The Loop

On Saturday Braxton played in his first football game of the season. He did such a great job! He is playing Center for the offense and Nose Guard for the defense. Unfortunately his team lost 10-18 but he did a really good job. After the game Tevita decided to take us on a little trip. Our kids had never been to Bryce Canyon so we did the loop. We started out in Richfield and went to Bryce Canyon and then went on the Boulder mountain. Then we were in Wayne County and then home. The whole trip took us about 7 hours. We had a great time and enjoyed showing the kids some new country. We honked the horn in the tunnel in Red Canyon. When I was a little girl that was my favorite thing to do. I guess I didn't make it as fun for my kids as my parents and grandparents did because they thought I was kind of silly for doing that. It was really fun to show the kids where my mom and grandparents spent a lot of their lives. I probably got some of the stories mixed up but I tried. Times like that I really wish my mom was still here. I would have loved to have her there with us to show the kids all her childhood places. The kids saw the museaum and wanted to stop and see. It was a really fun experience for all of us. There was some really cool animals there. We really enjoyed looking at all the butterflies. We were able to go outside and feed the deer. Lia was really scared that she was going to get bit by the deer. I was really afraid that we were going to be attacked by the chickens. Tevita had to come and hold my hand and walk me inside the fence because I was so scared. But it all worked out. We didn't get attacked and Lia overcame her fear and fed the deer. We had such a great time and it was so fun to have all of us all together.

Sipola's Birthday

Friday August 13, 2010 was Sipola's 7th birthday. She woke up and was so excited. She woke her sisters up so they could wish her a Happy Birthday. Then she called and asked if she could spend the day with me. So I came and got her and she spent the day at work with me. One of her friends called so she got to go play. Then Grandpa Rod wanted to take her to her first rodeo. So we all went to the rodeo. Sipola loves horses and loved spending time at the rodeo where she was able to see all kinds of different horses. She also got to watch the fireworks. They were pretty good. Aunt D put her name in at the radio station and she won the birthday cake. She was so excited about that. Unfortunately, the cake got eaten before I could get a picture. When we picked up the cake the lady told her it was her own cake and she could do whatever she wanted with it. She did exactly that! She gave each one of us a piece and then she spent the next two days eating it.:) Good thing it was one of those really small round ones! Sipola is such a good girl. She loves spending quality time with each one of her family members. She espcially loves watching the baby. It is hard to believe how fast she is growing up! We love you Sipola and hope you had a very Happy Birthday!!!

Our Son

Today I need to write about our son. He is not perfect. He makes mistakes. He sometimes talks back. But he is our first born son that would do anything for anybody. He would give the shirt off his back to somebody in need. He holds doors open for ladies. When he pays his tithing he pays one extra dollar for the Book of Mormon fund and one extra dollar for the Missionary fund. He wakes up every morning at 7 so he can take care of his baby brother while I get ready for work. I tell him that he doesn't have to do that and his response is, "Dad works hard every night and doesn't get home until way late. Let him sleep for a while and I will take care of my brother." I am not writing this to brag about my son. I am writing this so that when he reads it he will know exactly how I feel. There are times when Braxton does make mistakes and he feels bad about them. But he is really such a great kid. There is a reason he is our first born son. He is such a great leader. He loves learning. He loves helping. He loves working. He just recently attended a football camp. There was a coach from the University of Utah there. Brax said he didn't really know how to act since he loves BYU so much. I told him to give it his best and show the U coach what a great kid he is. Well, Brax went above and beyond. He did so well that the coach named him "Man of the camp". Brax pushed himself so hard. He never gave up. He ran so much and hard. He has been teaching his team the Haka. He is having such a great time. He loves playing and loves helping the other kids. He has been being such a great example to his buddies. He even had one of his less active friends ask if he could come and go to church with him. Braxton was so excited! Anyways, I could go on and on about our oldest son. But I know that it would make him blush! Braxton I love you so much. Thank you for always being such a strong boy. Thank you for all your help. Thank you for always understanding. Thank you for always taking care of your siblings. We love you son!