Max's First Day of Scouts

Today Max had his very first day of Cub Scouts and boy was he excited!! He couldn't wait, he kept asking, "how many more days till scouts?" and he just couldn't pass off enough things in his scout book, it was always, "what else can I pass off mom?". I am so glad to see him so excited about something and to know what it is like to have goals. It was his goal to make sure he got his Bobcat award by the next awards ceremony and he will definitely make it, we passed off all of the requirements in one night. Here he is acting so serious in his uniform.
Here he is with his sweet boy smile that I know and love!
Here he is heading into the Den Leader's house. Her name is Jenny Weston.

Max's 8th Birthday!!

For Max's 8th Birthday he just wanted to stay home and have a swim party so that's exactly what we did. He invited several boys over and they swam, had a squirt gun and water balloon fight, and then threw a ball around. Luckily, we got our sod laid just a couple of weeks before the party so they were able to run around on grass instead of dirt! We also had pizza and ice cream and opened gifts, but no pinata this year. Max informed me that he is getting a little old for that. What?! I thought boys loved swinging a bat at something any chance they get. Oh no, my sweet boy is growing up WAY too fast! Anyway, it turned out great and Max had a really fun time. Happy Birthday Max, we love and adore you!!! Hugs and kisses.

This was his favorite present and it wasn't even something that he asked for, but I knew he would LOVE it and luckily, I was right. It's a nintendo DSi. Gage was quite jealous because it is the newest version of the nintendo DS. Secretly, I was glad because I don't want Max to ever feel like he gets Gage's hand-me-downs being the little brother and I don't want him to ever feel like the lost in the crowd middle child. Max was definitely feeling good that he finally got something that Gage didn't already have.


Here is Max with all of his friends. There's Ryan, Austin, Carston, Spencer, Max, Traeden, Brant, Summit, Jackson, and Gage.
The cake is pretty simple, but all he wanted this year was an Oreo ice cream cake. Max doesn't really like cake.

Here is our little sleeping beauty with sweet Max after a hard day of dirt biking. The boys LOVE when Eliza falls asleep on their shoulder. You can tell in this picture how Max is trying not to move and doing his best to keep her from falling over or getting uncomfortable. I love how much they adore her and look after her. They are both very sweet brothers. She doesn't always appreciate how sweet they are to her now, but someday she definitely will.

Supercross

April 25th, the Bartons came down and spent the weekend with us again so that we could all go to the Supercross. The boys were die hards and went first thing in the morning, but it was a pretty drizzly day so us girl's opted to go shopping in the morning and catch up with them later in the afternoon. When we had caught up with them they had had a pretty good day with a few exceptions. First, Gage was upset because he did not get any autographs from the riders. For some reason, Gage is sooo star struck. He loves the idea of famous people and getting their autographs. That was a huge let down for him. Then the freestyle event was cancelled due to the rain. We always enjoy that part of the supercross so that was a bummer. It all got better though once the races actually started. We were all cheering and yelling for our favorite riders, especially Gage and Blake. It is fun to see them so excited. The two leaders of the races for the past few years have been Chad Reed and Bubba Smith. Our family was a little split on who we like. Gage likes Bubba and the rest of us like Chad Reed. Gage didn't mind being the only one rooting for Bubba. He actually felt quite victorious about it because Bubba took the race and Gage definitely rubbed it in our faces.

Blake and Gage cheering.

Smoke rings we thought were cool from all of the pyrotechnics.

Bubba Smith....



Sleeping Beauty....

What a stinker!!! This is the only picture he would let me take of him.

Gage and Nathan Barton.
Gage with Blake's brothers Mike and Dave, and his dad Keith.

Gage received his Black Belt in Taekwando!!!

On April 17th, Gage had a Black Belt Extravaganza at his karate studio, World Class Martial Arts. The kids that tested for their black belt have trained very hard for this and have been working especially hard for the last year. Gage has been in taekwando for over three years now and we are so proud of him for sticking with it, even when he didn't want to anymore and for all of the hard work he has put into earning this belt. Here he is with the other students that were also testing.
Here are all of the Black Belts that came to be judges.
There was much to learn. They had to perform several belt forms, along with weapons forms for nunchuks, bo staff and escrima sticks. They also performed some self defense moves and did some sparring.




Gage had to do three breaking techniques. Here he is with one of his kicking techniques.


All of the students had a poster and everyone signed everyone else's posters for good luck and well wishes.
Here is Gage putting on his new belt for the first time. It even has his name embroidered on it.

Gage admiring his certificate and new uniform.




Gage with Master Sohn. What a touching embrace this was. Master Sohn has been so great to Gage and was emotional because he had just received his 4th Degree Black Belt and also because he knew Gage would be moving away soon. He told Gage that it breaks his heart to see him leave.
Here's Gage on his first day back to taekwando after becoming a black belt and he's in his new uniform. It is a little big, but he really wanted to wear it. It makes him feel proud of his accomplishment and he should be. Congratulations Gage, we are so very proud of you and all of your hard work!! We love you!!

EaSTeR 2009

For Easter every year we go down to Keith and Bobbie's house for fun festivities. This year was no different. We hung out with Colby and Kelli and their kids and with Blake's family. Blake and I were able to get a little alone time (Thanks Kelli!) and went shopping in St. George for the kids Easter stuff. We ate at Jimmy John's for the first time and both really liked it. The night before Easter we made cookies and dyed Easter eggs. What fun! Dave and Tanya and their daughter Tati were there also and joined in all of the fun with us.









Then Easter morning the kids woke up and checked out what was left in their baskets. I can say they were not disappointed. Then we went to church and when we came home the kids had their always fabulous Easter egg hunt. Grandma Bobbie always out does herself and this year Aunt Gerri helped her make this year especially amazing. Thanks Grandma Bobbie and Aunt Gerri ~ you're the best!!
Max working on filling in his Diary of a Wimpy Kid book. Him and Gage now have all of the books and LOVE them!


Eliza LOVES Grandma Bobbie! She is always cuddling up to her and saying special things to her like, "As long as I have you Grandma, everything will be okay". She definitely knows how to melt your heart.