Storybooks!

What could be better than falling asleep to a good book?!

Chase is 12!!!

Twelve is a big birthday!  When I realized he wouldn't be in Primary anymore, I wanted to start crying.  My little boy will change over these next few years into a young man! He has always been such a good kid.  I have enjoyed him so much.  I feel so extremely blessed to have him as my son.

Can we say DREAM birthday present! He has been hoping for this present for a couple of years now!

The Mickelson's invited us over for dinner (taco bar) and F.H.E.  Chase opened his present then.  It was the first time that day that all of our family was together! We did let him open his card from Grandpa and Grandma before school! For breakfast he chose pancakes with chocolate chips and cool whip in addition to the syrup.  For lunch, Hallie and I brought McDonalds to him at school and ate with him in the cafeteria.

Actually I'm not sure who was more excited about this particular birthday present.

Father or son??

The bow is set at 38 lbs.  He's almost able to pull it back, but not quite yet.  Daily practice and he'll have it soon!

He requested a football cake.  Mark did the actual decorating for me!

After cake we went and sat in the Mickelson's Jacuzzi - it was a great place for our FHE lesson!

12 Years Old

Testimony-of-the-Book-of-Mormon

Testimony-of-the-Book-of-Mormon

General Conference!

Mark projected it on the wall and through lds.org we were able to enjoy both sessions on Saturday as well as Sunday.  We enjoyed homemade blueberry muffins and Orange Julius's Saturday morning! That was only the start of the many, many calories I enjoyed throughout this Easter weekend.  I loved all of the talks.  I thought it was an excellent conference.  There were a lot of wonderful talks on mothers as well as daughters.  Today (Sunday) after a really good talk on Mothers, Chase turns to me and in a very sweet and sincere way said,  "Well, now you know how important you are."  It definitely makes me want to take my role as mother up a notch!

Pinewood Derby - Districts

We went with Taige to districts to race his car again.  There were a lot of boys in his age group.  Taige raced in the 4th heat and took 1st place in his heat!  Yay!!! He made it to finals! There were 14 boys in total that made it to finals.  Taige took 4th place overall.  He had a lot of fun.  Unfortunately only the top 3 received trophies.  He was so close! He was such a good sport, but he sure was hoping to be in the top 3.  He kept a big forced grin on his face while his eyes watered and his face turned red, but he never did cry.  We were impressed he made it so far!

Baby Chicks

For part of our Preschool field trip, I took the kids to Olsen's to see the new baby chicks.

Hallie & her friend, Olivia

So soft!

Scouting

Today was a first for Chase and I both.  I took him at 4:30 to his first Board of Review for his Tenderfoot and Second Class.  There were three adults on the review asking him all kinds of questions, having him explain certain things and having him recite different oaths, promises, etc. by memory.  He did great! I of course was sitting there beaming with pride.   I don't know if there is anything that makes me happier than to see my children making good choices, excelling and doing well.  He will be presented with these awards at the Court of Honor next Wednesday night.  He is very close to having his First Class completed as well.  He is hoping to finish it in the next 2 1/2 weeks before his 12th birthday.  He plans on having his Eagle at the age of 14.  I am glad he is enjoying Scouts so much.

After his Board of Review, I picked up all of my kids and went to Taige's parent baseball meeting.  Baseball practice starts next Tuesday! From there, I quickly raced to the Church for Taige's Pinewood Derby.  He had a lot of fun and enjoyed winning a lot of races! In his Pack, he came in 2nd place and overall (3 Packs) he came in 3rd place.  Unfortunately for the little boy, the 1st place winner was disqualified and so technically Taige ended up being in 1st and 2nd place.  We get to go to Districts on Saturday!

And there it is!

Taige preparing for his race.

He's pulling ahead!

It's important to line them up just right.

Along with his awards, he also received a coupon for a pizza and another one for a donut!