So Can I Just Brag for a Minute?

I am so proud of my boys! They are so smart. Tanner got his first "A-" ever (he has always had a 4.0 GPA) and he is a Junior. And that "A-" was in AP Chemistry. And even though he's kicking himself, I'm still very proud. That is an amazing accomplishment. Wow! So his GPA is 3.99. Amazing! And Kade who is in 8th grade also gets straight A's. 4.0 GPA for him too this year. (I think his only "A-" ever was in Orchestra of all things, last year). Anyway, just had to brag for a minute about my smart boys.

Pack Meeting

We had pack meeting tonight. It was Peyton's first Pack meeting (as a scout) and he was SO excited. In the past, he has come as Dawson's little brother. Now he gets to participate as well. He was getting his Bobcat. He got to say the opening prayer, participate in the flag ceremony, and quote the Scout "Law of the Pack". That's a lot for a little guy, but he LOVED it. Dawson was super excited too, because he got his Bear. He gets to move on to Webelos in about a month. I'm so proud of both of them for doing so well in passing off their requirements to move on in scouts. We have amazing scout leaders that really work with the boys and do amazing things to recognize their accomplishments.

We're "going on a bear hunt."

Dawson getting the "mark of the bear" from the bear claw.

Dawson and Mom with his leaders.

Peyton quoting the "Law of the Pack".

Peyton getting made up as a Bobcat.

Peyton and Mom

My Birthday!

Once a month, on Sunday, we do birthdays at mom's house. Tonight we had birthday dinner for the January Birthdays which included Peyton, Tanner, and me! I made banana cake with cream cheese frosting (my favorite) and Peyton requested a "Y" and blue and white candles. Since my birthday was actually today, it was great because that meant I didn't have to cook dinner! And last night James, Tanner and I went to PF Chang's for a Birthday Dinner with Jason and Dalia. Then we (minus Tanner because he wanted to hang out with friends) went to a movie. What a great birthday! No cooking for two days straight. Couldn't ask for more.

Going Once, Going Twice, Sold!!!

Tanner and I went to an auto auction yesterday to try and find Tanner a cheap car. Have you ever been to a real auto auction? It was so much fun, kinda scary and quite a rush. I know, crazy...but I loved it and want to go back. We didn't quite get a car, but we were close. Now that we know how they work, it will be better. We were definitely the clueless newbies there at the auction and you really can't quite keep up with the darn auctioneer. Why do they talk so fast? I couldn't stop talking about it last night. I had a blast! James and Tanner were teasing me that I'm going to disappear one of these weekends and come home with a bunch of cars. Hmmm, you never know.

Happy Birthday Tanner!

Wow, do I really have a 17 year old? Where did the time go? I still feel young-sort of. I don't feel like I should have a 17 year old. Anyway, Happy Birthday Tanner. We didn't really have a party, but Tanner had some friends over, and they were obviously having fun beating each other up with the boxing gloves. We had cake and ice cream as a family later that night. (Thanks to Ondylyn for the delicious chocolate cake). I didn't even make Tanner a cake. (I usually do.) But what was the point since his friends brought a cake over anyways? I didn't want any cake to go to waste. Or maybe it's just that I was being a lazy, loser mom. Wow, maybe I really am getting old. Oh well. Anyway, Tanner is an awesome kid. He's good at sports, very musical-writing and singing his own songs, playing guitar and piano. He gets straight A's. He is usually nice to his brothers and is very thoughtful. If I'm having a bad day, he will come kiss my cheek and tell me he loves me. What a sweet boy.
Side Note---Check out Tanner's cool "Moshi Moshi" penguin shirt that he designed and made in graphic arts.

Peyton finally gets to go to Scouts!

Peyton has been dying to go to scouts ever since Dawson started going. Peyton has felt left out being the only boy not able to go. But now...the day after his birthday, he was able to start going to cub scouts. He was so excited his first day. They gave him an over-the-shoulder bag with his name stenciled on it to carry his book in. I had to work that night, but James said that Peyton wore his bag all night--until it was time for bed. He even called me at work to tell me all about scouts and how he just HAD to get his bobcat on the first pack meeting (because that is what everyone does). He also explained that he learned how to wear his uniform right, learned some games and even passed a "bunch of stuff" off. He was thrilled.

Happy Birthday Peyton!

Peyton turned 8 years old today. Last night before I went to bed, I took a picture of him sleeping. (Of course it was after midnight so technically it was his birthday already). Then I went to bed and cried for a few minutes. I can't believe my baby is 8! What a different phase of life, that is for sure. I love it, and wouldn't change it for the world. I definitely don't miss the baby and toddler phase. It's fun having older, more independent and responsible kids, but it's sure different than having babies that depend on you. Just a little sad, knowing they are growing up so fast. Ugh!
Anyway, he wanted a football and money. So that's what he got. We also decorated the cupcakes with football sprinkles. Way cute!We had grandparents and Jason, Dalia & the girls over for cupcakes and ice cream. Somewhere during the evening, I even got a picture of his "Pouty" face that we see so often (couldn't be that he is the BABY of the family, could it?)
Peyton is such a cute kid. He is silly, loving, lovable, playful, and mischievous. He loves to play card/board games, football, video games or just hang out with his brothers.

Happy Birthday Peyton! We love you!

A new 525,600 minutes to use this year!

There are 525, 600 minutes in a year! How will you use yours? I'm hoping to make the most of my time and spend those precious minutes on worth-while things, making memories, finding joy in the journey and just enjoying LIFE! I've come up with 50 things I hope to spend some time on this year. Call them goals, commitments, resolutions, what-ever,I don't really care. I just know writing them down helps me work on them. The greatest thing I have discovered though with goals or resolutions, is that you don't have to be perfect, you just have to be trying! Some of them are general and some are very specific. So here they are--just some thoughts, and in no particular order.

1. Buy our house.
2. Decorate our house.
3. De-clutter.
4. Develop and organize my digital photos.
5. Read with my kids more.
6. Try something new.
7. Learn something new.
8. Read my scriptures more.
9. BLOG and journal more.
10. Remember others (Birthdays, etc)
11. Be a good example.
12. Treat my kids better.
13. Have family nights.
14. Have more patience.
15. Pray Always.
16. Read my church magazines.
17. Organize scrapbook stuff.
18. Sell excess scrapbook stuff.
19. Work on Grandpa Preston's History.
20. Learn how to do online scrapbooking.
21. Make cards to use throughout the year (birthday, thank you, etc.)
22. Go to lunch with my friends.
23. Clean out my file cabinets.
24. Get new windows and doors.
25. Learn to take better photos.
26. Learn to speak Spanish better.
27. Learn to play the guitar.
28. Practice piano.
29. Get a new couch.
30. Create an address/birthday book listing my friends and family.
31. Make the most of my time.
32. Plan the best YW Camp Ever!
33. Transfer my videos to DVD.
34. Paint the little boys' room.
35. Get in touch with an old friend or two.
36. Start running again.
37. Be a better wife.
38. Be a better friend.
39. Be a better sister.
40. Be a better mom.
41. Eat healthier.
42. Work on scrapbooks/family history.
43. Smile more.
44. Worry less.
45. Stress less.
46. Love more.
47. Do my best in everything I do.
48. Serve others.
49. Enjoy life and find joy every day.
50. Be kind, understanding, loving, open-minded, non-judgmental, friendly, helpful, motivating and LOVE unconditionally.

New Year's Day

As long as I can remember, we have always had seafood for New Year's Eve with my family-extended family, like my dad's brothers and sister. It has always been adults only-no kids allowed. Some years ago, Jason, Dalia and Chuck started coming with us. Then it just got easier to do the seafood dinner ourselves at either our house or Jason's so that the kids could come and we wouldn't need to worry about babysitters. This worked out well until James' friends decided to get together the last few years for New Year's Eve. Don't get me wrong, I love getting together with his friends, especially since some live out of state and we don't get to see them that often. We always have a great time, but man was I craving my annual seafood dinner. James doesn't like seafood so this is really the only time I get it. This year we were going to Casey and Pam's house for New Year's Eve so Jason and I decided to do our annual seafood dinner on New Year's Day instead. Worked out great! We still got our crab legs and shrimp while getting to enjoy time with friends the night before. Why didn't I think of this earlier?

Happy New Year!

For New Year's Eve we went to Casey and Pam's house and had a great time with friends. We played CRAZY games (thanks Mike and Theresa), opened white elephant gifts, watched old videos of the guys-including "Mr. Springville, 1990", ate TONS of food and snacks, opened some "fake bubbly" to toast in the new year and just enjoyed great company! I can't believe James and I have celebrated at least 18 of these together! Wow, I must be getting old.