Brennan's 15th bday

Brennan had a fun birthday. It was technically only the second day back to school after the long Winter Break, but it started with Ryan taking him to get his driving permit. Afterwards, Ryan dropped him off at the orthodontist and he got his braces off. Yahoo! 

After the rest of the day at school, we went as a family to Kin Thai - sushi and panang curry. At home, he chose root beer floats for dessert, which was quite tricky for the candles! 

Brennan enjoyed both JV cross country and track this year as a freshman at Champion High School. Cross Country was a 5K distance now that he's in high school. Track was a mix of the 2-mile, 800m, 4x400 meter relay, 400 m, and 1 mile. He is often frustrated with himself, but it is honestly the only thing he has to try at.

His attitude still swings wildly from happy, talkative, and fun to angry, silent, and frustrated. I love him dearly, of course, but I often walk on eggshells not knowing what I am going to say or do that will upset him.

He is serving as first counselor in the teacher's quorum and enjoys doing anything that Collin is also doing. He'll go to his first FSY this summer with Collin - at his last one - as his roommate. 

Since Ryan is still the YMs Adventure Leader, he is enjoying going on campouts, paddling, and hiking activities. 

Brennan absolutely hates school.  He fully admits he only attends school in order to be allowed to run. He consistently scores perfectly on all tests and projects. It is no challenge and he never has homework. He is in AP Pre-Calc and AP Human Geography. He is in the Business Pathway, and plans to get his real estate license through the high school before graduating. 

Happy 15th, Brenn! 

Collin's 17th birthday

I have a seventeen year old! We are into the homestretch of having my baby at home with me, and it's freaking me out! By this time next year, he'll have his mission call and be defering his university acceptance. Crazy how time flies! 

Collin's birthday fell on Christmas Sunday this year. It was kinda nice because church was only an hour. He asked for a guitar - many of his friends are getting guitars this year too - so he and Ryan and some of his friends all went shopping together. It's fun to see him picking up another instrument.

For his activity this year, he wanted to go climbing. Two friends, Connor & Wyatt, plus Brennan and Ryan all went. They had a great time. When their fingers were too tired to continue, they went to MOD pizza for lunch.

Collin is a proficient pianist now, composing his own music for sacrament meeting rest hymns and playing Rachmaniov at his recital. He has always had a knack for it, but he also works so hard. 

He is also the lead programmer again for the Robotics team at school. He gives so many hours to the team. I am so grateful he can now drive himself everywhere and that we were able to get him a car last year. 

He is a national merit scholar, in the top 25 of his graduating class, and taking 7 AP classes. He works his tail off, and I am so proud of him. He'll graduate with his associate's in cybersecurity, as well as many, many credits towards his bachelor's. 

He plans to go on his church mission the summer after he graduates (2027), and then attend BYU in computer science. This kid is going places! 

Costa Rica

I was in a bit in crisis at the start of the school year. In an effort to save me from a mental health collapse, Ryan planned and booked a wonderful trip for just the two of us to Costa Rica. We were married at 22 years old 22 years ago, so we called this trip our "half lives together" vacation. I am grateful that Grandpa & Grandma came from St. George, so the kids wouldn't be alone for a week. 

He really spoiled me rotten. First class seats, massage at the spa, lots of time outdoors, and great food! 

After we arrived and got our rental car, we headed to Oropendola Waterfall. We were literally the only ones there. They had lots of fun hanging bridges and stairs, and the quantity of water was astonishing! 

Next we drove to our hotel, a perfect little casita - Nayara Gardens - tucked into the rainforest. The animals were LOUD each night. Right in the resort, we saw sloths, toucans, wild turkeys, tree frogs, cacao and kapok trees, etc. We had our own private pool patio with a great lounger for reading.

Our first full day we went zip-lining at Sky Adventures Arenal. It was seven different lines over the rainforest, sometimes while it was even raining. The longest was a half mile and we reached speeds of 60 mph. I was definitely scared at first, but it was awesome! 

After ziplining OVER the rainforest, we hiked their trails underneath. We saw a capuchin monkey, chachalaca birds, and an anteater. The trees and plants were incredible too! 

For dinner, we headed to Rainforest Cafe. Delicious!  

The next morning we drove to Tenorio Volcano. We took the Tenorio Trail to the Rio Celeste Waterfall (250 stairs!), Laguna Azul (blue lagoon), bubbling geothermal & sulfur smells, and last El Teñidero, wher two rivers - Quebrada Agria and Rio Buena Vista - meet after an Indiana-Jones-style bridge. 

For dinner that night we went to Italianissimo. Yummy Italian food! 

The last morning we headed to Arenal Volcano. We hiked along the lava flows. Unfortunately, the volcano was in the clouds pretty much the whole week. We saw lots more plants and animals though!  

Our last night we enjoyed dinner at Travesio. 

It was truly the best to be away with my best friend! It was also just the kick-start I needed for another long, hard school year as a mom, teacher, and relief society president. Thanks, Babe!