Arrow Of Light!

 

Last night Ian got his Arrow of Light award.  The Arrow of Light award is the highest award available to Cub Scouts. It requires the Scout to have earned the Webelos Scout badge and eight activity badges. In addition to the skill and activity requirements of the preceding ranks, the Arrow of Light requires Scouts to learn the Scout Promise and Scout Law, and visit one meeting and one activity of a Boy Scout troop, in preparation for advancing to the Boy Scouts. Earning the Arrow of Light will help earn many of the requirements for the lower ranks of the Boy Scouts. The Arrow of Light award is the only Cub Scout award that can be worn on a Boy Scout uniform. Both Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts wear the badge below the left pocket. Adults wear the square-knot version of the badge above the left pocket. Cub Scouts who earn the Arrow of Light are eligible to join a Boy Scout Troop prior to turning the normally-required age of eleven. Ian and Don worked hard on it.  He was so excited to receive it.  There were five boys that received this award last night. 

This Arrow of Light thing has been used for years.  Years ago, once a boy earned his Arrow of Light he signed the back of it.  Then it went away for a few years.  We have a new Cub Scout Master, and he decided to revive it.  I was so happy!!!  I explained to Ian that his brothers had sign this when they earned their Arrow of Light.  Right away, Ian wanted to sign it too.  All the boys were given the opportunity to sign it.  As I looked at the names on the back it was neat to see how many of these boys served missions or are on missions now.  Wow, time sure does go by fast!

At the end of the ceremony, Ian added his name right next to Zach's.  (There wasn't enough room next to Austin's.)  He was really excited to do that!

Dad is really the one who works with Ian on scouting.  He loves it.  It was hard to believe that this is our last Cub Scout.  Yes, this part of our life is closed.  At first we were sad to close this chapter, but then we high fived each other!  We are done.  Well, unless we get called to serve in Cub Scouts!

Alabama vs. Auburn!

The next day Don and I took Vladimir to the temple.  He loved that.  It was great to spend some time talking to him and learning about his life.  When we got home the Alabama vs. Auburn game was on.  Alabama crushed Auburn!  It was a fun game.

Day After Thanksgiving - Black Friday

On Black Friday Aubrey and I hit the stores.  Don took Vladimir to Hoover Dam and shopping for some Las Vegas souvenirs.  He loved that.  Vladimir walked out of the gift shop and proudly proclaimed that he had shopped on Black Friday!  He also loved Hoover Dam.  That night we took him to our favorite after Thanksgiving place to go, Ethel M Chocolate Factory.  He was a bit confused about it and kept asking us what it was all about!  He had never seen a cactus before.  Now he was seeing one with Christmas lights on it.  Then he had never seen Santa before.  Oh yeah, we made sure he had a picture with Santa!

Our favorite family came with us, The Albrights!  Ethan and Ian wore the same sweatshirt!  Funny, I had forgot that I gave Ethan an old Hill Cumorah shirt!

Here are all the kids that came with us.  Austin's girlfriend and the Albright's nephew were there too.

I had to include these pictures.  Look who photo bombed them!

The best part of night was when Vladimir said, "Las Vegas and this holiday will always be in my heart!"  How sweet is that?  We took him to a burger place after this and he loved that too!  Yeah Five Guys!

Thanksgiving

This year we didn't race on Thanksgiving.  I just knew I wasn't in shape for it. Yes, I know I have been running, but I have gained weight and I was totally out of shape.  The boys went and played football with the ward in the morning.  They loved that.  Don took Aubrey and Vladimir for a ride through Red Rock Canyon.  I had the whole house to myself to start cooking.  I gave my budding photographer the camera and sent her off to Red Rock to take some shots.  Here is what she came home with.

When they came home we were watching the Macy's Day Parade.  Vladimir was amazed by how Americans celebrate Thanksgiving.  He took pictures of the parade on TV.  He was even obsessed with Black Friday.  He spent days going over the newspapers.  He couldn't believe the prices and the variety of things.  I tried to tell him that those prices were only for Black Friday, but he was amazed.  Then we ate dinner.  We ate and ate.  It was crazy. 

After dinner Austin wanted to go and see Red Dawn.  Now, I had some reservations about this movie.  Don't we remember the original from the 80's?  Yes, about Russia taking over the U.S. and teenagers fighting against it.  Austin promised me this one was about the North Koreans.  Ok, no problem, but guess who the North Koreans pair up with to take over America?  Oh yeah, the Russians!!!  Awkward!!!  Vladimir said he didn't mind.  Maybe he couldn't understand it.  Anyway, it was a great day!

Pre - Thanksgiving Plans!

Zachery sent us an e-mail in October asking us if a man from his branch in Russia could stay with us and visit Las Vegas.  We said sure, and we were excited to have him come.  Unfortunately, this man's visa didn't come in on time.  So, Zachery e-mailed us in November and told us that Vladimir's visa came through and Zach asked us if he could come and visit us for Thanksgiving!  Once again we said sure.  Vladimir is very close to Zachery.  He is kind of a grandfather figure for Zach in Russia.  When you have a son go and serve a mission you pray that there will be someone who will kind to your son and take care of him the way you do.  Vladimir was an answer to my prayers.  He is so kind and sweet!  It was great having him with us to celebrate the holiday.  He spoke very good English, so it was very easy to communicate with him.  The first thing we did when he came to visit, is take him for a ride on the strip!  He videoed and took pictures of everything!!!

We also took him to the Bellagio.  We love the gardens!

Here is Vladimir with the whole family.  This is a typical Russian pose.  No smile.  Every once in a while we caught a smile on Vladimir's face.  We took him the Bellagio's fountains too.  He was blown away by them.  He said to us, "My head is crazy right now!"  I am sure being from Russia, it is crazy on the strip! 

Austin and Ian love seeing the sweets at the biggest chocolate fountain in the world.  Here they are drooling.

Santa is made out of chocolate.

I am always amazed with the ceiling in the lobby of the Bellagio.

It was a great night.  It is so fun playing tour guide.  It is great to see Vegas through someone else's eyes.