July 4, 2013

One aspect of Boy Scouts is community service and every year on July 4th, Scouts all over America demonstrate this. Here in Santa Barbara as part of Troop 26, Nathan and several of his fellow scouts help set up and take down garbage and recycle bins up and down State Street for the annual 4th of July parade.

Nathan and other scouts from Troop 26 setting up for the Santa Barbara 4th of July parade.

Nathan and other scouts from Troop 26 setting up for the Santa Barbara 4th of July parade.

It’s great seeing Nathan and his friends in their full Class A uniforms doing this community service. They looked very sharp, were well behaved and in general, represented Troop 26 (and their families) very well.

Getting ready to walk

After the setup was done, some of the scouts headed over to actually walk down State Street with scouts from other troops and carry a very large American Flag. This was a really fun opportunity and they allowed parents and siblings of the scouts to participate as well. This was a huge deal to Devyn!

The boys took their places to carry the flag down State Street.

The boys took their places to carry the flag down State Street.

That is one big flag!

That is one big flag!

Marching down State Street

Not a whole lot of commentary coming up as I think the pictures speak for themselves. 🙂

Another group in front of us showing their spirit.

Another group in front of us showing their spirit.

 

That's our boy.

That’s our boy.

 

Devyn looks back while marching in the parade.

Devyn looks back while marching in the parade.

 

Troop 26 proudly leading the way for the Los Padres Council.

Troop 26 proudly leading the way for the Los Padres Council.

Along the way, if the scouts weren’t carry the flag, one of the Scout Masters graciously purchased USA stickers to hand out to the crowd.

Nathan handing out some USA stickers.

Nathan handing out some USA stickers.

At one point, a young boy who was with his family watching the parade stood up and approached Nathan. He was so excited to see Nathan’s scout uniform.

This boy was very impressed with Nathan and his scout uniform.

This boy was very impressed with Nathan and his scout uniform.

And next, he asked if he could have his picture taken with Nathan. And being a good scout (and a good kid in general), Nathan gladly complied with the request. I hope he smiled for their camera – because he rarely smiles for mine!

And wanted his picture taken with Nathan. It was so awesome.

And wanted his picture taken with Nathan. It was so awesome.

 

 

Devyn and Kate

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Devyn and Kate chatting it up.

The other day, Devyn’s friend (and across the street neighbor) Kate came over to play for a little bit. After a while, the girls ended up on the patio out back chatting it up. This was my attempt to be stealthy and photograph them.

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Something was funny! But I have no idea what they were talking about.

I have no idea what they said, but something sure cracked the girls up!

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Classic Devyn laugh.

Devyn just kept on laughing. It was awesome.

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Posing!

In the end, the girls caught me trying to be sneaky and were gracious enough to pose for this photo.

 

Day at the Beach

Enjoying a day at the beach!

Enjoying a day at the beach!

It was a bit of a hot day by Santa Barbara standards, so we took to Padaro Beach. Of all the beaches we could go to, this is one of the furthest, but it’s also one of the nicest. The sand in the water feels like you’re walking on carpet and packs of Dolphins regularly swim by.

 

Almost 9

We’re celebrating Devyn’s birthday a day early as we’re going to be out and about tomorrow. Big thank you to the Grandma’s for the wonderful presents! Devyn loved them all!

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Big smiles from Miss Devyn!

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An American Girl boogie board so Devyn will have a surfing buddy!

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Devyn’s reaction to the card from Nathan. She sure loves her brother.

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American Girl Trail Bike!

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Devyn’s reaction to seeing the American Girl doll Saige.

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Devyn with Saige.

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Within minutes of opening her presents, Devyn was off to her room playing!

 

Frog and Toad

For the past nine weeks, Devyn has been practicing her part in the school play “A Year with Frog and Toad”. Devyn was a squirrel and I don’t think there’s ever been a better one than her!

Devyn and the cast of Frog and Toad.

Devyn and the cast of Frog and Toad.

The squirrel foils Frog's plan of raking Toad's leaves.

The squirrel foils Frog’s plan of raking Toad’s leaves.

The entire cast.

The entire cast.

Miss Devyn.

Miss Devyn.

Our favorite actress!

Our favorite actress!

Devyn’s fashion style

Devyn certainly has her own style.

Devyn certainly has her own style.devy