First Temple trip

Saturday morning Cooper was ordained a deacon. It was a very spiritual experience for those of us present to witness as he begins this next important phase of his life.

Saturday afternoon Derek took Cooper to the temple for his first youth trip. Beau some how managed to tag along to share the experience with them. Unfortunately, Cami had to sleep before her 5th night in a row to work night shift...

Columbia, SC Temple Cooper and Derek Moncks Corner Ward Youth and Leaders ******************************************************************************

Freaky hunting club entrance we passed on the way home from the temple.

We drove the back roads so Derek could learn the way and had to have a picture of this. Quite ironic to have Cooper in his "Sunday" clothes in front of all these bones and skulls!

Cooper is 12! Where does the time go?

Cooper has been a picky eater since birth. In the last year since joining a scout troop that camps often, he's become brave and tried new things. Our boy's palette has expanded to include seafood,bar-b-que and boiled peanuts! He requested shrimp scampi, grilled lemon chicken, fresh corn on the cob, and homemade mashed potatoes with cheese and bacon for his birthday feast. Don't worry, Beau included a green salad as well, he just didn't eat that! Those SC Braytons are all about the carbs!!!

Our birthday boy hit a growth spurt this summer and gained over 10 lbs and grew 2 inches!

Say goodbye to the "slim" jeans. Now if we can just keep up with an almost teenager's appetite! Good thing Grammy and Beau like to cook... (The puffy hair is a result of using the leaf blower on his hair out on the porch while the girls and Beau cooked dinner!!!)

First Day of School

Happy on the first day of school!

All 3 kids are playing soccer this year. Practices start today, so we will get pictures from the games posted in a few weeks!!

Off to 1st grade!

Claire is starting 1st grade. Her teacher, Ms. McNeil, also taught Cooper. Claire is a lot like her mom...she is very social and likes to talk, so we hope that does not get her into too much trouble. She had surgery #8 on June 30th and recently passed her hearing test (which is only like the second time that has happened). I am really hoping that she will make great strides this year, especially with reading. She struggled last year...it seems that being able to actually hear the sounds really speeds the learning process along!! Claire came home yesterday and said that she has already made a few new friends. She won't take long to adjust!!

Here I come 3rd grade!

Carol is starting 3rd grade. Her teachers are Mrs. Dress and Ms. Brooks. Her class flips between the two for different subjects. She is in the Eagles program which is a great tract for the gifted and talented students. It is more challenging and moves them along quicker. Carol is much more timid than her sister, but she already has several friends in her class. It is a good group of kids which is fabulous since they will be together for 3 years!!

Look out 7th grade!

Cooper is starting 7th grade!!! Wow...that really makes me feel old. His birthday is tomorrow and he will be 12. His challenge this year is going to be Honors Algebra I. Math is his best subject!! Derek and I are still trying to figure out how we got smart, tall, red-headed children!! This is the first year that he has not been with the same group of kids from his original Eagle group. I think that they mostly have their core classes together and then separate for foreign languages and exploritories (art, P. E., etc.). Cooper is just finishing his Faith in God award and also moving onto 1st Class in scouting.

Cooking

Beau helped Cooper, Carol and Claire bake cupcakes for their great-great uncle Donnie's 85th birthday! The girls made cards and sang several versions of "Happy Birthday" much to Donnie's delight!

Faith in God

Cooper and his trusty sidekick Sugar ( with assistance from Beau) spent several hours Saturday memorizing the 13 Articles of Faith for his final requirement to complete his "Faith In God" award. He turns 12 on August 20!

Family fun at the pool

Everybody loves the pool; kids, adults and the dogs!

The cousins

Tookie and Brad's grandchildren.

Berkeley H.,Cooper B., Oliver & Orson H., Carol B. and Claire B.

Neve get's inspected...

Orson loved the new kitten! He checked her out thoroughly. Maybe Phil needs to get his kids a kitten!

Sunday is for resting...

Carol and Sugar took advantage of a quiet Sunday afternoon

@ Beau's Bungalow