Special Blessings

 Clark received his Patriarchal Blessing on July 1st.

It was a special day, one that we will all remember.

There was a wonderful spirit present during this sacred occasion.

We are SO BLESSED that we have a Grandfather that is an ordained Patriarch,

and who is worthy and willing to give his grandchildren their blessings.

 We love that Grandma is also a part of this special experience.

She has the job of typing up each of the blessings that Grandpa gives.

We sure love this guy and look forward to watching his life unfold!

Summer Sports

Our summer schedule is largely determined by the different sports the boys are involved in.

At times it is difficult to be held hostage by football, basketball and swim,

but on the upside it gives the boys a lot to do and they are beyond tired at night.

They are in bed WAY EARLIER in the summer than during the school year.

Clark is up at 5am each morning and off to weight training and football.

He is home by 9am and then eats, sleeps for awhile and is off to basketball from 4-6pm.

I love seeing them active, happy and working hard.

Bennett starts swim team at 7am and then stays for two extra hours

for junior guard to help with swim lessons or swim team for the younger kids.

He is hoping to be a lifeguard for the City of Mesa in the next couple of years

 and possibly teach swim lessons in the future.

   

Each weekend in June, the varsity football team

 participated in passing leagues around the state.

These pictures were taken at NAU in Flagstaff.

Bennett is my only child to openly admit that he likes swim team

(although he doesn't look to happy here!)

The butterfly is his favorite stroke and he is good at it!

One of the summer highlights is basketball camp 

in Prescott at Embry Riddle Aeronautical College.

What is better than a week of basketball, cooler weather, all you can eat food,

and bunking in the dorms with all your friends?!

Bennett's best friends and roommates

116 boys attended camp and Bennett's team won the 3 on 3 championship for their age division.

These boys were each in a different age bracket
and even though they didn't see each other much,

it was fun to know that they were all there together!

Until next year....which unfortunately will be Bennett's last!

Bennett

Just another reason we love

Garn and Mason Orthodontics!

Dr. Mason's wife, Nicole, takes the best pictures!

After each patient gets their braces off,

she takes a portrait to hang on the office "Wall of Fame".

They are my favorite pictures of my kids!

(to see Haley and Cassidy's pictures click here)

She's On Her Way!

 The day had finally arrived to take Cassidy to BYU for the summer.

We left Thursday morning right on schedule, 

but it wasn't long before we knew we were in for an adventure.

Long story short, as we approached Black Canyon City,

Curt decided we needed to turn around because the car was acting up.

We called for ET to meet us in Scottsdale with his Suburban, 

and two miles before our designated meeting place, the car was done.

We limped off the freeway and Curt called the tow truck.

ET came to meet us and by the time we unpacked our Suburban,

and repacked it into the Clark's suburban, Mike arrived with the tow truck.

A few minutes later we were back on the road

 and ET was taking a ride in the tow truck back to Mesa.

We lost a couple of hours, but it all worked out so smoothly in the end. 

 Friday morning the girls were off to New Student Orientation.

They met a couple of their room mates (girls from Oregon, California, North Carolina and Utah),

bought their books, and got their ID cards.

 Five o'clock finally rolled around and they were able to get the key to their dorm room...

The New Heritage dorms, Hall #27, Room #1104

They were so excited!

 We spent a few hours helping them unpack, organize their clothes, and make their beds.

The dorms are so nice, new and clean!

 Cassidy's closet and desk area in her bedroom

 The Family Room

(where "Salsa Sunday" was held and according to good report was a success!)

 one of two bathrooms

the kitchen-complete with a dishwasher and microwave

 Kristin saying good-bye to Katie

 our cute college girl

A kiss for luck and she's on her way!

We miss her like crazy and it just isn't the same around here, 

but we are so excited for her and all the fun new people she will meet.

School starts tomorrow...History of Creativity and Psychology.

Can hardly wait to hear all about it!

Don't have too much fun without us, Cass!

We love and miss you!

Father's Day

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

Love this guy and the great Dad that he is!

(Curt wearing the traditional photo tie...he receives a new one each year with a different picture)

Haley came home last night and asked, "Where is everybody?"

With Tia married and now Cassidy at BYU, this is what's left at home!

These children came fast and they are leaving fast and it was hard then and hard now!

Bennett is a great little note and letter writer.  

Just an example of what we have received over the years!

A parent's pay day for sure!

This really is what being a Dad or Mom is all about!

26

Brown Family 

est. June 7, 1986

Brown Family
 (not pictured the 3 older married siblings and

missing brother Clint serving a mission in Winnipeg Canada

Clark Family
(missing brother ET serving a mission in The Netherlands)

All because two younger sisters conspired to get us on a date

AND it didn't hurt that Curt's mom paid for it!

Love You, Curt!

Exactly 19 Years Ago

She's going to make a great MOM!

She's been practicing for years!

 Tia

May 1993

3 1/2 years old

Tia

May 2012

22 1/2 years old

Baby Boy Allred is on his way!