Lisa and John

After posting about Cal’s Arrow of Light I realized that I never posted about Ivan’s bobcat.  (The pictures were in a different folder on my computer and I forgot about them!)  Ivan became a Cub Scout when he turned eight in December.  At the February pack night he received his BOBCAT rank.  In our pack, if you advance to the next rank you get to wear the BOBCAT hat.  It is from a real bobcat that Brother Pappas (our Cub Master) trapped.  His wife made it into a cool hat.  The boys just LOVE getting a chance to wear it.

It’s GREAT to be a CUB!!

We had a fun Cub Scout Cook Out with our wolf den in early June.  We made ice-cream in a bag and cooked s’mores and pigs-in-blankets.  It was so much fun.

My neighbor Sister Nelson graciously allowed us to use her back yard.  It was the perfect setting for a fun cook out.

We brought DUCKIE along with us.

My fearless co-leader CeCe.

I’m not sure where Ivan was when I was taking pictures.  But he was there as well.

It’s great to be a CUB SCOUT!

It has been a very busy month!  I haven’t had any time to blog.  I’m super busy now, but I thought I would update a little.  Up above are some of the pumpkins we grew in our garden.  Calvin asked everyone what they thought the total weight of all these pumpkins were.  I guessed 130 pounds.  The actual weight???  131 pounds!!  Am I good or what?  Today the boys have carved the two biggest pumpkins.  Unfortunately, earlier last week some “hooligans” smashed some of our pumpkins in the night.  (Why would someone do that?  Those were my heard earned pumpkins!!  I weeded and cared for them from seed!!)  Anyhow, we still had some left.  Maybe in a few days I’ll post some jack-o-lantern pics….

(Oh, here is one Ivan did a couple of weeks ago.  Too cute!)

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Here are the boys making apple juice.  It was Ivan’s idea.  They cut up the apples and blended them with a little bit of water.  Then, they squeezed out all the juice with the help of a towel.  It was VERY tasty!  We’ll have to do it again!

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We had a very fun Jungle Safari Cub Pack Night.  Calvin earned his WEBELOS award.  Here he is pinning the pin on me.  We made monkey faces where the boys would put knee-hi pantyhose on their heads and then pull them off.  Very funny!   I got a pic of Ivan doing it.  Too crazy!

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A very special highlight of the month was the birth of Kelsey Marie Pratt.  She is my niece and I got to witness her birth.  Elizabeth was amazing as she birthed her second child.  I’ve been trying to figure out the perfect word to describe how amazing she was.  But, alas, nothing fits just right, but these come close.  Awe-inspiring…  Majestic…  Powerful…  Beautiful…  (Does she even look like she just had a baby?  Wow!)

A little Angel.  Born on earth.

We had an early morning flag raising at the Laney’s home.  I took a picture of the flag and there happened to be a bird flying by.  I thought that was patriotic.  I doubt it was a bald eagle, but Calvin has spotted a golden eagle in the area.

Calvin was the one to raise the flag to the top of the pole.  That’s my boy!

Not the most flattering picture of John and I, but we are both scouters now!  John works with the 11 year old scouts and I am with the wolves (8yrs) now.  Very fun!

When fathers and sons get together to prepare for the pivotal moment, the most exciting race, to know who’s the best, and who’s not.  Yes, it’s Pinewood Derby time.  And, Calvin and John spent many hours getting Cal’s car juuuuuust right.

We have to weigh the car to make sure it is no heavier than 5 ounces….

Popcorn makes the experience more fun for everyone.  Yes, there is sawdust on my table.  That is nothing compared to the permanent graphite stains that are now on my white vinyl tablecloth.

This great evening was made even greater with Calvin receiving his BEAR rank.

Our ward has a fun face painting ceremony when the boys achieve their next rank.

(I am Calvin’s Bear Den Leader, hence the yellow scout shirt.  Don’t I look cute?  Ha!)

Really, John should be putting this on.  He has worked consistently with Cal to make this possible.  I love, you, honey!

Number 57.  The “Rainbow Racer”.  A beautiful masterpiece!

Here is our cute little neighbor, Sister Nelson (Maurene), who came with her husband to watch and support Calvin.

Here is Calvin very excited to win his award.

The Award.

(P.S.  I created these certificates.  Don’t they look snazzy!)

Here is one of the refreshments.  Isn’t this the cutest?! (I swiped this pic from my Assistant Leader’s blog.  Thanks, Brittany!)

I have made a little video, but I cannot get it to work here, so I may have to wait for another day…  Perhaps John can help…

We had a great evening and Ivan is excited for next year.  So is John when he gets to help make TWO pinewood derby cars.  Woo Hoo!