A Fun-Filled Fourth.

Only a few days after we arrived back home we had a slew of activity at our house because it was so close to the fourth of July. Our friends, the Porter's from Idaho, drove through and had dinner with us. The plan was that we were going have a BBQ here at our house. However, in the move, I couldn't find everything that I needed and I didn't want to go the grocery store again, so we took them out. I just couldn't get it all together that fast after having been gone for such a long time. We ended the night with fireworks of our own for the first time ever. We had a lot of fun setting them off. They were a lot better than the picture...but they were legal, so not huge.

The next day we went to visit one of the Boy Scout Camps with Mike. Camp Kiesel is beautiful. We saw it when we came out for the interview, but it was my first time back and it was beautiful again, but green and warm this time. There were butterflies flying all over in this one patch of parking lot so they all stood still and tried to get one to land on them. They were unsuccessful, but they had fun trying.

I found some pretty wildflowers to take pictures of while the other three went out in a row boat with another cub scout pack. I was glad I did as they got into a splashing war, apparently the main reason for getting in the water...in their minds.

It was my three against two filled row boats. They did pretty well for themselves. Although, Katie was not all that happy with it. She lived though.

I think Mike did most of the work, but the kids were putting forth a valiant effort. I was on the bank with some of the water front staff. Because it was the day before the Fourth, not as many campers were there as usual, so some of the staff were joking and playing around a bit...not the ones on lifeguard duty. They had no idea that Mike worked for the scouts or who we were apparently, because when we were invited to lunch with the staff and showed up, they looked a little worried. It was pretty funny. They had done nothing bad, but the looks on their faces was very amusing. I smiled and tried to let them know they were just fine, but it is also good to know, you never know exactly who is watching you. I have had that happen way too many times in my life and not always with such a gentle outcome. :)

These flowers were bigger than my outstretched hand They were really fun to see. I haven't seen anything like these since I lived in Pennsylvania.

I know, we do a lot of shooting pictures. But they have BB gun ranges at all of these scout camps. And I have to say as a proud Mom that they did a really good job at shooting the targets. Katie wasn't willing to put the butt of the gun right next to her cheek so she was a little off, but Christian really took to it and was hitting a lot of targets, including cans and bottles. He was really excited by that.

That night we had my sister's family over, since she was in town, for a pre-fourth of July BBQ. My first flag cake. It was fun to decorate, but I am going to look for a better cake recipe next time.

We did the rest of our fountain fireworks that night. I have say, this might become a tradition.

The next morning we went to a Fourth of July parade in Kaysville with my sister and her in-laws, complete with candy being thrown. It has been a while since we have done a parade with crazy temperatures in Phoenix.
They had some really good floats. I was really impressed with some of them. The bands were good too.

My sister Barbara (far right) saw my Mom's Cousin and husband while we were there. This picture is for you mom so you can see Ann and Lex. They have been around in that town for a long time and are/were very involved there. While we were talking to them, people kept on coming up and waiting to talk to them. They are rock stars here. :)

Christian made a friend with one of my sisters nephews and they enjoyed playing before the fireworks went off later that night. The fireworks were really amazing and we had great seats to watch them. There is nothing like feeling the concussion of the fireworks as they go off. I think we are going to like it here. :) Especially with so many friends and family that come through here.

Scouting is the thing...

After unpacking, shopping, meeting neighbors and settling in for two weeks the kids joined their dad on a scouting event. The kids had fun going with him and I had a much needed break to go and do some errands that would have bored the kids out of their minds (buying myself shoes and getting a haircut...much needed, I might add). It was time for this Councils Scout-O-Rama and the kids have always had fun going and checking it out in Phoenix. As Mike is new in his job he was apparently stopped every so many feet, much to the chagrin of Katie, but it was still fun. I got back just in time to see them get in a row boat. They had waited for 1/2 an hour for the chance to get it in one.
Christian wanted to sit right next to his dad and he was holding onto him for dear life at first...

but Mike quickly got him paddling. It is harder to see them here, but I think Katie's pink shirt sticks out in the sea of blue and orange. Isn't it beautiful there. Look at all the green...I am still getting used to it after all the brown and red in the desert.

They were out for a little while until Mike got tired, as he was the one doing most of the work.

They had fun being with their dad, on the job. I whisked them away with me so that he could finish up his day and clean up at the end. Scouting is fun!

Last Tiger Cub Meeting

We finished getting the truck packed, the house cleaned and last Joe's BBQ meal eaten and we headed off for Christian's last Pack meeting in Arizona. He led the posting of the colors with the help of a scout leader. He stood at attention and was very grown-up about it. I guess this Boy Scout program does work...who knew. (wink, wink)
He led the pledge...

And the cub scout motto...he did an awesome job. If I hadn't been so exhausted and proud, I think I would have cried. I never was a crier before, but I think this whole motherhood thing has done a number on me for certain things.

Here we are with Christian during the advancement ceremony. He was all business.

He was so excited to get the powder Tiger paw print on his back. He was thrilled.

Dad putting on the award...

Getting their beads and other awards they had completed. They got blue and yellow paint on their faces. He was so proud of that he wouldn't wash it off for two days.

Because we were moving a month early, Christian got his Bobcat award and advanced to Wolf a month earlier than the scheduled time.

Dad switched the neckerchief. No more orange, he is onto yellow.

His Tiger Cub leader Necole was just awesome this year. She loved the boys and had so much energy and enthusiasm, not to say anything about patience...you have to with this age. We are going to miss her!
Proud of that paw print, which got smudged through the night of ceremonies.
Excited and exhausted, we left the pack meeting early to head up to Williams, the first leg of our move. Sleep is far from their minds.
A proud papa with his son. It was a good night. He has earned getting his Bobcat turned right side up by doing a good deed. Now if we can only find where dad put it safely for the trip...
Congratulations, Christian! We love you!