2009 Year in Summary

Wow, you actually came to the blog! What a friend! I know it's easier to sit somewhere comfy and read a newsletter, but I just didn't have it in me this year (besides this is funner) I know you could read through all my blog entries and get caught up, but who has time for that? So here is a quick update on everyone this year:

Chuck is loving being a grandpa! He gets all goofy with his "Hey buddy" and funny noices. You can always tell when Charlie comes over - we hear it all through the house. He's been crazy busy at work with lots of research and development in the anti-terrorist barrier industry. It's been exciting, but scary as we try to develop something unique and keep our business open at the same time. He didn't have to travel as much this year as in the past, but did have a job in Utah this month and froze his tooshi off (why not in the summer??) Chuck is Sunday School teacher to the 17 year old class, and is always watching sports! (he says this really is the most wonderful time of year; football, basketball & baseball)

And I, yes, I have

gained weight this year, as you can tell by Chuck's face. I've got my 30 year class reunion next year though, so time to get fit again. (why is it harder the older you get?) I've been working in the office part time, and love being with the good people who work for us there. I also love being a grandma. If someone would have told me I'd be volunteering to babysit after all the years I did daycare & foster care I'd have never believed them. At church I'm still with the Beehives (12-13 year old young women class) They are a great bunch of girls.

C.J. has applied again for dental school and awaits word on if he'll be starting Aug 2010. He's still selling shoes at Nordstroms and will let you know when the good sales are, so go visit him!

Steph is a busy a little mama chasing Charlie around all day. She's so good to take him to the park and out to his other grandma's place to visit the goats. She is also the most organized and wonderful secretary in RS (that's what I keep hearing) CJ still works with the priest age boys. And Charlie is just having fun exploring the world. He is always on the go and figuring things out. They live here in Mesa in the Dolphin house.

Paul & Skye are having a baby!!!! HE's due mid April, and Skye is so cute barely starting to show. Paul is working 2 jobs now, one for APX Alarm and Thrive doing websites and helping people sell. Skye is now officially helping people to be more beautiful! She's doing tanning & eyelashes! (just in time, as her mother in law needs it!) They are teaching 5 year old in Primary and always have a funny story to share about what they say and do. They are still living in Cedar Hills in a basement apartment with the most incredible view of the valley below, including the Tipanogas Temple. They are starting plans for building a house this year . . . yes, in Utah. It's a great place to visit, so see them if you're up that way. We love doing that!

Jerry has been trying different fields of work this year after things slowed down working with dad. He tried landscaping and is now in sales at a call center selling construction tools. He tried out his lines over the phone with his dad, and all Chuck could say was "No! I hang up on guys like you all the time!" We are amazed though, he can take the rejection and is making sales everyday. He also has an sweet new girlfriend, Jessica Frey. She grew up in Switzerland and then moved to Oklahoma where a friend set them up on a blind date. She's been gone for 4 months back to Switzerland, but will get home this month, so he's always on skype (computer) talking to her. He has also been taking care of her little yorkie, Bella. She's part of the family now. Jerry's moved back into Mesa (1st part of the year was in Casa Grande) now he's between the yard trailer & home - we don't know where he really lives, but we like him around.

Brandee has ventured out this year and lived for 3 1/2 months in Mukilteo, WA with Nikki & Shaun (Jenni's sister) She loves helping her with Jayden & Gavin. She got a job at Red

Robin, but did not last long as the perky hostess there (can't you just see her? "Thank you for coming today!") She found a better suited job at the cutest little coffee shop next to an adorable little bookshop over looking the ferry going to Whidby Island. It is SO her! However the little AZ girl was freezing her tooshi off and wanted to come home (not to mention missing you know who; pictured right) She has decided now to give Canada a try, living with her Naito cousins. Not that it's any warmer, but at least she's not coming home before her northern adventures are over. Thanks to Nikki & Shaun for having her and being her springboard into being out on her own (well almost).

Kyle is sexy, single and sixteen (that's the summary he came up with for this) He is at Mesa High this year and loving leaving the junior high scene behind. He tried something new when a friend talked him into being on the swim team. He made some good friends there and just had the goal to not finish in last place - he accomplished that! (needless to say to say

he won't be doing that next year) His real talents are in drama. He's been in some little one acts and attended Thespian conference this year, and hopes to try out for the spring play. He's studying for his learners permit, and is hoping to get it over Christmas break. He finally feels motivation to get that and his Eagle project done, since dating just isn't the same when mom has to drive you. He will be doing his Eagle project in January, painting a house in a low income area of Mesa. If any of you feel inclined to help, we'll let you know the details!

Jenni is a big 9th grader now and has had quite the year so far. She tried out for volleyball, but so did 40 other girls (many of which played club) So when she didn't make it, she gave cross country a try. A little too hot in August, so she went for Badminton at Mesa High. She had to start at the bottom of the totum pole, but did pretty good in her exhibition games. For fall she tried out for basketball, but they were, of course looking for taller girls. Wish the coaches could have seen how aggressive she can be and let her try driving that ball under and around the tall girls! Anyway, so no sports this winter. She's looking forward to track in a month or so. She has decided to try out for cheer at Mesa High, but I'll believe it when I see it. She is also "considering" going out for dive (we've heard gymnasts make really good divers) so stay tuned to see what she ends up doing. Her biggest exciting news is that she got her braces off this past month!! She'd have such a beautiful smile if she weren't always popping her retainer in and out!

That's us! Hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year. If you have a blog, leave me your address, or send an invitation if it's private. I LOVE BLOGGING in all my spare time (haha).

One more Brown family!

I can't leave out our newest family members! This is Nikki & Shaun, our other adopted kids. (sorry I couldn't get the picture bigger) For those who don't know our story, Jenni has an older sister who we have felt is a part of our family for 4 years now. She married Shaun Brown, making her officially a Brown! So here is their update; They live in Mukilteo, WA (just north of Seattle). We met them here living just a mile away from us (Did God have a hand in that or what??!!!) They moved up north when Shaun got transfered with Boeing. He's such a great daddy (even to our Brandee lately) Nikki looked for work in computers (her specialty area) but with the economy could not find a job. Instead she is quite the entrepreneur and just started a photography company. She got the equipment and put a little studio in her basement and is taking pictures and getting paid for it! (All those millions of pictures of her babies, that was for practice time!) She's pretty good. Jaydon is 3 years old now, and bright as a button, and little Gavin turned 1 this summer. They are 2 more of our sweet grandbaby boys!