Oops . . . I was wrong, again!

I learned just today that Bryant was given a CD of pictures from the canoe trip from which to make a Court of Honor slide slow for tonight. What? Actual photo evidence from that crazy trip?!

So basically, the purpose of this post is to add a few pictures (that I convinced myself were nonexistent), and to admit that I was wrong, again!

Bryant and/or Christian are in each of these pics . . . see if you can pick them out.

Eagle Scouts

You know it's something good when the post starts out like this:

The lovely Lissie flanked on each side with
two of our Eagle Scouts, Christian and Bryant

You may be wondering about the darkness of Christian's skin . . . well, Lissie's been wondering if maybe he's adopted. But really, he just got back last Saturday from a week in the Swiss Alps and mountain sun. That explains it!

We scurried around after we got back from Switzerland to finish our preparations for the Eagle Court of Honor that was to be held the next day for Bryant and his good friend, Matthew Steffen.

Here are the honorees:

We are so proud of both of them!

Christian and Aaron, the fine big brothers, were the emcees for the program. Here is Christian leading the boys in the Eagle promise:

Here they are in the "Eagle's Nest" with their awards, certificates and specially flown-in-Afghanistan (thanks to Br. Steffen) flags:

The beautiful congratulatory cake and other yummies . . .

Congratulatory Kisses!

The parents were all given some time to tell about how scouting had helped to build character and leadership in their boys. Among other things, I gave examples of how some of the tenets of the scout law are evident in Bryant's life -- How he worked and saved to buy his own Apple Computer which was no small feat for a 14-year-old boy (Thrifty). How I have only ever known him to get truly angry one time -- and it had something to do with his new computer! (Cheerful). How he has a love for people of all ages, and a love for animals too. Just ask him about his cat! (Friendly). How he taught me more faith and humility last winter when we were fasting for Jillian's new little baby. I had suggested that he and the other kids break their fast before they went to the stake dance that evening. (I was worried that they would get sick.) But he said to me, "Mom, we can't break our fast. This is for a baby! And he fasted until he returned home later that night, around 11:30 p.m. And that baby is now thriving! (Kind, Reverent).

Dad talked on how some of these characteristics are inherent in Bryant, and how he appreciates scouting for how it helps to develop righteous leaders.

Here we are with our newest Eagle Scout:

It is an honor and a joy for us to be his parents.

The River ROCKS!

While Christian and Tracy were at Camp Helaman at Kandersteg, I offered to take Bryant and two of his friends, Matthew and Jared, to a campsite just 20 minutes away from Kandersteg -- in Frutigen, Switzerland (Okay, well I slept in the car, but the boys were in a tent!). They were all for it even though I told them that the weather forecast was for rain -- and lots of it! But we were pleasantly surprised when we had only partly cloudy days and a little bit of rain . . . I think the rain found its way up to Kandersteg though! They were rained out for a couple of days.

The Frutigen campground offered free bike rental in case the boys wanted to go exploring, but they were mostly content to play down by the river -- all they needed was a little mud, water, and river ROCKS!

Here are the boys on the first night. They were just getting ready to build a fire with some wet wood and a little drizzle . . . they gave up when the drizzle turned to steady rain.

More attempts at a campfire . . .

They spent all of Friday morning building rock "kingdoms" complete with moats, towers and waterways.

The proud princes and their "kingdoms."

The campsite also had free internet so the boys watched a movie the first night (while it was raining). This didn't pan out for the second night though since they had drained the batteries on the laptop. I happened to unwittingly drain the battery on the car too (Hey, I was doing my homework!) so the camp owner gave our 2005 Toyota Sienna a jump start with his WWII Jeep -- He proudly informed us that it was 60 years old! We should have taken a picture because it was quite the sight.

It was a pleasure to be back in Switzerland even if it was only for a few days . . . such beautiful mountains, lakes, rivers . . . and camping buddies!

Piano Pleasures

We couldn't be more pleased with our piano teacher, Emma Patterson. She is amazingly accomplished on both the piano and cello (she has a Master's in Cello Performance from BYU), but what I love most about her is her upbeat, yet down-to-earth, personality. We have never had a better music teacher and we're so blessed to have her for one more year. Here she is with Lissie and Bryant after the performances. So lovely!


Their recital was last Saturday, and as their mother I could watch the performance recordings over and over and over again . . . but I don't expect anyone else to have such motherly inclinations about any of my children's accomplishments. Thus, I will only post the highlights -- Lissie playing the first movement of Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven



and Bryant playing a duet with Matthew Steffen called In der Halle des Bergkoenigs by Edvard Grieg.

The duetists -- Good job boys!

You all were spectacular!

New Bicycles(s)!

It was Bryant's 15th birthday last Friday. He decided he wanted an apple pie (instead of an ice cream cake) for his birthday dessert. Here he is right before we sang "Happy Birthday!" to him.

He also decided to buy a suit coat and a new bicycle with his birthday money. He says he likes his suit so much that he could wear it everyday. With this combination, he looks just like a missionary. So handsome!

Then on Sunday, we were privileged to get to see our friend, Joanna, with her new bicycle. It is a "cargo bike" and when I first saw it I said, "that is not a bicycle!" She actually rode it to church (about a 40 minute ride) and she was beaming! She is in love with her new cargo bicycle and I can see why. She can just place her baby, Timothy, right up front and talk to him as they explore the wonderful world together. (There's also room in the "cargo area" for her gorgeous green purse and . . . at least two or three more kids!)

I attempted to put a video of Joanna riding around the church parking lot right here . . . but obviously it didn't work. I guess I'll have to go the YouTube route (watch for a later post).

She also let Bryant and Christian go for a spin . . .

They might have been a little more wobbly than Joanna. We were a little concerned for some of the parked cars. And baby Timothy!

Here is Timothy after those two crazy rides. He doesn't talk yet, but I know what he wants to say, "MOM! Who are these crazy people and what were you thinking?"

The Fun of New Bicycles!

Passing the (Meltdown) Torch . . .

Bryant, and his good friend Matthew Steffen, both passed their Eagle boards of review last evening. It is an ending of an era for me (my scout meltdown phase) and the beginning of a new one for Bryant and Matthew -- more prestige and responsibility in their scouting careers.

Here they are before they were called in for their interviews:

Undoubtedly they are wondering what questions they will be asked and if they will be prepared with a good answer. Br. Steffen prepped them by reminding them of some of their memorable scouting experiences such as overeating (and undereating) during their cooking merit badge phase, and Bryant getting sick at the veterinary science merit badge clinic . . . how could he forget??? Tracy reminded them both not to suck on their lollipops during the meeting . . . unless, of course, they were going to share with everybody! With such wonderful fatherly advice to put them at ease, how could they not be ready to face the board?

And here they are after they have both been informed of passing:

Yeah, they definitely look a little more relaxed . . . maybe even JUBILANT!

And a few more pictures of some of the immediate fan club:

Lissie made sure to share with them one of her favorite pick up lines: "Are you a BOY SCOUT ??? . . . because you have my heart all tied up in KNOTS!"

The one thing that I will remember most fondly about this evening is how Bryant seemed to radiate goodness.
I love this kid!

The proud fathers with their sons

And one last picture . . .

Matthew and Bryant . . .

trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. What a wonderful accomplishment.
Congratulations guys!

p.s. Marie, I'm passing the scout meltdown torch down to YOU!

Turtle the Cat

Turtle, the cat, became a part of our family on Bryant's eleventh birthday. After his family birthday party that day, we told him we had one more surprise for him and we had to go together as a family to get it. We blindfolded him and then all piled into the van. We drove up the hill and AROUND and AROUND and AROUND every traffic circle . . . just so Bryant knew that adventure was part of his last surprise. We walked him up to the doorstep of a friend's house where we would be picking up Turtle, brought Bryant in to sit on the couch, and then handed him something furry, fluffy and alive! He instantly knew it was a little kitten.

He couldn't have been happier . . .

We thought Turtle was a boy cat . . . until her first check up at the vet clinic. I sent Bryant and Christian in together for the appointment while I had a short meeting outside. I will never forget how Bryant came running out of the clinic exclaiming, "MOM, GUESS WHAT?? Turtle is a GIRL!" That cat is just full of surprises.

She was already named Turtle when we got her. As a newborn she would eat so much that when she rolled over on her back she couldn't get back up again!

She pretty quickly imprinted on Bryant. We often find her curled up on Bryant's coat or cuddled up in his bed. He is definitely her favorite. I think the feeling is mutual.

One last unforgettable trait -- she comes to prayer every night without any prodding. Such a spiritual cat!

Here is Turtle, a few years later (3 1/2 years old), still getting plenty to eat

We lovingly call her a "spoiled kitty" -- she thinks she's the Queen of Everything