Now that Andrew's 8, he joins cub scouts!

Andrew was so excited to join his wolf pack when he turned 8. The pack is small, but the activities are still fun. Andrea's first activity is making bird houses along with the bears.
He looks so cute in his new uniform!

Andrew's Baptism

We are so excited that Andrew is 8 and decided to get baptized. It was a great day with tons of family visiting.
Andrew was baptized and confirmed by his dad.
We had a pizza party to celebrate at a small party afterward.
Mimi and Papa are on their mission and Grandma and Grandpa are coming for Thanksgiving, so they each sent Andrew very nice letters.
It was a great day!!!

Andrew's 8th birthday Science Party

For the special day, Andrew wanted to have a science party. We went to work searching for fun ideas. Sydney made a paper mâché volcano and she taught them about what makes volcanoes erupt. They then all got a chance to erupt it with baking soda and vinegar (the vinegar killed the grass :( ). Of course we had to have a diet coke and mentos demonstration. We melted styrofoam cups and then shot off rockets using air pressure.
The kids all got lab coats and had Petri dish specimens and practiced making molecules.
What a great way to celebrate a birthday.
Friends that came were:
Grace
Danielle
Dylan
Jamie

George and brothers
Grace
Danielle
Dylan
Jamie
Koie
And a couple more....

Finally, a front yard is coming together!

We have been working hard this summer trying to improve our curb appeal. Our yard was the ugliest on the block! I guess we could always have "wilderness" kind of landscape, but the weeds just were killer.
Scott has been quite a good, skilled worker. I am impressed. It all started with a Mother's Day gift to me (Scott put retaining wall around the front yard trees while I was out of town).

 The dogs were so excited! they didn't know what to do with themselves!!

2012 Mountain Tuff Mud Run

Scott had a great time this year running in the mud run. It's in Clay Springs, AZ and a blast.

Scott was in the first heat and kept a good solid pace the whole time. There was a group of teenagers that we're running around him, they helped pull him up out of the mud a few times, very good times! His time was 46.01 min.

Newport Beach 2012

 

Sycamore Creek "Manly" Hike

The Tipton Manly Hike this year was down Sycamore Canyon to Sycamore Creek. We had fun jumping off the cliffs (one was about 20 feet high!) and exploring an abandoned mine shaft.  Of course the camping and freeze-dried camp food was awesome as usual.  Scott slept in a hammock both nights, which was a "different" sleeping experience.  Overall it was fun and we would do it again!