The Last Week

The last week of October was a busy one. We had Elizabeth's birthday, Nathaniel had his cross-over ceremony from Cubs to Boy Scouts, and then it was Halloween.

First, Elizabeth's birthday. Can't believe she is six now. Because she was so small for so long I was able to maintain the illusion of her being a baby for longer then usual. She definitely is not a baby anymore :) She is a very bright little girl who is trying to be more grown up then she is. I'm grateful for every birthday we do get to be with her and that every birthday has seen her happy and healthy.
Here are some photos from her small family party:

Before this party, we had the cross-over ceremony for Nathaniel. He finished up his Cub Scout years with his Webelos rank and his Arrow of Light. Two other boys, Luke and Jonathan C., also received their rank and arrows and I'm very proud of them all. I wish I could take some credit but that goes to their moms who have been amazing working with them at home :) Steve Willoughby did a great job leading the ceremony. He always does :) I know he very much enjoys being with these boys and seeing them advance and that shows at every pack meeting. Thank you, Steve, for always trying to make pack meetings special for the Cubs!

I have to admit I almost shed a tear when Nathaniel walked across the bridge to his new leader, Brother Campbell. I get way too emotional. To me it wasn't just Nate walking across a small wooden bridge on the stage. I saw it as one more step in his life that he takes away from me towards independence and growing up. Sigh, like I said, too emotional :)

And, last of all, our week ended with Halloween, our family's favorite holiday. Only because all of us are candy junkies :)I guess it didn't take Seth long to figure out the process. After three houses Rob said he was running to the next door to get more candy.

Have to show Lori's costume, Bride of Frankenstein. Can't believe she had enough hair to style it like that!! And to use her words, she looked "fabulous"! She was good enough to stay with me and hand out candy as I wasn't feeling too hot last night.

Cub Scout Day Camp

Cub Scout day camp was this past week. They have it at Camp Ireland in Hillsboro. Our pack this year got to be the Captains. I had the chance to go Tuesday and Friday. Tuesday wasn't so great. Too dang hot, which made me grouchy. Came home that night and ended up waking up with the stomach flu so I'm guessing I was grouchy from that too :) Friday was so much better. It was cooler and I felt like I could enjoy watching the boys this time. The boys, of course, all had a great time. Jonathan and Nathaniel both got bulls-eyes. Jonathan in BB Gun and Nathaniel in Archery. In fact they each got two, one on two different days. I'm very proud of them :) The following are a few pics of my boys from the days I attended. I will set up a slide show with more pics that include the other boys. If you see any like please feel free to copy.

The first activity Tues was the obstacle course.

They got to make pirate hats next.

And eye patches.

At the archery range.

Friday started with badminton. Nathaniel was off trying to earn another pin for Archery so I only have pics of Jonathan here.

The boys made boats out of styrofoam for the Raingutter Regatta.

They then had to race the boats by blowing them down a raingutter full of water.

The last activity included face paint and some sort of Polynesian craft.

Little by Little

So, here are some photos with the sheetrock up and textered. Little by little it's starting to come together! Our painter is coming tonight with the primer so next week everything will be painted :) It's so exciting!

View from the downstairs living room.

That will be the kitchen.

Upstairs family room.

Looking down the hall to the back, the house is not crooked I just can't hold my camera straight :)

Elizabeth and Rob investigating a giant puddle of mud in the new family room.

This morning we went on a three mile hike with what Webelos were in town. Elizabeth and Jonathan got to join us. Seth was in a backpack on Rob's back. The other three boys are Luke, Steven, and Sterling. We had a great time though everyone was pretty tired when it was over. We went up to the Hoyt Arboretum at Washington Park. Thank goodness it was shaded it was pretty hot out there! We have a great group of Webelos, I enjoy working with them.