Scout Court of Honor

I think this happened while I was in North Carolina...but Sam was sporting his new Order of the Arrow sash, and he was also awarded the Star Rank...2 more levels to Eagle!  He was also recently voted by his troop as one of 4 patrol leaders.  Davis received his first 5 merit badges he earned at summer camp.  Sam hit summer camp pretty hard and I think got 7 new merit badges.  

 

New Year of AHG!

I am sure there will be more pictures to come...as Magan is an assistant leader, and I am the campout coordinator...looks like we are tied into American Heritage Girls for another year.  

 

North Carolina

So, I had a rare opportunity to visit another nuclear site this year in North Carolina.  I was there for 2 weeks and while hating to be away from the kids, I try to enjoy the places my job allows me to go.  The beaches were amazing in this small city of Southport 45 minutes south of Wilmington.  I told everyone there how amazing this place was, and how lucky they all are to get to work in this area...and as I write this 1 month later, they recently went thru a Cat 1 hurricane that flooded the area. 

 

I also had fun with the kids finding a "shell family".  There was a shell for all of us, and the shell family ended up riding in the car with me, watching cartoons on the tv, swimming in the bathroom, riding in the seat next to me on the plan, and well...they were fun to share with the kids. 

 

Also had my first taste of Escargo...and had an excellent tour of the USS North Carolina docked in Wilmington.  

 

Night with the Barons

We had not been to a game this year, and during the last home games of the year, I scored some free tickets to see the Barons.  We also made it on a Tuesday which is 50 cent hot dog night...and free t-shirt day.  But trust me...they get plenty of money out of us...especially those cutie faces...and I am not just talking about Dave.  Can you see the shirts with a the Alabama "Yellow Hammer"?  So we have free club level seats, but we always seem to be staying in the grass with the "common folk".  Lots of balls hit out way over there, and Davis ended up with 3 foul balls (did I mention we may have been one of the only ones there).  And Ruby's only desire was to see those puppies, and I have never seen her momma move so fast chasing down those dogs across half the stadium to get that little smile with Ruby's buddies.  She was so excited to show Lillie Mays her little dog.  After the game, we were planning to leave when Davis said they were having fireworks.  I told him this was Tuesday, and they would not have fireworks on this day.  It took some convincing and him getting upset, but he realized I was right...then over the loud speakers they announced "We have a special treat tonight...A firework show".  Oh well...maybe I was wrong...

 

Back 2 School

Notice that there were no pictures of either boys this year...both are now at the middle school, and it is terribly uncool to ask for pictures with all their teachers.  Belle is changing classes this year, but her homeroom is Mrs. Carter, then she also has Mrs. Ramsey and Mrs. Fugglar.  Ruby had no trouble with first days of pre-school, she is already telling everyone that she will be in big school next year.  She is in the bear class this year with Ms. Bethany and Ms. Michelle.