(Joe is the boy who starts at the far end of the stage.)
So Joe came home a few weeks ago and said he and his friend, Ethan, wanted to be in the talent show. Since Joe is a good singer, I thought he'd sing a song. NOPE!
Joe and his friend did the worm. They auditioned, had rehearsals and then performed to a cheering crowd. Great job, Joe!
Bruce and Camille, a cute girl from our ward.
They enjoyed a day a trip to the zoo, dinner out and the dance. 
So Travis had a birthday. Not the exciting occurrence it once was, but we did celebrate with dinner at Joe's Crab Shack and a cheesy but cute romantic comedy, "When In Rome." We had a great time. So, in honor of the birthday, and the man who celebrated it, here are a few things I love about Travis (in no particular order).
It is pinewood derby time in cub scouts and we were very proud of Joe for his fine entry. He built the car himself with VERY little help from us. He did the carving, the sanding, the painting, and his help came mounting the wheels. The car looked good and he won 3 heats, came in second on 2 heats and third on one heat. 
Joe turned 9 in 2009. He played flag football and was excellent. He was fast and scored multiple touchdowns and had a great time. He likes school, loves playing with friends and is a sweet kid.
Veronica restarted piano lessons and continues to get better and better. She works so hard in high school and gets perfect or better grades (because of extra credit, she often has over 100% in her classes). She loves to babysit, enjoys chick flicks and writing to her grandma.
Bruce started his senior year of high school. After spending the day at the University of Utah, where he was invited to the Honors Architecture program, he decided that he would do his undergraduate work there. He works every day after school and is saving money for college and his mission. This picture is a little teaser of how he'll look in less than a year when he goes on his mission.
Travis worked hard and significantly improved his office's performance winning a place on the top western states list. He served in the Sunday School presidency, enjoyed Jazz games with Bruce and Joe and Mehmet and took a couple of trips to Arizona moving a very large refrigerator.
The kids having fun at the family photo shoot with Rob Higginson photography.
During the summer we enjoyed a really fun family reunion in Idaho. Here is Mehmet showing off.
And here's Bruce's fine moves.
Me clearly not enjoying one of the fun activities. (I only put this in here to prove that I'm alive and part of the family.)
Joe enjoying a ride with Uncle John and cousin Stella.
Mehmet and Veronica at the Great Salt Lake a couple of weeks before he went home to Turkey. He was such a great part of our family from January until the end of June. It was hard to send him home. We wished we could have kept him. It is hard to imagine that someone from such a different background could fit in so well and be just like a son and brother, but he was and we miss him terribly. He was pleasant, helpful, funny, likeable, laughed easily, was great with the kids, respectful, entertaining and wonderful. He can be in our family any time!
The family at the family photo shoot.
Mehmet, just before he left for Turkey at a little gathering with the extended family. Everyone loved having him around and Grandma and Grandpa made him this wonderful quilt as a going-away present. He loved it!
Bruce and Mehmet at his going-away family party. He also had a great party with about fifty kids from school and church. He was loved by everyone.
Mehmet with the cake Veronica made at her cake-decorating class. She took the class with a friend and her young women's leader during the summer and did a good job. (I know, I could have taught her. In fact, she already knew how to do a lot of it, but this was a chance to do it with them and she had fun).
Mehmet and Savannah at the Great Salt Lake.
Bruce, Joe and Mehmet at M&M world in Las Vegas. We took Mehmet to St. George and Las Vegas. We had fun eating out, playing, riding roller coasters and getting paid for doing a survey on a new television show. It was a great time!
Bruce and Mehmet played on the same high school basketball team for Maiser Prep. They had fun.
Bruce at the Great Salt Lake.
Bruce and Mehmet looking a little too cool at the Jazz game.
2009 was the year we got Pepper. Savannah and Joe love her. Bruce and Veronica avoid her. She usually sleeps in Joe's room, but occasionally sleeps in Savannah. She's a huge, calm Great Dane and is a good friend for the two younger kids.
Savannah and Joe in a tree in a park by their school.
Veronica got to work with Kelsey Nixon of Food Network for three weeks. It was a great experience and Kelsey was so great. I haven't been able to find the pictures of Veronica with Kelsey, but here she is on Good Things Utah with the hosts. Veronica got to go with Kelsey as she did an appearance, helping her prep and getting to watch the taping. 
Joe and Savannah playing in the water in St. George.
Joe enjoying the water park.
Travis and all the kids went on the roller coaster south of Las Vegas. Ridiculously big. I didn't participate.
Another sleeping shot of Pepper and Savannah.
Savannah with her new (to her) bike that was purchased of KSL. Veronica got a blue one. They enjoy riding around the neighborhood with their friends.
Veronica and Lily are great friends.
During the summer, we got our yard in and put in a firepit in the back. It is fun and we had some great gatherings there. Looking forward to more this year.
Mehmet relaxing.
Veronica performing at her piano recital. She did a beautiful job. Granpa and Grandma Higginson were able to come and Grandpa and Grandma Rindlisbacher listened from the phone since they were in St. George.
Savannah and Joe enjoyed the snow with Pepper.
Bruce and his good friend and cousin Nathan, just before Nathan left on his mission. They won't see each other for more than three years. It was tough to say goodbye.
Bruce enjoying birthday cake.
We replaced the Mazda with this 4WD car that makes us much more comfortable with Bruce driving in the bad weather to work. We also replaced the Honda Odyssey with a Honda Pilot. 
The family Christmas party was great. It was a wonderful evening with good food, lots of good company, the Nativity and Quilts from Grandma and Grandpa to all the Grandkids. It was an amazing array of gifts.
The kids playing together.
