Scout Campout

I love being involved in activities were all I have to do is provide the location.  Such was the case this weekend when the 11 year old scouts needed to have an overnight campout.  Then the Webelos remembered that they needed to pass off some camping activities also.  So my backyard became a small tent city once again.  I tried really hard not to be intrusive but I did get a few pictures.



Scouts doing a good turn for the "camp ground"



Deployment

I know that every deployment is different as the people who deploy and those they leave behind.  And although at this time I don't seem to have the right words, I do want to remember.

Matt Turns 12

Like the candle????  I know Matt was impressed

This year Matt gets weeks and weeks of birthday fun.  It all started on Sunday when we did the family celebration early so Doug could be with us for it.  Dinner was Matt's favorite spaghetti to be followed by pumpkin pie.  And what boy wouldn't like opening his presents two days early.  He received Madden '10 for the Wii, "cool" clothes, a bucket of little green army men, and a locker organizer set (yes, he is my son.....why do you ask?).  Then on Monday, I took him out to buy a suit so he would look good passing the sacrament in a couple of weeks.  Tuesday, the official birthday, we headed out to dinner at Logan's and then it was off to his first mutual activity of which I got an "it was ok" when asked how he liked it.  He also had his interview with the bishop to receive the priesthood.  (When did I get old enough to have a boy this age?) 

I think he may actually be kissing the game

In about a week and two days (but who's counting) Doug will fly back into town to ordain Matt.  Nana and Papa are also planing a quick fly in, fly out to be here for the event.  We have been so blessed that even with changes in Doug's deployment assignment that we are able to make this all work.  Say a little prayer that his training will go as scheduled and he makes his plane home. 

We Made It to Sea World.....Finally

It truly is a shame that it has taken us over a year to visit Sea World San Antonio considering it is three (yes 3) miles from our house.  We decided that for our last official weekend with Doug that we would spend Saturday doing something fun and Sea World seemed to fit the bill. 

Our first stop was to feed the dolphins and see if we could pet them.  This seemed to be quite a challenge since those dolphins are pretty smart about this feeding thing.  They know how close they need to be to get the fish and still be out of finger reach.  We did manage a rub or two when I took over the feeding. 

Next we headed off to see the rays and sharks.

After seeing all those dangerous creatures, the boys figured they were ready for some danger themselves.  So off to the roller coasters we went.  Doug and Matt went on the Steel Eel after which they both decided that they may have had enough of the roller coasters for the day.

The boys talked me into riding the Texas Log Ride.  It was right up my speed with the added benefit of sitting with one of my boys.

We took in a few shows, had a surprisingly good barbecue lunch, and thoroughly wore ourselves out.  I don't think we could have enjoyed the day more.

Matt's First Middle School Party

Luna Middle School held a party for the 6th graders to celebrate surviving the first 6 weeks of school.  In typical pre-teen conversation I found out that it was cool, there was music to dance to, and food to eat.  He got his face painted and overall it was a good time.  Wish there was more to report but I guess what happens at a school party stays at a school party.

Houston.....We Have A Problem

Ok, not really but it's just darn cool to say.  While I was enjoying the whole owning a house in a different state than you actually live in, Doug and the boys made a journey to Houston.  They were helping out a friend but decided that since they were there to take in one of the local attractions.  Votes were counted (and no Doug's vote didn't count as ten) and the result was the Houston Space Center.  Since I had taken the camera with me to Cleveland, I was counting on the boys for pictures of the trip.  Silly, silly mommy. 

How appropriate and where do I get one

Smart Man