Webelos

This past week Jacob was awarded his Webelo rank.  In addition, he got his arrow of light, many belt loops and pins. Apologies for the blurry phone camera.

We accomplished an amazing feat...well, Gene did....moved the fridge and stove and swept behind, mopped and cleaned everything.  We won't tell you what was in that pile. 

Here's our typical afternoon activities.  The girls take turns practicing and listening and encouraging each other on their instruments.

A day off for good behavior, no well....teacher work day. We cleaned and played.  We saw Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs 2.  Parts of it were actually funny.

belt loops stretched as far as the eye can see.

Every pin imaginable.

I worked in the  local storehouse this week (Emily asked "how much does it pay?").Gene went on splits with the missionaries, and taught his PMI class.  Tara has YWin Excellence tonight and Emily has a band concert this week.  Things are moving along nicely.  We love opening our windows to the fall weather, slight breeze 75*....just about perfect. 

I'll try to get more pictures this week-last week was more of a blur.

The girls began piano lessons with Jessica!  Yay! Tara took her first violin class this past Monday.  Lindsey Stirling, grandpa Ribera and Marisa are our inspiration. www.lindseystirling.com 

Cello is coming along beautifully -

Dance is the most fun according to both girls.  They've actually begun some really great choreography/dance steps.  Everyone has friends, good grades and is happy some of the time-all of the time is a bit much, right?  We attended the Emergency Preparedness Fair.  Tara helped teach a water safety class for kids. 

 

 

 

Uncle Jonathan's artwork is amazing.  Rattle-can Heroes......is an awesome series.  You can see the rest of the superheroes at http://jonathanribera.org.  He displayed some fantastic ones at SLC's comicon this past month.  It's fun to be related to someone so talented and "famous".

These are some of Jacob's art work/doodling he's done at school in his "free" time.  Meaning he thinks he has free time since school work is so easy and/or he doesn't want to do it at the moment.

Our new superhero shelf.  Nothing like thinking "My awesomeness is awesome" before you go to sleep at night.

Tara gave her first sacrament talk last Sunday on Individual Worth.  Here's an excerpt from her talk.

She was a bit nervous, but did great-sat on the stand and laughed while Emily made silly faces. 

Individual worth is simply knowing you are a child of God and then acting accordingly. Individual Worth is knowing that you are worth the price the Savior paid for each of us on the cross and in the Garden of Gethsemane. Individual Worth is accepting the gift of the Atonement into our lives. It is telling the Savior that we are indeed worth the price he paid for each of us. He thinks we are worth it, or He wouldn’t have done it. I hope that we can all remember who we truly are, sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father.

Real individual worth means you are born with a Godly heritage that you need to live up to and respect yourself and others for, and understand that respect of others and self is EARNED. 

 

Emily's fall pictures

Jacob's fall pictures

Fall Pictures....

I decided to take my own fall pictures since it costs an arm and a leg for less than desirable photos.

My inspiration on pinterest.....Tara would not wear the flower.....I personally think that is what makes the outfit complete.  What?  A 13 yr. old with such strong opinions? 

How busy are we?

So busy that Emily has to squeeze in cello practice between dinner and dance.  She said wearing the leotard and tights actually helped her play a bit better.  Ha! 

Her cello teacher started her on bowing.  She has been just plucking the strings to practice fingering.

The girls started taking dance class. They are beyond thrilled.  Emily said it was "relaxing and beautiful."  She loves the music and the girls and her teacher!

 

Both girls got new glasses this week.  Tara's prescription has really changed.  She has bifocals.

And we found that Emily has a lazy eye and is far sighted. (why she was still having trouble seeing).

We may have to patch one eye for a while.  She has eye "exercises" she has to do.

Emily went to a birthday party at Jump Jam.  Pink shorts in the middle.

Everyone is busy but, in a good place. 

We went to the parent night for 8th grade.  Tara is doing great....all her teachers love her. She has a 104% in math!  what? There is even a boy that follows her around (hmmm).  Not in any of her classes, just likes to talk.  Emily is in TSA before and after school a lot-she's doing structural modeling, dragster and digital photography. 

We had a prayer answered.  I came home and smelled smoke.  It was outside in our heat pump.  There were wires burning and the smell was blown into the house.  We had them replaced and were reminded how blessed we are on a daily basis that this house is still standing.  Really happy about the timing there! 

 

 

A happy camper

Jacob had his one last requirement for earning his Webelos.  The father/son campout was cancelled for this summer, so they decided to squeeze it in before fall....just in time!  It was 45* last night (the first time it's been that cold in sooooo long.)

They cooked dinner and roasted marshmallows.

Went on a hike....

and really just had a blast.  Friday the 13th....who knew it could be so lucky for a boy and his dad?

We went to Nashville

Lucky for me, they needed a last minute helper.....I got to drive up and help out these lovely ladies.  Two of which are in my primary class, just turned 12 and this was their first time to the temple.  It was a lot of fun.  A lot of loud singing, giggling and trying to get 18 wheelers to honk their horn.  Yay for more happy memories.