are going to the new Brick Oven for dinner and after the dance they will be having sundaes and playing games.

Receiving my Honor Bee

Last night was our Young Women in Excellence night. Valesca was conducting the meeting and she did a presentation about me as I received the Honor Bee Award. Since I am a Young Women leader I felt the need to work on this by giving 40 hours of service and reading the Book of Mormon again. They tell me that I am the first leader in the Stake to receive this.

10 Year Celebration

It has now been 10 YEARS since we moved into our home! (And we still have problems with the yard, the basement isn't finished...and where is my Craft Room?)

I Can See!!!

Elijah finally received his new glasses today- and now he is realizing all of the things he wasn't able to see.

I'm leavin' on a jet plane...

Ok, so Josh isn't going on a plane- a bus is his mode of transportation. He is going on tour with the marching band this week. I left him at 7:30 pm and due to mechanical problems, they didn't leave until 11:45 pm. I hope the rest of the trip is less eventful!

Extra treats for being Missionaries

The boys dressed up as missionary companions to go trick or treating and Elijah made a sign that says "P-Day Fund" on his bucket. They said that quite a few people gave them extra because of their choice of costumes. (Technically, Noah just took Elijah around...he wasn't supposed to be doing the trick-o-treat thing.)

Lift up your voice and sing

I spent my birthday evening at a choir performance that Valesca was a part of- and she did very well.