Water Water Water

Last week we had a few days of super warm weather. And, thankfully, this week we get a bit more of that action! Ava kept asking me to buy her a pool after she played in the neighbor's...so off we went to Wally's! I convinced Sean to get in the water with his sister for about half an hour. Ava loves to play in the water.

Arrow of Light

Tonight we celebrated a wonderful occasion. Sean advanced from Webelos to Boy Scouts...and he earned his Arrow of Light! He came home from Den Meeting a couple of weeks ago and told me that he had had an interview for his Arrow of Light and that he'd earned it! I was flabbergasted! It had been hard enough to get him to earn his regular stuff, let alone go the extra mile for the highest award in Cub Scouts! Luckily, Sean has been blessed with amazing Cub Scout leaders that work on everything under the sun during Den Meetings. We were all sad that Lyle couldn't be here for this awards night, but business called him away.

Sean was asked to lead the skit this evening and it really was hilarious.  All the adults were laughing at the end!

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Our Webelos Den is HUGE!  We had 13 Webelos at the beginning of Pack Meeting, after awards, we were down to 12.

Sean was first awarded several Webelos pins and Bro. Buchmiller came up to award him his Religious Knot.

When the Webelos patch was awarded, Ava and I went up to the front so Sean could pin the Mother's pin on my shirt.

And give me the special scout salute...a kiss!

The three boys awarded their Arrows of Light tonight were in awe of the amazing flaming arrow the Cubmaster Bro. Clements constructed.  While he lit the arrow, a recording played extolling the virtues of earning this prestigious award.

First, Bro. Pemberton awarded Sean his Arrow of Light.

Then, Bro. Fitzsimmons gave each boy their own arrow.

All three boys were asked to repeat the Scout Law.

All the parents came up at the end to congratulate these wonderful boys on their achievement!  On to Boy Scouts....with oodles of merit badges and an Eagle Project!

The "W" Family

Took some fun pictures for Lyle's cousin a few nights ago. The kidlets were fun and whenever I asked Mom and Dad to kiss they would giggle! Such a cute family...glad they're part of ours!

Eclispe

There was a solar eclipse today. Those who are smart know not to look directly at the sun (even wearing sunglasses). Luckily for me, I have an amazing hubby who has a super cool telescope! He lined up the angle of the telescope, waited for the clouds to pass and the reflection came through the eyepiece onto a sheet of paper! It was so awesome! The neighbors all crammed around to get a good clear look at an event that doesn't happen very often.

Knees to Chin

We went for a family walk the other day. Ava really wanted to ride her bike; for about 5 minutes. Then she proceeded to beg for me to "hold you". *sigh* About halfway around the block my back was killing me and I tried desperately to convince Sissy it was fun to ride her bike. Sean decided to demonstrate how fun it was. He rode all the way home on his baby sister's bike. Good times.

Winner!

When my photography Facebook page reached 100 fans, I had a giveaway. Free session with a free 11x14! Lyle's cousin Heather won the random drawing. I shot her session last Friday morning at the entrance to the LDS Motion Picture Studio! These little girls have the most gorgeous blue eyes!

Denise is a Senior!

Lyle's youngest sister, Denise, is graduating this year. So, we headed out to her favorite spots at the Great Salt Lake and spent a couple of hours shooting her Senior pictures! Ava loved walking around in the wind and on the docks. Sean was a great helper; he loves to help me hold my reflector!

A New Room

I took the leap and switched Ava over to a toddler bed. Sean wasn't transitioned until 3, but it just seemed right for Ava at this time.  So, I went to DI and found a few things to make her room even cuter than the nursery!

I found these three frames at DI for $2/each.  I sanded them down and painted them and then wrapped them with fabric that coordinates with her new comforter!  I made that, too.

I moved her black shelf underneath the large Shakespeare board and moved her square bookshelf as well. I just recently added a $5 lamp that I spray painted white with a light pink lampshade (it's not pictured).

Finally, I spent 5 hours (yes, 5 hours after you include tracing, sewing, cutting and reversing all those petals) making this awesome Dahlia pillow! I bought the pattern from Etsy several months ago; the minute I saw it I knew it would one day grace Ava's bed...and there it now sits! My friend just brought me a new, ornate frame from DI that I have painted a coordinating robin's egg blue, wrapped in chocolate brown damask and white ribbon to make a new hair bow holder; the old one is simply just too small. But, I just barely finished it and didn't take a picture of it. All in all, Sissy's room is gorgeous! I love it and feel my heart skip when I walk in every morning to open her blinds. The chocolate brown, robin's egg blue and rose pink are such beautiful colors together; peaceful yet cheerful!