SPL

Our Boy Scout troop held elections earlier this week.......at the prodding of our scoutmaster Evan ran for Senior Patrol Leader. The other boys who were running were older, and more experienced, so we prepared Evan to be Assistant SPL for 6 months and try again. He wrote his speech (a really good one, I might add) and went for it. I have never been prouder than when I saw him stand up in front of his peer (something I would have NEVER done) and give his 2 minute speech, loud and clear enough to be heard by most in the back of the room. I had to leave early to bring Alex home.....but as soon as I pulled into the driveway and parked the car I got the text message: "EVAN IS SPL!" NO WAY! He won!!!! We are sure he is probably one of the youngest SPL's they have had but we are confident he will be a good one!

Sensational Sunday Six.....

What a gorgeous spring day we had today as we drove into the foothills to one of our favorite wineries. Big puffy white/grey clouds....green hills covered in wildflowers! We enjoyed some wine and geocaching! Is there a better way to spend a Sunday.....family, geocaching and wine???

Goof! He came running down the hill toward us! So full of life!
My boys! So thankful for them!

Beautiful California Poppy!

Taking a leap of faith!

My boy!

Been a while since I have done a Sensational Sunday Six.......6 things I am most thankful for right now and that make my life sensational:

*my family.........I treasure days like today! No arguing, fighting.....a good time!

*the chance to reconnect with long lost friends! I have been having so much fun visiting with friends from childhood.....what memories it is bringing up!!!!

*work....not having to stress about if I am getting pink slips or not. So many of my fellow collegues and friends are. I pray that they don't have to put those slips into action

*my Ipod...rocking out to Mamma Mia!

*inexpensive flights.....cannot WAIT to head to South Carolina in 3 months!!!!

*life in general...it really is amazing!

Skiing!!!!

Enjoying a lunch on the sunny deck at Badger Pass. It was a picture perfect day for skiing!!!
Afternoon view of the most amazing place!

Two thumbs up....this was after Alex's first time down the real bunny hill...his technique was point skis downhill and go! Never seen Dave ski so fast after him! Did it scare Alex??? NOPE...he thought it was fun!!!!

All ready for his first lesson!!!! Evan did great with snowboarding. Can't wait to go again!

BIG NEWS!!!! BLOG CANDY!!!

GO check out the NEW Chatty Scrappers Blog (http://chattyscrappers.net/blog/) and post a comment for your chance at BLOG CANDY given away by Rick!!!!

Little boys who don't listen.......

Saturday Morning:

MOM: "Ev...I don't want you sleepign in a snow cave"

EV: "WHY????"

MOM: "It's not going to be really cold, it's going to rain and I don't want it to collapse on your head and sufficate you!"

EV: siiiigggghhhhhh obviously NOT happy with me!

Sunday Morning: (text messages)

EV: We are on our way home...raining

MOM: Ok

EV: You can't see the photos Dad took.

MOM: If you slept in a snow cave you better tell me now so I have 2 hour to decide NOT to hurt you!!!!

EV: Yep, I did....BUT, I kept my head out so I didn't sufficate!!!!

Oh the logic of a way too smart 12 year old!

As you can see....he DID sleep in a snow cave....he lasted ALL night....and it didn't collapse (several of the boys either had theirs collapse on their legs OR just got too cold and ended up in a tent!). I guess it's a rite of passage.....my little boy is braver than I am....smarter than I am....and can out think me!!!! I guess it's also time to buy him a nicer WARMER sleeping bag because who knows what is next!!!!

Chatty Scrappers!!!

We've been doing some housework around Chatty Scrappers and would love for everyone to come visit us!!!! www.chattyscrappers.net We've moved to a faster server, changed our wallpaper...and added a blog!!!!!

A week of photos.....

What a cutie!!!!!!
Mom's Valentine!

Out geocaching in the rain...and being goofy!!!!

The SMART ones of the family...waiting in the truck while Dave and Evan go walk around in the wet grass while it's raining!

A chilly 45* at 2pm today!!!!!

Been a busy week.....I've taken a few weeks off the long term sub job I was doing. I'll go back in another week, so this week Alex and I have been hanging out at home. Friday night we had our Webelos den sleepover at the inlaws house behind us.....got pinewood derby cards and stands done as well as centerpieces for our Blue and Gold Dinner. Today we had to run an errand in Atwater so did a little geocaching in the rain on our way home.

ONLINE Crop!!

Want to scrapbook??? Need some inspiration??? Come join us at www.chattyscrappers.com for our People You Love Crop!!! Rick, a.k.a. Techno Dude, has put together a whole bunch of challenges for us to play with!!!!

I am hoping to get a few challenges done this weekend between Webelos sleepovers, coffee with friends, church and family time!!!!

Been a busy week but here's a few photos of what we've been up to!

Have a blessed week!!!!

Thursday 13...

Okay...so not quite Thursday...but close enough!!!

13 things coming up SOON in my life:

1. Thunder Hockey game on Saturday with my brother and Titia...they've never been so it will be fun!!!! Hopin' for a few fights!
2. Scout Sunday....BIG day for scouts and church! Boys have jobs in both services.....doing the offering at the early service.....carrying Pack flag--Alex and ushering--Evan in later service!!!
3. Washing and ironing scout uniforms and neckcheifs (see #2)
4. Attending an IEP (tomorrow at work.....ugh!)
5. A 9 day 'break' from work.....decided I didn't want to work all of Feb. since Alex will be off so I am taking some time off!!!
6. SuperBowl..really could careless about the game...love the commercials, half-time and FOOD!
7. Helping at Dave and Jeff's golf tournament....I'm the 'official' photographer!!!
8. Going to see "Wicked" in S.F. with Dave and staying the night at the downtown Marriott!!!
9. Cleaning in preparation for our weekend babysitter to come over for the weekend (see #8)
10. Organizing my scraproom...it DESPERATELY needs it!!!
11. A 5 day weekend for the boys...whoo hoo!!!!
12. Some time to scrapbook (although I think this is ALL the time!!!)
13. Spending time with my wonderful family!

More scrappy...and proud mom!

Still working on using up this kit for the Work It Wednesday challenge at Chatty Scrappers!!! It was to use a kit that we didn't like or found difficult....still have more to use. But glad to get it used up and get these old school photos (Alex in 2006, 1st grade!) scrapped!

Evan's 2nd quarter report card FINALLY arrived today.....we've been waiting all week. It was what we expected....straight As. Even an A+ in Writing (thanks to an assignment he ended up get about 50 bonus points on!) and in Algebra 1 (still trying to figure out HOW you get an A+ in Algebra...let alone as a 7th grader!). We are VERY proud of him!!!

Scrappy stuff

We ALL have tons of paper and supplies that have been sitting around forever! How many of us get monthly kits and NEVER touch them??? I admit...I get a monthly kit that is actually 3 mini kits. I have over 20 of these mini kits waiting to be used!!!! Over at ChattyScrappers, Tilda started a challenge to USE those kits up! The first challenge was to use a kit that has been a thorn in your side....one you have but not really thrilled with...not sure what to do with it. I've had these papers since Nov. 2007.....never really liked them so I dug them out from the bottom of the pile and made these two layouts! Still have more paper to use and the challenge is to use ALL of the kit!!! If you are in the same situation...come join us! A new challenge will be posted SOON!!!!!

Weekly photos...

For one of my goals for 2009, I want to start taking more photos of everyday stuff..not just major events/trips in our lives. So here is a weekly update as to what we have been doing!

Geocaching took us along the Stanislaus River in Knights Ferry....what a beautiful winter day it was.
A friend we happened to come across on our adventures. Not too often you see a camel in the middle of a pasture in Central California. He even walked right up to the fence when he saw us stop to look.

One of our first geocache finds of the day!

One HANDSOME dude! He had just received his STAR rank. Gotta love a guy in uniform!

Sensational Saturday!

Took a drive up to Yosemite today...what a gorgeous day it was! The sun was shining, the snow covered the ground. Not sure I have ever been up there when there has been so much snow on the valley floor!

Brialveil Fall....wasn't much water there but the snow stuck to the cliff walls was beautiful.

Boys waiting to get on the ice at the rink! It was chilly but they had fun!

Boys and I up near Tuolumne Meadows...we wanted to go snowshoeing but that didn't work out so we just went and played in the meadow before heading down and going ice skating.

Hoping to post more on my blog...and have more photos! Some of my friends are doing a 365 days program where they take and scrap a photo a day! Not sure I can do that...so I am going for at least once a week! I am not really good about taking photos of everyday events....usually just when we go out on a trip, or something special.

First for 2009

Here's the scrapbooking page I did of the gift that Evan gave me for Christmas! He and I were watching TV one night and I saw the commercial for the necklace...said that I liked it. He said "I'll see what I can do about it!" Shrugged it off thinking..you are 12 and there is no way your dad will buy it! LOL! Well, evidently he did his homework on the computer, found it online, printed the info out, gave it to his dad and said "I'm getting this for mom". A few disappointing trips to mall, ordering it online and shipped to the store, wrapping something else in the Kay Jeweler bag (it was a loofa sponge) and wrapping the beautiful black box in 3 DIRTY socks....and there was ONE happy mommy! He even "paid" for it himself out of his chore cash (which is play money they can redeem for things they want!). I think I'll keep him for a few more years, I couldn't ask for a better son!

My Thursday 13 for today....13 things I will remember about 2008!

1. Watching Evan receive awards at his 6th grade promotion ceremony...my baby is growing up!
2. Alex blossoming in 4th grade...no longer a little boy. He finally really LOVES school!
3. Traveling to England for 2 weeks!
4. Watching the boys faces when they saw Stonehenge and Big Ben for the first time!
5. The many many many Cub and Boy Scout meetings I sat through!
6. Reading nearly 50 books!
7. Spending time with family.....Christmas and birthdays!
8. Dave's parents purchasing the house behind us!
9. Our hikes in Yosemite, no matter where else I have traveled NO place is as beautiful.
10. Getting to spend individual time with both the boys.
11. Growing as a crafter....and loving it!
12. Dave....he's the best!
13. My necklace Evan got me for Christmas!