Rank advancement

Kent in his new role as Cub Master.

My pup got a new neckerchief slide.  It is a Keen sandal.  I got this key chain years and years ago when I was in downtown Portland with my 'Couve girls.  The Keen store had just opened and they were giving away these key chains.  It just so happens it makes a damn cute slide. 

Grandma Phillips and Ellie paying close attention to Kent.

This is when Brayden was called up to get his prizes for being the highest seller for honey AND camp cards.  Thank you to all who bought some and supported him.  He more than doubled everyone's sales with $1500 of total sales.  Look out world, this boy is determined!

His prizes, a nerf shooter thing and the coveted camel back backpack.  (Kent was able to return the one we got at Costco).  :)  He wore that backpack for the rest of the night. 

Paco transitioning his role as cub master to Kent.  It was a very sweet, heartfelt speech.  Paco will be missed and Kent is nervous about filling those big shoes, but I know he will do great!  We may have to call Paco back in to do some bum shaking, dancing and singing with the boys, I don't know if Kent will be able to come out of his shell that much.  :)

Brayden's rank advancement.  He officially earned his Wolf!  What a fun year!  Next up some geocaching, BBQ and family camp!

Surprise Birthday Trip

This was a hard birthday year, 35!  (How did this happen, I don't feel that old).  Luckily, my fabulous husband made it a little bit easier with a much needed surprise getaway!  He told me the Friday before my birthday that I needed to take Wednesday off from work.  Then slowly I finally got enough information out of him that I really needed to get Wednesday through Saturday covered.  This meant I had to reschedule or cancel my clients, let Brayden's teacher know that I wouldn't be in to volunteer and I had to get someone to take over my soccer coaching duties.  I have to say, I was so excited and surprised, and I did my very best not to let my type A personality take over and freak.  Saturday morning I got up and tried to reschedule my clients, that wasn't overly successful, but everyone was excited for me and very understanding.  Thankfully, my amazing baby-sitter, Maya, is a soccer player and offered to coach our double header games on Saturday.  Yep, of all the weekends to be gone, it was the double header weekend.  Lastly, my favorite MIL was watching our children (but Kent had that all worked out).

As the days passed I was getting a little anxious, not knowing where I was going, or what to pack.  Kent is the BEST secret keeper that I have ever met.  I tried to trick him into answering my questions, but he didn't crack one bit.  Finally an hour before we left for the airport (I didn't even know if we were flying or driving), he told me we were going to LAS VEGAS! 

YIPPEE for sun and relaxation!

The M&M store that we visit on each trip.

KA was an amazing Cirque du Soleil show.  I highly recommend seeing it, if possible!

We stayed at the beautiful Mandalay Bay Resort, it was quite swanky for me.

This is when I hit BIG MONEY!  I doubled my money to $10!  This was a pretty big deal, I usually never gamble. 

Soaking up the rays at the beach/wave pool at Mandalay Bay.  It was heavenly!  I have been dreaming about this place ever since I got home.  It was the perfect temperature and the water was warm!

We made the obligatory trek to In-n-Out.  It tasted mighty good, who wouldn't take a trek for a burger, fries and shake?

A nice local took this picture (it's the only one of us together) at the Wynn resort.  We were buying our tickets to Cirque du Soleil, La Reve.  It was crazy, good.  They are comparing it to "O," most of the show was done in the water.  It was pretty much indescribable.

It was a lovely 4 days of relaxing, laughing and re-connecting with my best friend.  Thanks for the best 29th birthday yet Kent!