The Year in Review -- 2008

Wow! Who would believe we've begun blogging! Nate suggested that we do this as a way of keeping an up-to-date family history, and also as a way of keeping him and McKenzie up-to-date on The Fam. Great idea! So, since we're catching up, here is what happened to our family in 2008.

Brig - Brig continued to work hard at expanding his business, www.WeddingSoEasy.com, (known as http://www.saltlakebride.com/ in Utah) and watched his sales increase during this recession year. Go Brig!! He also worked on remodelling our basement during any "spare" hours he found. In the ward, he worked as Executive Secretary, and he continued to play early-morning basketball at the church. In the summer, he and Anna travelled to Idaho to LaVar's ranch to attend the Young family reunion. (Dawnene stayed in UT with Caleb, who had nose surgery. But, I digress . . .)

Dawnene - I continued to teach Keyboarding and Word Processing at Syracuse Junior High. I also graduated from National University with my Masters Degree in Teaching. (Hooray!!) But what I REALLY ENJOYED were the trips we took as a family: travelling with Brig, Anna, and Caleb to Missouri in July to be with my dad, my brother and his family, and McKenzie and Nate. We travelled to Nauvoo on the way, touring the town, attending the pageant, and attending the Nauvoo Temple with Caleb and Anna. What a neat experience! I also loved traveling with Brig to Virginia in December to attend McKenzie and Nate's graduation. On the way back to the airport from the graduation, Brig and I toured Mt. Vernon -- something that I have wanted to do all of my life. What a treat!! In church this year, I worked as the Primary Chorister -- my favorite calling.

McKenzie and Nate - McKenzie and Nate took a break from grad school and drove to Missouri in July to meet the family at the Lake of the Ozarks. There they taught us all to play Scrababble -- Anna still has the sound recording of everyone yelling, singing, and being wild as we played that game. What a hoot! Then these two surprised Dawnene with a trip home for Thanksgiving! What a wonderful surprise! Then, 3 weeks later, they both graduated with their Masters Degrees from James Madison University. (Do ya think they were busy enough??) Next, they were both hired with great companies in Richmond, Virginia, and moved there shortly after Christmas. AND, they told Dawnene (on her birthday) that THEY ARE EXPECTING A BABY ON JULY 4TH!!! What a great birthday present for Dawnene, and what a busy year for McKenzie and Nate!! (Meaning trips, school, graduation, job hunting, AND dealing with pregnancy.) Pretty impressive list of accomplishments for these two!

Brigham S. - Brigham continued working with a roofing company in the SLC area. He also enjoys playing on an indoor soccer league. He moved back home in October, which has been awesome for Caleb. He takes Caleb to the gym, plays games with him, etc. Caleb likes having a brother in the house again. Brigham had nose surgery in September, to fix his deviated septum. He is enjoying being able to breath more easily.

Matt - Matt completed his first year in the mission field, serving in the Australia Melbourne, West mission. He cut his right hand badly in July, and had to undergo surgery and physical therapy to heal it. He cut through 6 tendons,4 arteries, and 3 nerves, and commented that he didn't even know he had all that in his hand! His mission president made sure that he had a great surgeon to work on his hand, and he is healing well. We're grateful that he has been blessed with healing. We miss him!

Anna - Anna turned 16 this year!! She was thrilled when her Dad bought her a "little red rodeo" for her birthday. She was also thrilled to be able to officially date! Anna travelled with her Dad to the Young reunion in Idaho in July. She is half way through her junior year, is studying sign language, and is planning on attending early college during her senior year. Anna works at a dry cleaner's in Bountiful and takes voice lessons locally. She serves in the Laurels presidency at church.

Caleb - Caleb made the Junior High basketball team this year -- a dream come true! However, he missed Matt's coaching this year, saying that Matt was the best basketball coach he'd ever had. (Matt coached Caleb's basketball and baseball teams.) Caleb also starred on the football team, making around a dozen touch downs. To round himself out, he sang in the madrigals at school. (He's a baritone!!! Who'da thunk??) We are told that he can get his learner's permit in April when he turns 15, but we're holding out for an Eagle project, first! As you can tell from the pictures, he had his nose surgically broken and repaired on July 3rd -- leaving just enough time to heal before the football season started. He is enjoying being finally able to breath! He serves in his Teacher's Quorum Presidency at church.

And that was the year! We've been grateful for the blessings of the gospel, of good family, of good health, of safety and protection, and of the "extras" we enjoyed in life -- like trips and fun.