he's nine!

happy birthday to an energetic, happy, fun-loving, responsible, smart, excited, helpful boy  

we love this kid... and his amazingly contagious smile

Austin asked for "wedding cake" for his birthday!  I thought that was a strange request until he explained it was because he wanted a HUGE cake and wedding cakes are the biggest {naturally - duh ;) }.  So I talked him into a 4-layer "tower" cake because it's a little less 'girly'.  It was filled with raspberry filling just like a real wedding cake and covered in his favorite chocolate frosting (it's not as pretty since we don't use dairy products but it tasted G-O-O-D!)

Austin could NOT decide what present to ask for.  He was convinced he wouldn't get anything because he didn't know what he wanted.  We wanted to get him something that would really make him excited - it is his birthday, after all.  Phew!  I think we came up with a winner!  I love how happy he looks in these pictures.  Austin is a kid that knows how to make you feel appreciated.  

***this smile***

Baseball Season 2013

Safe!

Enthusiasm

Speed

Is he really only 11?

Determination

Arrow Of Light

My Landon received the highest honor in Cub Scouting : The Arrow Of Light Award.

He worked HARD to get this award.  Because football and baseball took up 5 nights a week for a total of 4 1/2 months year and summer fun took up another 3 months he did almost ALL of his Webelos scouting work in 5 months, which usually takes a year.  

When Landon realized he may not be able to get his Arrow of Light award on top of his Webelos rank he made a schedule for himself, set some goals, and worked like a mad cub scouter to make sure he got it in time.  I told him I'd help if he needed it but it was up to him to get his awards if he wanted them.  He learned some lessons about procrastination, time management and goal setting, on top of what he learned while working towards his scouting goals, while also keeping straight A's at school!  I'm proud of him.  *Bragging Mom Moment*  Good Job, Landon!

Simple Ceremony : breaking different size boards with his forearm to represent going from little 'cubs' to the BIG 'boys' :)  I love those smiles!  

May Clean-Up

It's been a busy month!  We got to visit with Grandma and Grandpa Smedley at the beginning of the month and Grandma and Grandpa Perigo at the the end of the month.  Lots of visitors, field trips, sports, and fun

Everyone's favorite Aunt: Alina

~don't get between a girl and her doughnut~

Isaac is a little ball-hog (in a GOOD way!)

Landon cooked his first meal -  he's on breakfast duty from now on! ;)

Passing time during soccer practice

After-bath-time Dancing Queen

Women's Conference was a great get-away, reminder, and motivator

Isaac drew this picture of Grandma Smedley.  She's wearing her "favorite green shirt", he says.  

Making friends at baseball practice.  I love how she can make friends anywhere!

Backyard Family Football game

A week's worth of treasures from 3 boy's pockets

Austin held my hand when I went to school with him!  Mother heart = happy

Grandpa and Isaac (Grandpa's namesake) started calling themselves the 'Creighton Observatory Team'.  The 'COT' has comforted Isaac many times when he's felt left out.

The boys take turns sleeping at Grandma's and Grandpa's motor home.

The favorite game-player is hands-down, Grandma Perigo

I got to go on a field trip with Landon!  So fun.  I think it may be the last time I can go with him, because, well, do they have field trips in Middle School?  Furthermore, will he want me there in Middle School?!  I'm treasuring this day with growing-up boy.

Austin's 2nd grade field trip.  We had a lot of fun!  I love how he hung out with his friends but he came and "checked up" on me through out the day.

A fun afternoon in an abandoned, old mining town.  The cloudy, foggy weather added to the mystique.

Landon is E.L.E.V.E.N.

Today is Landon's eleventh birthday!  I can't believe it's been so long!

We started the day off right with our family's traditional birthday breakfast....

....and finished the day off with a fun dirt bike-themed family birthday party.

Landon was lucky enough to have Grandma and Grandpa Perigo here for his birthday celebration.  He requested BBQ ribs for dinner and Mint Chocolate Mud Pie Birthday cake.

Favorite present just might have been this bag of Resse's!

I kind of love Austin's face in this picture!  He's like, "uh, I'm not so sure about that, Landon."  

Obviously, Landon was happy to light his own birthday candles!

Make a wish! 

Later in the week, after a mad dash from his last baseball game (that went much longer than anyone could have thought!) we took a few of Landon's favorite friends to the Bruneau Sand Pits for more dirt-bike birthday fun!

(the invitation)

Happiest Birthday to one of my favorite boys!  I love this kid more than I could ever say!