Cameron's Patriarchal Blessing

Cameron received his Patriarchal Blessing this evening. Patriarch Dennis is the Patriarch in our stake. He was a very kind and spiritual man. Cameron and his parents went to his home at 5 pm. Patriarch Dennis asked him some questions about himself and then invited his parents in. Patriarch Dennis asked his parents about him and some great things about him as a son in our family. Then he preceeded to give him a Patriarchal Blessing. What a great blessing he gave him. He told Cameron that they would type it up and then deliver it to him in a week. He has had a great desire to get this blessing and we are so proud of him. This is the one of the steps he has to take to start his mission papers. We are so excited for him.

Riley - ordained a Deacon

Riley was sustained and ordained a Deacon today at church. Since he turned 12 years old last thursday, we have had birthday dinner, a birthday party with 8 friends on saturday and then today with his ordination. He received a new suit for his birthday for this as well. He wasn't to happy about wearing the suit, but everybody at church said he looked good, so we think he will wear it next week. Next week will be his first time passing the sacrament and going to Mutual on Tuesday. He is growing up too fast.(In attendance at his ordination: Grandpa Doug, Grandma Bette, Cortney, Lindsee, Anna, Kimber, Tannis, Grandpa Gary, Grandma Holly, Mom, Dad, Cameron, Erika, The McGriff Family, The Autrey Family and Bro. Brockbank)

Happy 12th Birthday Riley!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RILEY!!!

Riley will be 12 years old today. We can't believe that he is twelve. Crazy how they grow up so fast. He already received a couple of presents last week. He needed a new pair of tennis shoes, because the other ones had holes in the bottom. And, he also wanted a new bike to be able to ride to school, since it has become warmer. We will be celebrating his birthday with dinner out with the family. He wants to go to Chuck A Rama. Not sure why, but we think because there is something there for everyone. He will be having a party on Saturday with his friends. He has also asked for Krispy Kreme donuts for his classmates today at school. The things we do for our kids. Happy Birthday Riley, we love you tons and tons!!!!!

Riley - Classic Skating Field Trip

Riley was able to attend the field trip with all the 6th graders from Lakeview Elementary during school today. In order to attend, you have to have all your assignments turned in and have at least 80% passing in Math, Reading, Spelling, Social Studies, and Science. This is for the whole term, which is 9 weeks or 45 days. The teachers reward them for their efforts by going on field trips during school hours. Sharri was able to drive him and a couple of friends to the Classic Skating Rink in Orem from 12:30 to 2:30 pm. Riley really didn't skate too much, but wanted to play all the arcade games instead. Funny boy!!

PHS Philharmonic Orchestra Concert

The family went and listened to Erika and the PHS Philharmonic Orchestra perform 3 pieces tonight. It was at PHS @ 7 pm. The conductor said it would be a short concert. Is an hour short. The performance of the pieces were amazing. It reminded us of the Utah Symphony. The orchestra is competiting tomorrow with 10 other schools for 4A Region championship. If they play like they did tonight, they will for sure get 1st place.

Draper Utah Temple Dedication

Our family had the opportunity to attend one of the 12 dedication ceremonies for the Draper Utah Temple. You have to be 8 years old or older to be able to attend. We received our tickets a couple of weeks ago from our Bishop. We were in the last ceremony, #12 at 4:30 pm. Since we had to be in Sandy to Grandma Holly's & Grandpa Gary's for our monthly Birthday dinner, we decided to attend at the Sandy Hillcrest Stake Center. (Which is Grandma Holly's & Grandpa Gary's stake center) We had to be in our seats at 4 pm and no later. We arrived at the stake center at 3:45 pm and we were worried about getting a soft seat. To our surprise, the chapel was not even full. We guessed that there was about 75 people there with us. It was nice not to have to go really early to get a soft seat and not have alot of people there. The ceremony lasted about 1 1/2 hours. It was getting really difficult for Riley to sit from 3:45 till 6 pm, but he did it. As you can see in the pictures, we had to have white hankies for us to use at the end of the cermony for the Hosanna Shout. Both Brian and Sharri remember attending the Jordan River Temple a few years ago. It was memorable then, and we hope that the kids will remember it as well.

Riley - 6th Grade Maturation

Okay, so we don't need to go into details about this. We have all been there with our kids. Brian and Sharri went to be with Riley for this. The PE Teacher from Dixon Middle School taught the class today at Lakeview for all the 6th grade boys. Then they gave them a stick of deoderant. It was done very well and a great way to get to know the teacher, since all the boys will be at Dixon Middle School next year. He was funny, but to the point. Riley is the last one we will have to go to. Yeah....but sad too. He is growing up too fast.

Riley - First Class Advancement

Riley was awarded his First Class Rank Advancement and Art Merit Badge in the Boy Scouts at the Stake Court of Honor Banquet. He has been working really hard to get this rank before he turns 12 years old next week. He also went to the Stake Pow-Wow and did 3 Merit Badges. He is still working on Landscape Architecure and Citizenship in the Nation. Great job Riley!!

The Check is in the Mail....???

We love getting mail when there is a surpise. We figured it was one of those loan checks that if you deposit them, they give you a loan. But to our surpise, this was not the case. When Sharri opened the envelope, this is what it said,

"Dear Mr. Brown....A refund has been forward from the US Government of Housing and Urban Development in the amount of $........ to Utah Housing Corp on your behalf. This refund represents overpaid mortgage insurance premiums. Although the loan may have been paid in full for sometime Utah Housing Corp is required to forward these funds to you."

We were surprised and a little bit excited. When we first moved to this house, we received a loan with Utah Housing, but have since refianced it. That was 15 years ago.

Want to know the amount? Let's just say it is worth a two or three trips to the grocery store once a week.

Riley - Awarded Faith in God

Riley earned his Faith in God and was awarded it during Primary closing exercises today. The Bishop presented this award to him and then Riley bore his Testimony. Today is the last Sunday that he will be in Primary. He was a little bit teary about it being his last time in Primary, but excited about joining the Young Men. In order to get this award, he had to do 8 different assignments in the areas of "Learning & Living the Gospel", "Serving Others", "Developing Talents" and "Preparing for the Priesthood. He also had to memorize the 13 Articles of Faith and write his Testimony in the book. We are so proud of him to obeying and sustaining this great program for the Primary children. Now off to bigger and better things, like the Duty to God program in Young Mens and Boy Scouts. Great Job Riley!!!

Draper Temple Open House - again

Need we say more. We had fun with Grandpa Doug, Grandma Bette, Cortney, Lindsee, Anna, Kimber and Tannis.

Erika Violin Festival

Erika had to perform two memorized numbers for the Utah Valley Violin Teachers Festival in American Fork. She played Concerto #2 & Concerto #5. She has been working really hard to get these pieces memorized. As always, she did a great job, even though she didn't think so. We videotaped her playing, but she forbid us to show anyone. If you would like a private showing, you will have to ask her. Great Job Erika!!

Riley's Merit Badges

Riley went to the Stake Merit Badge Pow-Wow on Feb 26th and again on March 5th. He signed up for 3 merit badge classes; Art, Landscape Architecture and Citizenship in the Nation. His homework was to visit an Art Museum and an Historical Landmark. Riley and Brian went to the BYU Art Museum on Tuesday night. Here are some of the framed art.

Then Riley and Sharri went to the Provo City Library Academy Square (formerly known as BYU Academy) on Thursday right after school and did a self guided tour of the Academy. The building has been there since 1892 and was re-modeled for the Library in 1997 after it had been vacant for 20 years. It was re-opened in September of 2001 and has 4 floors with a grand ballroom for Weddings and Prom Dances.

Faith in God Celebration

Riley and his parents were invited to the ward's Faith in God Celebration. Riley is so close to getting his Faith in God. He only has 5 Articles of Faith left to memorize. He was asked to bring his book that his mom made for him to help him memorize the A of F. He had to talk about it and show how it works. So, each A of F has a picture and key word in a sheet protector. On the back of the sheet, is an envelope with each word cut out separate. During down times at church or other places, he gets the envelope out and puts the words in the correct order with silly putty on the back of them and then removes words to help him memorize it. It seems to be working really well. The Primary President came over one night, while he was working on it, and she asked him to bring to to share with the other children.

The latest doll cake creation!!!

So, you have seen some of Sharri's past doll cake pictures, but we think this one has to top it thus far. Sharri made this cake for a co-worker that is from Hawaii for her birthday on March 1st. The skirt wasn't so hard, but the bikini top was a little bit tricky. And the flowers are not out of frosting either, they are silk flowers with frosting in the middle. All the staff at Sharri's work were impressed. This has become quite a tradition to make a doll cake for some one at work. Who knows what kind of doll cake is next. This is not an original creation, but a copy of someone else from the Wilton cake decorating website. If you have any ideas for the next doll cake, please leave us a comment.