"Mom, how long before I can earn my Webelos badge?" This is the question Andrew asked me right close to his 10th birthday. We figured out that he had to be active in his den for 3 months...plus earn the required pins and other requirements. That was May, 2009. On August 25, 2009, Andrew received his Webelos Award.

As soon as he had his Webelos Badge he wanted to know how long until he could earn his Arrow of Light (the highest award in Cub Scouting). Six months as an active Webelos Scout, plus more pins and more requirements. He wanted to earn it in November or December. We did not have a pack meeting in December. So, Andrew earned his Arrow of Light and received it at the January 18th, 2010, pack meeting.

Andrew has been blessed with good leaders and good friends to support him in his scouting.

Andrew was awarded his Arrow of Light by his dad!

Andrew started scouting young and truly enjoys the adventures it brings.

Scouting has provided for Andrew a place where his imagination has no limits. A place where hard work, service, adventure, and fun are all rolled into one. A place where he can set goals and achieve them. A place where he can be himself.

We are so pleased with Andrew and his accomplishments. "Do Your Best" is the cub scout motto, we have seen Andrew do his best in Scouting and in other aspects of his life. As he continues to learn and grow, we are excited to see the growing boy and some day the young man he is becoming.

SG1 - Spencer Grant

Last weekend, Spencer turned 2!! Spencer knows how to make us smile, and brings so much joy into our home. Being the youngest of 6, he thinks he is so much bigger than he really is. In his mind he can do everything the others do, and is quite independent! We sure love him!

Spencer loves "nakes" and lizards.

So we thought it fun to put some on his cake!

He had a fun party with lots of loved ones!

We are blessed to have so many family members that live so close. There were Grandparents, Great-Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, and friends at his party!

Spencer chose to show his independence a few days ago as he helped himself to some soft butter spread. Finger painting is an activity that Spencer loves, butter works just as well. I was pleased that he was eating his lunch so quietly and still at the table after the others were finished eating. When I finally looked up from what I was doing, I saw his masterpiece! I was glad I had taken his clothes off for him to eat his spaghetti-os. :)

Look at his belly shine!

The great thing about finger painting with butter is you can eat it too....

If you want shiny skin the recipe is butter and a little slobber here and there, rubbed in just right!

Spencer's cute personality, sweet voice, and adorable smile melts our hearts like BUTTER!

The First of Many

I have wanted to start a blog for quite awhile, with so much "free time," I haven't gotten around to it. But everyday, I have so many blessings that I wanted to have somewhere to record them. This way I can also share our highlights with others around me. So this is the first of many posts to be posted. Because something is always "up" at the Hackings :)