Blue and Gold Banquet

The whole family went to the annual cub scout blue and gold banquet.  This year each scout had to make a sculpture from garbage; Carter made a snowman from plastic bags.  Each boy had to get up and explain to the audience about how they made their creation.  It is always interesting to here what comes out of kids mouths when they are put on the spot.  Carter was very matter-a-fact explaining how he came up with is idea.  The audience voted on what award each sculpture should receive.  Carter's snowman won the "Low Tech" Award.

Carter has been working really hard on scout requirements the last few months and all his hard work was recognized with the following awards: bear badge, gold arrow point, outdoor activity award and the outdoor ethics award.  

The audience got to make hand clappers that we used for applause.  Reagan was super proud of hers and wanted to give high fives with it all night long.

At the end all the scouts got their derby car kits to get started on.  They have two months to get their cars built before the big race.

Winter Nature Hike

The gang ready to start the adventure.

One of the benefits of living in Missouri is that we always get a few warm days scattered throughout winter.  We decided to take advantage of just such a day for a nature hike, even Isaiah decided to take off work early and join us.  Even in the dead of winter we enjoyed seeing the signs of life and natural treasures we stumbled upon on the 5 mile expedition.

Carter by a little brook we crossed.

Carter and Ben were our water boys.  Carter wears his brown hat (made by Aunt Angela) everyday of his life.  Ben has one also he wears all the time and the boys are constantly stealing and hiding each others hats.

The girls proudly showing off their find (a mushroom).

Miles had lots of fun.  Whenever we put him down for a little rest he was so delighted to see all the stuff he could dig up and grab.  He got to where he didn't really want to be carried for the walking part, but just wanted to be on the ground exploring.

Miles loving being outside.

By the about half way, we found out the kids were out of practice for walking so far after sitting around all winter.  Isaiah ended up carrying Reagan and Miles (at the same time) a lot of the way back to the vehicle.  Let's just say everyone sleep really good that night.

January Birthdays

January is a very popular month for birthdays in our family.  Three of our six kids have one, so we kinda get to party all month long.

First up is Benjamin, who turned 12 on the 8th.  I can hardly believe that in one year he will officially be a teenager.  Crazy.  The changes I have seen in him this last year know he is morphine into a young man.  He now chooses to sit with the adults and listen to our conversations and instead of just going off playing.  He also has decided he want to listen to his own music and just isn't into kids play as much.

Next is Miles, who got to turn the big 1 on the 17th.  Can it be possible that he has been part of our family for a whole year?  He is such a joy and it is hard to image our family without him.  He is a big kid and heavy to carry around, which he loves to be since he doesn't walk yet.  He eats none stop.  His favorite thing is to be outside, which isn't often in the winter, but he was lucky for his birthday.  The weather warmed up and the whole family went on a picnic to Caplinger Mills and he got to spend most the day playing in the dirt.

Last up is little Melody.  Well, she isn't so little any more.  She was my smallest baby, but is my tallest 6 year old yet.  She turned 6 on the 19th.  She loves to help no matter what job we are doing.  Her favorite thing in school is writing and she begs to do it all the time.  For her birthday, we went skating and she got to try out her new purple skates.  She was so brave and didn't cry at all about falling down, which is a big deal for her.