Star Scout

Kinamo Jr. has been working very hard in Scouting. He loves it and we are proud of his great desire to serve and help his fellow scouts. On July 15 he was awarded his Star rank at the Court of Honor. At this rate he will be ready for his Eagle next summer. We are glad he loves scouting. I also love Scouting and have been called as the Scout Committee Chair for both the Cubs and the boy scouts of our ward. It is a big calling, but I love it. And I get to wear the Scout uniform!!!

Happy Birthday Ashley.

Tuesday was Ashley's 6th birthday. We asked her what she wanted for her birthday she said "go to ChuckECheese, play at a friends house, sleep in the game room in sleeping bags with her sisters and get a red bouncy ball". I love her simple choices, I could make all her birthday wishes come true. We went to ChuckECheese for lunch, played at the Hopkins house in the afternoon and she had her slumber party with her sisters. Nana sent her a gift card to Walmart so she could buy her ball. She said it was the best birthday ever. We love you Ashley and are so glad you are in our family. Happy Birthday.

Grandmother and Brenda's visit

"Our Family tree, each season new life blossoms and grows, benefiting from the strength and experience of those who went before".We had the great privilege of having Grandmother Surratt (Kinamo's mothers mom) and his Aunt Brenda come for a 5 day visit. Grandmother is 93 years old. She is an amazing woman. We have been wanting to spend time with her and allow the kids the opportunity to get to know her. Her and Brenda live in California. This summer Kinamo didn't have a lot of vacation time, so we could drive out to see them. So thankfully they were willing to fly out here to see us. We had an amazing time with them. The kids loved playing with Brenda. She was willing to do whatever they wanted and they loved that. The kids also loved getting to know Grandmother and to feel of her love. One night she shared with us her favorite scripture and why it was her favorite. The spirit was very strong in our home that night. I know the Lord loves her and is proud of the amazing life she had lead. What a legacy she has shared with us.

While they were here we went to the river walk, shopping at a craft store and gave Grandmother her first professional pedicure. We miss them and hope to visit California to see the whole Surratt family soon.

Friends blog

I am a big facebook addict. I do spend to much time seeing what everyone else is doing. But I really love the fact that is makes our world seem so much smaller. The other day I saw two different friends in SA talk about a blog. Then someone who doesn't live here also talked about this blog. Come to find out it was one of my friends blog that two of the other facebook people didn't even know. What a small world. This friends blog is really great. They entry that was talked about on FB is "Hey Girlfriend". Cheek it out. http://www.toliveright.blogspot.com/

Baseball

This year Kinamo and Ashley played baseball for the YMCA. This was the first year for both of them. They loved it and learned a lot. Ashley had two amazing coaches. We will be forever touch be Ashley's coach Manny Lopez and his family. One night as baseball practice was just ending Manny's wife and two daughters were in the front yard when a drunk drive jumped the curb and hit them. Their little girl was injured the most and has had to fight for her life. This is truly an amazing story and if you would like to read more go to http://www.avalopez.blogspot.com/

Haley's first solo flight

Thursday morning I took Haley to the Airport to visit her Aunt Paula. She hasn't been on a plane in a long time. She was very excited. She had a none stop fight to BWI. When she got there she called to let me know all was well and told me her flight was awesome. We miss her but know she is having a great time with Paula, Payton and Mat.

Ashley's self image

Last night we took Ashley, Karley and Joey out for ice cream. When we pulled in the parking lot we parked next to a car that had written all over the windows. I wish I had a picture, but I didn't think to take one. It said "Way to go Ashley, You did it, We love you". We read the window's to Ashley and she was really surprised. She said "That must be my coaches car". We love it that is never crossed her mind that it wasn't her they were talking about.