Life Scout

 

At Tanner's Court of Honor this past week, he was awarded Life.  Next stop:  Eagle!!!

So proud of you, T!  Keep up the great work!

Also, he finished his final time of Troop Historian.  He sang "Rocky Mountain High" but changed all the lyrics to various activities and inside jokes among the scouts that had everyone laughing.  His "report" (always in the form of a song, rap, game show, etc - he's very creative!) is always the highlight of each Court of Honor 😊

Principal's Honor Roll

 

Riley made Principal's Honor Roll for 1st Semester of 7th grade.  I don't know how she manages straight A's on top of all of her time-consuming, demanding sports, but she does!  Way to go, Riley! 

World Cup Birthday for our Caboose!

 

Not surprisingly, Ella wanted a sports-themed birthday party.  She was very specific about what she wanted.  She wanted to do a World-Cup themed party at a sports center.  So, I booked a birthday party package at Benfield Sports Center and sent out this invitation.  We took advantage of an early dismissal day a week before her birthday to hold the big event!

Dressed and ready to go!

She was very happy that a couple of her friends came in world-cup soccer jerseys as well.

We assigned different countries to different teams.

And Riley, dressed the part, served as game coordinator and referee.

Ready for Dodgeball!

In addition to Dodgeball, we also played soccer and kickball.

And then had some yummy treats and cake in the party room.

After the party, one of her friends came home with her and played with the bunnies.

And then she opened some gifts. 

And then exactly one week later, it was her real birthday!  She requested Donut Shack donuts for breakfast.

And then had her "Goonies" crew (a group of four boys that are all within walking distance of our house that she loves to hang with) over for a movie night (Goonies of course) with pizza and bunnies!

And finished off her birthday weekend with inviting Dave's family over to watch the Ravens playoff game and to share a football-themed birthday cake with her almost-birthday-twin, Lacey.

My bookend babies. 

Even though you are growing up so fast, this is always how I think of you.  This little peanut with a huge smile and scrunched up nose.  I miss those baby teeth and being able to pick you up and hold.  But I can honestly say that I have treasured every moment of being your mom for the last 11 years.  You are so fun, quick-witted and full of energy.  You have a big personality.  People are drawn to you and even at your young age, you live life to the fullest!  Love you a million, billion my Ella Grace!

Lacey is 17!

 

Lacey is 17!!

At seminary this morning, we celebrated her by eating her favorite blueberry muffins and singing to her.

After school, her Young Women leaders from church, Sister Dunn and Sister Fairbanks came over to visit.  They got a little bonus and got to see the bunnies in addition to Lacey 😉🐰

Then we ate her dinner of choice (Chipotle) followed by her dessert of choice (cheesecake).

Make a wish!

And then we opened a few gifts.

Happy Birthday, Lacey!

The days are long, but the years are short.  So cliche and yet so very, very true.

My life changed forever 17 years ago today as I became a mother for the very first time.  I was 30 years old.  I was starting a new decade and a new chapter in my life.  My very favorite chapter.  I absolutely love being a mom.  I love being surrounded by my kids.  I love watching them do all the things they are interested in doing.  There are so many dichotomies that I feel, especially now that they are getting older.  This is Lacey's final birthday before she is considered an "adult" 😯  I want to keep her close and watch her fly all at the same time.  I want to protect her and guard her but also learn and grow and experience life in all the best ways. 

Lacey is sweet and thoughtful. She is loyal and loves animals, especially cats.  She is an avid reader, a good friend, enjoys playing tennis and is everyone's favorite babysitter.

We love you, Lacey!  Happy Birthday! 🎂

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

 

We woke up Friday morning to lots and lots of snow!  We didn't get any snow at all last year, so we were all excited to wake up to this beautiful scene on Friday morning.  Everything got canceled which everyone was excited about (except Tanner who was supposed to go snowboarding with a friend and then the parents canceled because they didn't think the roads were safe; ironically he gave up the opportunity to go with this boy scout troop because his friend had invited him first and apparently the scout troop did still end up going, so T was pretty bummed about that!) so we turned on the fire, and spent the day staying cozy inside as well as bundling up and playing outside!

This is my favorite window in my house.  It's a floor to ceiling window in our sunroom and on days like this, it's so fun just to cuddle up on the couch and look outside.

Views from my favorite window. 

Dave and I decided to go on a 4.5 mile walk to see all the snow-laden trees in Kinder.

Ella went sledding.

And made a snowman with her friends.

The balls of snow and ice were so heavy, they realized they couldn't put them on top of each other, so they made a horizontal snowman, which I thought was adorable.

Riley had a friend over too.

And they made this adorable little guy.

And, as a side note, here's a little bunny update.  They are now 4 weeks and 1 day old.  They are getting bigger every day.  They are nursing less and less and eating (lettuce and carrots and hay) more and more!  They are also a lot more mobile hopping all around.  

They are very, very cute, but becoming less manageable with 8 of them as they become bigger (and messier) and more mobile.  So even though, we continue to love them and cuddle them and enjoy them and show them off to all our friends that come over, I think we will all feel a little sense of relief when we bring them back to the shelter to be adopted out in the next 1-2 weeks because they are a lot of work and there are just so many of them!  But as I always say..... baby anything is cute!! 🐇🐰

Tanner's Ordination

 

Tanner was ordained a Priest at church today.  It was nice to be able to have Dave's parents there too.  This means he can now bless the sacrament and baptize.  Dave gave him a beautiful blessing as he was ordained.  Love you, Tan.  

The Sound of Music

 

Ella's Winter Strings and Chorus concert was this past Thursday night.  Ella was chosen to introduce the first song. 

She's big enough now that she can play on my violin.  Full circle.

Since she is in both Strings and Chorus, we got to see her perform twice!

Ella with her Chorus teacher, Mrs. Peachey

After years and years of attending Winter Chorus, Strings and Band concerts at Shipley's, Dave and I realized this was our last one.  Lots of "elementary lasts" coming up for us over the next five months. 🎻

Lots and Lots of Bunnies!

 

After fostering a cat and her four kittens for nine weeks last Spring/Summer, we enjoyed a nice little break, but were up for helping out again if needed.  So, when we got a call on Saturday asking if we could take in a mama Rabbit and her seven (!!) babies, we said yes!  Well, to be more specific, Dave said no, but the rest of us said yes and talked eventually talked him into it promising we would do all the work.

And honestly..... how do you say no to this??

They fit in the palm of your hand and are always snuggling with each other.  They are the cutest!

Of course, we're all ogling over the babies, but Lacey has bonded with the mama too. Her name is Cinnamon.  The shelter said we could name the babies.  So we gave them spice names too:

Sugar, Salt, Pepper, Nutmeg (also known as Dunkin), Saffron, Basil, Ginger

My baby with some babies.

And I brought them to my seminary class today as well.  They were of course a big hit and there were enough for everyone (except Lace and Tanner) to hold one throughout class.  Studying the scriptures in the morning is always more fun while holding a baby bunny!