Brandon Turns 15

Im still trying to catch up and these are out of order but I want them in here. Brandon turned 15 in December!!! During his birthday party ( a video scavenger hunt) I got in a car accident with several of the kid in the back of the van! It was a horrifying experience even though no one got hurt. I totalled the other car by going through a yellow - to red light. Our van has $5000 damage. Needless to say we finished the party at our house.

Im proud of Brandon. He is a great boy and such a great example and leader to his friends. He is looking more and more like my dad Lynn J.

Extracurricular activities

Trevor and Carson - running buddies

Trevor has had a great season so far in cross country and he has met all of his personal goals. He has many friends on the team and that makes it fun - and competitive!

This was the ASC fun Run / Pancake Breakfast. Todd and I helped with the pancakes while Trevor was busy running the race and beating everyone kids and adults!! His past cross country coach was sad that he changed schools!

Brandon just marched in his first High School football game!! It was awesome! He and the whole band have worked SO HARD and it was nice for them to see their efforts paying off. I cant believe how grown up he is!! Speaking of that - he just hit the 6 ft mark!! He had a lot of fun and they did a great job. If you care - in the field pic he is on the rt hand side 35ydline 5th from the front! LOL.

They played Todd's high school, Doherty and beat them 27-0! He was suprised to see them in blue and not green. Are schools allowed to change colors? lol At least they are still the Spartans.

First Day of School

This year my 3 children are going to 3 different schools. Brandon is a freshman at DCHS, Trevor is a 7th grader at a different middle school - Mesa - and Christen is in 4th grade - same school but without her brothers for the first time. Sigh... where does the time go? It is exciting but sad for me too. The first day everyone is gone I get lonely - especially at lunchtime. Brandon and Trevor started Monday and Christen not until Thurday so that made it a bit easier. Brandon starts seminary next week. Another wow!!

They all seem to be adjusting fine and meeting new friends and appreciate the old ones they see and have classes with this year. On Sunday morning Todd gave the kids fathers blessings as usual. It was a really neat experience. This is a tradition for us - but it seemed extra special this time. He gave me a blessing too. Then, in Relief Society we had a lesson on the priesthood. Todd and I have our moments and he drives me CRAZY sometimes -- BUT, I was so thankful to him for preparing for this and for honoring his priesthood. I am very blessed. He mentioned later that the things that were said really were what Heavenly Father wanted.

Camping for Trevor and Brandon

Trevor had a great scout camp this year. He loves having his dad as a leader. They went to Camp Dietler this year. The difference from last year is that they had to prepare all of their own food instead of going to the cafeteria. The food was provided but they did the cooking and cleaning. I was impressed that Trevor really enjoyed that and even did a lot of cooking when he came home. He even learned how to make lasagna in a dutch oven!! Seeing as though Brandon has a Foods class in High School I think that both of them will each have a night for making dinner!

Anyhow, the whole group had a great time and got along well. They did canoe, rifle, and metalwork. There may be more I cant remember. Christen and I came up for the family night and the boys did a skit and told us all that they had been learning.







Brandon pictures-------


Brandon and his group were totally thrilled to prepare and go on their Eco-Challenge High Adventure Trip. The activities included river rafting - a first for Brandon - hiking a 14er, biking, rapelling. Everyone was safe and had a great time!! They were so excited to do something bigger and better than regular camping trips. Also recently this group went water skiing and tubing. This was also a first for Brandon. It was awesome -- except that the waterskiis were too small for Brandon's size 13 feet!!!! I felt so bad for him!! Tyler's feet were also too wide. Poor Guys! I guess he did try the lake board a bit and he loved the tubing.

Brandon's Braces are OFF!

Well - the top ones at least. The bottoms come off in two weeks. He is very happy and I keep reminding him to thank his dad for paying for his beautiful smile... He looks so handsome! I will say that he is not too pleased with wearing a retainer -- but he will survive.

Eagle Recognition Dinner

Brandon and I had a fun evening together last week. The big dilemma for him was which of the 3 forks to use first! Thats my eagle scout boy!

First Dance

Last night Brandon went to his first Stake Dance!! I wasnt sure how he would take it or how he would feel - but he had a great time!! He had skipped the New Years dance because none of his buddies were going - and I wasnt going to push the issue. Yesterday there was an EFY conference and dance afterwards. His friend Noah stayed with him. There were a group of girls from our ward who stayed. They all had blast together dancing in a group. Noah's sister Amanda even gave a dedication song - YMCA to the boys and two others first dance. --OK now Brandon knows that I am writing -- I told him - hey - its not on facebook!! -- anyhow there are no pics because we certainly werent there - but our bishop made sure that he got a good start!

thats all for now - Brandon is mad that I am posting this!

Eagle Court of Honor

December 16th we finally had Brandon's Eagle Court of Honor. It was held in the chapel so I didnt get all of the pictures that I wanted, but it was really nice! It was a was a wonderful ceremony and so exciting to see him receive this great honor.

Trevor's Tenderfoot

Trevor recently received his Tenderfoot award and his first merit badge - Fishing- no surprise there. He is very close to first and second class. This was also the first time Brandon had helped to present awards to the other boys and conduct. He received a bunch of merit badges too. Great job boys!

Brandon's Eagle Board

Just need to schedule his Court of Honor. What a process! He was so nervous - and so was I!! He was well prepared and they congratulated us on what a great job he did. Sorry you have to read every minute detail of this process - but.... Great Job Brandon Boy!!

Brandon Repelling

Brandon and his Scout group went repelling today at Castlewood Canyon. They had a great time!! Brandon even went down "Aussie" style which means he went down face down - see bottom middle picture. Glad everyone was safe!! It was a beautiful day.

First Day of School

Brandon started school on Monday (8th gr) Brandon was a bit disappointed what he got home because he wasnt with many of his friends and they also split up the band class so he wasnt with some of those people either. However, he feels now like he will survive. Everyday I tell him to meet one or two new people and tell me about them. Yesterday afternoon I told him to meet 3 people for today. He then said, - "that is too many!!" Poor kid! He is doing better and even wants to run for Student Council Treasurer.

Trevor is in 6th gr - middle school where he is. He is doing just fine and didnt seem to bothered by the changes of moving around classes etc. He has the teachers that Brandon had so that is good.

Christen has a new teacher for 3rd gr who just moved here from Georgia. We were hoping for either of the other teachers but I think it will be fine. She had a good day yesterday and has quite a few friends in her class.

I dont feel pressured to be a room mom this year -- so Im not going to be!! Hopefully, I still will substitute every once in a while. I especially missed the kids as I ate my lunch alone yesterday! We needed maybe one more week of summer!

Brandon's Eagle Scout Project

And . . .it's over! Now for the write up. Anyhow, it was a big success. His project was providing a teen book event at our local library revolving around the book The Lost Years Of Merlin. He and his team advertised, got donations for prizes at various bussinesses and ward members, decorated and set up, had a scavenger hunt and a trivia game set up, provided prizes and food. It was great! - and he learned a lot. We are proud of him!! Thanks for the all of your help and support!!

Poor Brandon

I cant upload the video - but it was hailing and the kids got bored. Brandon poured icewater on Todd and then Brandon got his first swirley!! LOL!!!! I will try to load it later! Hilarious I say. Wont make it to the town fire works. Glad we bought some for the street.

Boy Scouts Camping Devils Head and Twin Lakes

Lots of camping going along here. These pictures are from 2 different trips. this past weekend they were supposed to hike Mt Elbert but it was too snowy. They had a great time fishing and canoeing though.

When the boys get the camera. . .

Last few weeks of school for B

Brandon receives his Life Scout Award plus a whole bunch of other badges. He actually earned it a few months ago but they just had his court of honor.

Last dayof 7th grade

Brandon was awarded the most artistic in his team. He also made the honor roll.

Brandon made it on a yearbook page as he and Andrew were celebrating the opening of the new middle school.

Brandon's Band Concert

Mesa's 7thgr band

Of course he is in the back and next to the tuba girl so we could hardly see him!

The band boys!

Brandon has really had a great 7th grade year and has loved playing in the band. He has an excellent band leader and Brandon has greatly improved this year. He is seriously thinking about joining the townband with Todd - although we may have to wait until his Eagle Scout project is finished up. That is consuming his time right now.

Look for Brandon's trombone slide moving behind the tuba.

My Artist

Brandon has always been artistic. Right now he is taking a Digital Media Class at school. He has done some really cute things with family pictures. He was also recently entered into a District wide Art show at Park Meadows Mall and got an honorable mention for his piece - Colorful Orcas. He also had a merit badge college and earned his Art merit badge. We all hope he works at Disney so we can go to Disneyland and get in to the movies for free - although I dont want him to live in California!

Painting Lesson

A while back Brandon went to his grandpa's house for the whole day to have a painting lesson. They both had a great time and Brandon learned a lot and did a fantastic job for the first time ever doing something like this! Thanks for sharing your time, and talent. What a great memory this will be!