New Beginnings

New Beginnings is an activity which welcomes the girls who will be turning 12 this year to the Young Women's Program. It kind of explains the Young Women's Values and the Personal Progress Program. Well, this year Don and I got to go with Aubrey. I can't believe she is turning 12 this year. As we were driving over there, Don turned to me and said, "I have never been to a New Beginnings." That's true. This is our one and only daughter, so this is the first time Don got to go. It was a really great night, and Aubrey is so excited to be a part of the Young Women's Program. She especially can't wait to go to Girl's Camp. For years, I would go up to Girl's Camp because I was in the Young Women's program, or camp director, or I would be the camp cook. Aubrey would come up with Don and me and set up, then she would leave. She would just cry and be so sad. She wanted to stay. The leaders up there would let her ride the zip line and do fun things with her, but then she would go home with Don. Not this year, this year she will be able to stay! She can't wait! The Laurel class welcomed her in with a tutu and crown. Perfect for Aubrey!!!!! Oh yeah, this is going to be good.

We Have A Cub Scout In The House Again!

We are back into Cub Scouts! It is strange to be going to Pack Meetings again after we have been so focused on our older boys getting their Eagles. Ian is so excited to be in Cub Scouts. He just loves it. This week we had the Blue and Gold Banquet. Even though it is for the leaders, they still gave out awards. Ian received his Bobcat award. He was so excited. He wanted me to go home and so his patch on right away. I told him I will get to it. It will be on by next week.

"Branding" Ian.
When the Cub Master gave Ian the mother's pin to put on me, he gave some big speech about how the mother's do all the work when it comes to scouting. Everyone started to laugh. Anyone that knows us, knows that I don't do a thing with scouting. It is all Don and the boys! He loves doing scouting with the boys. So maybe I should give Don all the pins!!! He is the one that deserves them.

Before we left for the Blue and Gold, Ian was sent to his room because he and Aubrey were getting a bit out of control. When I went to get him ready, I could smell cologne all upstairs. I went to Ian and asked him if he got into his brother's cologne. He said, "No." Ok listen, it was pretty obvious that he had gotten into the cologne. I couldn't breathe upstairs because the smell was so strong. After I talked to him, he admitted that he had used his brother's cologne. I told him that he had to ask before he uses his brothers stuff. Also, it is a good idea to only use one spray. When I told him this he told me that he did about five sprays on each arm. Oh my gosh! Also, he told me he just wanted to smell good. Let me tell you, he was the best smelling cub scout at the Blue and Gold banquet! In fact, his shirt is in the family room and it still smells very strong. Thank heavens Austin wears good cologne!

Ian getting his other awards.

I am so not creative! They had to make a cake for tonight. I didn't know what to do. So we made a volcano. In fact Zach made the cake with Ian, and helped Ian decorate it. He thought it was the best thing in the world. It is so easy to please Ian!

He won the hottest cake. Now Ian thinks it means "hot" as in, good looking. I am pretty sure it means "hot" as in volcano!

I love that my older boys come and support Ian. They have gone to all of his pack meetings so far. This is Austin's friend Tanner, a.k.a. Triple T! We love Tanner. He is the most mellow guy. I have only seen him get upset once! It was pretty funny. I felt like something was so wrong in the world!

Look, Austin is making fun of "Edward". You have to love it!

When Mom And Dad Are Away.........Party At The Brasier's!

Friends of ours went to San Francisco this weekend, and we offered to watch their kids. At one point Don and I looked at each other and said, "So this is what it would be like to have nine kids!" We love these kids, so we knew this would be fun. These kids are awesome!!!! I am sure if you follow this blog, you will recognize them!

The first day that we had them we just hung out and watched the Olympics. It was pretty relaxed. Then the next day we went to Don's school (The kids had the day off, but Don didn't!) and Ian had to raise a flag, lower it, and fold it for cub scouts. When you see these pictures, it is like playing I Spy Austin! Honestly!

I heard that a storm was on the way, so after we went to Don's school I took them to the park. I wanted them to get outside and play. These are the girl's super model pose. Every minute, they would scream, "Take our picture!" these are just a few!

Where do these boys get it???? Maybe they hang out with their teenage brothers too much!

Ninjas!

Then we went home and Allie painted rocks with the boys. She had everything they needed! She was a huge help this weekend!

After I took this picture, Ethan said, "Kelley, I don't like my smile." I told him it was awesome!

While the boys and Allie were painting rocks, Aubrey and Rachel made soft pretzels.

Finished!

I don't have any pictures of the teenagers. The boys hung out, played games, got ice cream, and played a ton of Rock band. The next day Don and I took the kids to the movies. I am not aloud to blog about that. Aubrey wants to. It was a busy and great weekend. I loved it. These kids are so much fun to be around!

Hi this is Aubrey and when the Albrights came over we went to see the Lighting Thief. It is GOOD!!!!!!! I am in love with it. Now, don't ask the older boys about it because they didn't see it because they said other people didn't like it but I have to tell you they missed out on a lot because everybody who went to see it (Alli, Rachel, Ian, Ethan, and me) LOVED it. The special effects were not cheap they were cool and the actor who plays Percy is sort of cute in my opinion and to be honest REALLY cute. The movie had a lot of cool people and they got the gods and Medusa and everybody really amazing looking. I think this movie is really good and is great for any age [Especially the young ones like as young as Ethan's age.] I think you should go see it even if people say it is a horrible movie.

Sadies Pictures

Zach went to Sadies at Shadow Ridge. He had a great time. Here is his Sadies group.

Happy President's Day

It is so nice to have a day off from school. We started off the day by going to the Omelet House. Aubrey won Survivor last season and this is where she wanted to go to celebrate. It was very yummy. Good choice Aubrey. The weather today was wonderful. It was so warm. One thing about people in Las Vegas is that when the weather warms up, everyone heads outside! People in Las Vegas truly appreciate good weather!!!! So Don and I took Aubrey, Ian, and their friends to the park. It was good to play with them, and just talk to Don. So to all of my relatives snowed in back east, check out these pictures. We do miss snow, well, sometimes. Oh, but the warm sun is wonderful!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! Don and I celebrate the night before, because Valentine's Day was on Sunday. After getting some roses and giving Don his favorite Belgium candy we went to dinner at Maggianos. I love that place. Don also took me to buy a new bracelet, but I couldn't find one that I liked. There is a dress that I like, so I am going to order that. Then Don asked me what else I wanted to do, but the Olympics were on, so I asked him if we could just go home and watch them. Yes, you know it is love if your husband is totally o.k. with watching the Olympics on t.v. for the next two weeks. The next day, (Valentine's Day) we gave the kids their Valentines. I always wonder if they get sick of getting the same candy, year after year. No, they were totally excited. Aubrey is the only one that got something different. Check out her New Moon heart.

It was a nice and quiet Valentine's Day.

The Olympics

Yes, it is that time again! We love the Olympics. We try to watch as much as we can! It means many tired mornings. We try to watch as many events as we can! We love it all. Yes, we even love all the sappy stories. Right now, the kids are watching a story on how the women's hockey team trains. Thank heavens we only go through this every two years (summer and winter). So, if we are not around too much and not answering our phone or e-mails, you know where to find us!

What A Sunday!

We had a wonderful Sunday. No, I am not talking about the Super Bowl! It started out with Ian Frasier being welcomed into the ward. Yes, I said Frasier. We have a new member of our Bishopric, and he seemed a little flustered this Sunday. When he asked for Ian Frasier to come up to the front of the chapel, Ian didn't know who he was talking about! I felt so bad for our new member of the Bishopric, because all Sunday long people made reference to his mistake. He even called to apologize! Don and I just laughed. Brasier has been mispronounced a lot worse!!! After that, Zachery received his Duty to God Award. He is so excited that is over with. For those of you who don't know, here is a description of what the program is.

"The Aaronic Priesthood Duty to God program is designed to strengthen young men spiritually and help them accomplish the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood. The program invites young men to live priesthood standards, participate in family and quorum activities, complete service projects, and keep a personal journal. The program also invites young men to set and accomplish personal goals in four areas:
Spiritual development
Physical development
Educational, personal, and career development
Citizenship and social development
Parents and priesthood leaders work with young men to help them set goals and fulfill the requirements of the program.
Young men who complete the Duty to God requirements for deacons earn a Duty to God certificate. Young men can also earn certificates as a teacher and priest. Those who earn all three certificates earn the Duty to God Award."

Then in Primary, Aubrey received her Faith in God Award. She isn't 12 years old yet, but she finished it as soon as she could. The Primary Presidency gave her a bracelet. Here is a description of that award.

"You may begin to work on the Faith in God Award when you turn eight years old. To earn the award, complete the requirements in this guidebook before your twelfth birthday. Your parents and Primary leaders can help you with the activities.

Doing the following activities will help your understanding and testimony of the gospel grow:
• Write your testimony.
• Memorize the Articles of Faith and explain what they mean.
• Complete activities in this guidebook for:
Learning and Living the Gospel (page 6)
Serving Others (page 8)
Developing Talents (page 10)
Preparing for Young Women (page 12)
• Have an interview with a member of your bishopric or branch presidency"

We are so proud of both of them and the hard work they put into these awards.

Settlers Of Zarahemla

When Aunt Joanne is around, Settlers of Zarahemla is on!!!!! Bring it!

Sadie's!

Today was also Sadie's. Christina was a great sport. When she asked Zachery, he had to tell her that he had to baptise his little brother at 1:00 pm first, before Sadie's. She was fine with that. In fact she came to Ian's baptism! We really appreciate her going along with our family plans first. She is a very sweet girl, and I am sure Zachery is having a ton of fun. Unfortunately they had plans to do some things outside, but with the rain, they got cancelled. They will be fine!

Ian's Baptism

It was Ian's turn to be baptised today!!! He was so excited for this day! He asked his brother Zachery to baptize him and his Dad to confirm him. It was a great baptism. Austin gave the opening prayer and then the two speakers were youth. They were so good! We were so impressed with how wonderful the talks were. They really spoke right to the kids, and there was such a great feeling in the room. Grandpa and Grandma Brasier and Aunt Joanne came down from Idaho. Ian also had his teacher there, and many friends. It was a wonderful day!

Zach and Ian. I really didn't know what to think when Ian wanted Zach to baptise him. I mean, Don baptised all the other kids! In the end, Ian knew best! It was so wonderful! Zach did a great job, and I think it will be a special bond that he will always have with Ian. Ian just looks up to Zachery so much, and I think with Zach going to college next year, this was a nice moment for the two of them. It was strange seeing Zach dressed like this. I really thought I was going to be all emotional, but I wasn't. It was like I was looking into his future. I wondered to myself how many times I will see him dressed like this. Pictures from his mission, seeing him baptise his children, and other times. I am proud of him. I am proud that he is a worthy priesthood holder! He is ready, ready for college, ready for his mission, and ready to go out into the world. I hate to admit it, but it's true.

Grandma and Grandpa Brasier

After the baptism we all went back to the house to eat. We are so grateful for all our friends and family!!!! We are so blessed. Even though we live far away from most of our family, we do appreciate the friends who come and celebrate with us, our family members who sacrifice their time to be with us, the cards, and the phone calls from family members letting us know we are in their thoughts! You are all so wonderful to us. Now, what Brasier get together would be complete without a little Beatle's Rock Band????

Ian has been practising his singing!!!