Blue & Gold Banquet

Have I mentioned before the coolness that is Cub Scouts? The awesome, corny cheers get me every single time. I love them! And Cub Scouts got even cooler when we received the invitation for the yearly Blue & Gold Banquet.

But do you know what is not cool?

 Cake decorating.

I tried to get out of it. I even asked a friend if it was just something recommended, or if it was an actual requirement. She is a good friend and told me that I needed to bake a cake because if I didn't Jackson would be the only one there without one and he would feel bad.

Ok. Then.

But she also told me it was supposed to be up to the boys to completely decorate it. And their dads. Since Eric was out of town, the burden fell solely on Jackson.

He excelled!



I purchased the supplies, and helped him frost the first layer, but he did everything else. From concept to decoration:



He decided to have a river with fish, a Patrick fisherman, a gummy bear eating a fish, a tent for Spongebob, a chick sitting on some eggs, a bunny and a fire:



I am proud of him:



I took lots of pictures of the other cakes but am choosing not to post them. Mostly because they were really good (Kim, I am talking to you) and don't want to hear any disparaging comments about our cake. :)

We had a massive Dutch Oven feast, followed by lots of game playing:



The week before the boys made these cool picture frames to take home. Good job Gina! And excellent job on the decor!



Every boy receives an award for his cake. Jackson received the "Big Fished" award:



It was awesome. 

Great Harvest (Again)

Last year Sade's preschool went to Great Harvest for a field trip and this year her class took the exact same field trip again! Picture documentation:

Last year I do believe they only received a loaf of bread, but this year they received a loaf of bread, giant cookie, AND wheat grass seeds! To plant, and then have in our very own healthy smoothies (typed sarcastically).



I ended up loving the field trip because it afforded me the opportunity to catch up with Kellie! And Sade loved it because she got to hold Ryan for a good portion of the time:

Red Rock 2013

Last, last weekend we went to Red Rock to do a little hiking. Our first stop was our favorite easy peasy Lost Creek-Children's Discovery hike to a mini waterfall. We have done this hike many times and continue to love it. Last January we found snow, but this year it was snow free.

Me and Jackson now:



Me and Jackson four years ago in almost the exact same place:


And with a photo bomber:



Our next hike was Pine Creek Canyon trail that takes you deep into the mountains. For at least a mile, Jackson would run ahead:



And then sit down on a rock and wait for us to catch up:



And again:




Sade caught a ride most of the way:



On the trail you walk right by an old homestead:



More Sade photo bombs:




The Pine Creek Trail is supposed to be a loop, but somewhere we took a wrong turn and never found it! Disappointing but not heartbreaking. It was a beautiful, beautiful day.

Grandparent Preserving

Breaking News: My year Springs Preserve pass has now expired! By the number of times I have posted about the Springs Preserve it is safe to say I certainly got my money's worth.

Luckily before it expired we were able to visit one last time, with Eric's parents who were visiting us for a couple of days.

The newest exhibit is CSI: Crime Scene Insects. Before entering there is a sign telling you that you will see pictures of crime scenes and dead human bodies. They weren't kidding! The whole exhibit was morbid:



General grossness:



Kids and Grandparents:



Luckily Grandpa was there to take over for Eric as holder of Sadie:



Sade is a big Grandpa fan:



The statues are like gifts that just keep on giving:



World's strongest man:



It was a Friday so we were also able to visit the Nevada State Museum next door:



The trek was exhausting:



I quite enjoyed our year as Springs Preserve members and plan to buy another pass! So many more Springs Preserve posts to look forward to!