Riley - Life Scout Advancement

Riley finally earned his Life Scout Advancement at the Scout Banquet tonight.  He earned 6 Merit Badges and Life.  He is on his way to Eagle Scout with only 4 required Merit Badges and 6 Electives and his Eagle Project.  Hopefully, he will be able to earn Eagle before his 16th birthday next March.  We are so proud of him.  Way to go RILEY!!!

Riley Klondike Overnighter

 Riley and a few other scouts and varsity scouts went on a Winter Overnighter.  Because the District Klondike was cancelled this year, because of lack of snow, the ward decided to go anyways on their own.  Riley was so excited, because he loves the snow and has not had the chance to sled or play in it this year.  We have to get him a new coat and some boots, because the ones from last year were too small, and we didn't know this, because he hasn't needed to use them.  Walmart had some many boots and coats for sale, it was crazy.  We were able to get them for half price too.
They went to Diamond Fork to campout overnight.  He took his butt boards that he got from christmas to try them out, but because there wasn't much snow and only ice, they broke.  Oh well, at least he was able to use them this year.  As the tradition for Riley on campouts, he has to always have funyons and jerky nuggets.  All the other boys seen to like it when he has these snacks.  He came back smelling like a campfire and his sleeping bag and ground cover where all wet.

Riley's PHS Choir Ensemble

Riley and 10 other Men's choir singing "Cotton Fields"

Erika Singles Ward Talent Show

Erika accepted to play in Lamb Of God Orchestra

Erika applied to be part of the 50 player orchestra for the musical production of "Lamb of God", playing at the American Fork Tabernacle April 6 & 7.  She wasn't sure if she was going to make it in, because there were only 50 spots, but they emailed her and she got the last one in 2nd violins.  She was so excited.  She has to practice every Sunday in Saratoga Springs from 6 - 7:30 pm until April 6.  They emailed her all the music, which ended up being 46 pages - 14 songs total.  The link below is a video of some of the music that she will be playing.  http://www.spiremusic.org/lamb/
We are so proud of her.  She is an talented violinist.  10 years of practice and commitment has paid off.

24th Anniversary

We celebrated our anniversary with Tamra & Scott, because their anniversary is the 10th.  They came to Provo and we went to Texas Roadhouse for Dinner and then went and saw a movie called "The Chronicle."  Dinner was awesome and we were so full - we ate too much.  The movie on the other hand was a little bit disturbing.  The critic's rated it 4 stars, so we figured it was going to be good.  It is about 3 high school students that make an incredible discovery, leading to their developing uncanny powers beyond their understanding. As they learn to control their abilities and use them to their advantage, their lives start to spin out of control, and their darker sides begin to take over.  We left the movie a little puzzled and wondered what we just saw.  Oh well, it was about spending time together and having fun.  Thanks for the best 24 years Brian and hopefully we will have 24 more to come.

Riley's new friend - Leah

Riley seems to have the personality to atract younger children.  This little gal, Leah, in our ward loves Riley.  Every time he is passing the sacrament, she is calling his name and watches for him.  There was one  Sunday when he wasn't at church, and she was asking where he was.  She says his name over and over.  We think it is because it is easy to say, Riey.  It is so fun to see him interact with her.  Erika is jealous, because she loves to babysit her, and Leah can't say Erika's name.

Riley PHS Men's Choir Barbershop Festival in Tucson Arizona

Riley was able to travel with the PHS Men's choir to Tucson AZ this weekend.  They left Friday at 1:00 am to ride on the bus for 14 hours.  They would get there at around 3 pm AZ time.  They had alot of events planned in the 3 days they were there.  They performed on Saturday at 11:00 am and then they headed home Sunday morning at 7 am for the long 14 hour bus ride home.  He arrived back in Provo at around 8:30 pm and was glad to get off the bus.  He said he never wants to ride a bus for that long ever.  We will see if he is in concert choir next year and goes on tour for a long bus ride again.  The choir received an Excellent rating from the judges in the Tucson Barbershop Festival.

Riley's Braces OFF!!!

 BEFORE

 AFTER

Riley - the duct tape master

Riley received more duct tape for christmas, even some that was BYU colors and logo on it.  As always, his brain is turning to come up with something new with the duct tape.  The last picture is from gum wrappers.  He pulled all the foil wrapper off and then added it to a piece of paper.  He was trying to make a picture of the world map.  So here they are!!  Enjoy.

Ward Xmas Party

We had our Ward Christmas tonight.  We had Anna with us overnight, so was able to go with us and be in the Nativity with Riley.  Aren't they so cute in their angel and shepherd attire.  Good times!!

Our Trek Family Picture!!

After we added Michael to our family trek picture, we decided to have print them up for all our youth in our family and give it to them for christmas.  We will always have a bond with these youth.  We love them!!!

Santa visit @ Browns

The yearly tradition of having Santa come to the grandparents home.  Erika had alot of homework that night, so she didn't get to sit on Santa's lap.  As always it is alot of fun to spend time together during the holiday with family, but we were glad to be done for the evening and head home.

PHS Choir Holiday Concert

Riley and the other PHS Choirs performed tonight for the Holiday Concert.  As always, it sounded amazing.  Mr. Wiser even had his Barbershop group, The Saltairs, sing to the students and parents.

Bulb Wreath

My neighbor and friend, Nancy, made this for me to hang on the door for christmas.  She is so talented and sometimes I wonder where she gets her good ideas.  She said that she has been saving and looking at DI for the past 6 months, collecting and buying all the christmas bulbs she can find.  She said there is about 90 bulbs on this wreath.  She strung it all on a hanger and then added the purple bow to the top.  She gave it to me for christmas, but she had to give it to me early, so I could have it up for christmas.  I decided since it is purple, it can stay up all year long.

Erika Violin Duet

Erika was asked by her Grandma Bette, to play a violin duet for her ward's RS Christmas Dinner.  She asked her friend Caitie to play with her. They choose to play Silent Night by Larry Bebee, which are her favorite arrangements.  As always, they did an awesome job performing.

Like Father like Son!!

At our monthly family dinner, this is a familiar position for Grandpa and Brian in the Living Room.  We even heard a little bit of snoring together.

Riley PHS Choir Holiday Dinner

Riley was in the PHS Choir's Holiday Dinner.  It was on Saturday and there was a Matinee show and a Dinner Show, which Riley had to be to both.  He had to be at the Provo Library at 1:00 pm and finished at 10:00 pm.  It was a long day for him.  We purchased tickets for two for the dinner show, which were $20 a piece.  Cameron and I went together, because Brian flew to Germany for two weeks for work.  We enjoyed a dinner and a great program put on by all the different choirs.

Brian to Germany & England

Brian left today to go to Germany for a week and then England for week for his work.  He is training the German and London offices on the new software (Cloud).  He seems to always go around Christmas time, which kind of stinks, because the rest of us can't go, because of work and school.  He will be all messed up with his sleeping patterns, but oh well.

Erika BYU Orchestra Performance

Erika performed in the BYU University Orchestra.  She has been taking the class all semester and practicing once a week from 7 - 9 pm.  The orchestra played 5 pieces, which we all knew while they were playing them.  Both sets of grandparents were able to come, as well as the 4 of us to watch her play.  It was in the HFAC DeJong Hall and no free tickets any more, but they were only $3 each, so that was not to bad.  We hope that Erika keeps up with her talents and skills as a excellant violin player.

Brian singing "Except for the Turkey"

Brian found this song on the internet to play for the family for Thanksgiving, then replayed it during Family Dinner.

Erika's 1st date with a RM - eekk!!

Erika went on a date with someone that works at the Law Building with her.  His name is Steve Jensen. They meet while walking to their cars together at the same time and by the time they were at the cars, Erika gave her number to him.  He called the next day and asked her to go with him on a date for Saturday at 6:30 pm. She was so excited!!  They went to dinner at Pizza Factory and then went to Macey's and bought stuff to make Gingerbread houses at his apartment.  It was a great way to get to know each other, and the best part is she was home at 11:30 pm.  She said she had a great time, but a little bit awakeward, because it was there first date, and it has been a while since she has been on a first date with someone.

Family Pictures - Take 2