Karyssa singing for her brother

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Hilarious!

I was remembering the funniest day ever! It was when Brayden was 13 years old and he and I went golfing at Four Lakes. He was backing up the golf cart when he noticed he was getting close to one of the lakes. Instead of pushing the brake, he bailed out of the golf cart. The golf cart went in the lake, but just the back two tires. Luckily, I found some strong men, on the course, who lifted it out of the lake. We laughed so hard! It is an amazing memory that totally makes me laugh out loud! I love you my amazing son! ♥

2008-2010 Slideshow of Brayden

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Spring Newsletter

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Dear Brayden,
     Things have been really blue and sad with out you here. I miss you and the greatest dog in the world, Maverik. I missed you on your birthday, you are now sixteen, and that is the greatest thing.




                        Love,
                                  Hailey. :)

Brayden's Favorite Quote

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Our Deepest Fear

by Marianne Williamson

from A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles

Cowboys, Con Queso, Ladders, and Nuckles

Such fun and amazing memories....Beginning at about 18 months old, Brayden wore his boots EVERYWHERE and with EVERYTHING...or with nothing at all!  He also loved to wear his Spiderman costume, everywhere, with the cowboy boots. 

He not only loved his boots but also cowboy hats and horses.  In this picture, Brayden  is eating Tostitos Salsa Con Queso, he loved to eat it by the spoonful!

 I have tons of picutures of him on play horses, real horses, and in his cowboy gear.  The movie, "Toy Story" was very popular and he loved the character "Woody".

 

I remember when Brayden was learning to pull himself up, at around 8 months old, his Dad had a ladder standing up against the house and he loved to climb it...with me standing right behind him, of course.  Then, one day, just after Brayden turned 2, his Dad was hanging up Christmas lights and I received a phone call from my neighbor, Trulene, who lived across the street.  She frantically informed me that Brayden was on the roof.  Russ had climbed down on the ladder, from the roof, to get more lights and while he was busy Brayden climbed the ladder and got on the roof.  When Russ got back on the roof, he found Brayden up there just running around and playing....NO FEAR! 

And of course, let's not forget the famous cowlick!  See it?!! Such a stylin' baby boy! 

"Nuckles" right back at you my sweet baby! 

I love you! 

 Mom

 

Brayden's Snake

Although it made my skin crawl, Brayden loved his snake.  He was very proud of how big it was getting, in length as well as around.  The night of Dad's birthday party he was showing it off to everyone.  I love you, Brayden!  Mom

Brayden's Harley Jacket

Okay, now who could ever forget Brayden's Harley Davidson Jacket.  Grammie Shirley gave the jacket to him, for Easter I think, in 1998.  He wore that jacket everywhere, with shorts on in the summer, with his cowboy boots, and of course on his Harley!   So Adorable!!!  I love you, Brayden!

Even as an infant, Brayden held on to his ears.  He also held mine for comfort.  He would be sleeping and he would hold both of my ears and pull my face right into his.  If I turned over, Brayden would grab me by the ear and pull on it until I rolled back over.  Then he would grab my ears and go back to sleep.  In the second picture above, he was holding my ear.  Brayden held his own ears so much that he stretched out the left ear and it hung a little lower until he was a teenager.  Such a precious memory!  I love you, baby boy!

Brayden's 16th Continuation Day!

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Our guests brought you the car they felt was the ideal car for you, as a gift, on your 16th Birthday.  These are the cars everyone brought you.  Happy Birthday, Brayden!  WE LOVE YOU!!!!!

Breyelle’s song to Brayden

“I wish you were here.  I wish you weren't far away.  I wish you could not die.  Yea, that is right, Baby (Baaaabeeee).  Yea, Baby, yea, yea, yea.  Heavenly Father will take care you of now.  Yea, mmmmmm, yea!”

Brayden's Birth

Brayden, You always loved it when I told the story of your birth...
On Thanksgiving Day, November 24th, 1994, I woke up having contractions.  Dad and I went bowling, to keep the contractions going.  We went to Uncle Gary and Aunt Kim's to have dinner with Grandpa and Grandma Black.  We ate and celebrated an early Christmas with your grandparents.  I told Dad that it was time to go and we drove to LDS Hospital.  A few short hours later, you were ready to be born, however your heart rate kept dropping with each contraction and it wasn't coming back up to normal.  The doctor said if I didn't push you out quickly we would have to do a C-section.  I pushed with everything I had, the nurse laid on my stomach, and you were born.  The umbilical cord was wrapped tightly around your neck and you were very blue.  The doctor unwrapped the cord, Dad cut the cord, and with a little stimulation you were crying and turning pink.  Grandma Shirlene was in the room and you loved to hear about the prayer she was saying when your heart rate was down.  You loved hearing that angels came to assist you.  You loved hearing about how Aunt Margaret was at home, unaware that we were at the hospital, and she heard, "Pray for me, Aunt Margaret!"  She dropped to her knees and prayed for you.  You loved hearing that the first person we called was Uncle Gary, to let him know that you were born on his birthday. 
It was an amazing Thanksgiving!  We are thankful for every moment we had together.  Thank you for choosing us!  All our love!  Happy 16th Birthday, our baby boy!  Mom and Dad

Barbie Scooter X-Games

My Amazing Boy! I love you so much! Thank you for being mine. This morning, I was thinking about all the times you would have me get the video camera out so I could make videos of you doing tricks. I loved building the half pipe with you. I also love the memory of building the club house in our back yard with you. You had so many creative ideas! This video clip is so hilarious!!!! It was recorded on July 06, 2007.  Thank you, Brayden, for allowing me to record you having so much fun with me!  I Love You my BB. Mom♥

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Boating at Utah Lake

This summer, we decided to rent a boat and go play for the day at Utah Lake.  We got to the lake bright and early and stayed until dinner time.  Dad let all of the kids take a turn driving the boat.  Oh, how they all smiled!  We did a little bit of swimming but mostly played on the tube.  Everyone had abrasions on their elbows from the tube.  We had a ton of laughs as Dad tried to knock the kids off of the tube.  I am so glad we decided to go play at Utah Lake that day!  This is a picture of Megan Able, Brayden, and Jessie on the tube.  It was a fabulous day in the sun, water, and with family!

When Brayden sings...

     So, we got Brayden's phone back yesterday.  He has taken many, many, many amazing pictures of himself,  and because of that,  I know he had amazing self-esteem!  
     We also found a voice note on his phone, he is singing, "On the Brightside" by NeverShoutNever, along with his sisters. When Brayden sang, he was always a little off key and off beat, but I loved to hear him sing, and sing along with him.  Brayden asked me once if I thought he could be on "American Idol."  Of course, as his mother, I said, "Yes!"    I am so happy he made this voice note! 

     Brayden, when you sing, it is one of my happiest memories.  I always smile and laugh when I think of how much you loved to sing.  Thanks for this memory, my buddy!  I love you, Mom

Baseball

So, of coarse, some of my favorite memories are of Brayden playing baseball.  I always looked forward to Spring, know that baseball season was upon us.  Not only did Brayden shine when he played but so did Russ and I because you could not wipe the smiles from our faces.  I remember watching Brayden play in one of the Riverton AllStar games this year, he walked at one at bat, had an RBI at his next at bat, and then he hit the ball so well that he brought in two runs.  He also made some incredible plays to get the other team out.  Russ was at work and could not make the game, but I text him with play by play action and made videos on my phone.  When I told Russ about the great plays Brayden was making, he commented on how proud he was of him, and he cried.  I loved watching him laugh and interact with his team, play the game he loved, and shine!

Beautiful Video of Brayden! Thank you Kylie!

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Shark Encounter at SeaWorld in San Diego, May 2010

This is one of Brayden's favorite pictures.  He was so excited when I was able to capture the picture of the shark at that moment.  We spent a lot of time in the Shark Encounter attraction and even went through a second time.  Brayden talked about how fun and exciting it would be to swim with sharks.  We took a private tour and we were able to pet baby sharks.  I am so elated that we took this trip!

Welcome Home

I remember the day that we brought Brayden home from the hospital.  He was so beautiful that I could not stop looking at him. I remember that even when he was sleeping that I was overwhelmed with joy just looking at him. My dad showed up to our house to see our new addition and I remember him saying "you do not have to stare at him, he is not going anywhere." He is forever with me because I took the time to look at him.  I love you, my sweet baby boy. Dad

We Love You, Brayden!

Welcome to our family blog with happy memories of Brayden.  Our family will post our memories so we will focus and remember happy, fun, and loving memories of Brayden.  Please visit and comment often.  This picture was taken the night before Brayden passed away, it is one of our favorite pictures of him.  We had a party at our home for Russell's 40th Birthday.  Brayden and Karyssa decorated the house that day with orange and purple crepe paper and then Hailey and Breyelle assisted to blow up purple and gold balloons.  They all taped the balloons all over the house as well as outside.  I watched Brayden that night as he talked with our friends and family.  When he laughed, his would throw back his beautiful curly, feathered hair.  His smile was a beautiful site to see.  He went up to his room and brought down his snake for everyone to see, envy, or be afraid of.  He was so proud of her and I could tell he loved the attention and courage he had to let her wrap around his head.  Everyone received a hug, a heartfelt conversation, and shared an amazing experience with him that night.  On September 19, 2010, Brayden woke me up when he was blow drying his hair.  Then I heard him start a load of laundry.  I got out of bed and said, "What ya doin'?" and he said, "Just doing some laundry." I said, "Okay, I'm going back to bed."  He said, "K, mom."  I woke up again at 9:00 am.  Brayden was making the family waffles, made with cinnamon and extra sugar, and eggs.  He gave me a hug when I came downstairs and then I did the dishes from the night before.  Russ and I sat with Brayden and ate our breakfast, made from his love.  Delicious!   Thank you for the love and the beautiful memory!  I love you, my son!  Mom

Carlsbad & San Diego Vacation 2010

 

Brayden’s 15th Birthday!

Brayden’s 14th Birthday!