2 1/2 hours of chaos and other birthday festivities

Sam had quite the birthday weekend ... I think we celebrated for three days straight.  Here's a run-down of all the festivities. 

First, what do you get when you take 14 boys and add pizza, cake, and night games?   One wild birthday party.

Next, school was out on Sam's b-day, so he got to open his presents bright and early.

And then spent the day riding his tough, new green machine while wearing his cool new Rush t-shirt.

But the fun didn't end there ... that evening, the family came over for cake and ice cream.

Happy birthday to my cute 11-year-old!

Sam turns 11

It's Sam's birthday today.  He turns eleven.  And even though I can't stand that he keeps getting older, and bigger, I adore him and I'm so happy about who he's becoming.  He's a good boy, a good brother, and a good friend.  So Happy Birthday, Sam.  I love you lots.

Sam's arrow of light

Sam received his Arrow of Light award this week.

With the help of these great scout leaders.

We're proud of him.

Good work, Sam.  Now it's time to start working on all those merit badges!

pinned

After suffering disappointing and heart-breaking losses to this guy:

and this guy:

and after dominating in a long and tough and well-fought match:

and with only .7 seconds left on the clock, Emery finally pinned this guy!

And he learned that the thrill of victory is way more fun than the agony of defeat.  (And I hope this guy's neck feels better soon!)

eagles

I don't consider myself to be much of a bird-watcher.  But, when it comes to bald eagles, well that's a different story.  And every winter, hundreds of bald eagles come and live near our home for a few months.  We love to drive over and see them.  They're amazing. 

Sometimes we just see one or two hanging out on the branches. 

Sometimes we'll watch one fly high above our heads.

Other times we see a few perched high in the tree-tops.

This golden eagle let us get about 15 feet away from him ...

before he stretched out his big ol' wings and flew away.

And when we're lucky we find 40 or 50 sitting in one tree alone.

Aren't they beautiful?

the singlet

I always thought wrestlers wore uniforms, or maybe even leotards ... but singlets?  Never heard of them.  Well, turns out wrestlers wear singlets, and when Emery brought his home a couple of weeks ago and tried it on for the first time, I did what any good mother would do.  I whipped out my camera.  Here it is ... the singlet:

Sweet, huh?  Then Sam seized the moment and gave that paw print a smack ... which I also captured on camera: