Sammy Turns 18

Sam is now 18, an official adult.  I can't believe how fast time goes.  We couldn't have asked for a more wonderful 1st child.  He is confident, independent, tenderhearted, loving and always strives to follow the Lord.  He is a born leader.  Sam is fiercely  protective of his friends and family.  He is loyal and sentimental.  He has a laugh and smile that melts my heart.  He has another laugh and smirky smile that tells me to look out because he is up to something mischievous.  He is silly and fun.  I love him more than I can say and while I am proud of the man he is becoming, I am sad that it happened so quickly.

He got an ASU jacket. Go Devils!

We had a bunch of his friends over to party with him.  They played just dance and a bunch of other silly games.

We had Italian cream sodas.  They were delicious!

I never get tired of taking Daddy Daughter pics.

Such tough guys, HA!  Victor and Sam are about as sweet as they come.

Dancin' fools

He even squeezed in a game of Foosball with his baby sister.  Awww.

The following day we took him and a date, Megan out for dinner and a movie.  He wanted to go to our favorite Thai restaurant and then to see the second Hobbit film.

It was a wonderful way to finish off our birthday celebrations!

Random December Activities

Sara with her best friend Lilly... Aren't they beauties! 

I couldn't find Susanna one night.  I looked all over for her and finally found her sound asleep like this in the trunk we keep extra blankets in.  Crazy girl!

I discovered by accident that Macayo's Mexican Restaurant has their kids meals for only $1 on Mondays.  They didn't mind that I had a ton of kids.  It was a great outing for a mom and her kiddos, minus Sammy, he was off somewhere else.

Richard is the Scout Master so he gets to give the boys their scouting awards.  Here are a few photos of his first time doing this at a Court of Honor.

Richard and Drew

Richard and Nate

 Richard and Josh

Richard and Sam

 Some how I didn't get a picture of Tim with his daddy, but he got awards that night too.

I was working at the school one Friday and Susanna's teacher told me that I may want to stay for the assembly.  I was glad I did because as her teacher had hinted, Susanna was student of the month for her class and then as an added bonus, Laney was also chosen to be student of the month.

After their assemble finished they did the next few grades and another teacher had pulled me aside and said I may want to stay for that one too.  Daniel was chosen as student of the month for his class also.

East Valley Millennial Choir Concert

Let me begin by saying this was one of the best choir concerts I have EVER been to. To be surrounded by hundreds of beautiful voices singing songs from the Messiah and other Christmas songs was an experience I will never forget. I drive Sam, Josh, Tim and Victor to Gilbert every Thursday evening during rush hour, we leave at 4:15pm to make sure to get there by 7:00pm, so they can be a part of this amazing group. I do not regret one minute of it. They love it.

 Prof. Stewart, their director, is amazing. He expects excellence and he gets it. The kids are taught how to read music and parts as well as blending skills, diction, etc. In addition, he requires that they be an example to others of clean language, respectful behavior and to listen to up lifting music and cut out songs that do not fit there standards of living. He truly is incredible.

They will be having their next concert April 11th and 12th at the Mesa Arts Center. It will be narrated by Glenn Beck and will be a patriotic show.

Victor, Tim, Josh and Sam, ready to sing their hearts out

Sara, Richard and Nate ready for the concert

We were lucky to have two of our favorite ladies come to the concert, Ms. Buck, our former principal, and Mrs. Heck, one of our favorite teachers.

This is the Mesa Arts Center's largest theater.  They could barely fit all the choir members and the audience in the theater during the combined numbers.  They have 5 choirs starting at age 4 through adult and a volunteer orchestra that was outstanding!  Over 1200 participants in all.

Victor was chosen to be Joseph for one of the songs.  He walked through the audience with this pretty girl, as Mary, and the most well behaved infant ever, as Jesus.  He did such a great job being tender and gentle.  It was very touching.

I got to help back stage during three of the four concerts.  I was in the audience for one of them.  I worked with the tenors.  Here they are back stage getting ready to perform.  They were all such sweet boys. 

http://www.millennial.org/

Sam's Eagle Scout Project

Sam chose to work with the city of El Mirage to make improvements to the community garden. They wanted him to sand, prime and paint an old shed and to build 16 new garden beds with brick and cement. Luckily, we have a bunch of wonderful friends and family that showed up and pitched in. We were able to get everything they wanted done and the city was so happy with the results they honored him at a city council meeting and a photo in the city paper.  

Sam is an amazing leader and organizer.  He did a fabulous job directing the project and making sure things were done correctly.  It was 33 degrees out when we got started in the morning, for the Phoenix area, that is COLD!  I couldn't be more proud of his hard work and desire to make a difference in our community. 

 Gavin and Josh

Susie

Megan, Tim and Megan

Bishop Smith and Eileen

Josh

My little Alayna and Susanna

Moving bricks from here to there

Sara and Tim

Daniel, Sam, Paul and Drew

Caity, Quinn and Gunner

Zach and Stacy

Lilly, Nelly, Emma

Sara with her best friend Lilly

Drew

Susie smoothing out the mulch.  It's a tough job to look so cute.

My sweetie,  just a little bit dirty.  Eeek!

One of the twins buddies, Nathan

Laney painting

Jessi slaving away, lol.

I love this boy!

Ben's little boys were not afraid of hard work.

All finished!  It looked great and with so many helpers it got done relatively quickly.  Congratulations to my Eagle Scout, Sam Alger!!!!