Happy Birthday Michael!

13 years ago I was in the hospital holding my new baby boy. He was 8 lbs exactly and a very sweet little baby. It's hard to believe that now he is 13 and entering the 8th grade. Where does the time go? Michael is friends with just about everyone. Very easy going, loves music, animals, scouts, the outdoors and whether he wants to admit it or not, he loves his family. :-) And they love him. :-)

Here we are thirteen years later.....



Today he opened presents first thing and then off to school and work we went.


His new Air hog. Doesn't he get tired of these things?


Since he gets off the bus before the rest of us get home, my mom took him to Olive Garden for Linner and then he got this...



Let them eat cake!

Last night I made the cake before I went to bed...



Ok It's not fancy, but it was yummy. LOL


Make a wish...


I love their faces.


Picking out the candles.


It's as big as his head!


Birthday dinner? Pizza, veggies, cake and sherbet. MMMMMMM


He's sitting, I'm standing. :-/



Happy Birthday Michael!

Michael's Favorite Things at Age Thirteen

Grade: Eighth Grade

Food: Meat

Friends: Sal, J.R., Keelan, Orlando, Jayden

Color: Red, Black and Purple

He likes to Do: Go on Facebook and hang out with friends

Hobbies: eating, sleeping and playing with friends

Songs: Doesn't have a favorite

When he Grows Up, she wants to be: A surgeon

TV Show: "Spongebob"

Movie: "Transformers 3"

Favorite Teacher: Mr Kivi

Memorial Day

Today we honor those who gave all. Those who have fought for our freedom and did not return. Today we attended an amazing ceremony at one of the local cemeteries. In fact the same one Bryan is at. (Just a few yards away.)


First we put a couple of flags on Bryan's headstone, and paid our respects.


Then off we went across the way to where the ceremony was being held.





Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.


The Silver Dollar Chorus









Taps and Amazing Grace

Another Random Week in review

This week was yet another busy week in our house. We had "The Wizard of Oz" play. (Already posted) pack meeting, Jared's final choir concert, haircuts, and of course lots of etc. Here are a few snippets from the week.




Michael playing with Duchess (And sporting his new summer haircut)



Jared's final concert for the year. I ran over from work, saw the concert, (It was during school hours) and then ran back to work.

It was a conglomeration of all the songs through-out the year. All the parents were invited and a lot of the students were also invited.


The second graders were invited because they get to try out for the choir next year. Hello Cai Lynn!


"The Adams Family"


"Do Mi So Mi" From the Arisocats


And Jared gets several gold and silver arrow points at pack meeting.




Another good week. :-)

The Wizard of Oz

Tonight was Jared's turn to shine. Jared has been practicing "The Wizard of Oz" for several months and it was wonderful! He was so excited and he really enjoyed his experience in his second play. Last year he was in "No Strings Attached" with Michael, but this year he was all by himself. He did just great!

Follow the Yellow Brick Road!

A Member of "The Lollipop Guild"


I love this shot, I just wish the lighting was better.


His little solo






Great job guys!!!!!!!!

Suessical Jr.

All the countless hours of practicing finally came to fruition this week as the cast of "Suessical Jr." performed for many audiences. Wed. Thurs. and Fri. they performed a total of five times just for other schools. (Cai Lynn and Jared got to brag to their friends as they sat through a performance with their classmates.) Friday night was the first performance for Family and the public. Saturday they will have their final two performances one a matinee and the other another night performance.

They were AMAZING tonight! AMAZING! I've been told for WEEKS from Michael and other cast members that it was going to be great but it was more that I could have imagined. The talent these kids have and what they were able to pull off from the help of their wonderful teacher was incredible.

Months of practice, weeks of practice that consisted of at least three hours a day six days a week. 98% of the performance was singing and dancing of course but the kids sure pulled it off! I took almost 200 "keepable" pictures, but here are a few...



Michael teasing poor "Horton" as a "Wickersham Brother"


"Maisey" and the "Cat in the Hat"


"Horton" sitting on his egg while the "birds" dance around him.


"Gertrude"





A great ending...



A couple of "Wickersham Brothers", a "Jury Member", and "Jojo" (A who... the main who)



What a wonderful job kids!!!!!!! Absolutely amazing!!!!!!