It's been a good day!

Arizona First Lego League Competition, getting ready for round 1

Jared the robot programmer

Sara playing Let it Go and Up on the Housetop

Sara with a few of her recital pals

Daniel getting picked up from Double V after completing his Order of the Arrow Ordeal (think Boy Scout honor society)

Sunday Night Dinner

Tonight Jared dazzled us with a breakfast casserole, canned peaches from last fall, and a veggie tray.  All very delicious!! 

His favorite part was the bacon in the casserole.  

He loves BACON!!!

Sunday Night Dinner

Jared was pretty eager to make today's meal, so he opted to make lunch instead of dinner.  He made macaroni and cheese with octopus hot dogs, steamed broccoli, and ice cream for dessert.  Of course, it was a huge hit with the family!

Sunday Night Dinner

We've started a new tradition for Sunday night dinners.  Daniel and Jared are going to take turns cooking dinner. So far, it's been a hit! I forgot to get a picture of last week's meal but it was great! Daniel made unbelievable buffalo wings with baked french fries, a veggie platter, and ice cream for dessert. This week Jared made an apple juice and spice marinate for his crock pot chicken, rosemary herb potatoes, a veggie platter, and ice cream for dessert.  Yesterday at the grocery store, he carefully selected shepherd's bread  to round out tonight's meal.  Delicious!!

Academic Jeopardy

Jared was invited to be a part of Cottonwood Elementary School's 4th grade Academic Jeopardy team at Vail Pride Day.  His team did swell!  They earned 3rd place.  Way to go boys!

Missionary Farewell

Tiffany Trejo is a dear dear friend. We meet the Trejo family when we first moved to Tucson.  Over the years our families lives have intertwined.  She was our Daniel's very first babysitter.  In fact, aside from her siblings, Daniel was the first non-relative she every babysat.  Her mother, Malia, taught preschool to all three of our children.  Oh how we love the Trejo family!!  Tiffany is heading to mission field and we couldn't be happier for her.  She'll be an amazing missionary!

Cub Scout Pack Meeting

We love cub scouts!!  Tonight we enjoyed a Magic themed Cub Scout Pack meeting. 

Jared:  I understand you like to do magic tricks. What's your favorite?

Brock:  Sawing people in half.

Jared:  Interesting, and are there any other people in your family?
Brock:  Yes, I have two half brothers and two half sisters. 

 

 Do your best skit

 

The Bear den consulting together to select the winner of the Pack Uniform Trophy

10th Anniversary of September 11, 2001

This afternoon we had an opportunity to thank our local first responders.  It was a great community event.  I'm grateful our family could attend and participate in the ceremony. 

 

A day to never forget ☼

 *photo of the scouts holding the thank you banner coming soon*

Battle Hymn of the Republic ☼

Bryan ☼

☼ Photos courtesy of Reyna's photography, used with permission.

Hummingbird Triathlon

THEY DID IT!!!!!

All checked in and ready to GO!

 

getting ready for Daniel to enter the water, in the 2nd heat

goggles on and ready to swim

Check him out!  He's not at all intimidated to be in the pool with a bunch of adults!

Breaking down their transition area, tired but happy!

2nd place in the Male Relay Team Division

Hummingbird Triathlon in Sierra Vista

August 20, 2011

combined time of 2:44.59

Daniel swam the 800 yards, Nate biked the 13 miles, Jared ran the 5K

Nate and Jared just zipped right by that I couldn't get a decent picture of  them in competition.  I'm so incredibly grateful these little boys had a positive experience.  They each hit 'the wall' during their leg of the race, yet they continued to move forward.  They never lost sight of their goal.  They were amazing!!!  My favorite part of the day was watching the look of shock on their little faces when they realized they were getting 2nd place trophies. Such a sweet moment. They were also recognized as being the YOUNGEST competitors in the race. All the competitors gave them a HUGE round of applause and cheered really loud for them. After the awards ceremony, we headed to Golden Corral to celebrate.  Over lunch they started planning for their next team triathlon adventure!  Wow!!  They are amazing little boys becoming amazing young men!!  In my opinion it's all about the process of becoming and they are!  

Way to go Lightning Bull Shark Team!!!

Your families are very proud of you!!

He's a Bobcat

Jared earned his B O B C A T !!! 

Way to go Jared!  
We are so very proud of you!

 

Jared receiving his very first cub scout rank, the BOBCAT

Jared pinning the parent pin on Mom

Jared our cub scout bobcat

Swimming

Daniel & Jared with Marcus Titus

The boys had the opportunity to attend a swimming stroke technique clinic with Marcus Titus.  Wow!!  What a great experience.  Daniel & Jared had a great time!!

Marcus is currently ranked the #1 100 meter breast stroker.  

Look for him in London at the 2012 Olympics. 

First Day of School

Daniel & Jared ready for a new school year!

Jared the2nd grader

Daniel the 5th grader

Lava Lamps

Daniel read about how to make lava lamps on the Family Fun website. It looked pretty easy so we decided to give it a try. It made for a pretty fun afternoon.

lamp #1

this one was Daniel's favorite, go here for instructions

lamp #2 this one was Jared's favorite, instructions found here

brothers and budding scientists

Sunday Sillies

Sometimes our Sunday afternoons can get a little silly

our handsome Jared, wearing dad's shoes

Timeline Project

I really enjoyed working with Jared to do his timeline project for social studies. It was a wonderful stroll down memory lane as we talked about the memories around each of his pictures. I really love being his mom!

Vail Pride Day Displays

Every year our little community & school district host what is known as Vail Pride Day. It's an event held at the fair grounds that brings the community together for food, fun, and some great student showcase. In spite of the torrential downpour, we braved the wind and rain in order to see the boys' displays. Daniel also volunteered at his robotics club booth.

Jared's famous American project on Abraham Lincoln

Daniel's ABC's of recycling project

Daniel's art projects
sadly we didn't find Jared's art project in time to get a pic

Great Joy

I ♥ reading!!

I've always hoped that our children would love it too.

Can you imagine my joy when I saw this?

Thank you boys!!

Change

Change is not always an easy thing. Just last week the boundaries of 5 wards in our stake were realigned. Thanks to the change our family is now part of a new ward. Yesterday was our first Sunday in the new ward. It was nice. The boys came home very talkative and full of insight about our new ward. It was reassuring to see the excitement in their little eyes.

The ward change has also really motivated Jared to follow through on a challenge issued by his former primary teachers. He really loved Bro. & Sister Rose, they were the perfect teachers for our little Jared. Jared is determined to read the entire Book of Mormon before he gets baptized. Before church he read, after church he read, today after school he read. He is so excited! How grateful I am for wonderful gospel teachers.

Got milk?

Jared & Daniel sporting milk mustaches.

Good times!

It's a party!

We had a water party in the yard to celebrate Jared's birthday. He enjoyed the company of good friends, silly games, lots of water, and yummy cake & ice cream.

Splish Splash Fun

Friends

Jared