Dustin's Stonewall Jackson display

The 8th graders were studying the Civil War and had to do an extensive paper, project, and oral report on a prominent figure. Dustin was very industrious and made his display out of paper mache.  The "wall" was a painted box, but the other items were fashioned by hand.

The sword wasn't quite the right shape, but the dowel he was using as a base made it difficult.

Dustin's 14th birthday party

To celebrate his birthday, Dustin had a few friends over to swim and play.  Ben, Clayton, and Brannon were able to make it.  Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures of their other activities!

Chocolate chip cookie dough cheesecake, as requested.

Dustin was VERY happy to get StarCraft II.

Brandon's baseball team - Southport Cardinals

We suspect this may be Brandon's last season playing baseball, but he has had fun!

Trip to Topeka for Grandma's funeral

On the way to Topeka, we stopped in Nashville to walk through the Gaylord Opryland Resort. Roger stayed here for a conference once and wanted to show it to us.

We also stopped in St. Louis and stayed with the Voyles family, who recently moved away from our ward (same Gabi and Madi from the "going away party" post!)

Breaking out the photo albums.  Roger and Brian served in the same mission in Canada just a few years apart.

Latisha & Teri (the one who took our family pictures for Christmas)

Roger and Glenn operating on some glasses to replace Brandon's broken screw.

 And of course Kaylee did some horse riding with Sarah.

Kaylee's memorial to Grandma written in chalk on the driveway.  (It says, Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, Like we have said, We love and miss you!)

Jody as a young adult

Jody Shields
Jan 27, 1940 - May 18, 2012

Bat Emergence

Roger was able to go witness a local bat emergence with some other biologists.  Sounds like it was pretty cool.

Mormon Prom - Derek's fancy first date

Derek's first date was somewhat arranged by the girls in the ward.  He broke out the old choir tux andwent to the Mormon Prom with a new girl named Candyce.  Several couples went together to Olive Garden for dinner and then had a good time at the dance (where I was conveniently a chaperone). 

Candyce, Derek, KaLyn, Austin, Julie

Volunteering at the Gulf Coast Triathlon

Each spring, the youth in our ward volunteer at the Gulf Coast Triathlon.  This year we worked the finish line.   Dustin had to leave early for a soccer game, thus his interesting sock and shoe choice.

Kaylee and Jo Jo

Kaylee's class hatched some chicken eggs and she wanted to bring a chick home.  She set up an aquarium for "her" and named her Layla.  She later decided that maybe it would be better to go with a more generic name until we know for sure if it's a boy or a girl.  So, now it's Jo Jo.  And it only stayed in the house for a few weeks.  Chicks are LOUD and they stink.  But Kaylee loves animals.

Southport Elementary - end of the year fun

Kaylee performed with the Singing Sailors at the annual Wings Across the Bridge

Kaylee with her teacher Mrs. Weherley

Kaylee & Cayla

Chalk Day - unfortunately I didn't get pictures until several days later!

What is left of Kaylee's picture - with a terrible shadow - sorry K!

And some other fun pictures...

Brandon's class went on several fieldtrips.  These pictures were from a tour of the hospital.  They also went to Zoo World and Frank Brown Water Park.  

Learning about germs

Checking out the ER

A great presentation on radiation

Hyperbaric chamber

Showing what the patients wear in the chamber.
(Brandon's teacher Mrs. Bente is in the background)