Spending the day with the youth in Pensacola, FL...

Our stake spent the day in Pensacola, FL for a Tri-Stake Youth Mini Conference. We held workshops, dinner, and a dance before calling it an evening! Lisa and Matt enjoying the dinner in between workshops!

Lauryn, Nathan and Tyler from the Semmes Ward! It was Lauryn's first dance!

Bro. Judd talking to the YM during dinner. Bro. Judd is the 1st counselor in our Ward YM Presidency and is also Operations Manager at Chevron in Pascagoula, MS where Arnold works.

Steven, Denton and Ian enjoying their meal!

Brandon with the Foley babes!!!

Beverly, Baby, and Best friends across the bay...

Beverly holding up one of her gifts from the baby shower we helped put on for her last week! Beverly and Keola are expecting Baby Noa in May!

The group of great friends that turned out to enjoy the evening with us!

Kenny and Jessica enjoyed playing with Logan!

Keola, Beverly, me and sister Chelsea pose for a picture at the end of the night! Chelsea flew in from California to visit!

Lisa and her best friend, Jessica taking a break!

Kenny's Arrow of Light Award...

Kenny received his Arrow of Light award this week from Pack 84 at Hutchens Elementary school. After four years and several different requirements Kenny was awarded the highest level of achievement in the Cub Scout program. Included with the Arrow of Light requirements Kenny completed 8 extra pin requirements, received the Compass Point Emblem, earned his Religious knot, and the World Conservation Award! Way to go Kenny! We're so proud of you!

When things get tough...

I've often thought about why life is sometimes tough. Why there always seems to be something we struggle with even when everything else in our lives seem content and in the right place. Couldn't eveything just be perfect? Couldn't things just stay the way they're suppose to? Why do trials sneak their way into our lives and disrupt the calm quiet nature of success? I guess its easy to become discouraged by this. Its easy to feel inadequate and out of life's control. But in the face of trials don't we ultimately gain the most reward when we are able to overcome the burden brought upon us? Easier said than done in most cases. Okay maybe in all cases. But I guess when all is said and done the best thing to do is to put one foot in front of the other and continue step by step until that trial in life is overcome and we are on to the next hurdle. If you asked me...I never really liked track meets. Except in the Olympics of course. But I guess not everyone makes it to the Olympics.

One last time...

Last week Kenny participated in his very last flag ceremony for Hutchens Elementary school's Winter PTA meeting.

Since moving here four years ago Kenny has been a part of Pack 84 and will bridge up to Troop 104 after he receives his Arrow of Light award tonight at Pack meeting.

Kenny has made some wonderful friends, learned some great things about himself and the world around him, and most of all enjoyed all the fun times he has had with Pack 84!

A visit across the bay...

It had been a few months since we visited with our good friend J.T. across the bay! We couldn't believe how much he had grown since the last time we saw him! Ready for football and baseball tryouts, J.T. was excited to tell us all about his new endeavors.

Group shot of the kids...Kenny, Lil Lisa, J.T., and Jessica.

Tossing the ball outside J.T.'s house!

J.T. celebrating the Chef hat, apron, and other goodies we brought him from Jessica's birthday party last week! We were sad J.T. couldn't make it that night but glad we had the chance to visit with him and catch up on all the latest happenings!!

Valentine's, candles, chocolates and more...

For the first time in a very long time Arnold and I were invited out with some friends from our Ward to have Valentine's dinner at Bonefish Grill here in Mobile. The last time I remembered trying to go out on a Valentine's evening for dinner we waited two hours (with a reservation) and ended up leaving when we were told it would be another 30 minutes.

This year the wait wasn't as bad especially with the great company we were keeping! Marc and Susan, Shea and Mike, and Janace and Wendell! We're so grateful for good friends that keep up going here in Mobile, Alabama!

Mardi Gras parades on Valentine's day?

Mr. Jonny and his wife Linda were the first ones to take us to a Mardi Gras parade when we moved here 4 years ago! Jonny rode several parades a while back and had the perfect spot for us to stand each year! This year, Linda was in Utah visiting her mom for the week, but Jonny made it just in time to help Jessica snag some of the very best "throws" of the year! Thanks Mr. Jonny! For helping us learn how to love Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama!

Each year I am more and more impressed by the floats that they create for each Mardi Gras season! We love watching the parade stroll through town and see the imaginative themes they come up with each year! This year was no exception, but for some reason out of all the amazing themes the Societies picked to high light this year...we all ended up at the one that spotlighted all the famous "watering holes" here on the Gulf Coast! We hope the youth that were with us didn't notice!

Isn't it funny to watch from a distance and see who is begging for throws and who isn't? This was Arnold's very first parade since moving here. For some reason or another he was always working or sleeping for work whenever we ventured into town for Mardi Gras. This year he happened to be off so we dragged him along. He enjoyed the parade for the most part but kept his hands down most of the time. We'll have to work on his technique for future parades!

Here is the family waiting for the parade to start along with some very fun youth from our ward!

Valentine's day at school...

Kenny's class did something a little different this year. With an all boy class this year, exchanging Valentine's really wasn't something they were interested in doing. So instead we made homemade note cards and chocolate roses bouquets for their mother's.

Then we held a special Etiquette class and taught the boys all about proper dining etiquette, how to introduce themselves, how to properly shake someone's hand, and the ever important oral hygiene!!!

Jessica's class worked on their holiday paint cans and decorated their pails with pink, red, and lots of hearts. At the end of the craft hour they exchanged Valentine's and enjoyed a bright Pink beautiful heart cake their teacher, Mrs. Fadeji made for them!

Friday the 13th ended up being a pretty good day as we celebrated Valentine's day and thought about all the lovely things we have to be grateful for this year!

Kenny's road to his Arrow of Light...

Tonight Kenny received four more pins from his Webelos Den Leader at our monthly Den Meeting for Pack 84. In a few weeks Kenny will participate in an Arrow of Light ceremony with his Pack 84 Webelos Den where he will receive the highest award given in the Cub Scout program - the Arrow of Light award.

Kenny helped the other Webelos learn the Scout requirements that are needed for the Arrow of Light award. Kenny has been working on his 11 year old Scout program at church with his Scout Leader and new Troop 104 which includes all the YM in our Theodore Ward! We are so thrilled that Kenny will be able to bridge up to a functioning LDS Troop!

Kenny is pictured here with his Webelos Den Leader Ms. Irene and the Patrol Leader James from Troop 292. We are so proud of Kenny's accomplishments in Scouting!

What's a party without a few presents...

Jessica opening up a few presents during her party.

She got scrapping supplies, a set of craft scissors, a blouse, a set of notecards, money and a gift card to Toys R us! All her favorites!

I thought this picture was cute because they are all huddled so close to each other on that big huge couch! Oh I love kids at this age! They are just adorable!

Jessica showing Noah, Zach, and Hannah pictures from her trip to Hawaii in November.

And a few more....

We played a fun game while we waited for the parents to come pick up their children. This game is not for the faint at heart! Chocaholics would absolutely hate this game! Pick out your favorite candy bar, put on the mitts, and try to open it before someone rolls a six on the dice! Jessica had to try a couple of turns before she finally got hers open and could enjoy her candy!

Another group picture of Jessica and her friends! All new budding chefs! Isabel, Hannah, Addy, Noah, Zachary, Jessica, and Madeline!

Lisa bringing in Jessica's cake for us to sing and watch her blow the candles out! We still can't believe she's nine years old!

Time to eat all of our hard work! Pizzas, bread sticks, marsh mallow cresent rolls, strawberries, grapes, cubed cheese, carrots, and ginger ale with cranberry juice ice cubes frozen into heart shapes! What a fun meal!

How many marsh mallows can someone scoop into a pan while blind folded using only a wooden spoon? Not many! But its sure fun to watch! Jessica actually did quite well!

More pictures from the Chef Cooking party...

The taste testing activity proved to be a hit! Mac & Cheese, Carrots, Bananas, Sweet Potatoes, BBQ, and Strawberry jam were all on the list for this game. Who knew the kids would be so timid? Except for the BBQ sauce! They all wanted more!

After making their own pizzas we brought out the rolling pin and flour and let the kids roll out their own breadsticks! I was impressed at how well they did on keeping the flour ON the counter and not on the floors!

Jessica and Madeline watch intently as I explain the 'proper' way to use the back of the spoon to spread the pizza sauce on their dough! Kids are soooo fun at this age! They actually listen when you speak!

For one of the activities we learned the names of uncommon kitchen utensils and I taught the uses for each of them. For a "Hands On" activity we brought out three dozen raw eggs and let the kids practice how to separate the yolk from the whites using just the egg shells! It was great!!!! Scrambled eggs anyone?

Kenny and Jessica in front of the Spaghetti Birthday cake after we made it for the party! A ziploc bag full of slightly yello tinted cream cheese frosting for the noodles, raspberry puree for the spaghetti sauce, and crushed oreo cream cheese balls for the meatballs made for a very fun cake! Happy Birthday Jessica!