Early November 2012

 #4 gets his bobcat badge...KTM!  (Kiss The Mom--it's a cub scouts thing)

 #4 on the father sons campout.  Mom couldn't be left without any fun boys, so she borrowed 2 nephews for the evening!

 #1 is the sousaphone player.  Their show was called "I Believe" and won 1st place in at least one of the contests they entered.  It kept getting better each time they performed it.

 #3 has begun taking art.  I simply love this picture.  It's hanging in our living room.  And I love that he changed the project to reflect himself!

 Lots of scout projects go on at our house.  Here #3 works on his craftsman badge (cutting, painting, and building a tool box) to complete his Webelos scout rank.

 #3 also loves origami.  We frequently find him in a corner working on a new project.  This year he's even making ornaments for his teachers.  They're really beautiful, with a clear ball and his creations hanging inside on golden threads.

#2's last football game of the year.  He blocked for the only touch down we made that night.  Go Vikings!!

Through October 2012

 First day of school in descending age order.  :)

 #1 (with sousaphone) in the first fundraiser of the year--the Marchathon through our neighborhood

 We've had lots of friend time.  Mom always has crafts on hand, most often painting.  This is #5 with his best friend painting Halloween coffins to hold our tootsie pop ghosts.

 #4 chillin with his best friend

 #2 in his first ever football game.  He is going to a new school this year and cracks us up with his complete loyalty.  He won't wear "Scoggins" (his old school) anything because it would be an insult to Vandeventer (new school).  He actually wore # 87 most of the year, and thanks to Grandma's embroidery machine, he has that # embroidered on plenty of clothing to replace the old school spirit items!

 Bumblebee the Transformer

 Mike's costume

 #s 3 (mad scientist), 2 (Frodo), 5 (Bumblebee), and 4 (Luke Skywalker).  #1 was still at band practice--it is an INTENSE time commitment here in TX, but an incredible program!

 Dad got to go with #5 on his first ever field trip to the pumpkin patch.

#4 has recently begun coming up with projects he can do with dad in the garage.  He imagines, plans, draws out, and proposes to Dad.  With all that effort, Dad is effectively wrapped around his little finger!  They've cut out pistols and built a bey wheel box, with more plans in the works.  He's also made a pinewood derby car stand (first one coming up in January!) and is creating a hot wheels track.

High Adventure and Scout Camp

 #1 went on high adventure this year.  They did a bike ride, went exploring in a cave, and had a great time.

#s 1 and 2 got to spend the week at scout camp together.  Mike was with them as well for most of the week, then hurried back a little early to take #3 on the Webelos overnighter.

Quick Review of the Spring I Didn't Blog 2012

So I'm doing some serious back-tracking here.  Good thing sending out a Christmas letter keeps me committed to blogging! :)

#5's fifth birthday...his request was a pair of overalls.

#5 the week after Christmas

Mike's Aunt Dennie made hats like this one for each of our boys.

 Soccer time!  #5 is in the back row on the left

 We camped outside...

 ...and inside (#4 and #5)...

 ...and outside some more.

 #1 got working on his Eagle project, building raised beds for our local elementary.

 We had back-to-school night; here's #4.

 #2 had his 12th birthday.

 The finished product of the Eagle project, which went incredibly well.

 And more outdoor camping...

 ...complete with games and singing and dutch oven dinner.  Mike is quite the dutch oven cook, so we love every chance we get to eat outside.

 #2 and his Dad got to go to UT for general conference to attend his first priesthood session and also fit in a ton of fun in the process.

 #1 also aged...the big 14!

 We had two surgeries early this year--one tonsils and one sinus.

 #4 also played soccer.  He's in the middle here.

 Homemade jam!  I had forgotten that I'd ordered two flats of strawberries.  When it arrived at my front door, I said, "I know what we're doin' today, Ferb!"  Yeah.  I've gone from quoting scripture to quoting "Everybody Loves Raymond" to quoting "Phineas and Ferb."  Maybe time to quote some favorite scripture again!

 #1 (in glasses) performing with his tuba

 #4 (an elephant) in his school play

 #s 4, 2, 1, and 3 at the Dallas, TX, LDS temple

 Last day of preschool.  What an immense blessing it was to teach preschool last year!!  I am so grateful that the Lord helped me be brave enough to take that challenge on because I will always cherish the experience, not only because I got to know my dear friend Trisha, but also having that time with #5 (2nd from left) was just a treasure and a blessing.  Plus, most of the kids left our class as beginning readers, very well prepared for kindergarten.  It was gratifying to see them be so successful!

 Graduation (#5 4th from left)

 #4's birthday party was everything bey wheel.  We even created this pinata to match the theme.

 We had our third--yes, I said THIRD--flood through the ceiling.  Luckily, this one was light and easy to manage.

 Swim lessons galore!  I barter piano for swim lessons, so we have some great swimmers in the family.  This is #3 waiting for his turn to show off.

 Also #3 at Twilight Camp for Cub Scouts.  Mom volunteered at the crafts booth for the week and #s 3 and 4 both got to attend.  Plus, Dad stayed with #3 for the Webelos campout at the end of the week.

 #5 celebrates his birthday during the summer since it's only 5 days after Christmas (we just do family cake and ice cream on his actual big day), so we had a pool party.

His favorite present was this scooter, and he got right on it to practice and be prepared for KINDERGARTEN.