First camp out as a Boy Scout for Isaac

Isaac had his very first Boy Scout camp out with the Eleven-Year-Old Scouts (EYOs).  He was very excited.  Justin had been in Texas all week but was able to get to the airport and catch an early flight so he could make it in time to go with him.  I was very glad and I am pretty sure Isaac was relieved as well.  He put on a brave face but I think having dad there for the first one made him happy.  It was storming as they were getting ready to leave but luckily, it was pretty much done by the time they got to camp.  The went to Parker Canyon Lake.  Isaac had a great time.  They had chili dogs for dinner and pancakes for breakfast.  Justin said he really didn't see Isaac much as he was off with his friends.  So fun to have him so excited to start his Boy Scout years.

 Never easy to get a good picture of all the boys at the same time!

Brayden Hancock, Logan Stewart and Gabe Parrish

Isaac Park, Isaac Parker, Logan Stewart and Lyle Tanner

Eagle Scout!

We had a wonderful weekend.  Adam and Sara and their kids were able to come down from California to help us celebrate Nathan's Eagle Scout.  My morning started off in Saguaro where I was able to run with my good friends including Kris who was in Tucson for the weekend.  Any morning I can start in Saguaro is good.  It is a tough 8 miles but beautiful and I always feel great when it is finished!

Tracy Baird, Kris Innman, me, Cyndi Richardson and Cami McFarland

Adam and Sara had gotten in about 2 am so they were tired!  After I showered, Hannah and I made a big breakfast of pancakes and bacon and chocolate milk and OJ.  It was a hit.  Can never go wrong with bacon! It was so fun having all the kids in the house playing.

Rob Samuelsen, a good friend and Young Men's president, came over and helped us repair some cracks in our back patio and teach us how to fix the rest ourselves.  So nice to have the help.  Saved us a lot of money too!

The Eagle Court of Honor was at 3:00.  We had to get there an hour early to help set up.  We had a combined court of honor with Nathan's friend Hunter Palmer who earned his Eagle a month before Nathan.  The Court of Honor was very nice.

 Rob Samuelsen was Master's of Ceremony.

 Noah got to be in the Color Guard.  So glad he was there!

 Isaac got to call the Color Guard and take everyone through the Scout Law etc.

 Both boys got to help in describing what the Scout Law meant.

 Sig Winstryg who has served as both boy's Deacons Leader/Scout leader explained the boys journey to their Eagle.

 Brian Thompson, a member of our Scout Committee explained the boys responsibilities of being Eagle Scouts....

 including honor, loyalty and courage.

 Brother Winstryg then lead the boys in the Eagle Scout Oath with the other members of the Eagle Den (all those who have achieved Eagle Scout rank).  I think we have some pretty proud dads in next to the boys!

 After that, it was time for the presentation of the Mother and Father's pins as well as Nathan's Eagle Medal.

 I got to pin Nathan's Eagle medal on him.  Yep, he is definitely a couple inches taller than I am.

 Then Nathan gave me my Mother's pin.  I think I earned it helping with his Eagle Project!

 Justin was then given the opportunity to give Nathan his Eagle Certificate.

Nathan gave Justin his very well-deserved Father's Pin.  Justin was able to be Nathan's scout leader for many years and really helped him every step along the way.  He never did the work for him but helped keep him motivated and guide him through.  Love this picture!

Nathan and Hunter joined their friend Devin Simpson in the Eagle's Den.

 Justin then talked about the Eagle itself and what it represted and the boys were presented Eagle statues picked out by their dads.

 Nathan wanted one with the wings opened. 

 After that, John Palmer presented the boys with flags.  Each boy had picked where they wanted their flag to have been flown.  Hunter got one that had been flown over "The Swamp" which is Florida's football stadium which is Hunter's favorite college football team.  Nathan wanted one flown over the USS Arizona.  He really wanted a flag with Arizona in the name since he started and finished his journey to Eagle in Arizona and we would be moving.  He does now that it has nothing to actually do with Arizona:)  It also helps him think of those who have served this country giving him his freedoms he has today, including both grandfathers, great grandfather and two uncles.

The last thing was seeing their names on the Vail Ward plaque.  Hunter finished out the completed plaque and Nathan got to start a new one for the ward.  So cool we have that many Eagle Scouts!

We had kept it simple for refreshements.  The Palmers make spud nuts (potato donuts) so they made those and home made rootbeer and then their daughter AnnaLynn and Hannah made chocolate chip cookies and we had water as well.  It was a perfect ending.

Nathan, Hunter and Devin

 Three more of these boys will be Eagles soon we hope!  Devin Simpson, Caeden Anderson, Hunter Palmer, Nathan Parker, Andrew Trepanier and Jensen Howel.

 Family!  Love it.

Nathan is a great example to his siblings and his cousins, Spencer, Grace, Noah and Reid.

 Of course, no family picture is complete without a crazy face.  Thanks Isaac!

 So very proud of Nathan.  He worked really hard throughout the years and especially on his Eagle Project.  It was so fun to see him mature.  I will never forget how in awe I was of him talking with Principal Holt.  It was amazing to see him interact with an adult so well and present himself and his project.  Now to get to work on helping Isaac get some badges!