Eagle Board of Review

Tonight Brandon had his Eagle Board of Review.

We had a little moment of panic when we got there and they didn’t have his name on the list to be reviewed. After a quick phone call they got his book brought down and we were good to go.

Since they didn’t get his book ahead of time, his review board had to spend a few extra minutes going over it before they called him in. So we got to sit in the hall and wait. He was a little nervous, but the Board of review Chair he had was supper nice and spent a few minutes with him before he went in and talked to him.

He was in there for about 30 minutes. Then he came out while they talked about 5-10 minutes and they called him back in.

They all said they were impressed with his project, his organization and his presentation and enjoyed getting to meet him, and after all of this they had decided that he would be awarded his Eagle Scout award.

This is right after they told him the good news with his Board, which I didn’t get any of their names!!! I am kicking myself now.

So the paper work is off to National and we should have it back in 2-6 weeks to start planning his Eagle Court of Honor!!!

We are so proud of Brandon and his hard work and example to his brothers.

The District Chairman challenged him to keep earning Merit badges. He said that only 2% of scouters ever earn their Eagle and of those 2% only .075% ever earn any Eagle Palms. So that is the new goal he has set for himself.

Happy Birthday Ethan

Happy 9th birthday Ethan!!!!

We are so happy that you are a part of our family. You make us laugh, and also make us want to cry, but we sure LOVE YOU.

Since we got home last night from our trip, you got to go shopping and pick out all of your presents this year. Which now the other kids want to do that too. What have we started?

You went Lego crazy!!! But it kept you busy all day.

That night we went to Red robin for dinner and then came home for Oreo pie.

Random Things from our Trip

So we had a great trip and you can read all about it in the posts that follow, but here are a few random pictures that just didn’t fit anywhere.

Rachel made a friend for life on this trip. Aunt Sherrie was her best friend. She wanted her more than she did me. This was the day all the other kids had things to do, so she got to go shopping with us big girls. This was at lunch.

While at Wallace’s one day Aunt Holli got out some cool colored bubbles. When they popped they turned your skin or hair as the girls quickly figured out, purple. They were purposely popping bubbles with their hair. After they needed a bath. Then Holli was nice enough to french braid Rachel’s hair to match Faiths.

This day Rachel was pretending to do every ones nails. Grandpa was the most patient of all her clients so he got his done over and over again.

For FHE one night we went over to the Schmoekels house to swim. Rachel got tired first and just hung out with Grandma and Papa on the porch.

We also were able to have Great Grandpa Allred over for dinner on Sunday. Here are all the kids with him after dinner.

Little Diva

Rachel convinced both Emma and Sherrie to do her nails while we were there.

Emma did her nails on the 4th of July. Emma did a great job.

Then again a week or so later, she conned Sherrie into doing her fingernails and her toes.

Cousin Fun

Every summer when we go home it is always fun to see the kids catch up with their cousins. It never takes long before they are the best of friends again.

The  older boys spend most of their time playing video games, computer games and just hanging out. Which of course I didn’t get any pictures of.

Ethan has the best of both worlds. He has the older boys to hang out with, but there are also some younger boys too. They also had their fair share of game time, but they also got out and played too.

But Rachel was in 7th heaven. She has so many girl cousins and she LOVED every minute of playing with them. Some are a lot older than her, but they were so good to play with her when they were around. She really loved all the time she had with Claire and Faith. It was so fun to see how well they all got along. It makes me wish we lived closer, but I know like the boys, next time they are together they will pick right up where they left off.

Warning picture overload below. Here are a few pictures of some of the random fun with our cousins.

California State Fair

We don’t ever get to go to the state fair when we visit. It is usually after we leave. The last time I went to the fair was the summer Bob and I were dating, 18 years ago!!!

It was a long, fun day. It brought back so many memories. The kids enjoyed it, but said they would rather go to Disneyland when asked if they wanted to go again next year. Silly kids.

We hit the midway, the kid midway, the county displays, the vendor building(which was always my favorite as a kid),the display  and art buildings and of course the animals. The kids like the toy display one the best.

And of course we all had to eat a corn dog, some chocolate covered bacon and some fudge.

Again- picture overload so beware!!!!

Above Brandon on the last ride of the day.