The Gouker's

Scouts

Now that Tristan is 8, he is finally able to be a Boy Scout! He has been so excited and waiting patiently for the last 2 years, and now it's official. He went to his first meeting last week, and so for his birthday Cahl got him his whole uniform- shirt, belt, hat, and his most adorable neckerchief! I love it, he's so cute. And now I love to say neckerchief. It just cracks me up.
He looks so grown up to me now.

Happy Birthday Tristan!

Today my first little baby turns 8!

Here are 8 things that I love the most about Tristan Thomas Gouker:

1. Even since he was really little, Tristan has always been my "big helper." I know that I can always count on him to help me out with whatever I am doing.

2. Tristan is the most amazing big brother. Even back when I was pregnant with Jasen, he was always so concerned and caring for his little brother. And he has continued that with Hunter. I know I can always count on him to take care of them and watch out for them.

3. Tristan is my little jock. He loves sports, and he is super competitive. I love going to his games or tournaments or races and watching him. He practices hard and plays hard and he never quits.

4. Tristan is really outgoing. He makes friends easily and he is easy going and gets along well with everyone. He makes friends everywhere we go.

5. Tristan has an awesome laugh. It is really loud, and sometimes obnoxious, but I love it. It is completely spontaneous, and it makes me laugh every time I hear it.

6. Tristan is a singer. He sings in the car, or the house, any time he hears a song. He knows the words to a lot of songs, and he'll just start singing along whenever he hears them. Since I love music so much, I love that he loves it too.

7. Tristan is so proud of the fact that he is almost as tall as me. He is currently right at my armpit, and he loves it. It makes me feel a little sad though. I look at high school football players or wrestlers and I feel so small. Then I realize that I will have 3 before I know it.

8. Tristan is turning 8, and that's makes this a big year for him. He is really excited to get baptized, and I love that he is looking forward to it. He can't wait, although I am sure I will be bawling my eyes out!

(And I have to mention, Tristan has the most beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen!)

THEN:

AND NOW:

Wrestling Tournament

Tristan and Jasen had a wrestling tournament out in Boulder City today. They both did really well. Jasen won 4th place, and Tristan won 1st place! We are so proud of both of them. It's so funny, because Tristan's first grade teacher comes to the meets. She's an older lady, and her grandson is 6 and he is on our boys' team. So she always comes and she always cheers for Tristan. Today she was sitting behind me, and I could hear her screaming for Tristan. It's so cute! I love that even though he was only in her class for a few months at the end of the last school year, she remembers him and cares enough to root for him. Plus it makes him so proud.

Jasen, in front

Jasen, in blue

Tristan, on top

Tristan, in blue

Tristan, on top

Lake Mead

After the boys' wrestling tournament, we went out to Lake Mead for a little while. We haven't been out there in years, so we figured we were so close, why not? The boys had so much fun feeding the fish and ducks!

Trying to pet the fish

Finding shells

AWWW...

Babylon

Just a funny tidbit that I want to make a note of before I forget.

Last Sunday at church, Cahl and I were in Sunday school listening to the lesson. I forget how it came up, but the teacher was talking about Babylon. He asked, somewhat offhandedly, who's ever been to Babylon. So Cahl raised his hand. Our teacher did a double take. I am sure he wasn't expecting anyone to answer his question. This is the following conversation (and remember, our teacher is a little shocked right now.):

Teacher (in awe): "Really? You have?"
Cahl: "Yep."
Teacher: "Well, were is it?"
Cahl: "It's in Iraq."
Teacher: "And you've been there? You've seen it?"
Cahl: "Yep."
Teacher: "What's it like?"
Cahl: "It's a little dusty."

I am just cracking up. For the rest of the lesson, every time I look at Cahl, I start giggling. I think it's funny, but you probably would have had to have been there to fully understand.