George's First Holy Communion

George received his first Holy Communion on Saturday, May 3 at the 10:30 a.m. Mass.  It was a beautiful Mass and he was so excited and proud.  He did a great job and just looked so darn handsome.  The gorgeous spring weather also added to the beauty of the day.  Of course I was busy taking pictures.  George told me at the end of the day, "this was a day to take lots of pictures". 

Ready for his big day.  He was dressed and ready by 8 a.m. for 10:30 a.m. Mass.

George picked out a few decorations at Party City.

Family photo before Mass.

Handsome George

We found the flowers in church for a picture.

George and his cool banner.

The gifts

George with his teacher Mrs. Mantia.  She is the best!

Group picture after Mass

Group picture close up

Time for lunch!

Andy especially liked the bread. 

Zack and Mary

Mommy and Zack

Time for cookie cake!

The boys

A picture of the St. George icon my mom painted for George.  She will deliver it person when she is feeling better.  Unfortunately she was not feeling well and couldn't be there on Saturday.  :(

From Aunt Joni and Uncle Steve

His personalized rosary.  He LOVES it.

George with his new rosary.

I just love this picture.  Doesn't he look like he could be in a kids' clothing catalog?

Awesome day and awesome gifts.

He did it!

Happy 8th Birthday George!

George celebrated his 8th birthday on Feb. 14.  George loves celebrations and made the most of his special day.  He truly loves that he has a valentine birthday, it all just adds to the fun.

Tooting his own horn on his birthday balloon.

George and his silly brothers.

I helped with George's Valentine's Day classroom party so it was a special treat spending extra time with him.

He just finished his ice cream treat.

I helped with the heart relay race game.  Each paper heart had a letter on it.  The kids had to carry the paper hearts from one desk to the other and then put them in order to make several words, such as heart, love and candy.  The only catch, no hands.  You had to carry the heart using a straw only. 

George dropping his letter.

Waiting for his turn to go.

Get that heart George.

There he goes!

The school also does Jump Rope for Heart on Valentine's Day.  The kids jump rope and hula hoop to raise money for the American Heart Association.  George can really do the hula hoop!

Go George!

The boys told me they were meditating.  That's a new one for a bunch of 2nd graders!

 After his birthday dinner, George had an oreo ice cream sandwich as his birthday cake.  Yum!

Our 8 year old

His favorite present of the night was the disco ball from his brothers and sister.

A package arrived for George with one more birthday present in it.  A doughnut pillow from Papaw and Grandma.  PERFECT gift for him.  Isn't that hilarious? 

Playing one of his new games, Fibber.

George had a small party with a Minecraft theme.  He made the bags and the creeper badges.  Daddy decorated the cupcakes.

Cousin Amy has a February birthday too so we celebrated February birthdays.

Happy Birthday Amy and George!

I love George's smile in this picture.

We love you George!

Zack's Arrow of Light and Blue and Gold

Zack received his Arrow of Light on Sunday, Feb. 9 at the Cub Scout Pack 680's annual Blue and Gold banquet.  The Arrow of Light is the highest honor a Cub Scout can earn.  Zack also graduated from Cub Scouts and crossed over to Boy Scouts.  Enjoy the pictures that captured this memorable event. 

Zack checking out the picture boards before the ceremony.  There is one for each den and the Webelos II (Zack's den) have one for each of the five years of Cub Scouts.

One of the picture board's for Zack's den

Before the Blue and Gold banquet started at 2 p.m., Den 3 had a special meeting to give out thank you gifts and watch their DVD recap video before it was shown in the great hall.

Zack with Jen P., Debbie L. and Laura L.  Jen made the awesome plaque Zack is holding and did so much for our den  and pack.  Debbie and Laura were our den leaders and did an amazing job with the boys.

The boys giving Debbie their thank you gift.  A scout charm bracelet they bought with their own money.

Ethan, Zack and Andrew checking out the picture boards.

Zack is in a green shirt on the bottom.

George's den, 2nd grade

The theme for Blue and Gold this year was camping. 

Table centerpiece with a fake candle glowing. Too cute!

The Arrow of Light "cake"

Zack checking out the program.  Each boy from his den had their picture and bio in the program.

Eli, Ethan and Zack "roasting" their marshmallows from the centerpiece before eating them.

Each den receives awards and recognition at Blue and Gold.  George earned his Wolf badge.  Way to go George!

Luke and George

Den 7

Luke and George checking out their new badges.

The 20 on Zack's red brag vest is for earning all 20 activity badges.  No small feat!

Here comes the Arrow of Light!

Zack checking it out. 

Zack, Debbie and Andrew.  Look at that big smile.

Congratulations Den 3 on earning your Arrow of Light!

Time to celebrate with a cupcake and a good friend.  Ethan and Zack.

Mary enjoyed the cupcakes too.

George and Eli

After the cake celebration, it was time for the boys to cross over from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts.  They walk across a bridge and receive their new neckerchief if they are joining a Boy Scout troop.

Den 3 waiting to cross over.

Jen with Mary, Joe and Zack

Here goes Zack!

A Boy Scout from his new troop is putting on the new neckerchief while I took off the old one.

Reciting the Boy Scout promise.

Zack and Debbie

Joe, Zack and Jen

Den 3.  Back row:  Ethan, Andrew, Jack and Jack.  Front row:  Zack, Max, Noah and Sebastian.  A great group of boys.  Zack is going to miss this bunch.

Way to go Zack!  You worked hard on your journey as a Cub Scout.  We are proud of you.  As this chapter closes, a new one begins.