Keaton is 5 years old!

It is hard to believe that Keaton is 5. We had a nice party/BBQ in the park with family on Sunday to celebrate and then on Wednesday we took him and a few of his friends to Chuck E. Cheese for games and lunch. Stay sweet Keaton, we love you so much! Thank you for all the big squeezes!

September 11 and "12th"

Usually I leave the bloggin up to Jill, but I just want to intervene here a moment.
Today is September 12th, 7 years ago on September 11th America was attacked.
On September 12th of that same year people acted a little differently than on the 11th. We were nicer to each other, more polite, we gave more hugs and kisses, we appreciated things more. Even if you didn't know someone you were still coming together as a nation.

Now as I look around and you hardly hear or see anything about 9/11 on the news, it amazes me how quickly people forget. We should never forget what occurred on 9/11 and what a tragic day that was.... but we also need to remember how we reacted on 9/12. If we could only be a nation pulling together.... what a difference it would be...
Thanks Jill for letting me post something.
Love, Brandon

Family Reunion

We went to Redfish lake for my family reunion over Labor day weekend and it was beautiful. It was good to see the lake and visit with family. My Mom and Dad, who never ever camp, even went up. They were awesome.
While there we played on the beach, rode bikes, went to the fish hatchery, went fishing, played card games, had s'mores by the camp fires, even sang silly camp fire songs. It was a really fun trip to get all the cousins together. We even had a little deer in our camp that didn't want to leave our camp area, I guess he wanted a s'more.
On the last day when we were leaving, we woke up to snow. What a shock! Snow on September 1st.



(to enjoy a bigger slideshow of pictures! click here)

First Day of School!

I can't believe that the first day of school is already here.
Here is a picture of my girl Brooklyn ready to start the day.
Mason is too cool for Mom to come and take his picture. He's a big seventh grader and too old for that he says... I took the kids to ice cream after the first day of school was over with, it's becoming our new tradition.

Star Singers!

Brooklyn was singing and dancing to music and taught Bridger how to be a super star! It was too cute to watch them play and have fun together.

Boise River Trip!

This summer we have floated the Boise River two times. Summer just isn't complete without a trip down the River.

Our Deacon.

Mason has reached the age of 12. He recently was ordained as a Deacon in the church.
It was a special day, we're proud of him and his choice.

After the ordination at the church we had everyone over for a BBQ.

Play Ball!

Brandon's work had a summer party at the Boise Hawks stadium, They had a BBQ before the game and then we had great seats behind home plate, it was fun. Although Bridger was a little frightened from the big mascot.

Dworshak Lake Trip

This past week we went to Dworshak Lake with the Long Family. (getting there wasn't so fun... it took longer than expected, what a whindy road, sorry Long's for awaking you at 1am while you were snuggled in the motorhome.)

It was a blast, the Long's brought their boat and we did everything in the water from tubing, to skiing, to wake boarding, to knee boarding, or just plain jumping off the boat.... It was fun.

We celebrated Mason's birthday on the 31st and Mason got the honor of being captain of the boat for the day and drove us around the lake and he learned how to knee board.

Back at camp around the camp fire, we enjoyed smores and even found time to have a badminton and horseshoes games it was a great time. Not to mention the late night Pinochle once the kids crashed....probably the funniest thing was the talent show... boy can the Longs sing and dance!

Thanks Long Family... we need to do that again!



(to enjoy a bigger slideshow of pictures! click here)

Mason's Poison Ivy and Scout Camp

This year was Mason's first scout camp at Camp Morrison for a whole week... he had a great time. The week before he went to jump creek falls and got poison ivy all down his legs... what a mess...He broke out up at Camp Morrison without his mom to take care of him so by the time he returned it was infected... after steroids and a couple kinds of cream he has recovered. What a mess! But he didn't mind... He had such a great time! not to mention the care packages and letters he got... they thought he had a girl friend!