What's Justin smiling about?

Who wouldn't smile upon receiving the Cub Scout "The Arrow of Light Award." That's as high as a boy can go before actually becoming a Boy Scout, which Justin plans to do this year. He'll join Ben in a very active troop - they camp out, even in the snow - in Cincinnati.
If you asked Justin, he'd probably say his favorite badges he earned on the way to receiving this prestigious award were Forester, Outdoorsman, Engineer and Geologist. It took a lot of focused work for Justin to receive "The Arrow of Light" and Grandpa and I are very proud of him.
A very kind friend took all those badges and patches and placed them on an award board. Justin is holding it in the photo and I'm sure it will soon adorn the walls of the Amend home. It also contains an arrow which appears to be, well, straight, sturdy and to the point - like Justin. We're confident he'll be as successful in Boy Scouting as he was in the Cubs.

Love you all, Grandma for Grandpa and me

Skyler tore through New England like....

.....Paul Revere, when he and some of his school chums (and Mom as one of the chaperones) visited Boston a few days back. In a busy 72 hours - leaving and returning to Stony Creek included - they covered Boston seeing the JFK Library and touring Boston University and even took a quick excursion to Concord to visit the home of Louisa Mae Alcott and family, the home of Ralph Waldo Emerson and an old historic cemetery. (For those who don't know, Skyler is a walking Encyclopedia of Geography as well as an avid writer and artist.)

His trip was a perk for him and his fellow members who are honored to be active in the "Adirondak Writer's Guild." You can read all about them at www.HLCS.org. AAAND, as a bonus, you can see the book he wrote and illustrated at http://www.mixbook.com/photo-books/nature/cornelius-4046801. It's a very charming story by a very charming author!

I'm waiting for information from Justy Amend and Eric Santell. Then I'll have another fun story for you. If you have anything newsworthy, just let me know and I'll put it in cyberspace.

Love you all, Grandma for Grandpa and me

Can you guess where Saya is going?

The pretty pink bag might give you a hint. She is on her way to the high school to perform in the ballet as a sugar plum fairy.


It was a very exciting day for Saya and us. Saya knew all her positions and steps. She has been taking ballet classes for the last year and next year she hopes to get into a tap class. Grandpa and I drove down just to see her, but we couldn't have guessed that the four eldest Amend kids would also perform in church the next morning. Anna and Saya recited scripture and sang with the Kid's Choir. Ben played guitar, with Justy on the Bongos and Aunt Deb on piano.




This is Saya on stage with two friends.












Everyone in the audience was jubilant - well, almost everybody.