Our World of Cub Scouts

I've been trying for months to get this photo. But, with us being participants in two separate Cub Scout Packs, all three of us are usually never wearing our uniforms at the same time.
Aidan is a Wolf (soon to be a Bear when he turns nine on Sunday) in our LDS Pack at church. He's just recently taken a REAL interest in Cub Scouts. Typically, he treats it as "just another thing" with no real excitement. Thankfully, he's starting to take the initiative on getting some of his stuff done.

Then there was Hunter--a bit jealous that he wasn't in Cub Scouts too. His enthusiasm of Scouting reached far beyond Aidan's. He would do all of Aidan's requirements right along side him (but without all the moaning that Aidan was throwing out). We decided to get Hunter registered as a Tiger Cub Scout in a traditional Pack chartered by a local Lutheran Church (for those of you unaware, the LDS church does not participate in Tiger Cubs).

Cub Scouting started for me back in June 2008 when I helped out at Twilight Camp. At that point, for some crazy reason, I believed that was a one-time thing. What was I thinking? You should know that with Cub Scouts, once you volunteer the first time...you're in for good. But, that was okay with me. Aidan turned eight and I wanted to continue to volunteer. So, there I was trying to get involved with Aidan's pack by putting myself on the Committee and volunteering to handle registration for the Pack. It kept me involved and in the loop but it wasn't enough for me. I wanted to do more. That opportunity came when I was asked to be Hunter's Tiger Den Leader in his Pack. I have to admit that I wasn't looking for that kind of responsibility. However, it's been a fun, adventurous experience for me. And, to be honest, I love wearing the uniform with my boys.

It's a bit interesting being involved in these two very different Packs. So many similarities but so many differences! We juggle between the two almost every day. We get to enjoy not one, but two den meetings a week, two Pack meetings a month, 2 leadership meetings a month, 2 Pinewood Derby races a year, etc. Hey, we get double the fun! And, until Hunter turns eight and transfers to the LDS Pack, this is the way it'll be!

Scouting will be a LONG chapter in our family...so this is us embracing it!

12 Drummer's Drumming

For the past 12 Days, we have found a "gift" on our front porch put there by a mystery someone. Everything from chocolate to DVDs to gift cards. While I could post about our whole "12 Days of Christmas" adventure I will only really share day 12.

This is what we found on our front doorstep this morning:
It's the Glockenspiel that left me the most dumbfounded... Coincidentally, this is the EXACT instrument we wanted to get Hunter for Christmas. So, I'm sitting here trying to think who I've relayed this information to. Mmmm--very few.

I want to publicly say to this mysterious giver: Thank you for all the excitement that you've brought to our mornings these past 12 days. As I sit here with gratitude in my heart for your love, kindness, thoughtfulness and beloved friendship, I can't help but be completely overwhelmed with emotion. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. We're sad to see it end!

We plan to "pay it forward" next year!

PS (just in case the giver is reading): Though the insanely huge 4 Calling Birds gift was a bit surprising he's been "tamed" and has become a welcomed addition to the family.
PPS The boys are absolutely fascinated with the 10 Lords A-Leaping gift. Who knew?? Hope you enjoyed the cookies!

Happy Holidays!

Family pictures are always a disaster...someone ends up in a bad mood half way through. I'm still working on Robyn's dress (haven't even started it yet) to do formal family pictures. So, this year we just did pictures for our Christmas cards. And for the first time, it was a success and went rather smoothly! Even Robyn cooperated more than we expected!

The Christmas cards will only have the family picture but I wanted to share the other poses for your enjoyment.
She is just so darn cute!!!! Goodness, I have a good lookin' family! Don't you think?!

It's the end of the world...

As we know it.

The equator on our "little world" was already starting to come off. I guess Robyn felt like she needed to finish the job. Now it's a toy for her.At least she tried to put it back on!

Oh well, it was a wonderful world while it lasted. I guess it's still usable as long as parts of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea are not important to you. They were taken from this world permanently by Robyn.

A Week in Pictures

I was going through my camera the other day and noticed quite a few that I didn't take. The boys have gotten quite comfortable with snapping a few pictures here and there without asking permission. Here's a few for your enjoyment.

I've had several people ask me what my hair was like right after taking out those "Jamaican" braids. It was not fun taking them out. Even though I liked not having to deal with my hair for a week...it was greasy and still smelled like the shampoo that I used on the cruise ship! Ick.
It took several washes and a few head massages to get my scalp and hair back to normal.


Our little secretary. She's obsessed with "sharpening" pencils. At least trying to.

Our Christmas tree. Notice what Robyn's role is this holiday season? It's fun having a toddler around. I should care that she takes more ornaments off than she puts on. I really don't. It's just not a battle that I want to fight so I make sure I don't have to. Yes, I find them all around the house (even stepped on a few). But, 98% of our ornaments are nonbreakable. The other 2% are up higher. I don't care if she's content with taking my ornaments off. She can stand at the tree for quite a while admiring/handling those ornaments. There may be a small pile on the floor UNDER the tree when she's done but...oh well. Some do still get broken (or pulled apart). Nothing a little glue can't fix...if I even bother.

The World's Smallest Nativity. I really wouldn't know but that's what this little set has been named by all of us in the household. The tallest figure stands about as tall as your standard paperclip.