Senior Year

Being a Sr. in high school must be rough.  I have never seen McKay take a nap during the day unless he is sick.  Only this school year have I seen him sleep during the day.  Must be draining to be a senior!

Jaxon is a Sweet 16!

Jaxon had a few opportunities to celebrate his 16th birthday this year.  First he celebrated it at Grandma Haacke's house (left) and then the next week at Grandma White house.  He had all his favorite foods including a 5 gallon bucket of BYU Creamery's cookies and cream ice cream!

On his actual birthday, we went to a dental party held by one of the offices that Jeremy refers to.  In the past it was a food truck rally, so Jaxon wanted to go.  This year there were no food trucks though and it was a bit of a disappointment.

 Although the party was a bust, Jaxon had a good time and had a fun attitude.  He even stole my phone for some selfie opportunities.

Little did Jaxon know that when he got home a surprise birthday party was waiting for him.  We had a few of his friends come over (those that could make it) and hide out in the basement.  I sent Jaxon downstairs to get his birthday cake and low and behold SURPRISE! 

 We had cake and ice cream and he hung out with his friends for a while. 

 Since it was a school night we had to keep the party short.

 After the party, we Jaxon opened his presents.  He is getting "too old" to show me that he is 16, but he will still pose for pictures.

His real present was the iPhone that he received when he earned his Eagle Award.  But he received a couple of things that he could put to good use.

A few days after his birthday we went to California Pizza Kitchen for dinner as a family and then got some cheesecake and dessert from the Cheesecake Factory.  It was a fun week celebrating his 16th birthday!

16 Things We Love About Jaxon:

1. His ability to make people at ease.  He is so easy to talk to and carries on conversations with the very young all the way to the very old.  People just connect with him.
2. His laugh.  I will never tire of his giggle.  It is the best when his giggle becomes contagious.
3. He works hard in school and earns good grades.  He got straight A's last year.  High school has been a bit of an adjustment.  More responsibilities.  But he is getting things figured out and is doing great!
4. I love it when he has friends over.  He has a great group of friends.
5. He keeps telling me that now that he is 16 people want him to ask out their friends.  People will come up to him and say, "So-and-so has a crush on you.  You should ask her out."  He gets embarrassed as he never knows what to say.  He is so modest about the matter.
6. Still loves those Spurs!  He is one loyal fan.
7. He makes his bed every day.  I never have to ask him or remind him.  Now if he would just put those decorative pillows on his bed after it was made....
8. He has found that he likes to tinker around in the kitchen.  His specialties are scotcharoos and peanut butter cookies.
9. We went to Hawaii in April and has faithfully worn his EA (lava lava) every week to church since then.  He enjoys the compliments and stares.
10. He is still a good communicator.  I love when we are able to chat one on one.
11. His one handsome boy!  His eyes still sparkle when he smiles and laughs.
12. He is helps around the house and the yard a lot.  Just make sure he has his headphones and a good playlist.
13. Speaking of playlists, Jaxon has an old soul.  He loves the music that I grew up with.  I will often find him listening to Micheal Jackson and other 80s music.  Not sure he likes that I sing along though.
14. He is very polite and respectful.  
15. He is a good friend to his brothers.  He and McKay are especially close, but Jaxon is always showing Josh and Kayden funny videos on social media so they can all have a good laugh together.
16. He still tells me he loves me and says good night to us every night.  He still has his tender side.

Happy birthday Jaxon.  It has been an amazing 16 years and we can't wait to see what is in store for you!

Good News from A3 English 7

Hello--

I want to let you know that I appreciate Josh's consistent focused and engaged behavior in class. Too often it's the more challenging students that receive attention, so anyone that adds to the learning environment in a positive way is more helpful than s/he knows! I'm also grateful for his positive and responsible attitude. 

I have not had the opportunity to tell Josh that I appreciate his efforts; please let him know when you get a chance so that he's aware his positive actions are definitely noticed. 

Regards,

Elizabeth Hancock

It's always nice to get notes home like this one!

BYU Pregame Fun

Since Grandpa Haacke is a former BYU athlete, we get to eat lunch with him at the athlete's tent before the BYU football games.  Then we are given field privileges to go watch warm ups on the field.  It is fun to watch and to be on the field so close to all the players.  Go Cougars!

A Little FHE Fun

A new bishopric was put in on Sunday so we decided to write notes of thanks to our old bishopric and notes of support to our new bishopric.  We went and deliver our notes and cookies for Family Home Evening.  The boys all piled in the back of the van where the seats had all been folded down.  Much to the surprise of the boys I decided to jump in too--you know, to keep the peace.  It was a fun memorable family night.

Labor Day Ninja Warriors

We had our traditional Labor Day family reunion with the Whites.  This year they had a Ninja Warrior challenge that the kids participated in for prizes.  It was fun to watch the younger kids, but McKay and Jaxon really put on a show!

Jaxon

McKay

Last Summer Hike

Jeremy has been itching to get some hiking with the boys in this summer but schedules have been busy and summer temperatures are about over.  Jeremy and Josh decided to sneak a long hike in during Labor Day weekend.  (Nothing was on the schedule because we were supposed to be in Houston.  Hurricane Harvey ruined those plans and we stayed home.)  I drove Jeremy and Josh up American Fork Canyon early in the morning and they started their hike at Granite Flats.  I picked them up that afternoon in Alpine.  Here is was they saw and enjoyed in between.

 

 

Wow we live in a beautiful place!  Josh and Jeremy had a great hike and finished it off with a hamburger and ice cream.  Glad they were able to go.