Lots of catching up to do........

I have too much to catch up on and I will just hit the highlights. After Brandon, Gregg and I had a fun Spring Break get away Brandon and I came home to Alaska and waited for the snow to melt and for spring to arrive. Brandon geared up for his senior year of soccer and was chosen as one of the captains. The first two games of the season were cancelled due to snow on the field. Not too surprising we do live in Alaska but the snow finally started to melt and the games began the end of April!!! Brandon played awesome his first game and during warm ups the following week severely sprained his ankle and tore a ligament and his season was over. He tried giving it 2 weeks to heal in hopes of finishing the season but it wasn't to be. Lots of things happened in May. Brandon sung the National Anthem at his Graduation and walked across the stage as High School Graduate. We also had a wedding, Brady and his fiance, Samantha (we call her Sam) were married on my birthday. We are so happy and excited for them!! Gregg and I love having a daughter and Dustin, Daniel and Brandon finally have a sister. We also had a baby moose born in the wooded area of our backyard. The Mom and baby stayed in the backyard for two days. We had so much fun watching the new baby wobble around our yard!! We still see them in the neighborhood from time to time. The Mom is easy to identify cause she has a huge scar on her side. We are loving summer!!! The wildflowers are everywhere, Lupine, Chocolate Lily's and Arctic Daisies. I have seen the Caribou on the river flats several times this summer too. Never a boring day in Alaska! Mixed in with all the fun I am still packing boxes for the move to Washington. We are all going to miss Alaska but look forward to the new adventures for all of us.

"Grease"

Just got to brag a little on Brandon.......clear back in November he comes home from school and tells me he is going over to Kenai and I thought he was probably going to see a movie with friends and when I asked what he was going to do he ever so casually tells me he is going to try out for a part in a community play. He told me a teacher from school was in charge and the play was "Grease". I thought it was really awesome for him. I had no idea he was interested in theater type stuff. He did his tryout and got a part in the play as a Rydell High School singer and dancer and he was so excited and Gregg and I were so proud!! I was a little concerned because he had just had major surgery on his shoulder in October, but here we are a couple of months later and many hours of rehearsal, hard work and dedication under his belt. Gregg, Brady, Grandma Jones and I went to watch Brandon on opening night and he did AWESOME!!! I couldn't believe that was Brandon up there on stage singing and dancing and having the time of his life!! He had a great dance partner and they were a hit!! I think you can tell by the pictures that it was a fun community event, lots of talented people!!
Gregg and I went to see the dress rehearsal the night before the official opening and Brandon was hoping I would take my camera to get some pictures on opening night. I was a little nervous about taking photos in low light with no flash. I figured all I would get was a bunch of blurry pictures but after a little practice and trial and error I got it "dialed" in and was able to get some fun shots of Brandon and Marquee, his dance partner.

Our New Eagle

Just wanted to recognize our family's newest Eagle Scout. Brandon has worked hard and been helped along the way by some great leaders here in Alaska and in Utah where he started in the Scouting program. We are very proud of Dustin, our oldest son, for starting a great tradition for his brothers to follow and we're very proud of Daniel, Brady and now Brandon for the dedication and hard work to make it 4 for 4. Gregg and I are very proud of our sons and loved having 2 of Brandon's older brothers in attendance at his Court of Honor on Dec. 16, 2009. Brandon's big brother Dustin is active duty in the military and was unable to make it home, but Brandon found a way to include him by putting a picture of him in his left pocket making sure all 3 of his brothers were there for him. Way to go Brandon!!

The Bionic Man

Just an update on Brandon, many of you know he has been having trouble with his right shoulder for a few years now and on Tues. Oct. 6th he had surgery to fix it. Basically ended up with repairs to fix a dislocation type injury, fix soft tissue that was getting torn up from his shoulder being too loose and tighten the shoulder joint itself. We found out that the meds you get right before surgery creates uncontrollable giggles and laughing for Brandon. He had been pretty nervous and quite all morning until he got his "loopy" meds and then all he could say was "Whoa, what was that stuff"? and then he would laugh and laugh and laugh. He laughed all the way to surgery.
He is doing good and looking forward to the spring soccer season. By the way the thumbs up was just for show he really felt more like the 2nd picture.......really out of it due a nerve block and lots of pain meds on board.

Brandon the Bruised

Just wanted to post new pictures of the bruise taken April 19. It is kind of like our snow.....just won't go away. His right leg really is a funny color from the knee down.