Clark Kent

One day at at the end of January Brandon (I'm not allowed to call him Bubba in public anymore) came to me and said that when he sat in the back of the class he couldn't see the board. Now, he'd been sitting in the back of the class since November or December. So, essentially, he'd been slightly blind for awhile. We're such great parents! We'd wondered why when we watched tv at home he preferred to sit on the floor really close. Hhmmm... Can't believe we didn't notice.

So, we headed to the glasses store to scout out glasses till his appointment a few days later. Then, we headed to another glasses store, and another, and another till they all started to blend together and we couldn't tell the difference between them and had to call in outside help. I think I sent my sister (who lives in Kansas) about 10 pictures to choose from. Then, at family dinner we took a vote. Then, I agonized every day over which ones to get.

Why all the fuss over a pair of glasses? When Derek was younger he had to get glasses and I think he was slightly traumatized. Granted, his glasses were thick. I'm not talking about normal glasses thick, I'm talking about partially blind glasses thick. So you can see my concern over the type of glasses Brandon was going to get. We were concerned that he'd get made fun of. And while we're all for some character building, this is one thing that was kind of taboo.

We searched and searched and searched. And guess what? The pair he picked is the VERY. FIRST. PAIR. that he tried on. Imagine that!

Since he's started wearing them, he's gotten so many compliments! The primary president told him that he looked "smokin' hot", the pediatrician told him he could be a model with those glasses and that they were the most awesome glasses he'd ever seen, and tons of people have told him that he looks like "that Superman guy".

Me, I think he looks like the cutest Bubba ever.

Dressed to maim! (Cause killing's just wrong!)

For Christmas, we always get the kids new outfits. I found Brandon the cutest skull tie at Target. I wondered if it was a little irreverent for church, but then I got over it when I realized it was and he'd probably be the only one there with a skull tie. It's good to be different!

I also got Kendal's dress there. As soon as I saw the bling on it I knew it was meant for her. When she saw it, you could hear the gasp of good fortune.

They looked so cute heading to church.

Christmas 2009

We had a great Christmas, really low key and fun. I had all the Christmas shopping done by the end of November and it was so nice to just relax!

Here's our Christmas trees. I always let the kids decorate them. They're only half decorated because they were behind the couch. Notice the decorations start halfway up! I love to let the kids decorate because it's so interesting to see what they do. I'm not really concerned about how they look and I think the kids do an awesome job!

Here's Kendal with the bike Santa brought her. On the handlebars is a cute little Barbie bike so her Barbie can hang out and ride too. So cute!

Brandon was so excited to see his skateboard. I tried to show him how it was done later that day and fell flat on my bootie in front of people driving by! So embarrassing!

He's a pro already!

Ready to ride!

Now, there's a really funny story to go with the next few pictures.

On Brandon's Christmas list, he asked Santa for a Nintendo DSi. Well, when he opened up his stocking, there was a Nintendo DSi game. He was so excited, but then he said, "But I don't have a DS." (It wasn't in the gifts Santa had brought.) Derek told him that it was probably for him and Papa (my dad has a DS) to play together. He was good with that answer...at first. Then, as he started opening more presents, and got more DS stuff, he started to get disappointed. He opened a case to hold a DS, two games and a case for games. With each one, Derek told him that it was probably to share with Papa. By the end, he was so disappointed. We got done and he seemed a little sad. We asked him what was wrong and he told us he was sad he didn't get a DS. We started to clean up and Derek "found" one more present behind the entertainment center. Look at his face! It was worth the teasing to get that happiness!

What a great Christmas!

Halloween 2009

For Halloween this year, we decided to recycle costumes. Kendal has a huge tote full of costumes, so we decided to take it easy this year. She decided to be a princess. The costume she's wearing is one my mom made on a whim. She found a cute pattern and made it up. Oh, the madness! Brandon decided to be Anakin Skywalker again. (Sorry about the blurry picture, we were in a hurry to get to school.) They were so cute and we had a great time going out trick-or-treating!

Ro-de-o

On September 17, 2009 (yep, 2009, that's how behind I am) my mom bought us tickets for the ro-de-o (that's how my dad says it, so it just caught on). We had so much fun! We sat right behind the kids' dentist. Right after we showed up, they headed up to buy snow cones and bought for our kids too. How nice, huh?! We think it was actually a ploy to give our kids more cavities so he could have a little more business. And guess what, his ploy worked! Last month at her visit, Kendal had two little cavities. Curses!

We had a great time and the kids loved seeing the horses. Thanks Meema and Papa for the fun!

It's called a "Snow Cone Hangover".

Mom and Brandon

Mom and Dad

Meema (Often mistaken for my sister. What does that say about me?) and Papa

Enthralled in her snow cone. Doesn't get much better than that!

Brandon's Baptism

I was looking through some pictures in Picasa trying to find something to blog about and found this picture. I never wrote about Brandon's baptism and I wish I had done it sooner.



It was an amazing day and Brandon was so excited. Grandma gave the opening prayer and Papa gave the closing prayer. His teachers, Brother Para and Brother Yates gave the talks on baptism and the holy ghost. They did an awesome job and Brandon was so excited that they had done that for him. After the talks, he ran for the font, so excited to be taking this next step. I'm so thankful for a son who wants to live the gospel, who wants to be a true disciple of Christ, and who wants to share the joy that he feels with others. He's a wonderful example of selflessness, service, and love for those around him. I'm so proud that he made the decision to be baptized. What a wonderful choice!

After he was baptized we headed back to the chapel, which was filled like a sacrament meeting with friends and family who love Brandon, for the talk on the Holy Ghost. After the talk, Derek confirmed Brandon. It was a beautiful blessing full of promises for a wonderful future. What an amazing man Brandon is going to grow up to be!

After we were finished, we headed over to my parents house for a big baptism celebration. I wish I had pictures, I was a little scatterbrained, of the fun we had with family and friends. There had to be over 60 people there! What an amazing moment for all of us to see the love and support that we have. Not only in our family, but the many wonderful friends we have. We are so truly blessed! Thanks so much to everyone for coming, supporting, and loving us. We love you all!

Celebrating!

We're celebrating!! Why, you ask? Well, this dude with the mohawk and rockin' shirt just won the geography challenge for his grade! Now it's on to the district competition at the end of March. Way to go Brandon!