.nine.

My firstborn is NINE!

Josh's work schedule worked great letting him be home to see TJ open his birthday presentsbefore going to bed after a long night at work. TJ was dressed and ready to go on his special day. He opened his before heading off to school.

I've had a great time meeting the kids at school for lunch on their Birthdays. I asked TJ what he wanted me to bring him that day, he requested an Arby's Roast Beef sandwich WITH cheese, curly fries and a root beer. Amy and Katy came up to visit that day and tagged along with Brynn and I to eat lunch with the Birthday boy.

TJ and his buddies: Austin, Skyler, and Daxton. They all were pretty happy to sit and eat with us and it so fun to watch your kids in their own element interacting with their friends. I don't know how much longer he'll want to eat lunch with his Mom so I'm soaking it all in!

Amy and Katy stayed the morning and helped me finish decorating TJ's Lego cake.

TJ wanted BeyBlades for his Birthday this year. After school he and the boys played them with his new stadium. He was very nice to share.

Only one more Birthday picture with him being able to hold up his age on his fingers! After pizza for dinner we had cake and ice cream. After Dad lit the candles I was counting down from three for us to all sing him happy birthday. He took that as his que to blow out all the candles before we sang! Silly boy, he makes us laugh everyday! So, we lit the candles again this time we were able to sing to him before he blew them out and made a wish.

Two days after his brithday it was the Blue and Gold dinner for scouts. We were able to finish up his requirements and he earned his Wolf Badge before graduating to Bears!

.cub scout day camp.

TJ attended his first scout day camp. He and his troop went to Camp Kiesel up Ogden Canyon near Huntsville. They were to meet early at the Church, pack a lunch, bring a backpack, and come slathered in sunscreen and bug spray! TJ is my little spender. We've been doing a chore chart this summer to let the boys earn some spending money. In the weeks leading up to camp, I kept reminding him that it was coming up and he should save his money to spend at their trading post, instead of blowing it all on candy and pokemon cards. Even as soon as the day before he was with me at Wal-Mart practically in tears because he wanted to spend his money and I just couldn't let him with camp being the next day. He came home with 3 new pocket knives (sigh) and said he also bought a little candy that he already ate. He had a blast! He went on and on about all the fun things he got to do. I'm so glad he had such a great time! Aunt Rachael is his den leader and sent me these great pictures!

.early february stuff.

TJ turned 8 this month. Turning 8 is a BIG deal. He has got lots of fun stuff coming up, including starting cub scouts. His cub scout leader and a member of the Primary came over to give him his scout book and a little information about the program. TJ dove right into his book and we started working toward earning his first badge right away. He was told he could start attending two weeks before his Birthday! When I tucked him in that night, he said it was his best day ever!

We got his uniform and I sewed on a few patches already. This was taken on his first den meeting. We were running late on dinner and he was dashing out the door! He loves it and isn't he just the cutest?

Gearing up for Valentines

Gage and TJ both gave the same printable valentines this year. Those along with ring pops!

Brynn enjoying some strawberries