Cub Launch

Every year our cub scout council puts on a great event for the boys.  They can pretty much try out all that scouting has to offer in one day in one place.  They love it.

They were able to shoot bb guns.

Battle other scouts in castle wars and explore the pirate ship playground.

 Check out some science using candy - I have to say it was the first time I had ever seen the whole mento in a bottle of coke thing in action.  It was pretty amazing!

 Jack love 'fishing' and even caught one!

The boys got to check out a real coast guard boat and they thought it was pretty cool.  It was a gorgeous day full of fun outside.  The boys love scouting events and I love that they love it :)

Aunt Anna Got Married!

I still can't believe that Aunt Anna got married - I remember holding her when she was itty bitty and watching her during the summers when she was obsessed with The Little Mermaid. 

She was married at the same church as Brian and I - and even by the same priest!  The boys looked so handsome all dressed up for the occasion.  I feel like this picture sums up parenthood to a t.  There was just no getting Jack to turn around and smile for the camera.

 This little ring bearer did actually smile quite a bit.  He really didn't want to be called a ring bearer, but he loves his Aunt Anna and was more than happy to help out when I explained that she really needed someone to carry this little pillow down the aisle.  He might have carried it under his arm like a football, but he did it!

Before we knew it Aunt Anna and Uncle Scott were officially married  Her smile says it all :)

 There was a break in the official celebrating so we all headed to Great Aunt Carm and Great Uncle Mike's to hang out for a while.  I swear Max had more fun that it looks like.

 Grandma and Grandpa were kind enough to watch the boys so we could head to the reception for some adult time.  It couldn't have been any more perfect.

Aunt Anna made a beautiful bride and we can't wait to watch her and Scott be married.

 It's so hard to believe that it's been more than 15 years since we took our vows and started our life together as husband and wife.  Seeing others make that commitment is even more powerful when you know just how much joy it will bring to their lives.

Talented Boys

I love our music teacher.  Every year she has the kids pick something to perform and invites family members in to watch the performance. 

 Max and his buddy decided to play their cellos.  I'm so impressed at how well they play!  I can't believe that I have now seen him perform in a talent show from kindergarten all the way through 5th grade.  He is so old!

 This big guy sand his very favorite song - Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash.  One of his buddies even played the song on this guitar as an intro.  Several people asked me afterwards if William really picked this song all by himself and I assured them that he did.  It's pretty funny that we have a 7 year old that loves Johnny Cash.

 Last but not least was our littlest man.  I have to say I was sooooo proud of him for getting up on that stage.  For three weeks leading up to the performance he insisted that he wasn't going to do anything for the talent show.  His sweet music teacher tried everything to get him engaged.  The day before the big day he decided he wanted to join some other boys singing Go Go Power Rangers.  He did great!

Even better was how proud he was after it was all over.  Can't wait until next year to see how he does.  

First Pack Meeting

All three of my boys are cub scouts this year!  This is the first year that kindergartners have been able to join and our sweet little Jack is sooooo excited that he is a kindergartner AND a cub scout :)

Max's den was in charge of the flag ceremony.

 Our cute little lions were in the front row and did a great job using their scout sign and salute.

While the adults talked about all the boring details of what is going on in the pack, some of the leaders took the boys outside to participate in some field day type games.  These 'chariot' races down the hill were too cute.  All of the boys loved it!

All About Jack

 All three boys made something similar in kindergarten and it is just the cutest thing ever.  Jack was very insistent that they only thing he wants to be when he grows up is himself.

Happy Birthday Nonna!

Nonna's birthday cannot pass without an angel food cake and a serenade from her boys.  Jack was too quick and blew out her candle before she could!

First Day of School - Wednesday, August 15th

Here they go!!

First day of Kindergarten.

 First day of 2nd Grade

 First day of 5th grade!  I couldnt' help but do a little comparison on Max - first day of Kindergarten to 5th grade.  Where did my baby go?!?!

 It was a rainy day so we drove to the bus stop.  I was worried about how Jack would do, but he got on  the bus without any trouble at all!

I met friends at the gym and I'll admit that I ugly cried about my baby starting kindergarten.  It just feels like they are growing up way too fast  I want time to slow down just a tiny bit!

Everyone had a great day and were full of smiles at the end of it.  Huge success!

Meet the Teacher

 The afternoon before school began we dropped off supplies and me the boys' teachers.  Jack wasn't so sure, but his sweet teacher made it work and we got a super cute picture. 

 It was old hat for the big boys.  They were excited to see their classrooms and were ready for a new year of learning and adventures!

I get one year with everyone at the same school before Max moves on to middle school!

Camp Nonna

Nonna took a week off work right before the boys went back to school.  We decided we would call it camp Nonna and we did all the things we still had left on our summer to do list.

We headed to Nonna's house early to snuggle with Luigi a bit before the zoo.

 We usually visit the sting rays once a summer.  This time I even paid extra so we could feed them and it was the most fun thing ever!

 The squeals of delight were so worth it!

 Of course we had to visit Jack's favorite animal - the penguins.  He thought they would really like to see his doggy too.

 There was a sweet baby zebra that had just been born too.  It was so cute to watch him play and run with his momma. 

 The kind docent taught the boys a bit about the zebras and their fur.

We can't visit the zoo without riding the train!

 Day one of camp Nonna ended at the candy warehouse.  It was quite the experience!

 Camp continued with a visit to a putt putt course.  This place was packed! 

 All three boys got in on the action.

 It was crazy, crazy hot out!  Luckily the putt putt people also had sno cones for sale!  After cooling down with a sno cone we headed to the pool for an afternoon dip.

 Day three was spent inside at Myseum.  This place is Williams pick every time we ask him what he wants to do.  He just loves it!

It was another super hot day so we thought a water balloon fight would be perfect. Costco had the super cool, easy to fill water balloons this summer.  We went through over 200 this afternoon :)  The idea was to get a picture of everyone ready to throw.  Jack was a little over eager as you can see his orange balloon hurling towards me. 

That smile on his face says he thought he was pretty darn funny!  Camp Nonna was a huge success and we can't wait to see what we can plan for next years session