Eagle Board of Review

Well, after a couple of re-do's on Spencer's Eagle paperwork, we got the call and were scheduled for a Board of Review. I made sure Spencer's uniform was inspection-ready and that he had his hair cut.

As we prepared, Spencer said he was fine but I was a nervous wreck. Neither of us had ever seen how this is done and didn't quite know what to expect. (Isn't he handsome?)

All the way to the Board, Jeremy and I were firing questions at Spencer to prepare him to be able to talk about his project, his Scouting experience, and his goals in life. But there was no need to worry; Spencer's interviewers were crazy about him from the start.

While he was in the (LONG) interview, my stomach was in knots. Jeremy tried to keep my mind off of it, but I couldn't sit still and just paced the halls. When he came out, Spencer was so happy with how the interview went, and ecstatic to be finished and approved for his Eagle. What an accomplishment! Way to go, son!

The Before Pictures

Spencer hates getting his hair cut. He has such luscious hair that I don't blame him! I wish I had hair like him. Anyway, I finally put my foot down and said it was time for a trim. Spencer spent an entire evening with the hose attachment to the vacuum, styling these super creations, while he still had long hair to work with. The next day we had his hair cut in preparation for his Eagle Board of Review. It'll grow back, Spencer; I promise.

The Best Mom Ever

Spencer has wanted a drum set forEVER, so a few weeks before his birthday I started watching Craigslist. Every set within our budget was either gone before I called or in crappy condition and we were getting discouraged. On the morning of his birthday we called on a set as a last-ditch effort. The guy selling it said he was on his way to the pawn shop with it and was just a mile from our house. We hurried and jumped in the car and met him. It's a beautiful set with upgraded cymbals, extra pieces, and a great sound. And to think we bought it out of the back of a truck in the Target parking lot. I'm the best mom ever. (A special thanks to Nana and Papa, Granny and Grandpa for helping make it happen!)

15 Years Old

On the day before Spencer's birthday, while he was at football practice, his friends Sarah, Jacob, and LeAnne came to decorate his room.

Only they didn't just decorate it. They trashed every inch! We are still finding confetti in the weirdest places!

This was Spencer's reaction. After the initial shock, he warmed up to his room and even thought it was pretty awesome.

Spencer invited a bunch of his friends to a birthday party at our house on Saturday night.

They played Guitar Hero and ate pizza until the real fun started!

We played some group games and I couldn't stop laughing. The kids were so competitive!

Jeremy came up with the games. This one (a movie version of Pictionary) was fun!

Then we sang "Happy Birthday" to Spencer and brought out more food.

As things were winding down at the end of the party, Jeremy set up our projector in the back yard. Some of the kids watched "School of Rock" out there and some watched "The Last Song" inside with me. It was a really fun evening. Spencer was glad he was able to invite girls this time! Happy Birthday, Son.

Football

So I'm officially a football fan. Spencer has worked his tail off, with practices every day in the summer, football camp, and since school started, 3 hours a day 6 days a week. He has worked so hard and it is so rewarding to go to games and watch him play! This photo is before his first game (he's wearing just his practice jersey).

At the first game we didn't know what Spencer's number was yet. When we finally spotted him as #34 it was because of his grey socks. Now he wears them every game so we can tell easily which one he is.


The Trojans lost their first game, but won their second game 40-6. Spencer says to be sure to clarify that the 6 points were made AFTER the time had run out at the end of the game. They let the other team have those points because they felt sorry for them.

It's been so much fun to go to Spencer's games as a family and cheer for him, his friends, and his team!

Jacob is Spencer's biggest fan and loves to talk about all the plays and watch the replays at home. Be sure to watch them yourself (you have to actually go to Blogger by clicking at the bottom of the page to see the videos):

First Class

Our ward recently held a Court of Honor. Noah was presented with his Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class Scout ranks, as well as a good number of merit badges. He was busy this summer at two Scout camps and it paid off! He is also serving as his Troop's Assitant Patrol Leader. I'm beyond proud of the young man he has become. He just rocks!

Biology and Tracking

In order to fit football into his schedule this Fall, Spencer has been taking an online Biology class with occasional "real-world" labs. He had to watch a wild animal for 30 minutes and write down his observations, so I took him to the Riparian Preserve and we spent a delightful late afternoon watching birds. I was amazed at the variety of birds we saw right in the middle of the town of Gilbert. The setting was beautiful, Spencer got his lab done, and he finished his Tracking merit badge, too. What more can you ask for?

Jacob's Birthday

Happy Birthday, Jacob! You're NINE years old!

It was so fun watching Jacob open his presents this year. He was genuinely thrilled to receive the R/C helicopter, Bowser video games, Scout stuff, and more.

He is so excited about the money and gift cards, too, because now he can buy himself a new bike.

While Jacob was opening his presents, Isaac got so upset. He cried as soon as he realized he wasn't going to get a turn. So sad.

The next day, Jeremy took Jacob on a special Father-Son birthday outing. They went to the ASU football stadium for a meet-the-players evening.

Jacob got a new football and many of the Sun Devils' football players signed it. Jacob and Jeremy were able to go onto the field and play, too. He was in heaven!

On Saturday, Jacob invited his friends to his birthday party. Of course they had to spend the first half hour playing what? Football in the backyard.

It was fun to see this group of friends as fanatical about football as Jacob.

We all piled into the van and car and took the party to AMF bowling.

Some of the boys had never been bowling before and I just giggled at their excitement when they knocked down the pins.

Isaac just acted like one of the big boys!

Go Jacob! Go Jacob! Fortunately, he bowled the highest score at his own birthday party.

Even more thrilling than watching the pins was watching the video screen with the cartoon instant replays. A fun time was had by all! Happy Birthday to You.

Wolf

Our Cub Scout Pack has a wild traditional advancement ceremony for boys earning their Wolf badge. The badge is sealed in a ziplock bag and placed at the bottom of a whipped-cream-filled pie tin. As the boy tries to fish it out with his mouth (no hands!), the crowd chants, "Wolf! Wolf! Wolf!" Both Jacob and his friend Richy gave it a try this month. It wasn't easy, but Jacob persevered and succeeded in retrieving his badge. Congratulations on all your hard work, Jacob!

Water, Water Everywhere

Rain in itself is such an event where we live, but the end-of-summer monsoon storms leave an aftermath that is irresistible to my kids. It's just way too exciting to play in the water that accumulates!