Kayla BELIEVES !!!

Well if there were any doubts in Kayla's mind that "Santa" really does exsist....then I think they have all been put to rest.  Santa sent Kayla this really cute message tonight on our e-mail.  Click on the link below and you'll see for yourself that.....

SANTA REALLY DOES EXSIST

http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/guest/cfloBM3iiW2Wrb-yfA3PsA

So I'm a little slow....

Yes, Kyle's Eagle Court of Honor has come and gone and so has time. It seems like just yesterday we had this court of honor, but it's been over a month now. I just haven't had the time to blog about it.

We sure are proud of Kyle and his accomplishment in receiving his Eagle Award. It was a great night for him and our good friend Dallin. They both received their awards the same night. They have been friends since they were just little.

Thanks to all our family and friends who came to support Kyle at this event. We sure do appreciate all your love and support.

A big thanks goes out to the wonderful scout leaders who helped the boys along this journey.  Without great leaders who are willing to sacrifice their time, effort and money to take these boys camping over and over and over again, it just wouldn't be possible. 
                                                          THANK YOU

Kyle received a special gift from his Grandpa Branch and his parents as well.  We both had flags flown over the United States Capital in honor of their Eagle Award.  Kyle was so excited to receive them both.  He was so honored to have two flags that will always remind him of this night. 

They also went on a special overnight campout on the Mormon Batalion Trail.  In completing that night campout along with a service project along the trail the boys were albe to receive a special award from the Mormon Batalion. 

It's almost here

The time is almost here. It has been a long journey, but one that was well worth it. I can't believe that Kyle did his Eagle Project back in February of this year and now almost 9 months later we're finally to the Eagle Court of Honor. I was way more concerened about the Eagle Board of Review then Kyle was. I have to admit that I put it off as long as I could. Then summer came to an end and with school starting back up I knew Kyle needed to get this done. What a great job he has done. We're so proud of him and excited for the ceremony.

Earlier this year his Boy Scout Troop went on a campout on the Mormon Batalion Trail and earned a special badge for doing that. He also will be able to have members of the Mormon Batalion come and present him with a special neckerchief slide. That will be a special item to have his entire life.

San Diego Vacation

Yup, it was time again for our annual school Fall Break Escape to San Diego. This time I wanted to finally get some family photos of us. We haven't had a real family photo taken of our family since Kyle was about 2 yrs old. THAT'S SAD. I even had someone else take them for us, so I didn't have to be running back and forth to the camera on the tripod, didn't have to worry about getting everyone looking at the camera instead of at me running back to get in the shot.

Never the less......here are some of my favorites.

We also went to the Mormon Batalion Center while we were there. If anyone is going to San Diego and has thought about going there.....DO IT! It was so neat. The boys murmured the whole time we were driving there, but they had an absolute blast there. They loved it and so did Kayla.



Kyle wanted to know why Nathan wasn't smiling in this picture. I told hiim that if he'll look at old photos, he'll see that nobody ever smiled in their pictures. Nathan was just trying to fit in with the time.

My PEEPS !

Okay I know it's not anywhere near Halloween yet, but come on...who could resist this. My good friend Jen Shelley sent me a picture yesterday of this arrangement that she had made out of Halloween Peeps. Here is my version of it. I just love it.

We both did these for our girls baptisms back in April with Spring Easter Peeps. It was so much fun. Since I already had the flower vase from the baptism, I couldn't wait to go out and get the necessary supplies and get mine started. I think it's so cute. And so very simple to make. I did mine with silk flowers though, cause I'm just not attentive enough to real flowers to keep them alive very long.

Now I'm getting in the mood for fall. I think it had something to do with the fact that the temperature has finally dipped below 100 degrees for the past several days. In fact the morning are even....dare I say....nice. What a welcome relief.

Our Eagle

Last night was an important night in our family. After 3 years in Boy Scouts Kyle had his Eagle Board of Review. It was quite the experience. There were 11 boys there to be interviewed. Everyone who comes for an interview needs to bring their parents and two additional adults who will serve on another boys interview board. There is also a member from the Scout Organization who will also sit on the board with each boy. So all in all there are 3 people interviewing your son who he has never met before. Kyle says he wasn't nervous at all, but mom on the other hand was a nervous wreck. The way things worked out, Kyle ended up being the first boy assigned to a scout official. By luck of the draw he also managed to get the one who is the toughest interviewer. He's been around for years and loves to give the boys a real run for their money. We only found this out after Kyle had already gone into the room with him. He also told us as Kyle went into the room that it would take about 45 minutes to do the interview. So Robert and I settled in for a long wait. About 12 or 13 minutes into it the boy in the room across from where we were sitting came out, he was done. WHAT! Oh no....then sure enough, one by one more and more boys started to come out of their interviews. Kyle was the last one to finish his interview. 45 minutes true to word, Kyle emerges from the room with a smile on his face. Everyone one else had left the building by the time Kyle was done.

He did a great job. We are so proud of him. To top it off, it feels really good to be completely done, no more "next step" to do....well except for the Court of Honor, but that's the fun part....the reward at the end of a long journey. A well deserved reward too. Can't wait to celebrate.


To the left of Kyle is his Varsity Coach Bro. Stewart and then to the right of Kyle is Bro. Clausen who is the Scout Master for our ward. We sure were glad to have them with us last night. We really appreciate them coming and being there to support Kyle.
I'm sure over the past 3 years and many, many campouts they have felt like they've wanted to do this to Kyle and probably many of the other boys as well. The scout leaders really have done a great job with all the boys in the troop.

Happy 4th of July

We all had a great time on our anual 4th of July trip to Showlow. It was so nice an cool there. It was really hard to come back to the heat.

Some neighborly help

Our neighbor's son Ray Banna is competing in a scholarship contest. He created both of the outfits that he and his date wore to Prom this year. I just couldn't believe that the whole outfit, I mean everything you see in this picture was made out of duct tape.

I think it's pretty

INCREDIBLE !

I was amazed when he showed me this picture.

Now comes the part when I need all of you to help them out as well. They have to have as many votes as possible to win. Each week the contestants with the lowest number of votes will be eliminated. The voting beging on June 18th.

Here is the link to go and vote for them. It's under Ray & Yancy. Their entry number is #5257. They really need all the votes they can get. Go on and look at the competition. Click on the 2010 gallery. It'll show you all the entries for this year. I think you'll agree that Ray has done a great job on his entry. Click here to visit them.

http://www.duckbrand.com/Home/Promotions/stuck-at-prom/vote-now.aspx

Irrigation

This past weekend we went to Safford to visit Grandma & Grandpa Branch and go to the Gila Valley Temple Open House. On Saturday morning Grandma and Grandpa got a call that they would be getting irrigation water. The kids had never been there before when they've recieved irragation. So this was a new experience for the kids. It was cold and windy, but you know kids....nothing can stop them and contact with water.

Grandpa Branch in his best irrigation gear

Nathan and Kayla looking oh...so surprised

The gang's all here

Then it was time to make some fun footprints on the back porch

Kyle
Nathan

Kayla

The kids were hoping for more irrigation later that evening after we had gone to the temple open house. Unfortunately, no more water was available. They sure did have a great time at Grandma & Grandpa's house.

Trip to the Mall with......Uncle Craig ?

Who's bigger....Kayla or Miss Kitty? It's almost a tie. This cat is huge. Thanks to Uncle Craig, Kayla got to go to Build-a-Bear at the mall on Saturday to celebrate her birthday.

Last year Craig started something that I don't know if he intended to do. He took each of the kids to Game Stop to pick out a game for the Wii or their DS's. So this year Nathan decided off the top of his head that he wanted to go target shooting with Uncle Craig for his birthday. So Craig graciously took him shooting for his birthday and then out to lunch. So Kyle of course followed suit. I mean he's a boy for cryin' out loud. Of course they want to go shooting for their birthday's. They proudly showed off their bruised shoulders and empty shell casing for several weeks.

So one night we're sitting at the dinner table eating and the boys were talking about their birthday trips with Unlce Craig to the shooting range and Kayla announced that Unlce Craig was going to take her shopping again for a game for her DS. She just knew that was how it was going to be. She's so funny.

So Craig offered to take her to build-a-bear at the mall. I expected her to come home with a simple bear and nothing else. But uncle Craig went all out. Got the Hellow Kitty, an outfit and shoes. Hello Kitty is decked out. Kayla also go to go to lunch and then a stop at Mrs. Field's cookie to finish off the trip. She had so much fun and has carried Hello Kitty around for days. She loves it and her time she got to spend with Craig.

Kayla's Baptism

I know it's been a week now since Kayla's baptism, but I really expected things to calm down after the actual baptism, but to my amazement....it hasn't slowed down at all. Life just keeps gaining speed.

This is Bridget and Kayla before the baptism. It was so great to be able to share this special day with such great friends. Bridget's birthday is just 2 days before Kayla's. The girls had a lot of fun having their baptism together. I think they will always remember this day.

We Love you Sweetheart, and we're so proud of you

The brother's of course

Granny

Christi & Kayla

A special THANK YOU goes out to my neice....Christi...who did such a fabulous job with giving the talk on baptism. She gave the both Kayla and Bridget the cutest towel with their name's on it. They used them after they got baptized. You did an amazing job and we really appreciate you taking the time to make this day special for Kayla.

Grandma & Grandpa Branch

The whole BRANCH CLAN :)

Thank you to everyone who traveled to be here on Kayla's baptism day.

To my family and Robert's family

We all love you and appreciate you so much. It meant so much to Kayla to have all of you here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISS K

HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY

Today is the day. 8 short years ago you came into our family and into our lives and changed each of us with your sweet spirit. We all love you and cherish you. You are a special part of our family. Have a wonderful birthday sweetheart.

Tomorrow will be another special day for you. You baptism day will be one that you will remember for a long, long time. We're so happy that you are making such a wonderful choice to be baptized.

I'm trying...I'm trying....honestly I'm trying!

Need I say more.

I saw this today at the LDS Bookstore and felt like the picture on the front cover appropriately summarized my feelings today.

Yes....that's exactly what I feel like.

Something comming up

Kayla will soon be turning that magic number of 8. I can't believe it. My last little one to be baptized. She's looking forward to it so much. I'll have much more to post about as time gets closer.





We will actually be having two baptism's on the same day. This is a good friend of ours and her daughter's birthday is just 2 days before Kayla's. It will be a fun experience for them both to be able to share their special day together.

Just having fun.....what a great smile :)

Once again I'm trying out another lens. I think I'm really liking this one as well.
Kayla was having so much fun, I love taking pictures of her when she's so happy. We're all enjoying the lovely weather so much because let's face it....we all know what's going to happen in another month or two at the latest. SUMMER TIME HIBERNATION !!

What's in a name anyway

Well our beloved cat now has a story to go along with her. As explained in earlier post, Daisy just showed up on our back door one morning looking very thin. So we took her in and fed her, took her to the vet, had her fixed (don't need anymore little kitties) and have loved her ever since.

This evening Robert was outside doing some work in the front driveway and a man walked by pushing his small son in a wagon. This man saw our cat Daisy and was so excited. He started up a conversation with Robert and this is how the story goes.

This man and his wife have a friend who lives in an apartment nearby. This friend had a cat but the apartment complex wouldn't allow her to keep the cat. So this friend asked this man and his wife to please take the kitten. So they did. They had the kitten for a while and tried to keep her inside, but she wanted to be outside. Eventually after a few days the kitten disappeared. The couple thought that the cat had been killed becuase they hadn't seen her for a long time. Then today when the man took his son for his stroll around the neighborhood, he sees our Daisy and he called out Chloe. That's right.....Daisy before she was Daisy was Chloe. The man was happy to see that Chloe or Daisy as we now call her was still alive. Robert told him the story of how she showed up on our doorstep and the kids adopted her and now she's our cat called Daisy.

Only one word to say....

!!! Hallelujah !!!

Bro. Curtis

My two brothers, David and Craig

Bishop Homer, Robert, Bro. Stratton

Okay, maybe there is more than just one word to say. Some other words might be.....relief, done, over, no more, yipee, but by far the one word that sums it up would have to be just plain old hallelujah.

What a great day to get this project done. We appreciate the rain holding off until tonight. The building will have a great opportunity to dry and be ready for the rain tonight.

Isn't it just a lovely shade of yellow and brown. That's what they wanted it painted. It's called Southern Pacific Yellow. Apparently all Southern Pacific Railroad stations were painted this color. That's fine with us. It's done and it looks great. They are pleased and so are we.

Another great word would have to be THANK YOU to all our friends and family that helped Kyle in completing this project.

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER