Alex's Arrow of Light

Alex was awarded his Arrow of Light Nov 10 at a special ceremony.

He and his friend Braden were both visited by Akela during the ceremony.

Congrats on achieving Cub Scouting's highest honor!

Mom and Dad are both very proud of you and don't I look fabulous in my Scout shirt?

Are the Mechams alive?

Yes we are very much alive and very busy.  New kid picture shoot is Friday.  Look for great updated pictures of the kids coming soon.  Here is a small update...since it has been since June when I posted.

Joseph is in 8th grade, working on his Eagle Scout, getting excited for wrestling season to start and doing well in school.

Alex is in 5th grade, working on his Arrow of Light, playing basketball twice a week, enjoys hanging out with friends and loves green apples and cereal (not together).

Grace is in 2nd grade and is almost as tall as Alex.  She loves pasta, onions and science. She loves the water cycle and learning about types of rocks. She is starting piano lessons and loves to "read" graphic novels.

Courtney is in 2nd grade and loves to do cartwheels and round offs. She is taking a cheerleading/tumbling class and enjoys helping grandma in the garden and playing outside.  She loves Thea Stilton and Geronimo Stilton books.

Caroline is in 1st grade and loves to get her homework done as soon as she gets  home from school. She loves her cheer/tumbling class, loves to play with other kids and still wants to find a birthmom who isn't the same as her mom. Loves the Berenstain Bears books.

Liisa is working at the high school with the special needs students, writing sports for the Morgan County News and works as a International Coordinator for Educatius working with two international students and their host families.  She works with the Webelos Cub Scouts and in the Primary at church.

Matt is busy working on his Master's at Michigan State University, commuting to work each day and serving as a Sunday School teacher and Cubmaster.

As you can see, life is pretty normal:)

Harley time!

Grandpa and Grandma has a Midsummer party with their friends and missionaries from Finland.  One of their elders arrived on his Harley!  The kids all got a ride from Steven. Thanks for sharing!

Alex looking all to comfortable for mom.

Caroline takes her turn.

Grace enjoyed her ride.

Courtney wasn't too sure about taking a ride, but after watching the others she hopped aboard and grinned the entire ride.

Morgan Youth Track Meet

Courtney in the long jump.  Her longest jump was 6'6". She took second by 1/2 an inch.  

Alex on the blocks.

Caroline long jumping.  

She tried super hard but was very disappointed to not get a ribbon.  Her relay team took second place for her highest finish.

Joseph long jumping.  He took 6th in the jump.

Caroline in the 4x100 relay. Her team took second.

Courtney ran the anchor leg of her 4x100 relay. Her team took first.

Alex prepares to run the first leg of the 4x100 relay. His team took second.  He also grabbed 6th place in the shot put and 5th in the 100m.

Joseph finishes the 400m race.  He took 3rd in his age group.

Courtney receiving her first place ribbon for the 100m (20.04 s)

Courtney on the podium for her 2nd place in long jump (6'6")

 It was so hot and long that many of the kids left before the awards ceremony.

She also had a 6th place in the shot put/softball throw.

Joseph on the podium for 6th place in the long jump. He also grabbed 5th place in the shot put.

Courtney finished 3rd in the 200m (43.79 s)

We don't have a picture of Courtney getting her 50m 1st place ribbon (10.078 secs) due to timing problems and kids getting out of their lanes.  Her team's 4x100 relay time was 1:34.35.  Thanks to our AMAZING track coach Jamie West who went back and watched FOUR hours of video and timed each kid and made sure they got their times and ribbons.  What a dedicated woman!

Thanks for a great week of track camp Morgan High Track team.  The kids loved it and they learned so much. They can't wait to go back next year and especially since they are going to have the hurdles!

Matt's 45th Birthday

Happy birthday to Matt!  He chose Eclair Cake this year.

It was yummy and the whole family was on hand to celebrate.  Even mom got in the picture!

Irrigation Time

We love it when Grandpa irrigates...

When all of our cousins join us in the freezing cold ditch water

and our friends come over to get pulled on the sled in the irrigation

when we can take awesome pictures of trees reflected in our lawn

It is so sad that city kids miss out on the joys of irrigation in the summer with all of their fancy pools and water parks.

Locks of Love

Caroline and Grace wanted to give their hair to kids with cancer.  They donated their locks to Lock of Love.  Thanks to Brittany for their beautiful hair cuts.

After the cut, our pixie girl.

Grace's hair was a lot longer when straight.

The after pic for Grace was on my phone.  So we had to snap one today.