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We had an amazing week!

 Justin had a birthday.  Here is his climbing wall cake (with Nate's Lego men climbing the wall).

We took off on Justin's Birthday/Mother's Day to head to the Gulf Coast.  We made this trip once before, and it was so much fun.  We were able to stay an extra night (for three nights total), and it was so nice.

We found a nice grocery store, where we can pick up perishables.  Then off to find the little house we rented.  This works out so well for us.  We can prepare most of our meals that way, and we have some room to spread out.  We took games and movies with us in case of rain or a needed rest, but this particular home had several options there already.

 The kids played Headbandz, Guess Who, Scrabble, Life, and we taught some of the kids Hearts.

We slipped over to the beach at dusk.  It was cool and windy, so we tried to have the kids only get in ankle deep.  They decided that meant not to go further than ankle deep...by sitting in the water.  We made our way back to the house, where we found out just how big the mosquitoes were.

The next morning we drove over to Fort Morgan to tour the fort and museum, since it was still a little cool to be in the water.

 Looking out over the bay

 

 Up on top, where cannons were once mounted

 

 Heading into the fort

In what would be our seats at church.  Ellie was quite distressed that we missed our regular services because we were away.

Up the high, steep stairs.  Thankfully they found a different way down.

We had our lunch and then headed to the beach.

 We played in the water,

 built sand castles, and the kids used a body board.  Justin saw a couple of rays and then a couple of sharks, so when they did not scatter after a time,

 

we opted to head to the community pool.  I made a run to a local shop for aloe gel, a different sun screen, hydro-cortisone, and Benadryl...sunburns and bug bites!

On the next day, we spent the morning playing games.  We took the beach umbrella and chairs this time!

The kids had a great time looking for unique shells to show us and splashing in the water. And burying each other...

That evening we went to a local restaurant, which was fun.  Katie knocked over her water, so the waiter cleaned it up quickly.  When she asked for more, he returned with a kiddie cup, with a lid and bendy straw.  She took it well.

 We ran by the beach for a final set of pictures.

That evening we began the clean up.

We packed up all except a change of clothes on Wednesday morning, and then headed to the pool for a quick swim before we started the drive home.

While our vacation was over, our great week wasn't finished yet!

 Thursday, Justin went to work, but I took the kids on a four mile hike, with a picnic lunch.

Then, on Friday, we headed to a puppet show at the library: Shakespeare's Tempest.

Movin' On Up

In American Heritage Girls, as in many other youth organizations, there are opportunities to advance.  In AHG, girls are promoted by age, but may choose to earn a level award, marking special work that she did.  I've known for the past year that all three of our girls would earn and receive their level awards and move up to their new units this past week.  It has been a great deal of work and time to get these girls (and so many of their friends) to this spot!

 A cake for the occasion

Gifts for leaders

 Uniforms, certificates, and level award badges, all ready for the level awards

 

First, Ellie earned her joining award.  A few of us worked on that with a handful of Pathfinders at Camporee.  These girls are now eligible to start working on their badges!  Her sisters have already started planning what they are willing to teach her.  I'm going to have my hands full reigning them in.

Not pictured...girls getting their badges, patches, and service stars, Presidential Service Awards. (Our troop of 40 girls, had 13 girls earn them!) Katie earned 143 hours of service this year, and Gabby earned 112 hours.  The girls of our troop dedicated 1530 hours to service this year (not counting all the hours put in by their parents and leaders, who often serve right along with them.  Not all of those count towards Presidential Service Awards, since all the time instructing in church or working on political campaigns don't count.  I also got my Jewel of a Coordinator pin, and some gifts as I am stepping down from the coordinator position I have held the past two years.  I'm going in to the Vice Coordinator position to support our new Coordinator, however she wishes me to.

 

Next was Ellie's crossing to her new level, Tenderheart.  She passed off the necklace she's been adding to this year (for Bible verses learned, service projects completed, and special events attended) to her Daddy.  There were some lovely young ladies waiting for her on the other side!  One friend was, arms raised, cheering.

Next, Gabby left behind her (very full) Explorer vest

It's blurry because I was trying not to use a flash, and he was moving a bit, but this may be my favorite picture of the night.  A proud daddy looking over his girl's accomplishments, as she leaves them behind to attain new things.  So perfect.

 

Katie was listening to the lovely things her unit leaders had said about her being read.  It was so kind.  She is so loved.

These girls have grown in wisdom and stature since we started this journey, and I can't wait to see their next adventure!

Katie and Gabby their first fall in AHG (2014)

 

Ellie, their second fall in AHG (2015), not quite 2, but finally getting to sit with the big girls for a few minutes.

  Glad we get to do it together!

9 1/2

1. What is your favorite color? Ice blue
2. What is your favorite toy? Mario car
3. What is your favorite fruit? Grapes
4. What is your favorite tv show? A Series of Unfortunate Events 
5. What is your favorite movie?  The Greatest Showman
6. What is your favorite thing to wear? PJs
7. What is your favorite animal? Alicorn
8. What is your favorite song? "Other Side”
9. What is your favorite book? Keeper of the Lost Cities (series)
10. Who is your best friend? Jase
11. What is your favorite snack? Cotton candy
12. What is your favorite drink? Root beer float
13. What is your favorite breakfast? Chocolate Chip Pancakes with whipped cream
14. What is your favorite lunch? Taco Bell
15. What is your favorite dinner? Spaghetti with a Meatballs with fiesta cheese
16. What is your favorite game? Rally X
17. What is your favorite thing to play outside? Tag
18. What is your favorite holiday? Easter
19. What do you sleep with at night? Taggy, Bear-Bear, and Bun-Bun
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Welder