tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691081414935753262024-03-14T00:08:44.515-06:00All My Favoritesthe Brakey'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988681138486171635noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769108141493575326.post-60397998893773739362011-07-23T09:49:00.004-06:002011-07-23T10:22:31.753-06:00Back to blogging!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EcwFW2gr2Hc/TirxAvy3TEI/AAAAAAAABOA/dbwtcwNMXVM/s1600/Cruise%2B2011%2B095.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EcwFW2gr2Hc/TirxAvy3TEI/AAAAAAAABOA/dbwtcwNMXVM/s400/Cruise%2B2011%2B095.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632579279112326210" border="0" /></a><br />Hello....Hello? Is anyone out there? I can't believe it's been almost a year since I last blogged. The shakes and tremors from withdrawals have long since passed. I am happy to report, all is well. Well, mostly! This year has brought a few bumps in the road but we have come out of it mostly unscathed and better for it.<br /><br />Alex is entering his senior year of high school. Can you believe it? Do I look like I could have an 18 year old? I sure hope not. Even more exciting, a year from now he will be submitting his papers for a mission. Yikes! That's even more crazy. He has worked hard this summer for the Canyons School District mowing lawns and just got his first pay check. I am so proud of him. Working 40 hours a week is not an easy task, I hate it! But he has done well to get up and fix his lunch and get off to work every day.<br /><br />Kaitibug starts high school in a month. I love watching her! I love watching the beautiful young woman she is becoming. So compassionate-when she wants to be! She has been a HUGE help to me with housework and yard work. She's not quite old enough to have a job but willing to earn her keep around the house most days. She will be a licensed driver soon. Yeah, super scary. She knows she gets the truck to drive after Alex leaves on his mission. It's a reliable old thing, not the cutest. She has decided to call her "ol Bessie".<br /><br />Max starts 6th grade on Tuesday. He has our family favorite teacher, Mr. Welker. He is very excited. last fall he failed the school eye exam. I finally took him to be checked and sure enough, he needed glasses. We picked up his glasses yesterday. It's amazing how vivid the world is when you can actually see it! I know from experience! He loves the glasses. Let's hope it lasts!<br /><br />If you follow me on Facebook, you know we took a family cruise. It was so much fun to have our kids for a full week without cell phones. Though we were all glad to get home and reconnect with friends!<br /><br />I am making a personal goal to blog more over the next while. My kids certainly do have big life events coming and since this has been my only real journal for more than 8 years, I will need to keep it updated! So if your still out there fellow bloggers, look for more regular posts!the Brakey'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988681138486171635noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769108141493575326.post-71540781676872730162010-08-31T11:20:00.008-06:002010-08-31T12:21:37.811-06:00What we've been up to....Summer pics!<div align="center">Wow, it's been awhile! Let me try and get you up to speed! First, we've had a need to go private. Creepy people have left comments as well as some weird requests that I can only assume are finding us via Facebook, so with that in mind, we're going private!</div><br /><div align="center">I went to my 20 year High School Reunion! Super fun, glad I went, loved seeing my friends, hated feeling like I was back in High School again! </div><br /><div align="center">Alex is staying pretty busy. With football, his new job at Smith's and of course, his "lady friends", he doesn't have much time for us anymore! We were super proud of the Hillcrest Huskies victory of the new Herriman High! A little bit torn, since that is our team too! Alex rolled his ankle last week so he didn't get to play in the Murray game. Huge bummer! But he's ready for the Lehi Pioneers this week!</div><br /><div align="center">Kaiti, beautiful Kaiti has been busy too. We went to Girls Camp at the first of the month...good times! I think she likes it better when it doesn't rain! She's super excited to be a "freshman" this year and is staying busy with dance. She dances 3 nights a week, some as a teacher's assistant, and then her own dance classes. She getting really good and will hopefully feel ready to tryout for the Dance company at the high school next year!</div><br /><div align="center">What can I say about Max?!? Our comic relief! I had to take him to the doctor this morning. He was laying on the examing bed. It was evidently pretty comfortable because he asked, "What is this made out of....heaven?" This year he has really come into his own with football. He plays defense and I have been so impressed. He has turned into a tough little defensive machine! He 'z-down' to play with kids his own size. He's the oldest on his team. But this year he'll be a standout and get to play! I sure hope he starts growing though! </div><br /><div align="center">Troy starts Fall semester tonight...uggh! He only has a couple more. We know it will be worth it but it sure is hard! He does his best to get to Max's practice to coach and to Alex's football games. Who knew being a parent would be this hard?</div><br /><div align="center">I am taking on more responsibility at work. I was appointed to the Quality of Work Life Committee Chair. That means meetings and travel! I'm okay with the travel, the meetings, well I guess as long as they are paying me! I did get a nice raise! Hooray, now maybe I can afford the lifestyle my kids think they deserve! </div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">All is well at the Brakey house. Busy is the norm, wouldn't have it any other way! Below are some of my favorite pics of the summer!</div><div align="center"> </div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/TH1DFesforI/AAAAAAAABLQ/ZUgBTK6nRPg/s1600/falj+060.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511635280389448370" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/TH1DFesforI/AAAAAAAABLQ/ZUgBTK6nRPg/s400/falj+060.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a>Trying to stay warm at Lagoon!</p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/TH1DEq0e8jI/AAAAAAAABLI/7F15XRbe97U/s1600/falj+056.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511635266464313906" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/TH1DEq0e8jI/AAAAAAAABLI/7F15XRbe97U/s400/falj+056.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a>Hoping one day I'll take a picture that I can stand to look at later-I'm just not photogenic!</p><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/TH1DEVRgZyI/AAAAAAAABLA/ibHANkQh3ps/s1600/falj+057.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511635260680464162" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/TH1DEVRgZyI/AAAAAAAABLA/ibHANkQh3ps/s400/falj+057.JPG" /></a> Look out! She's turning 15 and can't wait for the learner's permit!</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/TH1DD4WK6PI/AAAAAAAABK4/TPJBInWyhU8/s1600/falj+041.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511635252915398898" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/TH1DD4WK6PI/AAAAAAAABK4/TPJBInWyhU8/s400/falj+041.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/TH1CCebzVAI/AAAAAAAABKs/zA7ek6M9wIw/s1600/IMG_3839.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511634129268200450" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/TH1CCebzVAI/AAAAAAAABKs/zA7ek6M9wIw/s400/IMG_3839.JPG" /></a> My 5k Race this year in Henefer...I talked Alex, McKay, Tyson and Wade into running it too!</div><div align="center"><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/TH1CCPXvDSI/AAAAAAAABKk/jk65xRtLScc/s1600/IMG_3869.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511634125224611106" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/TH1CCPXvDSI/AAAAAAAABKk/jk65xRtLScc/s400/IMG_3869.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/TH1CBfh1e4I/AAAAAAAABKc/u-qKcaYBtII/s1600/IMG_3868.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511634112382073730" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/TH1CBfh1e4I/AAAAAAAABKc/u-qKcaYBtII/s400/IMG_3868.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div>Troy and Max went for a ride to the "H" in Henefer! Max loved the go cart!</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/TH1CBFSdOCI/AAAAAAAABKU/9pUa5ozEPYE/s1600/IMG_3854.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511634105338247202" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/TH1CBFSdOCI/AAAAAAAABKU/9pUa5ozEPYE/s400/IMG_3854.JPG" /></a>We worked hard and played harder!</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/TH1CAERqilI/AAAAAAAABKM/o_9oKbTkOrM/s1600/IMG_3841.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511634087886621266" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/TH1CAERqilI/AAAAAAAABKM/o_9oKbTkOrM/s400/IMG_3841.JPG" /></a> Max and Kambrie!</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/TH1A3o41L_I/AAAAAAAABKA/Qgq0SpD-rqY/s1600/IMG_3571.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511632843584122866" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/TH1A3o41L_I/AAAAAAAABKA/Qgq0SpD-rqY/s400/IMG_3571.JPG" /></a>The Stud!</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/TH1A2_OUZlI/AAAAAAAABJ4/ypxsGt1g7nI/s1600/IMG_3920.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511632832399959634" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/TH1A2_OUZlI/AAAAAAAABJ4/ypxsGt1g7nI/s400/IMG_3920.JPG" /></a>Good times at Youth Conference!</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/TH1A2WTdJvI/AAAAAAAABJw/_Dm5Bl5ocTo/s1600/IMG_3886.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511632821415651058" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/TH1A2WTdJvI/AAAAAAAABJw/_Dm5Bl5ocTo/s400/IMG_3886.JPG" /></a>Bobbie and Alex's "Blue Steal" look</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/TH1A14KclbI/AAAAAAAABJo/Xx3EpHiviPI/s1600/IMG_3882.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511632813324801458" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/TH1A14KclbI/AAAAAAAABJo/Xx3EpHiviPI/s400/IMG_3882.JPG" /></a>Cute Kaitibug!</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/TH1A1cfxSQI/AAAAAAAABJg/g513CC56Dos/s1600/IMG_3925.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511632805898045698" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/TH1A1cfxSQI/AAAAAAAABJg/g513CC56Dos/s400/IMG_3925.JPG" /></a>Kaiti and Megan-Megan wanted a nice pic of her hair blowing in the wind!<br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div></div>the Brakey'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988681138486171635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769108141493575326.post-6479185821999476522010-05-16T23:01:00.005-06:002010-05-17T00:34:10.796-06:00A RE-RUN!!Okay so I'm sitting here at work, have to work in the center for a bit. Good because it's kinda a promotion, bad because I work at Jetblue to work from home!!! Anyway got a little bored and was looking through my previous posts. It's interesting how things have changed in just 2 years so I'm rerunning my CRAZY EIGHTS!!! If you find it inspirational....by all means do the same!!!<br /><br /><br />8 TV SHOWS I LOVE TO WATCH<br /><ol><li>GLEE-I love this show!!! </li><li>Survivor</li><li>Amazing Race</li><li>Project Runway</li><li>What Not to Wear</li><li>The Office</li><li>30 Rock</li><li>Biggest Loser</li></ol><p>8 Favorite Restaurants</p><ol><li>Cafe Rio</li><li>Chili's</li><li>Bajio</li><li>Winger's-Aleen introduced me to the sticky finger salad and now I'm addicted!</li><li>Cheesecake Factory-though I haven't' been in ages</li><li>PF Chang's-again haven't been FOREVER!</li><li>Riverton baseball snack shack-not really a fav, just one I frequent-a lot!</li><li>Einstein's Bagels</li></ol><p>8 Things that happened Yesterday</p><ol><li>Worked</li><li>- 8. SLEPT</li></ol><p>8 Things I'm looking forward to</p><ol><li>Kaiti's dance competition this weekend</li><li>Alex's baseball banquet</li><li>Max's baseball games</li><li>school to get out for all of them</li><li>family vacation-planning on Cancun!</li><li>a raise and promotion at work</li><li>much needed hair cut and color</li><li>running again</li></ol><p>8 Things on my Wish List</p><ol><li>To lose a few pounds</li><li>vacation</li><li>Healthy, happy kids</li><li>kids who appreciate me</li><li>a shopping spree</li><li>a clean house-someone else to do it!</li><li>a money tree</li><li>my children's book to be published!</li></ol><p>8 People I tag....</p><p>I'll leave that up to you. I will say this, it was really hard this time. Hard to be clever and hard to come up with things to wish for. I have to say I'm pretty content right now. There are a couple things I can check off from my last list though, finished painting Max's room. It turned out super nice. I got a new washer and dryer set that I absolutely LOVE!!!! I got a new car (new to me) and a new truck (again, new to us!) </p><p>What more could I ask for??? Probably plenty, but right now I'm pretty thankful to be in a good place! </p>the Brakey'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988681138486171635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769108141493575326.post-84210569161704491092010-04-03T11:06:00.008-06:002010-04-04T21:11:04.494-06:00All she wants to do is dance, dance!!!<div align="center">I love this time of year! I love the world being reborn, I love General Conference, the earth getting warmer-although I'm anxiously waiting for that! But mostly, I love to take time with Kaiti. Every March we head down to St. George. We counted, she's been dancing with the Miller's for 7 years! Amazing. As a team they have come so far and they are SOO GOOD! This year was no different. This year they competed on the Champion level. The only level higher is Pro. When the music started Becky, Shelly, Jen and I started too! We screamed, whistled and cheered! Those beautiful girls were awesome. Their precision was fantastic, it matched the music perfectly. Hard choreography. Based on my description it's clear I have zero dance skills! But I can definitely appreciate a good performance, and this truly was one!<br />There has been a lot of drama this year, changes and ups and downs. But the girls put that aside and danced their hearts out! It's the same every year. I try to fight back the tears, some days are better than others. When the scores came back, they girls were elated!!! First place! </div><div align="center">I love her! I'm not going to lie, teenage girls are difficult! I know because I was one! My mom promised me I would have one just like me-and I did! I loved Elder Ballard's talk today! I pray that I am the kind of mother she can learn from. I know my skills are limited-particularly my domestic skills! But I'm certain my Father in Heaven sent her to me for a purpose and I hope I can teach her all he would have her know! She is stronger, funnier and definitely cuter than I was at her age! I had some seriously "awkward" years! Most recently we have come to truly appreciate her cute personality. She is so funny and I just love her. So here are some highlights of my cute Kaitibug! I think she is coming to hate her nickname but I just can't help myself! You'll always be my Kaitibug! </div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S7eBS3Oq0cI/AAAAAAAAA8s/CoRN6LeBhVg/s1600/IMG_3457.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455971634645750210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S7eBS3Oq0cI/AAAAAAAAA8s/CoRN6LeBhVg/s400/IMG_3457.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>Our sweet new ride!<br /></p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S7eA8ceRciI/AAAAAAAAA8k/XLPyv8AXju8/s1600/IMG_3461.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455971249506316834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S7eA8ceRciI/AAAAAAAAA8k/XLPyv8AXju8/s400/IMG_3461.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>This pic was for Troy! He's totally into Dave Ramsey's stuff and we had a whole FHE on it so Kaiti took this billboard pic just for him!<br /></p><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S7eA7zlwUnI/AAAAAAAAA8c/oRwn2u8AGXw/s1600/IMG_3493.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455971238531846770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S7eA7zlwUnI/AAAAAAAAA8c/oRwn2u8AGXw/s400/IMG_3493.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Last minute run through!</div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S7eA7WqpQxI/AAAAAAAAA8U/TQ3w6A9D5EU/s1600/IMG_3492.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455971230767727378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S7eA7WqpQxI/AAAAAAAAA8U/TQ3w6A9D5EU/s400/IMG_3492.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S7eA6uefhhI/AAAAAAAAA8M/rc-RFojsu0Y/s1600/IMG_3500.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455971219979339282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S7eA6uefhhI/AAAAAAAAA8M/rc-RFojsu0Y/s400/IMG_3500.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S7eA5yy-K-I/AAAAAAAAA8E/5_Y9yIQ74Ac/s1600/IMG_3498.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455971203959106530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S7eA5yy-K-I/AAAAAAAAA8E/5_Y9yIQ74Ac/s400/IMG_3498.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>The team<br /><br /><br /><br /></p>the Brakey'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988681138486171635noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769108141493575326.post-11165137170981803592010-03-07T22:31:00.008-07:002010-03-07T23:50:20.899-07:00Good Times!<div align="center">So Alex and Bobby have been friends since 6th grade. Together they are usually trouble. They do things like spill plants, make a fake bloody mess on the front porch, oh yeah, the sling shot in the back yard, fire in the garage. Good times. But I think the best thing to date was yesterday's baptism. Bobby has had the missionary discussions a number of times. In fact, his sister got baptized last fall. We love Bobby and even if he never chose to be baptized, we would love him. He recently joked that he better get baptized-it was a financial decision, because tuition at BYU is double for non-members! We have been very blessed with two of the most impressive missionaries I have seen in our stake in 10+ years. I am so grateful to them for being a good example to Alex. I think it was the end of December when they showed up at our door and ask Alex if he would challenge Bobby to be baptized. Pretty scary for 16 year old kid. We counseled Alex to fast and pray so when he met with Bobby and the Elders he would be prepared. Things must have gone well, both boys have been fairly quiet about it. So yesterday, dressed in white, they walked into the font together, best friends in the world and Alex baptized Bobby! This has been the best missionary experience I think you can have living here in the Salt Lake Valley. We have loved getting to know these cute missionaries and share this great experience with them. They are doing amazing work here. I think they have had a pretty busy month of baptisms! Anyway, these are our favorite moments from yesterday and a couple from earlier on.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S5SRQU7_oVI/AAAAAAAAA6k/6Xe8a1Sl3Jg/s1600-h/IMG_3371.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446137559082049874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S5SRQU7_oVI/AAAAAAAAA6k/6Xe8a1Sl3Jg/s400/IMG_3371.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S5SRPtArI0I/AAAAAAAAA6c/25mNNVTy3YY/s1600-h/IMG_3368.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446137548364260162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S5SRPtArI0I/AAAAAAAAA6c/25mNNVTy3YY/s400/IMG_3368.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S5SRPE9iBII/AAAAAAAAA6U/iMEiPy4jrvw/s1600-h/IMG_3367.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446137537613661314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S5SRPE9iBII/AAAAAAAAA6U/iMEiPy4jrvw/s400/IMG_3367.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S5SROsepQOI/AAAAAAAAA6M/5iSX7-0IKSY/s1600-h/IMG_3362.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446137531041661154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S5SROsepQOI/AAAAAAAAA6M/5iSX7-0IKSY/s400/IMG_3362.JPG" border="0" /></a>!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S5SRQ1H0srI/AAAAAAAAA6s/5e7jRF0st0c/s1600-h/IMG_3390.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446137567721599666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S5SRQ1H0srI/AAAAAAAAA6s/5e7jRF0st0c/s400/IMG_3390.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S5STkaxOK3I/AAAAAAAAA7U/qLPbm1iVMBo/s1600-h/IMG_3374.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446140103268117362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S5STkaxOK3I/AAAAAAAAA7U/qLPbm1iVMBo/s400/IMG_3374.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S5STj8aWaJI/AAAAAAAAA7M/q_dwqfStOtI/s1600-h/IMG_3375.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446140095119124626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S5STj8aWaJI/AAAAAAAAA7M/q_dwqfStOtI/s400/IMG_3375.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S5STjeVPGAI/AAAAAAAAA7E/ftJ8Ax5OCxY/s1600-h/IMG_3379.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446140087044610050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S5STjeVPGAI/AAAAAAAAA7E/ftJ8Ax5OCxY/s400/IMG_3379.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S5STi3lkoeI/AAAAAAAAA68/b9pK5h1TLro/s1600-h/IMG_3384.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446140076644147682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S5STi3lkoeI/AAAAAAAAA68/b9pK5h1TLro/s400/IMG_3384.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S5STibpIHcI/AAAAAAAAA60/9N8tASXohi4/s1600-h/IMG_3401.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446140069142863298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S5STibpIHcI/AAAAAAAAA60/9N8tASXohi4/s400/IMG_3401.JPG" border="0" /></a>the Brakey'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988681138486171635noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769108141493575326.post-40404130044379368322010-02-28T22:20:00.004-07:002010-02-28T23:59:58.871-07:00The Sweetest thing......<div align="center">Some days all I want is my kids to be on the same team-you know what I mean? No fighting or teasing or ganging up on the third wheel. Usually it's two against one. It could be any combination of two as well. There's no rhyme or reason to it. It could be the older ones teasing the younger one or just the opposite. But very rarely is it the same.<br />Except Sundays! Every Sunday I can count on my family doing exactly the same thing. We all race to the top of the stairs to change our clothes, but not without a little friendly push and shove. Today was no different. In fact it was alarmingly the <em>same</em>!!! </div><div align="center">When I got downstairs, Alex had made his way to the couch to settle in for a nap. Suddenly I heard Kaiti yell, "NO WAY!" I didn't see the issue at first glance but then she said, "I wore this to church, you go change!" To which Alex and Max, who was now in on the action replied, "I wore <em>this </em>to church!!!" Then I saw the problem. All my kids were wearing exactly the same thing!!!! What are the odds???? </div><div align="center"></div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S4tleGJPMaI/AAAAAAAAA6E/8Xp47d74_5g/s1600-h/IMG_3360.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443556142327214498" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S4tleGJPMaI/AAAAAAAAA6E/8Xp47d74_5g/s400/IMG_3360.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center"><div align="center">I didn't ask, but I'm certain if I did, Max would tell me that he and Alex planned it out! Just their little way of getting under Kaiti's skin. Apparently it didn't bother her too much. They spent the remainder of the day all the <em>same</em>! Ahhhh! All on the same team!</div></div>the Brakey'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988681138486171635noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769108141493575326.post-82971613517697117382010-02-14T18:06:00.003-07:002010-02-14T18:17:53.889-07:00The Big Night!<div align="center">So he hasn't said much about it, but I think he had fun! He went with a cute girl named Kaitlin-so she had to be fun, our Kaitlin is! They went and saw "Valentine's Day" then they went to dinner, the dance, bowling and dessert at one of the other girls in the group's house. Truly an all day-and I might add expensive day! </div><br /><br /><div align="center">But here are the highlights!</div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S3igQOAMRDI/AAAAAAAAA50/ObHoFUmoIJU/s1600-h/IMG_3354.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438272750547125298" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S3igQOAMRDI/AAAAAAAAA50/ObHoFUmoIJU/s400/IMG_3354.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center"></div></div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S3igQjvjXdI/AAAAAAAAA58/5BKYApSZmtI/s1600-h/IMG_3356.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438272756382916050" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S3igQjvjXdI/AAAAAAAAA58/5BKYApSZmtI/s400/IMG_3356.JPG" /></a>the Brakey'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988681138486171635noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769108141493575326.post-61591373763281785772010-02-09T13:54:00.005-07:002010-02-13T13:26:01.920-07:00Awwww! Sweet Hearts Ball!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S3cKb4On1EI/AAAAAAAAA5s/cSJvZFCOfBk/s1600-h/IMG_3293.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S3cKb4On1EI/AAAAAAAAA5s/cSJvZFCOfBk/s400/IMG_3293.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437826549139625026" /></a><br /><div>So Alex got asked to the Sweet Hearts Ball. This cute girl from the drill team left a plate of heart-shaped cookies on the front door with his name, Sweethearts and a big questions mark decorating the cookies. So this is how we decided to answer! </div><br /><div><br />First we got a beautiful fish. We put red rocks on the bottom of the bowl and then wrote out Yes in white rocks. Then we attached this poem to the bowl:</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div align="center">So this babe left some cookies</div><br /><div align="center">Right on my front door!</div><br /><div align="center">The cookies were so tasty, </div><br /><div align="center">I thought, "I've got to have some more!"</div><br /><div align="center">So I'd love to go to Sweet Hearts</div><br /><div align="center">but not just 'cuz you bake,</div><br /><div align="center">Mostly cuz, of all the fish,</div><br /><div align="center">You're the one I'd love to take!</div><br /><div align="center"> </div><br /><div align="center"> </div><br /><div align="left">It's been kinda fun having a teenagers-if only for stuff like this! This is really the only fun part. The every day stuff, like sassing, bad choices, laziness....that's all pretty ugly! But some days are better than others I guess! </div><br /><div align="center"> </div>the Brakey'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988681138486171635noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769108141493575326.post-4179885671668583442010-01-09T12:33:00.003-07:002010-01-09T12:51:27.366-07:00Already sick of snow!!!<div align="center">Isn't it weird how the temperature outside feels so much colder than before Christmas, yet is it exactly the same? How can I kick the winter time blues? If you have a suggestion <em>please </em>tell me what you've got, 'cuz I just might not make it to Spring!<br />The kids don't seem to mind it! Alex has gone snowboarding a couple times, Max has been sledding. We had our cousins stay with us during the Christmas break, and they all jumped on the snowy trampoline. I'm just not feelin' it though! As I look out at the bleak inversion, I am more and more convinced that when we retire, it will be to somewhere WARM!!!!!</div><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S0jdguevekI/AAAAAAAAA5c/eEtwumqCK0g/s1600-h/080.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424829305470286402" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S0jdguevekI/AAAAAAAAA5c/eEtwumqCK0g/s320/080.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S0jdgaogQjI/AAAAAAAAA5U/CyCsdbILfOY/s1600-h/085.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424829300142522930" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/S0jdgaogQjI/AAAAAAAAA5U/CyCsdbILfOY/s320/085.JPG" /></a>the Brakey'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988681138486171635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769108141493575326.post-12836150254959269222009-12-26T19:02:00.002-07:002009-12-26T19:13:45.515-07:00A Brakey Family Christmas<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/SzbA9FO5SRI/AAAAAAAAA4c/bwhiXLd7hvk/s1600-h/140.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419731357196175634" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/SzbA9FO5SRI/AAAAAAAAA4c/bwhiXLd7hvk/s400/140.JPG" /></a>These are the Brakey Boys! Trying their best to challenge the strength of the Stud, Alex!</div><br /><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/SzbA1S6nNsI/AAAAAAAAA4U/T-XKcoepUbw/s1600-h/122.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419731223430248130" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/SzbA1S6nNsI/AAAAAAAAA4U/T-XKcoepUbw/s400/122.JPG" /></a> This was Kaiti's attempt to turn me into a super model! Although she gave great direction, just like Tyra would, there really is only so much that can be done.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/SzbA1KoE-TI/AAAAAAAAA4M/es8gTImbvC8/s1600-h/132.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419731221205023026" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/SzbA1KoE-TI/AAAAAAAAA4M/es8gTImbvC8/s400/132.JPG" /></a> Ryan and Troy rocckin' out....Alex is on drums. Neither Ryan or Troy are coordinated enough to rock the drums!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/SzbA0-GNukI/AAAAAAAAA4E/q0DanAmn6Xg/s1600-h/109.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419731217841764930" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/SzbA0-GNukI/AAAAAAAAA4E/q0DanAmn6Xg/s400/109.JPG" /></a><br />I love this picture! The other night, Max and I were at Kaiti's dance recital. Kaiti was in the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies with the little kids! Max loved it! He turned to me and said, "I just love that Kaiti!" </div></div></div>the Brakey'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988681138486171635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769108141493575326.post-60805740081506018722009-11-13T12:32:00.005-07:002009-11-13T13:39:53.260-07:00Too long.......<div align="center">It's been awhile since I blogged, we have stayed pretty darn busy! But I thought I'd show off a few pictures! </div><div align="center">Halloween was a little lonely for me and Troy! Kaiti went off with her girlfriends, Alex went to a party and Max went Trick or Treating with Bo and Brooklyn. Troy was okay with that though. Then he could watch the Yankees came uninteruppted!!! </div><div align="center">It's a little weird-Halloween is, when you don't have little kids to dress up in cute costumes, but we did our best! </div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sv2_Ina59jI/AAAAAAAAA20/74dIfcyw7ys/s1600-h/163.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403685282656155186" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sv2_Ina59jI/AAAAAAAAA20/74dIfcyw7ys/s400/163.JPG" /><br /><p align="center"></a>Here's our Super Girl (s)!<br /></p><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sv2_IHd1q0I/AAAAAAAAA2s/zxsyJyWHNkI/s1600-h/150.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403685274078522178" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sv2_IHd1q0I/AAAAAAAAA2s/zxsyJyWHNkI/s400/150.JPG" /></a> Alex thought it would be funny to be a cheerleader!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sv2_HqqpTJI/AAAAAAAAA2k/TkuOEHZbQyY/s1600-h/148.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403685266347609234" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sv2_HqqpTJI/AAAAAAAAA2k/TkuOEHZbQyY/s400/148.JPG" /></a><br />But not before trying on Max's StarWars Trooper costume from last year!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sv2_Hd1SaSI/AAAAAAAAA2c/1IlRJd22vRI/s1600-h/147.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403685262902585634" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sv2_Hd1SaSI/AAAAAAAAA2c/1IlRJd22vRI/s400/147.JPG" /></a><br />Darling!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sv2_G8dq_wI/AAAAAAAAA2U/XzCQBVJLZJs/s1600-h/045.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403685253945163522" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sv2_G8dq_wI/AAAAAAAAA2U/XzCQBVJLZJs/s400/045.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><br /><p align="center">Max is D Track so he tracked off a couple weeks before Halloween. I hadn't heard anything about whether or not they would be doing a party so when Bo and Brooklyn came dressed up that last morning before they tracked off in their cute costumes, I panicked! We literally threw this together within minutes so he would have a costume. This is why I hate Halloween. Growing up I always felt like a dork with the dumb costume and I have never wanted my kids to feel the way I did. Max didn't seem to care that his costume was his football uniform! We just threw on a black eye to make it look a little better! It was pretty real looking too! Everyone at Football practice thought it was real!<br /><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sv3BQCZGwAI/AAAAAAAAA3E/S3xkEtDD7tg/s1600-h/161.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403687609178701826" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sv3BQCZGwAI/AAAAAAAAA3E/S3xkEtDD7tg/s400/161.JPG" /></a> On Halloween night's party, Meckell's dad didn't like the idea of Alex being the cheerleader and Meckell being the qback! And of course you can't keep Max out of any picture!</p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sv3BPpOD3gI/AAAAAAAAA28/RXEnXio5Mso/s1600-h/152.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403687602421489154" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sv3BPpOD3gI/AAAAAAAAA28/RXEnXio5Mso/s400/152.JPG" /></a><br /><p align="center">Alex and his friends-the night before Halloween. They went to another party. Hunter is an Ultimate Fighter, Bobby is Nacho Libre-ore stretchy pants of course, and the two girls (whose names I can't remember!)</p>the Brakey'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988681138486171635noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769108141493575326.post-15648492850218981762009-09-13T22:54:00.002-06:002009-09-13T23:19:35.791-06:00So a priest walks into a bar....<div align="center">Okay, I really don't have a funny joke and if I did, I'd mess it up! I don't even have a picture to go with this post, which I know is like blogging suicide! I just wanted to take a minute to say thanks to my friends who are finally blogging again! I love my job, I really do! But I get so bored late at night and it's the perfect time to blog and catch up! </div><div align="center">And just for the record......the chairs I bought are blue. I am not making a statement, though Troy is as blue as they come! I hope the best for both teams but I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">definitely</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">think</span> the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Utes</span> got robbed last year!!!</div>the Brakey'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988681138486171635noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769108141493575326.post-49534076681337710712009-09-03T14:33:00.002-06:002009-09-03T14:51:12.571-06:00Runnin' Utes Red or True Blue BYU?<div align="center">So today I was on a search for stadium chairs. Mine has seen it's last ball game and Troy never had one-because he's always coaching. I went to Sports Authority they had nothing. The salesman suggested I go to the Sports Chalet. Off I went. I looked all over the store and just wasn't finding the kind I was looking for. Then out of nowhere, a large <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Polynesian</span> sales associate who, by the way was wearing a U of U shirt, asked if he could help me find something. I told him I was in search for really good stadium chairs. He said he had some U of U chairs and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">BYU</span> chairs and started back across the store. I followed him thinking I had already been to that end of the store when he stopped right in front of them. I picked up a chair. I was looking it over for quality and wondering if they would be comfy or not when I heard him say, "Oh, sorry-looks like we only have one blue one left." </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Now, I'm thinking, what is it about me that makes me look like a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">BYU</span> fan? Why would he make the assumption that I couldn't possibly love the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Runnin</span>' Utes? At any rate, as he walked around the stand he found another blue seat and brought it back to me when he noticed I had picked up and was looking a red chair, and just said, "Oh!" and walked away. Weird! </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">So tell me, do I look like a Ute fan or do I look like a Cougar fan? What exactly does a Ute or Cougar fan look like? And more importantly, which color did I buy?</div>the Brakey'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988681138486171635noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769108141493575326.post-27414805389223717242009-08-25T21:21:00.004-06:002009-08-25T23:28:02.329-06:00"If it's too loud....well, you know the rest!"<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/SpTEhwwRakI/AAAAAAAAA1A/Jn3BCe_jj0Q/s1600-h/IMG_2296.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 216px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374136339661941314" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/SpTEhwwRakI/AAAAAAAAA1A/Jn3BCe_jj0Q/s320/IMG_2296.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center">In recent months, I have been spending an awful lot of time in the car. Traveling to and from dance, baseball, football and school-AND IT'S SUMMER!!!! </div><br /><div align="center">Our rides in the car wouldn't be complete without a some music. I used to think I was the boss of the car stereo. Isn't that the way it's supposed to work? The driver is the DJ? The Driver gets to pick what song we listen to? At any rate, I no longer have the "power of the dial". To be honest, most times I don't mind their music. In fact I like Secondhand Serenade or Katy Perry and I love Pink. But when your trying to have a conversation and the music is drowning you out, it's gets a little frustrating. </div><br /><div align="center">Tonight was one such night. I'd like to think I'm hip and cool. I'd like to think I'm still 17. At least I am in my head! Tonight my world was shattered when my loving daughter uttered those dreadful words, "if it's too loud..." she started then quickly realized she may have said too much, "well, you know the rest!" she muttered under her breath.</div><br /><div align="center">Not only was the the music too loud tonight, but on Sunday I totally had a "mom moment". We attended the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Oquirrh</span></span></span> Mountain Temple Dedication. It was Max's Birthday. What a special treat, I thought! Not so much to the kids. I made a big deal about how important it was, that they may never have the opportunity again. When it was over I made them take this picture-holding their hankies and tickets. I think I will save them and when they are able to go to the temple I'll give them their special hankies from the temple dedication. You know, just what a mom would do!</div><br /><div align="center">No, you can't "shut off the mom"! It's too hard. I try to be cool-and most times I think I really am, but every now and then, just in case I've <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">forgotten</span>, I'm reminded if it's to loud.....</div>the Brakey'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988681138486171635noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769108141493575326.post-34876517383221989662009-08-08T13:51:00.009-06:002009-08-08T14:28:22.939-06:00That was then...this is now!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sn3YFuzR_GI/AAAAAAAAA0w/_Z78kiFd1xA/s1600-h/scan.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 279px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 326px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367683923869564002" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sn3YFuzR_GI/AAAAAAAAA0w/_Z78kiFd1xA/s400/scan.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">This is Max. August of 2003. Way back then, he wanted to be just like Alex. Every day we went to the football field and every day he would stretch with the big boys before practice. Over the years we <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">worried</span> whether Max would still want to play. He is a little on the small side and more into Pokemon than sports but this year, he decided he was ready. </div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sn3buOvBJkI/AAAAAAAAA04/rq7fh3ftGhw/s1600-h/IMG_2289.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 275px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 335px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367687918171268674" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sn3buOvBJkI/AAAAAAAAA04/rq7fh3ftGhw/s400/IMG_2289.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Here he is, stretching with Riley this last week. It's funny how a little game can change a kid! Suddenly his voice is lower, he's walking with a little strut! I can hardly wait until games start! Even if he spends more time watching the game than actually playing, this will be a great experience! </div>the Brakey'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988681138486171635noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769108141493575326.post-40400846384155234862009-07-27T14:18:00.007-06:002009-07-28T16:08:55.837-06:00EVERYONE'S A WINNER!<div align="center">Below is their triumphant return! Okay, just Kaiti's! The battery on my camera died before Alex got off the bus so I don't have a picture of him, oops!<br /><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sm912YMwJsI/AAAAAAAAA0o/2pRaP__Q1uQ/s1600-h/IMG_1974.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 197px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363635258290874050" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sm912YMwJsI/AAAAAAAAA0o/2pRaP__Q1uQ/s320/IMG_1974.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sm91v9Y0EyI/AAAAAAAAA0g/irAbiFF0k3Q/s1600-h/IMG_1980.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 302px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363635148014490402" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sm91v9Y0EyI/AAAAAAAAA0g/irAbiFF0k3Q/s320/IMG_1980.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a><br /><br />Trek was an amazing experience for both my kids! They both loved it, although for very different reasons. Alex I think more emotionally prepared for the experience. He loved his trek family and loved the fact that his best friend, who is a non member bore his testimony! Kaiti had a great time too. I think she learned a lot and loved the social aspect!<br /><br />I loved that they missed us! I was glad for the opportunity to miss them too! I love my kids and sometimes I forget I only have them for a small portion of their lives and then they grow up and leave me.<br /><br />They say "absence makes the heart grow fonder!" I think we all felt a little fonder of one another, at least for the first week of their return. Since then it's been business as usual! So I guess we're all winners!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p>the Brakey'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988681138486171635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769108141493575326.post-1332610420081572862009-07-15T19:05:00.001-06:002009-07-15T19:08:34.261-06:00Just when I thought was looking good....<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sl59G9HAlWI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/m26yUtvWmNI/s1600-h/knees.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358858165054117218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 289px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sl59G9HAlWI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/m26yUtvWmNI/s400/knees.bmp" border="0" /></a>My mom sent me this picture. Sadly it is too familiar Troy and I laughed for awhile though. Thought I'd share the fun!<br /><br /></div>the Brakey'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988681138486171635noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769108141493575326.post-40630922991474358382009-07-02T12:39:00.005-06:002009-07-02T12:56:24.386-06:00Place Your Vote Here!<div align="center">So Kaiti and Alex went on the Trek. When my sister Kristy and I went, I thought it was the best experience of my life while she TOTALLY HATED IT! So I thought it might be fun, since my pioneer children come home today, to have a vote! On the right is the tally! Go ahead and place your vote there. Meanwhile, to my family who are voting for the big prize at Island Park, leave your comments so I know how you voted and can pick a winner!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><p align="center"><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353937395371700674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 276px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sk0BsdjPccI/AAAAAAAAAzo/_e0ESpDdAa8/s320/IMG_1946.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353937389184702770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sk0BsGgJWTI/AAAAAAAAAzg/x8oUffzjt5A/s320/IMG_1937.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sk0Bryl9yjI/AAAAAAAAAzY/pECEqLgJtC8/s1600-h/IMG_1924.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353937383840401970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 210px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sk0Bryl9yjI/AAAAAAAAAzY/pECEqLgJtC8/s320/IMG_1924.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sk0BrSqRQTI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/ir1ceumB-ig/s1600-h/IMG_1936.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353937375268520242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 218px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sk0BrSqRQTI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/ir1ceumB-ig/s320/IMG_1936.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>the Brakey'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988681138486171635noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769108141493575326.post-73285098595965956012009-06-27T16:48:00.008-06:002009-06-27T17:09:55.272-06:00PLEASE..... Share the wealth!<div align="center">For those of you that may have missed it, last night there was an amazing rainbow. Troy called me from Smith's and told me I better get a picture before it was gone!</div><div align="center"><br /> </div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/SkajZu8R-8I/AAAAAAAAAzI/ayNe0zeUWME/s1600-h/IMG_1860.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352144869669338050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/SkajZu8R-8I/AAAAAAAAAzI/ayNe0zeUWME/s400/IMG_1860.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>As you can see, the rainbow begins at the Fernandez's and ends at the Scott's.<br /></p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/SkajTNyftoI/AAAAAAAAAzA/ftU2bXGnPPI/s1600-h/IMG_1870.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352144757690709634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/SkajTNyftoI/AAAAAAAAAzA/ftU2bXGnPPI/s400/IMG_1870.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>It has completely missed our house. Therefore, we are NOT, I repeat, not in possession of the pot of gold <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">presumably</span> at either the Fernandez's or the Scott's. Should you feel so inclined, please offer a prayer on our behalf that some of their wealth will rub off on us!<br /></p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/SkajJZvomxI/AAAAAAAAAy4/BPomVyETRz8/s1600-h/IMG_1864.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352144589101243154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/SkajJZvomxI/AAAAAAAAAy4/BPomVyETRz8/s400/IMG_1864.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a> Below is my favorite picture. You can see the double rainbow and the reflected light of the rainbow almost lights up the trees!<br /></p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/SkaiuqjnswI/AAAAAAAAAyw/JZexaQ-7JTs/s1600-h/IMG_1857.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352144129757786882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/SkaiuqjnswI/AAAAAAAAAyw/JZexaQ-7JTs/s400/IMG_1857.JPG" border="0" /></a>the Brakey'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988681138486171635noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769108141493575326.post-74065300618780089012009-06-27T00:37:00.009-06:002009-06-27T01:02:57.335-06:00E.E......<div align="right">Okay so Max had a little collision at school last week, nothing serious. But I have to say it is a little disconcerting when the school calls and leaves a message like this, "Hi, this is Foothills Elementary. We're calling because Max had a little accident at recess today. He's okay but he's laying down in the office. We are required to call you when there's a head injury involved. Anyway, he's okay and we'll send him back to class." HEAD INJURY?!?!?! </div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/SkXB9mqRbrI/AAAAAAAAAyI/jMQqv2nYFag/s1600-h/IMG_1850.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351896996293734066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/SkXB9mqRbrI/AAAAAAAAAyI/jMQqv2nYFag/s400/IMG_1850.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="right">Max has had the best teacher at the entire school, Mrs. Ault, so I know she would have called me personally if it had been serious. Still, I can't help wondering why we fill out those information sheets at the beginning of the school year-you know the ones, they have your cell phone number on them-more than once! </div><br /><div align="right">It wasn't anything serious, a pretty good black eye. I wanted to call him 'Bruiser' but we settled on 'E.E'. Imgaine my little Max's thought process...black eyes are like bruisers which are like shiners, which are like goose eggs, that are like Easter Eggs and since that is just too long to say, it's E.E.</div><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/SkXCjLyNKAI/AAAAAAAAAyY/SSdml0m2rBM/s1600-h/IMG_1853.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351897641914279938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/SkXCjLyNKAI/AAAAAAAAAyY/SSdml0m2rBM/s400/IMG_1853.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This is Day 3 Road to Recovery!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/SkXCXWfIt5I/AAAAAAAAAyQ/x6hQHjzHB9M/s1600-h/IMG_1851.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351897438628657042" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/SkXCXWfIt5I/AAAAAAAAAyQ/x6hQHjzHB9M/s400/IMG_1851.JPG" border="0" /></a>the Brakey'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988681138486171635noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769108141493575326.post-50986455174322278332009-06-17T13:07:00.005-06:002009-06-22T10:04:46.747-06:00To the Best Dad ever!!!!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sjk_gLQ7ZQI/AAAAAAAAAyA/Tvn03X-iuqs/s1600-h/IMG_1571.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348375854491329794" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sjk_gLQ7ZQI/AAAAAAAAAyA/Tvn03X-iuqs/s400/IMG_1571.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">With it being Father's day this Sunday, I wanted to take just a minute to tell Troy how much I really love him! </span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">He is, by far the best dad in the world. He is a great provider and care giver but it goes much farther than that. He is the best friend to the three people that mean the most to me in this world. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">SO here's to the best friend, coach, brother, brother in-law, son, uncle, husband, 'Rock Band' singer, lover, partner and best of all, DAD! </span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">We Love you Troy!</span></div>the Brakey'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988681138486171635noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769108141493575326.post-88632417083440660172009-06-10T08:46:00.004-06:002009-06-10T14:55:38.079-06:00My Lady's Man!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/SjAdinV_RMI/AAAAAAAAAx4/M_Fwtzu4e5o/s1600-h/IMG_1846.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345805238202746050" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/SjAdinV_RMI/AAAAAAAAAx4/M_Fwtzu4e5o/s400/IMG_1846.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">So Max came home from school yesterday and said, "Recess was all about relationships today." Just stated that. No explanation. Curious, I started to ask a questions or two. Turns out one of his friends is "boyfriend/girlfriend" with one of his other friends. (Name have been omitted to protect the children-but if you think it's yours, call me!) So I asked him, "Oh, so you must be giving him advice, right?" He gave me this look that I swore if I didn't turn away I was going to bust! Then he said, "No mom, he gets all the ladies and he gives <em>me</em> the advice." Then last night he got online and had to do some <em>love meter</em> test-had to check to see what it was for Troy and I. BTW, we're 77.5%! This morning he panicked wondering where the jeans were that he wore last night. We found them and he as so relieved. He had been at the Fernandez's last night and Brooklyn gave him a fortune cookie that evidently had significant value. He had to go show it to his love mentor at school. Here's his fortune! So, here's my plea.....let's as parents discourage "going together" in the fourth grade! I have dealt with the worst crap with teenagers of late and would love to cherish the few elementary years we have left!!!! I love my little Max and hope someday he will find his "Happily ever after" I would just prefer that he graduates elementary school first! </div>the Brakey'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988681138486171635noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769108141493575326.post-59191916544845271722009-06-07T16:31:00.007-06:002009-06-07T20:10:27.979-06:00The Church is still true-even Sunday's at 1pm!<div align="center"> Our ward, the Cedar Point Ward is, for lack of a better word, homeless! Due to some much needed remodeling, our ward house is closed for the summer. It seems in the ten years we have lived out here, we always seem to be in the ward that whenever there as been a boundary realignment, we get stuck with the 1-4 pm schedule. It is the most undesirable schedule- especially in the summer! Not to mention that today we counted 6 ward houses we passed on the way to our temporary new home! At first I thought maybe I was being punished for not being more stalwart but then quickly realized that could not be the case <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sixx4ZhmdRI/AAAAAAAAAxw/UMEGjvhd9Ck/s1600-h/i+belong+to+the+church.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344772071520367890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 125px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 71px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Sixx4ZhmdRI/AAAAAAAAAxw/UMEGjvhd9Ck/s400/i+belong+to+the+church.jpg" border="0" /></a>because I live among the best neighbors ever! </div><div align="center">We moved to this neighborhood ten years ago, May 1999 when we built our house on Van Cott Peak Dr. Then five years ago, we got the opportunity to build again, two blocks away. We jumped at the chance to build our dream home in the neighborhood we had come to love<br />so much.</div><div align="center">In that time, we have had several ward boundary changes, the stake has grown from what was 1 stake to 4 stakes and many bishops, Bishop Shakespeare, Bishop Roth, Bishop Hale, Bishop Davis, Bishop Hart, Bishop Ollis and currently Bishop Bronson (hope I didn't forget one!). Which is interesting considering that a bishop is usually asked to serve for about 5 years! When we first moved here, the neighborhood was surrounded by farms. Now I find we are surrounded by chapels and temples!</div><div align="center">On a clear day from my bedroom window I can see three amazing temples, Jordan River, Draper Temple and most currently, our temple, the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. </div><div align="center">I can't help but think that I am witnessing a miracle. I am witnessing the prophecy of temples dotting the land. I am a witness to the truthfulness of the Church. I am so very grateful for the gospel and the security and happiness it provides. </div><div align="center">So this summer as we make the long drive <em>all the way to the Cove</em> for church on Sunday, at the awful hour of 1 p.m., I will be ever grateful to those pioneers whose trek to this valley was more strenuous than a 7 minute car ride. Who lost their loved ones before their journey was through. Who likely suffered many unmentionable trials but did it in the name of faith. This summer I will recommit myself to do a little less murmuring and have a lot more faith!</div>the Brakey'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988681138486171635noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769108141493575326.post-59702445656235094372009-06-03T12:27:00.006-06:002009-06-03T15:02:18.439-06:00Pride is of the Devil?!?!?!<div align="center">Okay, how can I not be so proud of my kids? I love them so very much! We have had such a busy schedule lately, where do I begin?<br />Max has kept us smiling! We love to watch him play baseball and tonight is the last game as a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">PeeWee</span>. Next year he'll play in the Minor's, the 9 and 10 year <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">olds</span>! Can you believe that's my baby!?! They took first place again this year and Max can hardly wait for the BIG trophy! That's the real reason he played-the big trophy and the snow cones. </div><br /><div align="center"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Kaiti</span> just finished the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Oquirrah</span> Mountain Temple Celebration. What a fantastic opportunity that has been to sing and dance for the Prophet! In addition to the Temple Celebration, she has been working really hard for dance Competition. Her team took a first and a second at Nationals on May 16<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">th</span> at Lagoon. She has been working at the snack shack too, making the big bucks! She is really coming into to her own now. She has such a great sense of humor and a bubbly personality. Next week she heads off to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Oakcrest</span> Camp. She'll get to bunk with her cousin Kylie and her friend Megan. We know she'll have a fabulous time, we'll miss her!</div><br /><div align="center">Troy got a call from Alex's principal last Friday. He left the message that Alex wasn't in trouble, but please call him back. When Troy called him back, he explained that Alex would be receiving a very prestigious award. He was very complimentary when he talked about Alex and how much they have enjoyed having him there at Fort <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Herriman</span>. Today was the day of the award assembly. We were so very proud to hear he was awarded the Presidential Academic Achievement award and pin for maintaining a 3.5+ GPA for all 3 years at Fort <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Herriman</span>. Then they went on to the big awards. The principal explained that these awards were for achievement in various areas, English, Science, etc. They could and should be compared to the Sterling Scholar Program on the High School Level. Alex was nominated and voted by the faculty for Achievement in P.E. We love our little athlete! We are so excited for his <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">achievement</span> and willingness to push himself to the next level. Next week he heads off to football camp at Utah State. Excited and glad we won't have to coordinate rides to and from practices for the week, but we will miss him!</div><br /><div align="center">I just have to say how grateful I am to my good husband who provides so well for us and is so supportive of our kids. He wants to be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">there</span> for everything they do and although sometimes it is a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">logistical</span> nightmare, he does whatever it takes. Gosh, how lucky am I to have such a good family? Sometimes I just don't feel worthy for this great blessing. I know we are all far from perfect, but today, well, it feels pretty close! Here's a little video montage of our last three months or so! This would be the longest post in history if I tried to put them all in!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div>the Brakey'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988681138486171635noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-769108141493575326.post-76640070056084921602009-05-23T11:36:00.005-06:002009-05-23T12:03:43.054-06:00My Lone Wolf!<div align="center">Pack Meeting was last week. Max was so very excited-he was getting his wolf. As you may know, we stay pretty busy here with sports and Pack Meeting fell on the same night, at almost <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">precisely</span> the same time as his baseball game. We asked him to think about what he wanted to do-should he could to pack meeting or baseball. His response was, "You only get your Wolf once in your life! I can go to the next baseball game." Well, enough said! We decided that maybe we could make them both work. We dressed him in his baseball uniform and and put the scout shirt on top with the plan that as soon as he got his award we'd take off for baseball. It's a good thing we went, because the Wolf Den was in charge of the flag ceremony and he was the only Wolf who came. A couple other scouts helped, and they did a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">fantastic</span> job! Special thanks to our scout leaders, Brianne, Lisa, the Grants, and Marci. I know Cub Scouts can be a huge headache! I was secretly very happy when Alex decided he wasn't interested in it! But thank you ladies-and Sean! We really appreciate all you do! Oh, I forgot to mention....if you're not not familiar with scouts, when a cub earns a new badge, their parents are recognized for their achievement, mom's get a special pin that the scouts pin on there mothers. Take note of the placement of my pin! </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Shg5JAXh6wI/AAAAAAAAAxU/A6_zgD_IGzI/s1600-h/IMG_1342.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339080185128020738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Shg5JAXh6wI/AAAAAAAAAxU/A6_zgD_IGzI/s400/IMG_1342.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Shg5Ipn3fXI/AAAAAAAAAxM/RZffYmxAPbs/s1600-h/IMG_1340.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339080179022527858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Shg5Ipn3fXI/AAAAAAAAAxM/RZffYmxAPbs/s400/IMG_1340.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Shg5IX1XKXI/AAAAAAAAAxE/QVNfuXwmTQg/s1600-h/IMG_1339.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339080174247291250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Shg5IX1XKXI/AAAAAAAAAxE/QVNfuXwmTQg/s400/IMG_1339.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Shg4OFHcFwI/AAAAAAAAAw8/6anSSyioRwI/s1600-h/IMG_1322.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339079172790425346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j_5SGf6Y9L8/Shg4OFHcFwI/AAAAAAAAAw8/6anSSyioRwI/s400/IMG_1322.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>the Brakey'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988681138486171635noreply@blogger.com3