Huge Oversight!

Not sure how I forgot to include these pictures in the last post! I made these adorable little Eagle snacks for my Eagle Scouts! Cute, huh?

Eagle Scout I

It's always exciting for me to celebrate the Eagle Scouts in our unit! I've volunteered in BSA for almost 10 years - for the past 5 I've been working as the Committee Chairman for our unit. I get to work very closely, usually to the point that could be classified as NAGGING, with these boys during their final steps on their Eagle trail! Last week we celebrated three new Eagles! Jason Aebischer, Dayde Collins and JASON LEE!



Yep, we're pretty darn proud of him!



Jason selected Mike Deakins as his Mentor. I was very impressed by his selection. It's the scouts opportunity to publicly thank the person who they feel made a difference in their scouting journey. There are so many fabulous people that he had to choose from - but Mike was the first Scoutmaster Jason had when we moved here. Jason shared how Mike really made scouting exciting, fun and real for him! I couldn't agree more! (The next best part about the Mentor is that the award is a surprise to everyone, even the recipient - and since I'm such a GIRL I always get teary at this part!)



So much support from our families on both sides! There were only a few who weren't in the picture - that's what we get for trying to take a picture at the same time the cake line opened, I guess!



The grandparents! As I think back on my own childhood I am able to remember how much it meant to me to have my grandparents there to support me and cheer me on! I'm so glad my own kids will have those same memories!



Can you tell I'm about to burst with pride and excitement? And let me say, one more time, I'M NOT SHORT!



Pay Backs! It's always fun watching the parents try to get the Eagle neckerchief on their scout...except not so much when you're the parent! We did pretty well!



Awwww...



Receiving his Eagle from Bishop Wiltse - now it's official!



Pinning Dad!



Never too tall to love on his mama!



Uncle James...



Uncle Larry...



Aunt Lindsay...

Happy Birthday Malorie!

Look who went and turned 9!!



Only a week after Christmas and she was still excited about her gifts!



Happy Birthday Sweet Girlie!

Real Camera Pics of Christmas

Ok, here they are - the Christmas Eve & Morning pictures from our real camera...in no particular order.

Christmas Eve

He pretends he doesn't like to have the house full of extended family...but he loves it!



I may have shared this picture already, but this is me with my first cousins and sister (minus Mickie who was obviously not in the room).



Jared & Maddie with Grandma Janet & Malorie



Melanie with her Great Grandmother Margaret - 93 years old I believe.



Dad with the girlies playing with the ever-popular flashlights from Uncle Mike



One of the many reasons I adore my cousin Keli



My Megan just being cute



Not to be outdone by Uncle Mike's endless supply of super cool flashlights, Uncle Dick showed up with these babies!!



And a big thank you to Grandpa Gary for this gem! (Disc Launching...did you catch that part??)



Uncle Mike practicing his Jedi Mind Tricks on his grandson, Brandon - there may have been some tippy-tippy-toe-toe-toe'ing involved!



Christmas Morning

The ants go marching...



(No, Joseph did not fall down. He opted to belly crawl...the.entire.way!)


...toward this!



My wide-eyed Melanie with her wide-eyed monkey



Seriously, the best picture we got of Jason



Melanie sporting some pretty cute bunny ears



Jacob and Jimmer



Maddie, Joe, Jacob (and mom's back and the Jared's backside)



Megan, Jason (see!) & Melanie



Jared & Joe



My princesses with their princesses



And before anyone asks, no. No I didn't take any pictures at our New Year's Eve party this year. I just didn't get around to it. If any of the family has some and wants to email them to me I'd love to add them. Otherwise, suffice it to say it was another wonderful year. 60 family members came this year - plus JA & Susan! We don't see or hear much from Grandma Lee so it was a fun surprise to have her come this year. Lots of games. Lots of food. Lots of fun. Happy New Year!

Christmas Eve

These are the pictures from my phone. I actually took out our REAL camera during Christmas this year - but haven't uploaded the pictures yet. I'll update with those pictures later...probably much later!

My 1st cousins (+sister).



Love her so much...



...and love that she makes me laugh, hard!



Cousins Mardi & Keli



I said "saves" when I got up and he sat in my seat anyway...look hard - Jason's under there!



My sister sticks her tongue out when she texts.



Mommy & Maddie



This was our first year with a Christmas Elf. I had never heard of this tradition until this year when we watched Elf on the Shelf! It is stressful in the same way the tooth fairy is stressful - but holy cow...it was so much fun watching our little kiddos keep an eye on our elf!!! 5 Stars for sure!


(I recommend "Christopher Pop-in-kins" at Amazon.com, if you're interested!)

And finally - this is what happens when I leave the 17 yr old and the 5 yr old alone for a few minutes!!!