Rigdon's Very First Baseball Season

Rigdon just finished up his very first baseball season ever yesterday.  What fun it's been to watch him!  At this age, baseball is just so darn adorable.

Rigdon's loved learning to play the game.  His coaches have commented to either Jed or I about how Rigdon's always got a smile on his face.

Rigdon's done a great job at batting...he hits the ball much more often than striking out. 

 One things for sure, Rigdon is a hustler.

For a 6 year old, he does a really good job staying focused on the plays as they are happening.

Carter - my cousin, Sadie's, son.

Taking a few warm up swings.

Hudson cracks me up.  :)  

Oh, oh, he sees it, it's comin'....

Oh, right over the top of him.  Nice try Buddy!

Go Hudson, lol!

My friend, Jenni's, son, Logan

Rigdon's best buddy, Hudson. 

These two have been friends (also cousins) for a long time...even though they were having a serious little argument tonight about whose turn it was to bat first.  It was pretty cute to watch.  They worked it out pretty quickly.    :)

Thanks Coach Karl for a great season!  Rigdon learned a lot from you!

Scout Cedar Badge 2014

This past weekend we drove to Treasure Mountain, Wyoming to attend Connor's graduation from Cedar Badge, a week long Scout leadership course.  This year was a little different however.... 

Connor was a part of the leadership staff this time which is what the red barret signifies.  He was now helping teach leadership to other scouts.   He was also a medical assistant.

To become part of the leadership staff for this summer, Connor had to go through several interviews back in November.  He was asked a variety of questions.  The interviewers must have liked what he said because he got a call letting him know that he was chosen.  We are super proud of him for taking such initiative and interest in such a worthy endeavor .  

Cedar Badge Graduation Ceremony

What a handsome fellow.   :)  I sure missed him this past week.  Our home just wasn't the same without him.  I'm very glad to have him back!

The boys were separated into troops during their week of scout camp and each troop is given a name.  This year Connor was a part of:
Love the quote - George Washington was an inspired man in so many ways.


Connor's troop was led by Kelby Dye.  Kelby was the one who chose Connor to be a part of his troop.  Here he's announcing his troop...first starting with his leadership assistants:

Walking up as their names are called.

Shaking hands with the rest of the Cedar Badge Leadership.

Along with a few hugs.

These boys get pretty tight over the week.

Here's to Connor's group - Troop Washington!!!!  (You'll have to scroll to the right to see Connor...it's like the game Where's Waldo...can you find him?)




After all the Scout troops had been presented, they retired the flag and had a final salute to finish off the ceremony.

Logan, one of Connors' buddies from his church ward, attended under Connor this year.

Even though I had no idea what Connor was saying to Logan, just watching these two during this particular moment was quite touching.

Connor, Logan, and Brigham.


Our whole family came up to see Connor.  Ronin has been on a crazy streak lately, poor Aubrey gets to deal with him quite a lot, lol.

You're looking at a future scouter right here:

Connor is growing into a fine young man and I love that the Scouting Program is helping him develop any character trait that is good and worthy.

Connor was pretty tired...he says he didn't get to sleep until 1:30 that night and was up by 6 AM. 

After the main ceremony, the troops separate and head to their own campsites to receive their certificates of completion, pick up their personal gear, and say their goodbyes.  Connor really enjoyed working under Kelby.

Exhaustion finally took over on the way home.  Funny, I have the exact same kind of picture from last year. 

Connor's highlights from the week:
* It snowed the first day.
* It hailed the second day.
* Noodle sword fighting was very popular.  Out of the whole troop, only two noodle swords survived.
* Having to wake up earlier than all the other scouts due to being in leadership.  (I bet he loved that.)
* Ribs for dinner on the first night.
* A whole lot of fun!

First Date! :)

Aubrey recently went on her very first official date!   Well, aside from the mandatory first date with her father anyway.  ;)

She went with a boy named Dylon.


She had an absolutely wonderful time on her date.  Dylon was a perfect gentleman.  He opened doors for her.  Of course, paid for the date and treated her with the utmost respect and kindness.  They double dated with another couple which only added to the fun.  Together they all went and watched the new movie, Malificent.  Aubrey LOVED it.  Then the boys took them out to the sand dunes located just north of our town for a picnic.  The boys made up some turkey sandwiches according to the girls' taste and wishes.  For Aubrey that meant a ton of mayo - she takes after her mother on that one.  They played out there for awhile...threw frisbees and the girls buried the boys all the way up to their necks.  :)  Afterwards, they went to a local dairy farm where they bought and ate their deliciously fresh ice cream. 

I waited up for her to get home.  I could already tell she enjoyed her date before she walked into the house because I could hear her laughing with him as he walked her to the door.  That's a good sign right there....and of course the next 10 minutes of her telling me all about it with a smile on her face.  It was a great first date for Aubrey.

Arrow of Light Award

Ronin has been actively participating in Cub Scouts since he was 8 years old but recently outgrew the program once he turned 11 years old.  However, he went out with a bang by earning several awards at his last pack meeting a few days ago. 

The biggest award he earned that evening was the Arrow of Light Award....it is the highest ranking award a Cub Scout can earn in the program.  It is also the only award that is allowed on the Scout uniform when he turns twelve years of age.  

A special ceremony was performed for Ronin...it was pretty cool.  Chief Akela with his Guard, Guide, and Medicine Man showed up to do the honors.  ;P 

During the ceremony, Ronin was given a small leather pouch with a feather in it to symbolize the feather of an eagle. 

In not so many words, the Indian said:
"This pouch with the eagle feather symbolizes that which had been given to eagles since the time of our ancestors, and it is perhaps the most difficult to understand. Like freedom, the eagle had to soar and survey the land beneath him; so too will you have the freedom to choose the goals in your life and pursue them with eagle's courage. Know who you are, where your powers lie, and use them to achieve your goals. You are to soar with the eagles."

 
The Indian then presented Ronin to the Scoutmaster....which position just happens to be held by his very own dad (who also happened to be working on duty at the time.)  So when Ronin joins the older Scouting program, Jed will be his new leader.  Pretty cool.  :)  

  We, as parents, were both then given the opportunity to present Ronins' awards to him personally.

The seven rays of the Arrow of Light represent wisdom, courage, self-control, justice, faith, hope, and love.

 

We are very proud of this young man!  Congrats, Ronin!