Court of Honor...

On Saturday, May 18, 2013 we held a Court of Honor for our Eagle Scout Joel!

 Here's the cake table, just waiting for the cake...

 Water itself is not impressive, but the beautiful dispenser borrowed from DeAnn and the Scout table cloth borrowed from Teri looked especially nice...

 I made red white and blue funfetti cookies...

 And Ann helped me dip the strawberries so they were red white and blue also...a big shout out to my friends who helped me pull this all together...

 We made a display table with Joel's Eagle picture...

 and his shadow box I finished that very morning...

 and of course his scout album from Cub Scouts to Eagle...

 I thought it looked nice and there were cards for people to write on if they wished...

 The Cake!  It turned out great - thanks to Jennifer Lai of For Goodness Cakes...

 Joel with his cake...looking good!

 And of course the program, which my boss printed for me at work for free...another nice helper!

 Scott conducted the court and he did a find job as always...

 He called the Eagles to the nest...

 A great group of leaders and former leaders (Scoutmaster Budge never seemed to be in the nest when we took pictures!)

 Shawn Olsen, our former hometeacher and Joel's former scoutmaster was our guest speaker.  It was fun hearing him talk about Joel and their experiences together. 

 John Bush explained the "Trail to Eagle"...

 Craig Saunders, another former scout leader gave Joel his Charge and Pledge...

 He then had all the Eagles renew their pledge...

 It was nice to hear them do it...

 Then it was Scoutmaster Budge's turn...that was fun!  He has a great love of scouting and the scouts themselves...he is a wonderful leader and we have appreciated him so much!

 Joel was presented with his flag which flew over the nation's capitol in his honor...and also a few congratulatory notes/certificates from important people like senators and former US Presidents.

 And then there's the actual Eagle patch and pin...

 Scoutmaster preparing the Eagle Neckerchief...

 And of course Mom and Dad get their pins...I call mine the Nagging Mom Pin...

 And lastly, pinning his Eagle award on him...truly an honor...

 Joel and Scott Olsen, a true mentor in the scouting program...he has been a big help all along the way, for all of our boys!

 The ever fun Scoutmaster Budge...we love and appreciate this guy a ton!

 And Shawn Olsen, another mentor (a lot like his dad!) and great friend.

 And look who  joined us from his mission in Montana!  Joels' friend Devin!

 Looking good Elder Ashcroft!  Sorry we forgot to move you to the Eagle's nest...but it was great having you in attendance!  

 Craig Saunders...another energetic and fun leader who has had a big impact on Joel's life...

 Joel's friend Nate...we appreciate him coming...he was the only friend of Joel's that made it that day...thanks for your support Nate!

 And we can't forget Chad Knudsen!  Another former leader and awesome man who has helped Joel along the way.

 Grandma and Grandpa came from Folsom to spend the afternoon/evening with us.  It was great to see them and have them here for this event.  We went to dinner at Red Robin afterwards to celebrate and visit with them.  

Last but definitely not least...Ashley and Clark...we loved having them there too!  Clark was the photographer for us and we appreciate him capturing it all...Love my kids!!!

It was a great day!  Congratulations Joel...we love you!  Once an Eagle, always an Eagle...

Mother's Day 2013...

Of course every Mother's day I think a lot about my mom and how much I miss her...what an influence she was and still is in my life...Mother's day is hard without her here.  I love this natural smile of hers...she would never pose and smile for the camera, so I love when a picture would capture the moment without her realizing it!

 This is my other mother...Barbara is a mother in the truest sense of the word...she has never been anything but a loving and accepting and patient mother-in-law with me.  I love her dearly and feel blessed to have her influence in my life as well...another candid photo capturing the true sweetness of her.  Happy mother's day to both my mothers!

 I don't like any attention on Mother's day, but I do love having the kids come over for dinner!  And Ashley made me my chocolate chip cookies!  My one weakness...ha ha.  They were delish!  I broke my sugar diet big time with them, but it was worth it!  They are as sweet as she is! 

 Thanks Ashley!

 Clark washed my car for me..thanks!  Love his gifts of service...

 Joel does a ton of things for me around the house and I am always grateful for his willing and helpful attitude.  He helped the young men pass out the mother's day cookies at church and made sure to bring me one that I would like.  And they all helped with dinner clean up, which is a wonderful gift!!

 And we can't forget the hubster who MADE dinner and made sure the kids all knew what time to be there.  He brought me roses a couple of days before so I could enjoy them all weekend.  

Clif and Lindsay texted and Amanda called. She sent a cute homemade card signed by the boys with Jacob's first drawings of people and a picture book of David.  It was a delightful day, despite having some attention on me.  Love my family!  Happy Mother's day to all the mothers who have influenced me and my family throughout the years!

My Hall of Fame...or the end of an era...

This hall of fame started many years ago...in a land called Arizona.  I had 4 little ones and the oldest was beginning kindergarten.  I found these cute "school years" pictures and bought 4 of them. (My mom had one of me and I always liked looking at the progression).  As the years went by I added more pictures and more frames to the wall...after 7 years, we had another child!  Our caboose who took a long time getting here, but we waited patiently for because we knew we weren't a complete family until he arrived!  But would I be able to find another school picture frame to match the others?  It took some doing, but I did!  I love them and it has been so fun "updating" them every year.

 These have always hung in our hallway, and I have enjoyed watching them fill up over the years.  There were a lot of empty little ovals for the longest time, and sometimes I thought they would never be done.  But suddenly, out of the blue, they are.  We put Joel's senior picture in the other day and now the wall is completed.  It's a little bittersweet!  I do love looking at them all and how they have grown and changed through the years.  

 Ashley...graduated from Clovis High School in 2002...

 Amanda, graduated from Clovis High School in 2004...

 Clifton, graduated from Clovis High School in 2005...

 Clark, graduated from Clovis High School in 2006...

 And now Joel...also graduating from Clovis High School in 2013...

The end of an era...for my wall, and for Clovis High School.  No more McKinneys walking the halls! I will be able to look at these for years to come and truly enjoy walking down my hall seeing their cute, smiling faces looking at me!