Newport - Days 1 & 2

We love our trips to Newport. This trip was last minute but we realize it would be Brayden's last chance to come so we booked it and headed out. The Brauns were also here this week so we had a blast hanging with them. It was a little chilly but we still managed to enjoy every minute of it. The first 2 days were pretty chill. We walked around the island, ate good food, played beach volleyball, and checked out the tide pools which were really cool. Brooklyn's boyfriend happened to be playing in a tennis tournament 5 min away so we went and watched one of his matches. We also celebrated Kayleigh's bday!

 

Basketball Banquet

We were able to go to Brayden's year end basketball banquet. The senior moms were in charge so we were there early decorating and making sure all the food was ready to go. It was a rough year for these senior boys so the banquet was bitter sweet. Brayden especially had struggles this year so we just needed to get past this night so he could move on. There were a lot of awards handed out and they did a good job recognizing the seniors. Brayden earned the toughness award which was a high honor, however Brayden sees it as the award they give the kid that isn't good enough for all the other awards. So I don't know. It's hard to watch your kid get torn down by a coach and have the passion beat out of them. Brayden has worked 12 years of his life for this year and to be treated the way he was is very disheartening and upsetting. He needs time to heal and hopefully he will be able to find that passion again and remember how good he is and that it was all worth it. 

 

Getting Sun

These teenage kids. It is mind blowing how much they pay attention to the UV and lay out every chance they get. I guess these 2 are trying to get a jump on the summer season.

 

Mission Call Opening

No one ever knows when their mission call is going to come, so when it does there isn't much time to throw together the party to open the call. However it always comes together and the kids love going to all of the mission call openings. Brayden and Brooklyn spread the word and we had quite the crowd for Brayden to open his call. No one knew that he had already opened it. Brayden, Josh, and I were still pretty emotional from the night before so there were plenty of emotions as Brayden opened his call. We are so proud of him and excited for him to serve in Aguascalientes Mexico!