Duncan is 12!

It's hard to believe this little guy is 12 already!

He's such a hoot to have around!

Brian & I went out to dinner with him to a place of his choice.

He chose Red Lobster.

And enjoyed his samplings-boy can that boy eat!

He had fun with his food too...

Duncan has matured and grown so much in the last few years!

I love his love of information. His love of learning. 

He loves to read.  (Warrior Cats at the moment)

He loves science.

He enjoys scouting.

And wrestling around with his brothers.

Cheesecake is his cake of choice.

He still loves to climb.

He is learning bagpipes with Hayden.

Excited to be a Deacon.

Loves to laugh!

Happy Birthday Duncan boy!

We love you so!

Off to Broadway--NYC!

I got to spend the day in New York City with these two handsome boys...

We had a great time on the drive up there, having lunch together,

and seeing the sights.

After lunch our first stop was Times Square, and riding the ferris wheel inside the Toys R Us store!

It's always a good time with these crazies...

The main reason we went to NYC was to see the show Les Miserables.

A few months earlier Hayden saw the new Les Mis movie for the first time, and fell in love with it! The whole house did really. They were singing the songs constantly. 

Hayden read the book, watched every movie version made, and had Pandora on the Les Miserables station constantly! We decided it was time he saw the show on Broadway.

Now, tickets don't come cheap for this show, and Morgan decided she wanted to go to. I told them if they saved up the money for their own tickets, then I would take them to Broadway to see it. They saved up, and I ordered the tickets.

Then, the night before -we went to see a fireside with Hank Smith & Al (Fox) Carraway. We had such a great time, and they were both such AMAZING speakers! AND, the next day (Saturday), they were speaking again at the DC Temple visitor center. Morgan decided that she didn't want to miss them. That was the same day we had tickets to Les Miserables!

"Are you sure you want to go?", I said

"You will miss Les Mis, and loose the money you spent on the ticket."

"I don't care.", she said "I want to see them speak at the temple.

"We won't be going to see the show again any time soon..."

"That's fine, Duncan can have my ticket."

And so, Duncan was the lucky recipient of a ticket to see Les Miserables on Broadway, and Morgan spent the whole day at the Temple Visitor's Center listening to Hank Smith & Al (Fox) Carraway speaking. And they were both happy.

We enjoyed the show, and ended up having really great seats.

Hayden said the hardest part was NOT singing along with the cast!

After the show we had to stop by and get some of Junior's famous cheesecake!

I told the boys we had time to sight see a bit more, but they were both ready to head home.

They weren't much company for the 3 hours drive back...

It was the radio and Coca cola for me!

I had a great time with those boys.

French and Indian War History Camp

Hayden and Duncan both participated in what has become my favorite summer camp of all time!

Duncan did it 2 years ago (last year the dates didn't work for us), and this year Hayden joined him!

It is a 4 day long 'History Camp' for boys.

Each year they rotate through the French & Indian War, the Revolutionary War, & the Civil War.

It is run by 'Captain John', who is wonderful at bringing history to life while at the same time teaching the boys to be 'Men of God'.

I just can't say enough how much I love this camp!

Hayden & Duncan were placed on the French side, with Hayden being the officer over the French soldiers.  They had such a blast together!

We also had several boys from our ward at church that joined us this year, and they all had a great time together!

This post is mainly a 'photo album for myself, so be warned... there are a TON of photos!

I dropped the boys off the first day, and hung around to get a few candid shots of them before taking off.

Then, later in the week, I joined them on a 'field trip' to a local historic farm where they would hold a battle reenactment.

This I LOVED!

Hayden carrying the French colors.

The Indians that fought with the French.

French troops marching off.

(Duncan is right behind Hayden-holding the flag)

Here are the Captain and his officers.

British Indian Lieutenant, British Lieutenant, Captain John, French Lieutenant, French Indian Lieutenant

All the boys 'watering down' after listening to instruction.

Every morning the Captain would give a devotional and scripture, and teach about character and honor.

There were drills, formation, and learning the life of a solider.

Then the Lieutenants would take charge of their men, and each do some training of their own within their troops.

Hayden trying to get the boys to line up straight, and walk together.

Of course there was also plenty of time for boys to be boys...

climbing trees and wrestling!

One of the main things they had to learn were the 13 steps it took to fire a musket.

When 'in battle' they had to repeat all 13 steps as quickly as they could and then yell "Fire!"

The first one to do that would be the one who shot, and the other would have to fall dead.

So, lots of practice doing that as well!

They all had fun with it.

Then came the time for the reenactment of battle...

The French Officers 'Camp'

Here Hayden & another officer are demonstrating for the younger boys.

When they weren't drilling, or battling, there was down time in the camp for checkers, and other games of the day.

Captain meeting with his officers.

One of the morning devotionals.

Another day they took a field trip to Fort Frederick, which is an actual fort in Maryland from the French and Indian War!

I didn't get to go with them on this trip, but I heard it was great.

(And another mom kindly took the photo)

Hayden, Duncan, & Spencer

Sometimes the troops are in need of correction, and push ups always seems to help...

The afternoon of the final day of the camp the boys put on a reenactment for the parents/families.

It is the highlight of the week!

Here Duncan was the 1st Frenchman down!

Duncan, Captain John, & Hayden

Thanks for such a great week!!