Yikes, where did the last year go?! Here's a long overdue update on the Taylor fam. Not really going to cover the whole year, but just hit some highlights.
Brooke: She's been working hard and keeping busy as a college student at BYU-Idaho. She has been active in the university's chapter of the political science organization, where she played a key role in the conference they sponsored last fall. It's been great having her home for the summer! She'll be going back for one last semester, and then she'll graduate in December with a degree in political science. From there, she's been hired to work for a political campaign in Las Vegas, Nevada. (See
this website.) So proud of her!
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| Brooke in Denver, October 2012 |
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| Brooke, 9/7/13 |
Dallin: In June, he finished up his second year at Mt. San Antonio College, (Mt. SAC) a local junior college that has a fabulous music program. I didn't think I'd ever say this, but I miss hearing him blast his French horn at all hours of the day! He recently moved to Los Angeles to study horn performance at USC. He made the top orchestra, and will be auditioning for some other non-USC groups in the next few weeks. Can't wait to hear him play at the first concert later this month!
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| Dallin just before he began his horn recital at Mt. SAC |
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| Dallin, 9/7/13 |
John: After graduating from Upland High in June, he's been working and getting ready to attend Mt. SAC. He'll be playing tenor saxophone in jazz ensemble, and alto saxophone in the wind ensemble. He says that college is MUCH better than high school, which is a huge relief! Up to this point in his life, school hasn't been his cup o' tea. Weekends, he works at a local pizza place (Dallin worked there, too). Now we know how to make awesome pizza dough here at home!
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| John on the JumboTron at graduation June 2013- he waved and said, "Hi, Mom!" seconds after I took this picture. |
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| We're all happy he's done with high school! |
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| John, 9/7/13 |
Jared: He spent the summer indoor rock climbing and running, along with a few video games here and there. After junior high, he said he was ready for high school, but it's still sinking in that he's a freshman! He finished his summer projects in four days, after learning that he did, after all, make it into the Honors program. He's contemplating joining the cross country team, but he may just ease into things and hold off until next year, when he's a pro at this high school stuff.
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| Jared and his best bud Evan after 8th grade promotion, June 2013 |
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| Jared, 9/7/13 |
Noah: He learned he loves to rock climb, which he did a lot of over the summer with Jared. Now starting 6th grade, he's looking forward to playing trumpet in band again this year, and also auditioning for the elementary honor choir. He's also thinking about running for student council. And, of course, he's playing soccer, which he's done since he was 6 years old. His first game of the season is just around the corner--go Green Strikers!
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| Noah looks a little like Spiderman, don't you think? |
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| Noah in his suit and tie, playing at the end of the year concert May 2013 |
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| Noah, 9/7/13 |
Chris: He began teaching at Serrano Middle School in August of 1993, so he's been at the same job for 20 years now. Wow! Every school year brings its challenges and difficulties, but for the most part, he still loves his work. He's the busiest teacher at the school, with five different classes- band, choir, orchestra, guitar, and student leadership. He also runs an after school snack shop, with proceeds going to his programs. Last spring, the choir kids put on a production of Disney's Aladdin, and it was fabulous. This year, they'll be doing Annie. And, like last year, the band, choir, guitar class and orchestra will be performing at Knott's Berry Farm. His leadership class probably keeps him the busiest, with dances, rallies, and other school activities to plan and carry out.
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| Chris hard at work, helping his students prepare the newscast |
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| ASB kids getting ready for an activity |
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| Concert Christmas 2012 |
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| Cast and crew of Aladdin |
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| Choir performance |
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| Chris, 9/7/2013 |
Staci: I've been keeping busy running the house, getting kids where they need to be, being PTSA secretary at the high school, teaching the 8 and 9 year olds at church on Sundays and the 8 to 11 year old girls twice a month at activities, and my newest challenge- finishing college. I started last fall at BYU-Idaho in a program called Pathway, and finished that program in July of this year. Now, I'm enrolled in the online degree program at BYU-I, where I begin classes on September 16. It'll take me a few years, but I'll finally get my bachelor's degree!!
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| End of the summer sibling party for activity days, August 2013 |
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| Staci, 9/7/2013 |
And for good measure, here's a couple of non-goofy family pictures:
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| USC Campus, 9/7/2013 |
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| Just outside Dallin's USC apartment, 9/7/2013 |
Well, there you have it. We're good for another year:)
