Our Basketball Playing Boys

The beginning of the year always brings basketball season.  Usually we have girls and boys to cheer for at the stake center, but since Megan has graduated, we only went to the boys games this year.  It wasn't a winning season for them, but we got to see some great games.  Way to go, Medford Young Men!!

Nate and the Medford Ward team vs. Moorestown Ward

Action under the basket

And again

Mike Monts going for the basket

Nate going up for a shot....Medford won this one!

Evan played basketball this year, too.  His team had a "growing year" as well, but he had a great time and played with a fun group of boys and coaches

Here's Evan playing in red

Getting a pep talk from the coach

Not really sure what is happening here....looks a little like a new dance craze  :)

Here is Evan's team who took second place in the Tabernacle tournament

....and being silly with their trophies.  

Great season, guys!!!

The Blessings of Visiting Teaching

Here are Dee and Heather.  I consider them both great blessings in my life.  They both struggle with medical issues which makes "normal life" very challenging for them.  I have had the privilege of being Heather's visiting teaching companion for many years.  We make a good team.  I have learned to love her and admire her.  Until this last year, Dee was a less than active member that Heather and I visit taught.  She is such a good person and has many talents which I have been the beneficiary of.  Last year, about this time, she decided that she would start coming to church.  She and I are co-den leaders for the cubs.  She also serves in the Primary.  It has been great to watch her progress.  I see the Lord blessing her in her life.

Early in March, we decided to get together for lunch.  Both of these lovely ladies had recently celebrated a birthday which gave us a good excuse to get together.  It snowed that morning which was a very late season surprise that made for a beautiful view out the back window.  We had a lovely lunch and I was reminded of my many blessings.  Thanks, ladies.

Evan Turns Nine

Well, what can I say?  Our little guy is getting less and less little.  March 3rd marked Evan's ninth birthday.  He was a little bummed that it wasn't a party year, but he was very happy with his day all the same.  We made little packs of cookies to take in for his school class and he got to have his family party right on his birthday since it fell on a Sunday.  Here is Evan displaying some of his loot from the morning present opening.

Evan wanted a cookie cake this year...he even helped do some of the decorating.  Great job!!

After church, Megan and Nathan played a rousing game of Perpetual Commotion with him....

...then more presents to open......

...with some pie cherries (Evan's favorite) among the gifts from Grandma Foulk....

...and a big blow to take care of those candles.  

Happy Birthday, Big Guy!!

Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet

On Feb. 29th we had our Blue and Gold Banquet.  It has been since Nathan was a cub about 6 years ago that we got to participate in one of these.  Very fun. We chose to do a magic theme and each of the boys and several ward members did a magic tricks.  We ate good food and had a lot of fun.  Here are some photos from the evening.

The tables were very festive!!

We came up with magical names for each of our chosen foods like "ham out of a hat", "abra cadabra corn" and "disappearing dessert".

Evan received his Wolf badge during the awards ceremony at the banquet.  Great job!!!

He also got to keep all the balloons that were left over after the clean up...BONUS!!!

Boston Snow Fun

We had a great trip to Boston just a week after the "big snow" that dumped 2 feet on Boston.  There was still a foot left when we got there and we made the most of it.  We got lots of great time with the boys and loved every minute of it.

We  built a really cool slide down their back deck stairs, complete with steps.   

Here are Megan and James trying out the slide.  

Alan playing in the snow

Evan making snowballs 

Alan sliding down without the sled

We made a cool fort featuring this nifty "slide in" entry

"Watch out...here I come!!"

James liked the water and mud under the deck almost as much as the snow.

We also visited the Boston Children's Museum.  Here is Evan in the net maze near the entrance.

Alan was brave enough to go clear to the top....Wow!!

Meg trying the climbing challenge

Alan and Megan in the "fun with water" area

Alan driving the bus

Watching VeggieTales...Alan, James, and Aunt Megan

We went to a park near Scott and Janelle's home to do some sledding.  There were only a few collisions and crashes.  Overall.....a great day!!!

"Can somebody help me up?"

Even the big guys had fun...look at those smiles (nice one, Nathan)

Evan and Alan getting ready for the big race

"Bye Grandma....I'm heading down with Grandpa"

Such a happy boy

Since Janelle's birthday was the following week, we did a little early celebration in her honor while we were there.

As you can tell, James thought the cake was SO GOOD!!!

Thanks everybody for such a fun time!

Happy Valentine's Day

Another yummy Valentine's breakfast

We tried some new variations this year.

Somebody looks pretty happy  :)

The Big Snow Storm

A major nor'easter was forecast in early February for the New England states.  Areas north of New York, especially Boston, were hit hard.  Janelle and Scott had over two feet of snow at their home.  We in New Jersey only got a few inches, but we were still able to have some fun in the snow.  Here are some photos from our little snowfall.

Out our alcove door

Ginny 

Evan busy building his fort 

Getting ready for the snowball fight

Not bad for a few inches of snow, huh?