Dylan's Date

Dylan got asked out to his first Girls Choice dance by a girl named Melanie...
Apparently it takes Dylan getting asked out by a girl to get all cleaned up! :)


We of course HAD to take pictures before they went off for a fun-filled evening.

Christmas Comes Early

Dylan left on Sunday to go spend the Christmas Break with his mom, so we had his Christmas on Saturday afternoon so that he could enjoy his presents before he left.


Dylan was ecstatic about his "Transformers" belt buckle.

He was also happy to be able to play Raving Rabbids with Rylan before he left. The boys spent all afternoon playing that game.

As for Dylan's "big" present, an Ipod Touch, I'm not sure who was more excited, Boone (Dylan's adopted brother), Rylan, or Dylan Himself.

It was SOOO much fun to watch the boys spend the afternoon playing, and laughing together as they played the video game on the Wii or as they played with the Apps that Dylan downloaded to his Ipod.

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Dylan got there safely, avoiding the weather mess in the North East. The house just seems a bit on the empty side now that he's away. Poor Rylan really is missing being around his big brother.

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On the "Cute" side, Kylee drew a Nativity Scene while in Sacrament Meeting on Sunday and it's so darn cute I just HAD to post if for the world to see.

Dylan's Photo Homework

Dylan's been taking Digital Photography this semester, and even though he doesn't like the class very much, he still takes some good photos! Here are a few photos and the "Type" of shot that it is.

"Shallow" - Diet Pepsi Cans



"Rule of Thirds" - Colored Doydle with his friends in Black and White



"Merging" - Rylan standing on a Cup



"Line" - Ace of Spades
"


"Merging" - Rylan's Pumpkin Head

Trekkin'

Dylan finally got here and was just in time to go on Pioneer Trek for a few days. I don't have many pictures right now, but will be making the video for his trek family and will post it when it's done.

He got up really early and donned his Pioneer garb before heading to the church to meet up with everyone that was going.

From there we took them up to Dugway where they loaded up their handcarts and headed out for the trail.


I'll let Dylan tell about what happened during the Trek, but Shelly and a few other parents from our ward went to the end of the trail to meet them as they came in.

It's amazing and wonderful to see Dylan smiling at the end of walking around 40 miles in a few days.

Dylan's made a few new friends and re-established some old friendships.


He tells us he's glad he went, but at this point has no desire to do it again. :)

Bittersweet

Today is the day that we all dread at the end of every summer, the day Dylan leaves us.
Grandma & Grandpa Taylor, as well as Great Grandma Taylor came to see him at his Court of Honor tonight, and came early for pizza. Since we didn't have any other pictures with Great Grandma Taylor for this summer, we took a couple.


There was also this darling shot of Shelly and her Baby Boy!


The Court Of Honor was quite a "Haul" for Dylan. Over the course of the summer he attended 3 Camps, hiked at least 50 miles, and earned a TON of merit badges in the process; at least 10, but I didn't get the exact count. In addition to the merit badges, he earned the BSA Conservation award, his Varsity Letter and Hiking pin.

Also, he reached the rank advancement of STAR scout, and has actually completed all of the requirements for the LIFE advancement except waiting the mandatory 6 months, so he'll be eligible for that over Christmas time. Shelly gets the majority of the credit for making sure he got things done, so Thank You sweetheart! You Are The Best!!

I handed J.R. our camera to take those pictures of us while we were up with Dylan, and I get it back with this shot. LOL

Shelly and I also just had to laugh as we watched Courtney just STARE at Rylan during the evening. The starry eyed look says it all!!