Branson and his first jersey

Can someone turn up the 80's music?

Hail in aug. Big

A HUGE touchdown for Branson!!

Branson has been in football camp/tryouts all week and found out last night that he made the "A2 team". For all of us with little football knowledge...this means that there are so many kids that try-out for juniors (age14) that they have to split them up onto 3 different teams. Usually when you haven't played before you get put onto the "B team" and then play against kids from other schools that are your same level. This is Bran's first year playing and he did NOT want to be put on the "B team". He worked soooo hard all summer, got up early in the morning to lift weights with the high school players and was really determined.to make the good juniors team. We are so proud of him and how dedicated he has been. I think we have another Doug Linde on our hands and we coudn't be happier!

Football, Youth Conference, soccer, school, Twins driving? am I really 40?

 Branson's first full pad practice was tonight.  I snuck over and watched him.  He fits right in and doesn't admit that it is his first year when the coaches ask all who is playing their first year.  funny.  But he does well and loves the contact.  He is trying to play running back and linebacker.  He does well at running with the ball and avoiding tackles but he is just learning the basics of how to approach and hit someone with the ball.  He does well or better than most of the kids that have played for years so he will be fine.  Funny thing, he is trying to fit in the Medium helmet, his head is the max for the medium, just a little tight, so we took out the crown pad and ran over it with the car and let it sit on the pad all night.  It helped!   his head is 22" circumference, mine is 24".  22 is the max recommended head size for the medium.   We will see.  He is so much  more excited about football than I ever was.  Its exciting to see him so focused.  He does so much better when he focuses and spends his energy on something  he loves.
Madi went to youth conference in Manti.  Just the boys this week..  Soccer started again for Ry.  He loves it and wants to play football.  "not till he is 9 grade as far as im concerned",
Rylan has grown almost 1 Inch in 3.5 weeks on the Growth Hormone therapy.  He is so excited and is really planning on passing his peers up.  it took him almost 2 years to grow 1 inch before we started the therapy.   His little 50 pound body has no fat on it.  I can see every muscle and bone in his body.  I think the hormone therapy is giving him appetite and his metabolism is causing him to burn the little fat he did have and muscle has replaced it.  Twins start driving in 3 months.  Good thing they have to be with us and we dont have to insure them till they are 16 when they actually get a license.  Insurance will triple my policy.  Looks like they will have to have a job to pay the $100 per kid per month it would cost to insure them if they want to drive when 16.
Really hit me tonight playing ball at the ward.  I asked all 11 guys there if anyone was 40 or older,  NONE OF THEM!!  I am...  I feel like I look like them... They are 29-35 and all my neighbors.  Dang.  Age is such a mind trip.      and yes its 1a.m/ and this is normal for me.  I dont sleep much anymore.  3 hours, then awake singing songs in my head, then back to bed for another 2 hours.  I think I am going through MANopause.    Testosterone is low or gone, my big head is losing hair on the top.  I might get through this year without having to bic it.    So I must lose the remaining weight so I am not Bald and Fat.   peace out
Brett

Good News update

Angi was offered a job this morning with Aetna Insurance as an Ask a Nurse type job.  She is super excited and also has another potential offer from St. Marks for something similar to what she was doing there before her surgery.  The kids are excited for her and so am I.  Thanks to all for the support and kind help you all have offered over this last year.  It has been the toughest of times and we hope to come out of it stronger and better for it.

Lake Powell

Lake Powell went well.  The boys went down on Tuesday and the girls came down on Thursday.  We stayed till sunday evening.  The weather was some of the best we have seen at Powell.  90-93 until Saturday night, then the rain came all night and most of Sunday but no major storms.  Rylan became a fisherman spending all his time catching cat, carp, bluegill, bass.  He had a ball.  Angi is looking for work that fits her mobility and skills.  Some good prospects so we should see her working soon.  The garden is a  joke this year.  My only success was 3 squash plants that were excelling but then were attacked by squash bugs and 2 may be obliterated.  The tomato plants in the containers are not doing good at all, no growth.  Time to scratch and try another year. Not my year for growing things.  Oh beets, we do have a couple rows of beets.  School and schedules are going to kick in here in a couple weeks. Dance, Football and Soccer this fall so we will be busy.
Hope all are doing well! peace