Kid day at the Brower's

Have you ever had days where the kids just don't get along, they yell at each other, they are rude, fighting and you just wonder why in the world you had them in the first place?

Well, when we get that way at our house, like today, we end up having a Brower Kid day, that is the day, when the kids can't play with anyone but their own siblings. I notice that when the kids have had days upon days of friend playing, they tend to need down time and spend time with each other. The first day of Brower Kid Day makes me want to tear my hair out sometimes. I always wonder why in the world am I punishing myself by keeping them at our house, when they definately don't want to be here. Well, the 2nd day makes me love Brower Kid Day! Usually it ends up being Kyler and Mckenna who need these days the most (maybe it is because Devin is at the age where he is learning that to do the things he wants he is just more pleasant around everyone so that his mother will let him go to the High School games or whatever he want to do with out having to deal with Brower Kid Day,) but Kyler and Mckenna after that initial day become the best of friends all over again. Some times they play army or animal toys. Other times, they relive their favorite video. Or sometimes they talk their mother into video taping them during a rendition of a great song and then want a music video.
Last week, they all had Brower Kid Day (they call it being grounded to each other- maybe, because I called it that once and they think it sounds meaner when they tell their friends that they are grounded) and Devin, Kyler and Mckenna played hours upon hours on the tramp and in the gully racing cars, building dirt cities, tracks for the cars. It was a blast to watch. After that 2nd day they are free to go back to the friend time, and usually, they are much nicer, more considerate and loving towards each other. But sometimes, when I am enjoying them being together and so loving and creative, I tell them they have another day of Brower Kid Day, mainly it is because I miss the relaxation of them just being little kids and playing like when they were in Georgia and they only had each other because the kids lived too far away.
I just love Brower Kid Day!!!!!

Wondering?...

I bet you are wondering where the boys or Matt are during all this time of Mckenna's dance competition and all the previous blogs? Well, being the troopers that they are the boys know that the world revolves around Mckenna and not them especially when there are no exciting events for them and there is if her. No, seriously, the boys really have been troopers. They sat for 2 days eating the snacks that I packed for Mckenna and me (cheese slices, bolognia triangles, celery, carrots, red peppers, wheat thins, bagel crisps and bottles of water, yum!) They watch Mckenna and her team mates, and then 4 hours worth of other dancers that they didn't even know for a payoff of going to Golden Corral with the Wittwers and Jackee (whom, Devin knows.) Then they spent the next day watching for 4 hours, and then waiting for 2 hours for the award ceremony where the girls just received a stupid medallion; whom everyone that participated, recieved; and then no fun dinner. As Kyler put it," We waited all this time for this?"

I think another reason that they sat watching and waiting with out a single whine (ok, until the last few minutes after the awards ceremony,) because they know that Mckenna sits through hours of their baseball games with out whining too!

Baseball is coming this weekend, so their will be more news of them! Just watch!

Okay, Here We Go.....Solo!

So, we got Mckenna's hair done and went to her 2 hour practice for her solo and team. That in it self could be a grueling time. But as it always goes with Mckenna she goes, she dances and she conquers!
Interestingly, this competition is like nothing that she has ever done before, either you came in first or you came in second. The queen position was something that you paid for. You paid $24 extra dollars for a trophy and a sash and a picture. Really dumb! Mckenna of course came in first place! We didn't care about the first place position though because really there was no one else that danced as well as she did for her age and category and it was just like SUPAF were you are judged on your own ability. But it was good for her to have the floor time and the audience to work on her presence and facial expressions (smiling, silent vowel sounds etc..) We just considered it a great practice time (even though we paid for it.)
Below are a few pictures that Devin took while I was running the camcorder. She sure was good! Hope you enjoy.
Oh, yeah, we got her judging sheets today from her dance teacher and she go a 9.9 (a 10 is a perfect score,) from all three judges! They suggested that she be moved up to the intermediate level. Her teacher and I discussed that tonight, but we have decided to leave her in the beginner since she is only 8 and if we moved her up and she won Queen she would have to go to the Advanced level and she is just too little for that level (those are usually 14 years and up.)
I was looking at the judging sheets and I was wondering where in the world this little girl came from. Where would she have gotten the love of dance? I mean, I was a girly tomboy and I didn't like taking those few tap classes that Lail Lomax mother taught in her garage. I guess Mckenna just has that competitive spirit that all of the rest of our family has and since the boys are so athletic, of course, Mckenna is too. I love that she loves to dance because she really is fun to watch. Her teacher (who is 20 years old, ) says that Mckenna will be a force to be recond with when she is in middle school and has really figuared out what makes it all click. Sortof like what she was doing in her mind during her hair appointment.
Enjoy the pictures!


Well, there she goes: this is her walk on before the music starts and she starts dancing!

What a perfect Backbend! (In the right hand corner is her teacher Mckel looking on.) She took first in this competition.

All the Frills that go with the day!

Have you ever met a little girl who got to go to the Salon 4 times a year to get her hair styled? Well that is what Mckenna is waiting to do. She has a big competition today and so we are getting her hair done.



Finally, she gets to sit in the big chair and have Carie do her hair. Mckenna loves having the Diva treatment. Since I am not into the styles of dancing and Carie is, we have her do Mckenna's hair, plus, it takes some of the stress away from me so that I know it turns out just right! As Mckenna is sitting in her chair and Carie is doing her hair you would see Mckenna making faces and moving her hands in certain rhythms. I asked Mckenna what she was doing and she said that she was going through her routine because she was afraid that she had forgotten part of her dance. I thought that was awesome! To me it means that she has realized that it takes more than just going through the motions of what her body knows to do, but to think about what she is doing so that she can take what she learns and make it the best it can be. What a great lesson to learn when you are 8 years old! I also know that she was worried about her performance and she just didn't realized it at the time when I asked her if she was nervous! I love that girl!

Aren't her curls perfect? I tried to do these again the next day and they did not work out! It could be because my curling Iron is too big or she had too much product in her hair from the day before. Either way, it still didn't work out so well for me.

My friend Andrea did Mckenna's make-up. Which was required by her dance studio. Funny thing is that we didn't know that Andrea was in the picture until I downloaded it on to the computer (she's in the background.)

Well, here she is in her whole outfit. The shirt is actually longer than it looks, but we had it tied too tight in the back so it bunched up. Isn't she cute?

Mckenna's 1st (real) Solo Competition of the Year!

As I mentioned in the Best Friend entry about Mckenna she is having another competition soon, well, today is that day! She is very excited ("I'm, not nervous Mom, what's the big deal!") Okay, well, I am very nervous for her. She is going to be going up against her best friend Kyleigh. Last year is was Madison this year Ky. But that is not why I am nervous. Mckel, Mckenna's teacher keeps telling her that this year Mckenna could be queen. I hope that this is what happens because if it doesn't Mckenna will be a very disappointed little girl. Well, we are off to get her hair done!! I will update you on what happened tomorrow after her team competition.

Little girls and their best friends

Mckenna is so very lucky to have in her life, not one but two best friends.
I watch her with Mady and Kyleigh and I think about my relationship with Jennifer when I was little and smile!
Let me tell you a little about Mckenna's friends.



Mckenna and her best friend Madison are the lovers of anything that has to do with dance. Last year, they competed agains each other in a solo competition and came in 2nd and 3rd place. Either of them being 2nd or 3rd by a half a point. Mckenna was 2nd and Mady 3rd. They teased each other about their hair, but not once did Mckenna make fun of Mady because she came in 3rd! They play for hours on end and not fight. They love anything that has to do with pink, girly and fun! Madison moved to Idaho about 6 months ago and so she came for a visit this weekend. Mckenna went to a bbq at Mady's grandma's house before Mady spent the night. We loved having Mady over, she is always making us laugh and she and Mckenna get along great. We have missed her being around. It was hard for us to say goodbye especially for Mr. Funny Pants(that is what Mady calls Matt because of his way short shorts!) Matt enjoys Mady probably more than any of Mckenna's other friend and we knew it would be a while before we see her again.

Now let me tell you about Mckenna and Kyleigh. They are more of the tomboy part of Mckenna's life. Kyleigh loves gorey things, blood, farts and getting grass stains on her knees. She reminds me a lot of Jennifer at her age. But Kyleigh is also a dancer but to show you the difference in her and mckenna let me explain about their different dance types and choices of costumes. Kyleigh is doing a solo in a red rapper type costume to a hip hop type song. Mckenna is doing an upbeat, girly type of dance with pink sparkly with black rhinestone outlined on her top and blakc capris with a pink and rhinestone headband. If it was up to Mckenna it would be a lyrical dance (smooth faster type of ballet style dancing,) but she is not old enough yet.

When we went to Joyce's funeral, Mckenna stayed with Kyleigh because Andrea is also my best friend.



Mckenna and her other best friend Kyleigh doing the dishes because that is Mckenna's kitchen job for the day

They had been to a 2 1/2 hour dance practice before their 1st competition of the year and had a sleep over. We just had a sleep over with Ky because her daddy's family owns the big local furniture store and Andrea had to work. Then we went to a magic show and out for ice cream. They love being together. When they have sleep overs they end up sleeping in one of Matt's shirts because they think they are comfy. Matt and I think it is very cute!

Little dog lost

One day, Matt, Mckenna and I went for a walk and this puppy followed us all the way home. It had no tags, no collar, nothing. So Mckenna named it chocolate because it had all the various colors of chocolate that she has seen; white, brown, black and grey. She followed us home in the evening and we kept it until we could bring it to the pound, Mckenna cried and cried because she wanted to keep chocolate, and get rid of Roxey instead. We had to explain to her that chocolate would be getting big like Roxey too being that Chocolate was a retriever of some sort. That night after the dog wimpered and whined all night Matt stuck it outside and it ran away. Mckenna cried and cried again because she didn't get to say goodbye and that she was worried it would be hit by a car. Matt told us later, that some one else had found it and turned it in. Then it was brought to it's original owners. Yes, dad, it really was found and claimed by it's owners!!! Chocolate is sure a cute dog!

The funeral of a loved one

This past week has been very trying. We have tried to create a warm and caring funeral for a mother whom her children really didn't know or seemed to understand what was driving her life. I tend to think about what it will be like when my parents pass away and can't fathom or even want to think of it because of the feelings of sadness, emptyness from the lack of love that I would be missing that they provide me with. I understand that all of Joyce's children have not really bonded to her and that is so utterly heart breaking for me. Because what is a mother but someone that you can feel is providing comfort, a safety from the outside world, hugs and kisses and chicken soup (or instant breakfast,) when you are sick, or a feeling of support for all that you want to do in your life. I know that this is what my mom does for me! (By, the way, I love you mom and dad!)

I feel such remorse and emptiness for the way that Joyce's funeral went. There were not tears of sorrow, (except for maybe Gabe,) personal stories of memories from her children, a mere 10 minute personal snapsis of her childhood (not from her brothers or sisters- but from a member of her old ward.) There was not going to be any sort of musical performance (except for the congregation hymns,) until I said that the grandkids could at least sing 'I am a child of God."

How can a person who has lived for 71 years leave and not seem to have had an impression on anyone. That is just so sad for me to fathom! All I know I can do is help my children to remember the grandma that wrote letters to them, sent them a stick of BIG RED on their letters so that they knew that she loved them. I believe that out of all my children, Devin will miss her the most (and maybe out of all the grandkids except maybe Cindy's kids,) since they had such a great penpal type of thing going with his baseball stories. That is what I am going to help my children remember!


Joyce's funeral. All of her boys (except for Gary, who was in Washington D.C. working at NSA, and Jeff who just didn't show up or seem to care.) carring her to her final resting place. Interesting to note that Matt is the tallest one in the background and maybe the most affected (besides Cindy,) by the passing of his mother.

Red roses
Joyce loved the color red, she would have enjoyed these. And I am sure that she enjoyed them up in Heaven.

I am thankful to Diana for driving up from Provo in the rain to share her support with our family. I was very nice to spend time with her and Kira.

Diana and Kira at Joyce's funeral.

Oh, How the sweet get sucked in!

Last December I quit my job at Snow Canyon Middle School so that I could spend time in Miss Mckenna Marie's classroom. We were having problems with her teacher. Kyler had the same teacher and I actually non-requested her but when you take your child out of the class schedule 1 day before school ends thinking that you are moving, you end up having no choice when the next day you have to put your kids back into the same school! Anyway, Mckenna needed me and so did her teacher so I quit working in the Special Ed department.

Everytime, I walk into the Middle school now, their Vice Principal asks me when I am coming back. And everytime I tell him "Next year." But this last Tuesday I went in to get Devin for the Southern Utah Performing Arts festival for his Violin adjudication (he, got a superior by the way, playing Witches Dance,) and Mr. Gubler again asked me if I was back! I said, "NO, but maybe next year." But as my life story goes, Mr. Goldhart the principal was in Mr. Gubler's office and they had come up with the perfect job!

So, because I am so sweet, I tell them that I will go home and think about it. After talking to Matt about it and weighing the pros and cons, have caved in! I am going to be their Recovery Tracker for those students that are struggling for grades, those who are failing and those who are just plain sluffing classes(where was a person like that when I needed one?) I am able to pick my own hours, my own days to work and still help in Mckenna's class. I plan on working 10 1/2 hours a week. That isn't too bad and yet, I will have a little money to pay off a car and a little spending cash for me!

I have a friend who I guess has a daughter in 9th grade that gets called all the time for her failing classes. She says that it doesn't do any good to have someone call and tell her that her daughter is failing because she already knows that and it doesn't do any good to talk to her or her husband because her daughter just doesn't care! Now, I am not sure how the system works yet because I don't go in for training until Wednesday, but since, I have lived through the type of situation of not doing work for grades, getting poor grades and being tardy all the time, maybe I can draw off those may years of experience and help just a little. I don't know, some of these kids are just plain stuggling for lack of help at home. Some of these kids just don't give a darn about school, but I believe that if I can help just one get it, I have succeeded.
So, here is too a good challenge!!

News of Sadness

I mentioned during the flood article that Matt recieved a call from his brother-law Dave that Matt's mom's health was failing and that she had anywhere from 4 days to 3 weeks to live. Well, today Matt recieved a call from the Social Worker at the Rehabilitation Center that Matt's Mom has been staying at and she informed him that his Mom passed away this morning from Kidney Failure. Joyce had been in this Rehabilitaion Center for over 6 months. The first time that her kidney's started failing they put her on Dialasis, but they told Matt last month that her heart was just too weak for more Dialasis and so she just had to wait for her time to go. Last week, she went into a coma and so she was finally pain free. I don't have any more information than that, because Matt hasn't told me anything more.
When he called me this afternoon, his feelings were deeper than he could have ever believed they could be. He has been so indifferent to the whole process, but I knew that when the time came that he would feel more than he could understand. I mean this is his Mom we are talking about!

We are stuggling with whether the kids go to the funeral or not, I mean, we took them to say goodbye last month when she was able to enjoy being around them and they would still be able to remember their grandma that they wrote letters too and who let them build forts in the house and snowmen in the great big backyard. I don't think that they are going to go, because we really want them to remember her that way.

Mckenna told her little friend today that her grandma had a great big swingset and a tire swing in the tree and that they could climb in this great big tree in the backyard and the branches wouldn't bend because it was strong. Kyleigh told me and Mckenna to stop talking about it because it was going to make her and Mckenna cry. I thought that was so sweet that she was worried about Mckenna. In return, Mckenna saved her very favorite candy to give to Matt because she wanted to cheer him up. She said, "Here, Daddy, I saved this for you from our dance treat, because I was worried that you were sad about your mommy dying." That was so tender and it made us cry all over again.

You know, when a loved one passes away, it really doesn't seem final until that day when you want to call and tell them about something exciting that has happened to you or you just want to visit and give that person a hug, I know that that day will come for Matt.

Last month was my moment for that realization; Aunt Claire sent a Family History Book to me about Grandpa Field and all the other Berkman family members. I was looking and reading this book and I came to a page where there was Daddy, Uncle Bob, Aunt Susie and Kathy at Grandma's open casket and it finally clicked that I am not just in some far away State and Grandma is in her little house in Provo and I just haven't visited or written, but that Grandma really was gone and there was nothing I could do about it. I really took it hard, maybe because I hadn't been able to say goodbye, hadn't seen here in her casket, but whatever the case it had come a reality and I hated the thought of it.

I hope that Matt will finally be able to find more good in his life that have to do with his mom then the things that he feels were left out or the love that was so neglected in the physical sense. But, seriously,what Mom would work such long hours to provide a roof over her children's head, put food on their table and clothes on their back without loving them in the most basic form?
I guess that was her way of dealing with life and it happened that because of her sacrifices of working hard that not a single one of her children turn out to really be deliquents to society. That is something that each one of her children has to thank her for.

So, Joyce, THANK YOU for the wonderful person that Matt has become and the hard work ethics that you taught him. We love you and will miss you!

Phantom of the Opera

Tonight Matt and I went to see the Phantom of the Opera movie for the 2nd time in 2 days. My friend Andrea and I were going to go since she wanted to go see it and I had had a horrible headache the night before half way through the movie, so I thought it would be fun to see it again and enjoy it this time. When Matt heard we were going he decided he wanted to see it again too!

The music is incredible and the movie was awesome! Matt loves the Broadway soundtrack and was just as entranced with this version. But he will always love Sarah Brightman singing Christine's part. She really has such a velvety sureal voice that could make anyone love the music. It's sort of like the effect that The Phantom has on Christine- transfixing and making her loose all thought except for the Music of the Night.

This movie is definetly a buyer! I have heard that the critics were saying that it was aweful, but it isn't. If you haven't seen it go!

The Great Flood of 2005

West of St. George, in the beautiful little city of Santa Clara, stands a home built in 1862 by Mormon craftsmen for Jacob Hamblin. The home is constructed of Ponderosa timbers from Pine Valley and local red sandstone. The building was home for Jacob Hamblin and his family and It was the destruction of the fort by a flash flood that finally prompted the Hamblins to build a more secure home, back away from the stream. The flood hit without warning following torrential rains early in 1862. Families living in the area lost their homes, orchards, school, and most of their books and personal effects. They escaped only with some of their clothing, bedding and utensils.

As History sometimes repeats it's self, we in Santa Clara today have seen what that great Santa Clara River can do! We have been blessed because even though1 family lost all there belongings (we think they were renting,) 1 lost their home (not even finished being built, but still have all their possesions) and one has a house but lost a garage, an apartment above the garage, a few 4 wheelers, an old station wagon and a boat and trailer, various other's lost farm equipment, but most lost huge sections of their land; it could have been worse! We could have had tons of homes, and many lives lost if land had been developed as it is everywhere else in this county.

As Matt lives this nightmare of helping to shore up land and put the river back where it belongs I have a few thoughts on what has happened. I am extremely thankful that no lives were lost in Santa Clara and that I have a husband who is working till all hours of the night to help those who need help the most! In the last few weeks of this experience Matt has lobbied for funding from the State Legislature spent 16 hours driving back and forth between Salt Lake and Santa Clara so that he can attend all his meetings that require his attention and also deal with the final weeks of his Mom's life. (that will be another entry.)
He has had long hours and not enough sleep and yet, he has smoozed with the high and mighty of Utah(even down to driving in a motorized caravan from the airport to Santa Clara,) and won them over to the extent that he has been in many newspaper articles in the Salt Lake Tribune and the Deseret News on what is trying to be done. Hopefully this will bring our poor city the funding that it desperately needs!
I am saddened that Santa Clara will never look the same as it did when we first moved here. It has now truly turned into a desert instead of the flower in the desert that it was before. But to help remember all of the beauty that was, a few citizens and businesses are putting together a book about the history of the area and all the pictures they can get their hands on of before and after the flood. This venture is going to help raise money for the flood victims!
so we will always have history of it all.

Sometimes as we study others lives and think about what has happened in the past we learn things that can help us now. First of all: Jacob Hamblin learned from his 100 year flood; he decided to build his next house on a higher plain. It's sort of like the Wise Man building his house upon the rock and the Foolish Man building his house upon the sand. W e have to ask ourselves will the powers that be keep houses from being built in the flood plain this time too and build more houses in the heights? As my Grandpa Field use to say, "Time will only tell!"

Below are a few pictures of the flood taken from various sources,Matt has not given me his picture disk but I will add a few more when they come.


For all of you that have been to the Jacob Hamblin house this is not what you would normally see, usually you would see farm land and an old barn.But what is left is no road and no barn and what was next door, a house!


A scene from Gubler's house. You can see that one of the Anderson's houses has fallen into the river. They had already lost their 2 car garage with an apartment above, 2 ATVs, an old station wagon and a boat and trailer. Very sad!


ABC News at the Jacob Hamblin House. Except for the "Do Not Cross" line, you wouldn't know that anything was wrong just 200 feet away!

The Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house not a creature was stirring... well except maybe me. Taking pictures of all the fun Christmas decor.

You saw our tree in the forest here it is decorated.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care in hopes that St. Nickalaus soon would be there... Matt and I had to share a stocking and the boys used ones that weren't theirs because we were missing one of our christmas boxes in response to our move. Don't worry, it is somewhere in the garage it just wasn't found in time!


And Matt& I in jammies and kids in pajamas had just settled down for a long winter's nap....

and it was only 8:30 p.m.

When what to my wondering eye should appear but Kyler setting out carrots for 9 tiny reindeer, (don't forget Rudolph!)

I thought it would be fun for everyone to see the lighted path to our front porch

And I hear them exclaim as He drove out of sight, Merry Christmas to all
& Bunni and Beagle good night!

Mckenna with her new Build a Bear Bunny- Bunni


Kyler with his new Build a Bear Beagle- Dodger

The Three little Brower's and how they performed

During the fall each of the kids took a Musical Theater class at St.George Musical Theater. After all the hard work of rehearsals and learning a routine for 16 weeks they were given the chance to shine during the Preshows before the Christmas Performance of AMAHL. Mckenna went first and performed to the song of YOUNG and HEALTHY. It was very cute, because the boys talked about this cute little dish and the girls talked about how how the boys were so fabulous.


Kyler went after Mckenna, He and his class performed to Oklahoma's FARMER AND THE COWBOY. Kyler loved this dance, he is such a natural at being a Cowboy.
Kyler(cowboy)explaining to a gal that he can get along with the farmers.


Devin was the final performance with his class. They did two numbers but I didn't get pictures of the first number. The second number was excellent! He and Caylor sing about what a geek Hugo (Brian)is in a great rendition of GOING STEADY. Devin and Caylor were the only ones that showed up for the boys chorus, even though there were 3 other boys in the class. I guess they got stage fright or thought they were too cool. One of the other boys was starring in AMAHL, so he had a reason to be missing.



The performances were great. If you would like to see them, I have them on video.

The teachers thought that the kids were very talented and wanted to move Mckenna up into the next age group for the next semester, but Kyler wouldn't hear of it since he is in the next age group. but unfortunatly for Devin and Mckenna they will not be taking this class again because of Violin, Wrestling and Baseball for Devin and Dance for Mckenna (competitions start in March and her solo is taking up alot of her time.) Kyler loves this class and since he only has Piano and Baseball, he will be able to continue to take the class. He is very excited about getting started again in January. Here's looking for more performance from Kyler Jay Brower

What A Wonderous Tradition

Each Year since we have moved back to Utah Matt, the kids and I spend one day during the first part of December looking for the perfect Christmas tree to take home from the Pine Valley Forest, this year we took a little longer to get to the forest but we did finally make it!


Mckenna and Matt cutting down our smallest Christmas tree yet.


This tree was definitely not our biggest tree, but it was probaby the prettiest tree we've had. The only way to get a perfect tree is to pay big bucks at a tree lot. We paid $5 and it was a fantastic tree for that price!

After we drag the tree to the truck we have hot cocoa on our camp chief and walk on the frozen cow pond. We love this tradition!

P.S.
Roxey the wonder dog!
The funniest thing that our dog did while we were looking for our tree was to eat the snow and roll over and over in it! I think that this dog must have been a SNOW MAN DOG in a previous life. We love how crazy this dog is!

Dance Tracks on Queen Victoria's Stage

Before our final production of Oliver we had another Brower that performed on the the Queen Victoria's Stage. Mckenna and her dance studio DANCE TRACKS performed a few dances from each dance team. Mckenna is on 2 Competitive Teams. Here is Mckenna with ON BEAT doing their Lyrical routine.


ON BEAT performing their lyrical routine. Aren't their costumes beautiful?


Here is Mckenna and her competitive dance team JUMPSTART. Most of the girls have been together for 2 years. They are so cute! Mckenna loves dancing and being with her team mates, expecially Kyleigh!

OLIVER

Devin and I participated in the Dicken's Festival Production of OLIVER. During the production of Oliver, I had the great fun of watching Devin perform as an orphan and a pickpocket.He is such a great actor! I was on stage for less than 5 minutes but it was fun to do something with Devin that was just the two of us. Devin also talked one of his friends into trying out too and Mark had a lot of fun in his first play!


Mark (Devin's friend) played an Orphan staff member


During this scene Devin was a very black-eyed (Make-up) pickpocket. (sorry, it is so dark.) He really hated the rehearsals, but loved the performances and getting to meet an actor named Guy Smith, who became one of his Idols. Guy is 16 and a great actor. The boys loved him!


Devin with Fagan (Guy)this was a great scene. They are going to be doing a production of OLIVER next fall at St. George Musical Theater and Devin wants to try out for that one too. Guy, I guess is going to try out for Fagan again and that really encouraged Devin to try out since they had so much fun together!

Mckenna's Baptism Day

Today was a very special day for Mckenna and our family. We had our last little baby Baptized by Matt's dad. It was really neat to have Fred be able to do the Baptism and Confirmation since he wasn't feeling well for a long time! What great support Mckenna was given during her special day! We had most of Matt's family there and Diana, Lou and Kira came also! She was spoiled by us with her presents of scriptures, a tote, and a journal. Aunt Netty gave her a Book; "Your are Special," and Terra gave her a CTR Bracelet. Grandpa Fred gave her a CTR necklace and she recieved numereous cards from other family.Mckenna before her Baptism. Mckenna was nervous that Grandpa we going to have really cold water in the Font since Devin had been telling her all about how his was freezing. And she hates cold water,but she said that it wasn't really that bad! We hope that Mckenna continues to make the right choices and we are so blessed to have her in our family.


Mckenna with Grandpa Fred. Mckenna after her Baptism- all soaking wet!


Mckenna in her beautiful Baptism dress. Our family at Grandpa Fred's house.

As Promised: Pictures of the inside of the house!

1st group of pictures, L-r: dining room, downstairs bathroom, kitchen and laundry room.

2nd group of pictures, L-R: Upstairs office area, kids toilet area and sink area, two different views of the family room.

The view from the upstairs breeze way! it is surrounded by molding so it looks like a picture frame cool huh? Another shot of the dining room, the french doors exit out onto the side of the covered front porch. I plan on us eating out there on the wicker table during the warm weather! Fun!

Since Mckenna is now the big 8, it is time for her baptism date! She will be baptized, Saturday, November 27th at Grandpa Fred's ward house. I don't have a time yet, but I will post that later. I hope that everyone can come, but since some of you are in the Southern part of the states, we will have you there in spirit. So this is what I would like you to do: could you send her a letter with your testimony and what it felt like when you were baptized. I think that she would really love that and I can put it in her scrapbook as part of her program and pictures. Thanks so much, oh, the address is: 2792 Canyon View Drive Santa Clara, Utah 84765.