Eagle Scout Joshua Timothy Howard

Eagle Scout Joshua Timothy Howard

Eagle Scout Award, Medal, and Pins. A pin for Dad, a pin for Mom,
and a Pin for Mentor.

Tim receiving his Dad's Pin.

Big Hug

Josh presenting me with my Mom's Pin.

Big Hug

Bro. Kearl presenting Josh with his Eagle Medal.

The Vancouver Washington West Stake has come up with
a special badge, starting back in the 1980's,
to be presented to all those young men
who receive their Eagle Award.
Each badge is numbered according to the next in line of earning their Eagle Award.
Josh received number 312.


Joshua had the privilege of receiving his Eagle Award on the day as 3 of his Friends and fellow troop members. This was quite an accomplishment for all of them, and not an every day occurrence that 4 young men receive their Eagles at he same time, from the same troop. It was a great ceremony for the 4 young men, their families and those who attended.

All those, in attendance, who have received their Eagle Award,
giving the Eagle Pledge.

Josh behind his "brag table".
This was a display of who Josh is, what he has done
and accomplished.

The Cake

New Eagle Scout. Soon to be Eagle Scout.

Joshua and one of his leaders, Brother Astle.

Leaders and friends. Kevin Astle, Bro. Palmer,
Bro. Gassaway, Bro. Kearl, Bishop Ricks,
Bro. Nelson, Bro. Astle, Bro. Gamble,
Nate Schollars, Andrew Prince, Josh, and Gabe Brower.

Andrew, Nate, Bro. Kearl, Gabe, and Josh.

Nate, Andrew, Bishop Ricks, Josh, and Gabe.

Nate, Andrew, Bro. Astle, Josh, and Gabe.

Nathan Schollars, Andrew Prince, Gabriel Brower, Joshua Howard.

The guest signing table.

Benjamin's Baptism

The "Veggies" of our Labors

We had the great experience to plant a garden together as a family.
What a great inspiration form our Prophet.
Our garden was planted along our back fence.
We had previously laid weed block and bark down, so that did have to be removed.
The spot was just the right size tho.
The family was able to work together to cultivate the ground, plant the seeds,
watch the sprouts grow, pull weeds, water, and then eat the veggies.
Peas, Cucumbers, Green Beans, and Carrots.
Each one of us in the family got to choose a veggie to plant, and that they would eat,
when it was ready to harvest.
Ben and Nic chose cucumbers. Josh and Chris chose green beans.
Tim chose carrots. I chose peas.
Our little garden has been perfect. Just the right size.
Everyone has enjoyed eating the veggies.
It is so cute to see the boys go out and come running in to tell me, or show me,
how something has grown since the last time they saw it.
We are looking forward to planting again next year.
Maybe expand on our variety to include tomatoes, potatoes.
(onions and peppers have been suggested, we will see)
Enjoy the pictures!!

Ben shoveling the bark that was laid down.

Nic moving the wheel barrel to the next stop for transporting the bark away.

Josh mixing the good dirt in with the bad dirt, clay.

Chris planting some pea seeds.

CUCUMBERS

GREEN BEANS

CARROTS

PEAS
(I didn't take any pictures of the peas when they were done.
Wish I had tho, we had TONS)

Toothless AGAIN

Nic lost his second tooth.
He came and showed me it was bleeding, a little. He had been trying to pull it with his fingers and couldn't get a hold of it. So I asked if I could tie a string around it and let him pull. This had been a big issue before. He had said he did not want a string tied around it because he was afraid I would tie the string around the door knob and shut the door(wonder where he got that idea). So after I pinky swore(our personal promise) that I would not tie the string around the door and let him pull the string himself, I got the string around the tooth. It was just hanging there, so ready to just have a little help. One little tug and out it came. He was shocked, first that is came out so easy and second that it didnt hurt.
The tooth fairy come the next morning and gave him a $1.00 bill(cheap tooth fairy), but he was excited. We went to the dollar store and he bought his own toy.
Made him feel good he paid for it himself.
No more loose teeth for a while. But will keep you posted.

TOOTHLESS

Nic lost his first tooth tonight.
It had been real wiggle for a few days. Just this afternoon he showed
me again, and I said lets pull it.
"NOOO it will hurt", was the response I received.
So we agreed that we would wait one more day.
I was out helping a friend and got a text message from Tim saying Nic had lost his tooth.
I was like WHAT, I MISSED IT.
Nic said when I got home that he was wiggling it and it just came out.
That is the way to pull a tooth. No pain, no drama.
(We might be posting #2 soon.
The one next to this one is pretty wiggly)

Bike Parade & Fireworks

We started the morning off at the church. A short program on patriotism, and a great breakfast. French toast, sausage, hash browns, scrambled eggs, and fresh mixed fruit. YUM YUM YUM!!!

Then we had a bike parade for the kids. It took place in the subdivision across the street. The kids decorated their bikes red, white and blue, and rode around the corner and back.
That was so much fun.

As dark drew closer it was all we could do to keep the kids'
excitement contained.
They kept asking if it was dark enough yet.
Finally it was.
Ben and Nic loved the sparklers.
Josh and Chris enjoyed them all.
My personal favorite were the colorful fountains.
Tim's favorite were the mortars. The louder and higher the better. He was like a kid in a candy store when he was shopping for them. All I kept saying was NO NO NO, and he was saying
YES YES YES....He won!!
(Oh, did I say that out loud).

The best part of the weekend was our company....

THANK YOU GRANDMA JANE FOR COMING TO VANCOUVER FOR A VISIT.
THANK YOU KAREN, SHAWN, SAVANNAH, AND BRANDON FOR THE SURPRISE.
"YOU"