JUST MARRIED!

 Yesterday was my brother's wedding.  The day was beautiful and so was the ceremony.  Following the ceremony, was a nice luncheon and lots of visiting.  I was excited to get things set up and took a few pictures.  I planned on snapping lots of photos after the ceremony, but I was so busy in the kitchen.  After the lunch was put out on the tables, I started on the chocolate fountain table.  Then it was a balancing act of refilling dishes and melting more chocolate.  I wasn't able to get any more photos or even stop to enjoy the reception.  No worries though.  Everything was beautiful, everyone was fed, everyone had a great time.  I call that - Success!  Here's my pre-wedding shots:

This held our veggie dip in the center, then one bowl/platter for the carrots, snap peas, broccoli and tomatoes.

 The welcome sign was joined by some pretty flowers (as seen above) and the three bowls to the left held: broccoli salad, fruit salad and pasta salad.  The bowl to the far left was for water.

 This tray would be filled with chicken salad sandwiches and the bowl held extra rolls.

 The whole food table (the punch bowl is hidden on the left). You can also see the chocolate fountain table off the the far right.  I really wish I would have taken a photo before people started enjoying the chocolate.  An after photo would have been nice too....the tablecloth was covered in chocolate!

 The wedding was at the bride's Aunt & Uncle's home.  Mary & Matt were so welcoming and helpful.  Thank you for opening your beautiful home to us!

 One side of the tables.  I loved how everything came together.

 These were at each place setting.  The card read: Sherrily & Jean-Jacques along with their parents thank you for sharing in their special day.  March 30, 2013  I love that the band of spring paper hid the message and you only saw their names and wedding date as you sat down.  (I used 13 different papers for the bands, so each place setting was a different color)

 Each table had a white tablecloth, burlap runner, 2 jars of baby's breath and 1 jar of spring flowers.

 Their sweetheart table

I was excited to use burlap and make the banner.  I thought it was beautiful. (and I don't even care that they didn't sit there.  They did use the dishes though)

 The sign in table

 Trying out my new camera.  I realized that I have some reading to do!  I took a photography class some years ago and I really need to brush up on my knowledge.

 Another banner on the cake table. 

 The cake was not only beautiful, but delicious!

 Before the ceremony, sisters reunited!

 The Groom

 Exchanging rings

 Their first kiss as husband and wife.

I was so happy that I could have a part in making this day special for Jean-Jacques & Sherrily.  

Welcome to the family!

LOVING THE NEW CAMERA!

Love this shot!  So happy to have my new camera.  I can't wait to show you all the fun I'm going to have this weekend!  Lots of opportunities to take photos.  See you on Monday!

CUB SCOUT KITES & MY NEW CAMERA!

 What do you do with cub scouts when it's a beautiful day in the mid 80s....go to the park to make kites!  Our scouts loved making their own kites.  First, take your frame (put together by Deanna) and wrap your string around the center until it's secure.

 Great Job!

 Some boys had a little problem with tangled string.

 Now you've got the hang of it!

 After the center is secure, frame out the kite with the string.  Make sure to secure the string with tape.

 Asher came to help.

Getting ready for the next step....

 cutting out our kite - aka a plastic tablecloth.

After it's cut, tape the plastic to the kite frame.

 Done!

OK....I'm sure I missed a lot of the details, but that's the gist of it.  Our time was up and there was no wind anyways.  The boys did have fun and we enjoyed the park since it will be too hot too soon. (Saturday is supposed to be 90 degrees!)

 I've been patiently waiting to buy a nice camera.....and the wait is finally over!  Saturday I placed my order and yesterday afternoon UPS delivered!!!  I was so excited to see everything and get started on figuring it out.  First order of business, charge the battery.  In just 2 short hours, all the kids (and Tony) were in bed and my battery was ready to go.  I couldn't just go to bed, I've waited so long for this day.  So here are a couple of photos I snapped before I was out for the night.  (I've spared Tony the photos of him sleeping)

Oooooooooh!

 Ahhhhhhhhh!

I'm only going to get better....right?!?

I can't wait to use it and Easter weekend should be the perfect opportunity.

PINEWOOD DERBY, KYLER'S 1ST

Kyler's 1st Pinewood Derby.

He's been so excited and ready for this day.  He planned out his car design and did a lot of the work.  Tony's getting so much better (less crazy!) at making cars with the kids.  (don't mistake less crazy for not crazy.....he was still plenty crazy!)  The races are about to begin!

 Reagan giving us her best cheese!

 GO, KYLER!

The best part of this night was how quickly the races were done.  I don't think it took 20 minutes.  The computer tallied the numbers and they needed a race off to break a tie.  It was down to....

 Kyler & Trevor!

(dun, dun, DUN!)

[OK....these boys are best friends and I think it's hilarious that I even snapped a photo of them looking like this.  They were so happy for each other....just nervous!]

 The cutest thing was Kyler's cheering section. 

(Emily, Jane, Valerie and Andrew)

He told all the girls to be quiet - "you're embarrassing me!"

Tony, Colton and Asher did the wave for Kyler most of the night.

(I did record it earlier and they weren't as enthusiastic when I made them do it again)

 The results........Trevor won first and Kyler won second.  Look how happy he is with his trophy!  All the boys were so good and supportive of one another.  After all the awards were handed out....

they made a pit stop!

Cub Scouts + Treats = SUCCESS!

 I was so excited to take care of the treats.  Here's what was offered.  Spare Tires - aka mini chocolate donuts and lots of cupcakes!  Don't you love our Cub Scout Motor Oil...thanks, Tony!

 Yes....I separated Mike & Ike's for my ode to a stoplight.

 Traffic Cones - aka bugles

 Axle Rods - aka chocolate drizzled pretzels

I should have taken a photo after the carnage....there wasn't much left!  Only a  few "axle rods" and cupcakes left.  The "spare tires" and "traffic cones" were a big hit and gone in the first minute.

CONGRATULATIONS

to all our cub scouts for their awesome cars and  fantastic sportsmanship!

CUB SCOUT FIELD TRIPS!

Currently, I'm back in Cub Scouts as the Wolf leader and my friend, Deanna is the Bear leader.  We hold our den meetings together and lucky for me, Deanna plans a monthly field trip!  (I really can't think about the fact that she's moving and will be out of the ward next month)  In February, we went to KPHO Channel 5 News Station.

 Our first stop is to hear the rules before we enter the building.  

 We took a short tour before going into the green room to watch the 6:30 news broadcast.  If you've watched the news lately, you'll understand why our guide had to mute most of the broadcast!  Not really what you want young boys to hear.  After the newscast, Sean McLaughlin (anchor) and Chris Dunn (weatherman) posed for photos and talked with the boys.  They explained that the weatherman doesn't have a script.  Everything they say, they make up on the spot.

 The news anchors have scripts, but they have the challenge of reading a teleprompter and trying to make it sound as if they aren't reading but telling a story.  Chris said that's a really difficult thing for Sean to do.  That's when Kyler blurts out "I could do it."  Sean then points to Kyler and said "Confidence is another big part of the job"  That's my boy!  No shortage of confidence - just wish he wasn't so loud!

 After they left the news desk, they were able to talk about the weather in front of the green screen.  The boys had so much fun seeing themselves in the monitor in front of the map.  Then they were handed a green sweatshirt aka: the cloak of invisibility!  They had so much fun!!!!!  Thank You CBS 5!

 March brings spring break and our morning tour of Peter Piper Pizza.  Pizza for breakfast, why not!  (this tour might be in real time....it was so quick)  Here's where they wash the dishes.....oooooh, aaaaaah.

 Here's where they make their dough.  Yes!  They make all their own pizza dough on site. 

 Here's the wall of soda syrups and tanks of carbonation.  They mix with water, go through the ceiling and down to their drink center.  One of the scouts asked, "where does the water come from?"  Reply, "I don't know......somewhere up there."  (hey folks, we're at a "mini-Vegas" themed kids pizza place.....why would he know?!?)

 The freezer......wish I could spend the summer in here.

 Being good little "employees" and washing their hands before...

making their own personal pizzas!

(I'm very thankful to Peter Piper Pizza for setting up the tour for the kids, so I don't think I'll tell you that after you wash your hands, no gloves are needed to grab your pizza toppings.  So again, I won't tell you they don't wear gloves when grabbing toppings since that would be gross!) 

After running around playing, eating breakfast pizza and drinking soda (that was mixed in the ceiling) we packed up and headed home.

 And finally, my personal field trip with my cub scout.  We shop at an interesting place called American Discount Foods.  Recently, they moved locations and had an incredible Grand Opening sale.  Last month I spent more than $50 here and that earns you a spin of the wheel.  Since Kyler was with me, he felt it was his right to spin.  Thank goodness he did....he spun $20!!!!!  I was given a $20 gift certificate to use at the store within a month's time.  Fast forward nearly a month before I remembered that I had this certificate!  Thankfully, I had a couple of days to use it and I brought Kyler with me again. (not to spin, I knew we wouldn't spend that much)  He felt the $20 was his since he "earned" it.  He didn't get the full amount, but he did reward himself well!

Thanks, Kyler for going with me on our personal field trip!

(and I'm happy to be your scout leader - Love, Mom)