Matt's 11!!

We celebrated Matt's eleventh birthday in September. He had his sleepover with us and it was fun! The first order of business was to let him choose his gift. He'd received a Nintendo DS from his parents, so he wanted a couple of games. We were happy to oblige. He got a Star Wars game and a Toy Story 3 game. He had a great time (especially in the car!) playing with his new toy. We went to dinner at the Olive Garden. Every time we ask him where he wants to go eat, the answer is Olive Garden. We all got the neverending pasta bowls. However, nobody had more than one serving!! Funny how that works. We came home and he watched a movie. I wish I could remember which one, though.
The next morning was his activity. Originally, he wanted to go to Fiddlestix like last year. Then we showed him a new pair of roller blades that our neighbor was getting rid of that just happened to be his size. He then wanted to go to Great Skate. When we got there, it was PACKED! He decided that since he's still a novice skater, that he'd rather go bowling. So bowling it was. He had such a good time!!! Half the time Mark let Matt play for him. His arm was probably sore when he got back home.



On our way to take him back home, we decided to drive past Tempe Beach Park. It happened to be 9/11 and we knew there would be a memorial there. It was awe inspiring to see the many flags. Each flag had a note attached with the name and something about each person it represented from the World Trade Center. We'd seen the display in the past, but only from the freeway. It was so impressive to actually walk among the flags and put a name to the people lost that day.
We spent the afternoon doing a little junkin' until his parents were back home. It was a fun time for all of us.

Password Not Lost

Erin asked me today if I'd lost my blogger password. It was her 'subtle' way to say that I haven't updated in a while. Oops! I've been busy. Trust me.
Last Saturday I taught a nativity class at Creative Quest. I'll be teaching it again in October. There a still a few spots left.
Today Erin and I made cinnamon rolls for conference weekend. We got them rolled up then froze the dough so that we can bake them fresh and eat them while they're still warm. I'll see if the boys read my blog. We made some to share with them!!
Tomorrow is the Fire Prevention parade. Mark's last. Sort of bittersweet. Three of the grandkids are going to come along and ride in his DARE truck in the parade. We're also taking some Flat Stanley pictures are the police station and with the other officers. Tomorrow night is ladies' night. I think all of the girls and kids are going, at least for a while. The guys are going to priesthood session together. That hasn't happened in YEARS!!! Mark's really looking forward to that. He really enjoys having someone to go with him. Then it's pizza at Grandma's and Grandpa's. Yum! Hopefully, Sunday will be peaceful and quite while we watch conference. I LOVE conference weekends. I wish they happened more often.
This month I have a craft show, I'm teaching two classes and Eliza 'volunteered' me to make aprons for her activity day group. They're making dinner for their parents and want to have aprons to make them more cohesive and cute. Did I say that there are 10 girls and their leader?!! Should be fun....and a busy, busy month! Oh, and Roxann and I are co-hosting three baby showers. We've already done one. Two to go. Invitations are all made and mailed. Did I say I'm busy??? And I have a RS lesson to prepare next week. I think I need a nap!!!

Bustin' My Buttons!

Last week Matthew invited us to his last Cub Scout pack meeting. He turns 11 this week and will now be a Blazer Scout. At the pack meeting, he received his Arrow of Light award. Matthew earned most, if not all, of the Cub Scout belt loops and he earned all 20 activity pins. He's quite the achiever! Their ward has a fabulous Cub Scout program. The cub master does a phenomenal job. She is always on the ball and have everything well planned out and executes it well. They always have wonderful ceremonies that recognize the hard work and accomplishments of the boys. And last week's meeting was no exception. There were three older scouts who were dressed as Indian braves, complete with drum, headdress and rabbit hides who put on a wonderful ceremony that presented Matthew with his Arrow of Light award and welcomed him as he crossed the bridge into Boy Scouts. A funny thing that happened was when he crossed the bridge, the scoutmaster said to him, "Welcome to Boy Scouts." To which Matthew replied, "I'm glad to be here!" The cub master presented him with a hand beaded band with his name and a row of beading that represented every milestone and achievement he'd made in cub scouts. A lady in their ward made him an arrow to represent the arrow of light. It had an arrowhead lashed on the tip, feathers on the other end of the shaft and all along the shaft she'd wrapped different colored threads that represented his accomplishments in cub scouts. Needless to say, I was bustin' my buttons with pride for his accomplishments. I know we aren't supposed to be prideful, but I was so very pleased with his hard work and determination to do well. And I salute his parents, for without their help and support, it probably wouldn't have happened. I appreciate their hard work and dedication. And to top off the evening, Matthew's best friend gave the closing prayer. It was very touching when he asked Heavenly Father to help Matthew be successful as he moved on to Scouts and he blessed all of the other boys that they could follow Matt's example. After the meeting, Matt gave him a 'boy' hug. It was very sweet and touching.

Libby's 7!!

Today is Libby's birthday. She's 7!!. She came over last night for her sleepover/shopping spree/dinner/activity! We first went to Kohl's. She's been wanting a pair of Twinkle Toes shoes. She got 'em! She loves them! She wanted to spend the 'rest' of her birthday money on clothes and a LPS play set. She got a couple of shirts and a pair of shorts. She's particular about what she likes to wear, but I think she has good taste! Happy birthday, Libby!!
She woke up this morning and played on Photo Booth for a while, then had her Pop Tarts for breakfast. Then we were off the see Nanny McPhee Returns. We'd watched the first one last night, which was a good thing. There is a connection at the end of the movie that you might miss if it's been a while since you saw the first movie. It was a good movie!! Then we went junkin'! She was excited for that. She got each of her sisters a book and some for herself. She looked at clothes, but didn't really find anything worthwhile. She's my new junkin' buddy! It was a fun day!
When we got home, Erin and Brian arrived to pick her up. All in all, it was a fun weekend with Libby!

Emma

Emma is on the swim team! They practice at Central AZ college three times a week. And they swim LOTS and LOTS of laps during every practice. I admire her for wanting to do this and for being brave enough to endure the tough practices. She's quite the swimmer!

Luke's Summer Sleepover

Last weekend Luke wanted to have "his" summer sleepover like the big kids. We had lots of fun and laughed a lot. He's such a funny, funny boy! The only picture he'd let me take was at the grocery store. Go figure! Anyway, I'm so glad he wanted a sleepover. We love him and truly enjoyed having here with us.

Check that one off!

Mark and I have spent the past month of Mondays consulting with Dr./prepping for/enduring a "you're at that age" procedure. We're both good to go for 5-10 years! Check that one off. Enough said.