Briatin's Birthday or WHAT ANOTHER TEENAGER!!!!!!

Ok so there is nothing that makes you feel old like having multiple teenagers in the house!! On September 3rd Britain turned 13. That evening was crazy with his cross country meet, a baby shower for a friend, and a pack meeting that thankfully was cancelled shortly before it was supposed to start, so we decided to have his birthday celebration the following Saturday. We enjoyed Britain's birthday meal picks that included pancakes, pizza, and shepherds pie. For his activity he decided to go shooting, so we all headed to the shooting range and Robert helped everyone shoot for a few hours before heading back for presents, cake, and ice cream.

Britain was ecstatic to get an mp3 player and some wii games that he played the rest of the evening with Jesse. It was a great day celebrating a wonderful kid. I am amazed how hast they grow up. We love you Brit!!

Pictures will come in the future if I can ever get them off my phone! =P

Thanks Katee

Well I just was tagged by my friend Katee. So the deal is to go to you third file of pictures and post your third picture. This is Britain from his twelve birthday opening his new suit and tie. That was a great memory. Thanks Katee for the trip back in time =P!

I tag Shauna, Kyla, Tanya, Kristen, and Rachel. Have fun guys!

Picnik

I saw the site www.picnik.com on my friend Tanya's blog and decided to play with it with one of the pictures of Britain. It was fun to add the different features.

Britain's Big Weekend

On Wednesday Britain turned 12. This is such an exciting time for him as he is growing up! We decided to celebrate his birthday on Saturday when the grandparents would be here. Robert's parents arrived on Thursday night after driving from Missouri. My parents were unable to make it at the last minute because my dad who had poor health became really sick and was unable to get out of bed for most of the week.

In our family instead of having birthday parties that are all about gifts and a give-me attitude as Robert puts it, we celebrate the day of the individual by doing things that the birthday person wants for the day. Britain chose to have pancakes and eggs for breakfast. He wanted to help cook his meals so he cooked the pancakes while I did the eggs. Then we headed to the World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise. Britain loves science and has been wanting to go back here for awhile now. The kids all loved exploring the museum and watching the birds throughout the center. We then headed home for Britain's lunch of choice : chicken, green beans, and salad. While lunch was cooking, Britain decided to make his own birthday cake. He made the cake and then with help from his grandma made the frosting as well.

Next we had a short interlude to have a recital for Tyler. Since she finished her next book in cello she needed to hold a recital. We decided this time to just have it for the grandparents at our home. She did a great job and has worked very hard to have the recital when her grandparents were in town!

For dinner Britain decided to have spaghetti and meatballs, so while Grandpa Hamilton took Britain to meet with Bishop Mooso at church, I cooked dinner. After dinner we opened presents and had cake and ice cream. Britain loved his presents that included: a new suit and tie, a personalized book about him, some John Bytheway Cd's and book, a wall hanging of the armor of God, and a special wall hanging of his personal priesthood line of authority. As you can see for this birthday the gifts had more of a spiritual basis. This is because of the events that happened on Sunday.

This morning Britain was ordained a deacon and conferred the Aaronic priesthood. It was great to see him sustained in church with his new suit (he looked like a little missionary!) and his shining countenance throughout the day. It was such a special time to sit in the Bishop's office and see him surrounded by men of significance in his life and receive this precious gift. He is such a wonderful young man!

Summer Fun

This summer I bought this little pool for the kids to play with. It is mainly for the younger kid, but as you can see Tyler and Britain has just as much fun as the little ones. It was great because Faith has always been afraid of water, but for the first time she willing went into this pool and loved it! She screamed about getting out instead of the usual getting in. Faith's friend London was also over to have some fun (she had more fun watching instead of getting in).

Graduation Day

Yesterday was Britain's 5th grade graduation. He has been very excited waiting for this day. He has had a rough year with his teacher leaving midyear and getting a new teacher, but he stuck it out and excelled in school. He is definitely growing up to be a great kid.
The schools orchestra played prelude for the graduation. They were able to play many of the songs that they learned throughout the year. Britain is the bass player.
Britain in the graduation procession entering the gym.
Britain receiving his certificate from the 5th grade teachers.What a proud young man!
This is Britain with his teacher Mrs. Nielson. I was excited when I found out that Michelle would be taking over for his first teacher Mrs. Luna. Michelle is a member of our ward and does great with kids. She was an excellent teacher for Brit and helped to get him back on track when he was struggling from the chaos of the year. We are truly grateful for her!

Orchestra Concert

Last night was Tyler's and Britain's final concert of the year (sorry no pictures). Britain performed as part of the 5th grade combined orchestra. The three elementary schools that feed into Jefferson Middle School performed together after having only practiced together for about 1/2 an hour before the performance. Britain was the only bass player in the orchestra. They played Ode to Joy, and American west tribute, and a fiddle piece with kazoos. They did a great job!

Tyler performed with the 7th grade orchestra, the Jammers (Jefferson's fiddle group), and had a solo. Since she received a superior at district festival she was selected to perform her piece as a solo during the concert. She was the first solo piece of the night and did great! Jammers played The Star Spangled Banner to start off the concert and then performed some Irish fiddle music later in the concert. The 7th grade orchestra performed a Mozart medley and 2 other songs. The final number of the concert the 7th grade orchestra joined the 8th grade orchestra and played a medley of songs from Pirates of the Caribbean. It was a great ending to the concert!

Piano Recital

On Tuesday night Cori Strasser, our children's piano teacher, held her spring piano recital. Britain, Jesse, and Tyler each performed two pieces. They all did great despite their nerves.
Britain did such a great job with both of his pieces Morning Mist and Persian Market. Before going up he was a little nervous and wanted to use his music, but after seeing the other performers perform from memory, he decided he would as well. Britain played each piece magnificently and was a great performer in attitude and composure. He is becoming such an amazing and handsome young man!
Tyler has been very nervous performing her two pieces, Autumn Reflections and Greek Dance, both for festival and for the recital. She didn't quite feel that she had her pieces memorized enough and had the internal battle of whether to use music or not. Ultimately she chose to perform without it and did great. Her performance came at the end of a long day in which her fiddle group took a field trip to Boondocks that lasted until 5:00. She had time to come home, run through her pieces, change her clothes, eat dinner, and then be ready to perform. She is definitely our very active child that likes to be involved in everything. She is such an amazing young women that is growing up full of dreams that she works to gain the skills to fulfil them. She will be an amazing women!
Jesse was quite the well behaved performer, sitting quietly through others pieces and walking calmly to the piano and playing nicely when it was his turn. He was going to be accompanied by his teacher for both pieces. For his first piece, Pumpkin Party, he had her accompany him, but on the second piece, Graduation Party, he decided to perform without accompaniment. He did this very nicely with just the shake of his head. It was so wonderful to see him have a positive, successful night without him having to be in trouble for his behavior. It is like seeing the boy that has always been inside finally being able to come out and shine instead of having the behaviors keeping him trapped and out of control. He is such a wonderful young man and I am so proud of him!

Festival Results

Today Tyler and Britain received their results from last weekends music festival. Britain received a Superior rating in piano (highest rating) and Tyler received a Superior in piano and a Superior Minus in cello.

Jesse's Blog: My Family

I like my family. I want to play the bass like my brother Britain. I like my sister Tyler, she plays the cello. I like my mom, she teaches children. I like my daddy, he goes to work. I like Faith, she is a baby.

Festival Time

Today Tyler and Britain participated in the Caldwell Thursday Musicale Festival. Tyler first performed of her cello and feels that she did very well. Then Tyler and Britain both performed on the piano. They both felt they made some memorization errors, but still did good. I know they did their best and they worked hard practicing beforehand.

D.A.R.E. Graduation

Yesterday was Britain's D.A.R.E. graduation. He was very excited about getting his diploma and t-shirt. Officer Matt Hodnett conducted the graduation with two guest speakers: Jonathan Cline (assistant superintendent) and Garret Nancolis (mayor). Two students from each class read their essays that was one of the final projects of the class.

Britain receives his diploma and t-shirt.