Kevin turned 40 this year. In the Spring, he began his term as Chair of the Faculty Senate for Southeast Missouri State University. As part of his responsibilities, he has traveled to Missouri’s capital, Jefferson City, a few times this year for meetings with the Governor and he has enjoyed getting to know many people at the University. In June, on our daughter’s 16th birthday, Kevin was released as Second Counselor in the Stake Presidency and called to be First Counselor in the Stake Presidency of the Cape Girardeau Stake.
Brynda (40) continues to be busy with four kids at four different schools, last school year and this school year. At church she teaches adult Sunday School and taught the New Testament this past year. She enjoyed helping Hyrum, along with the scouts and Optimist club, paint “Happy” the train at Arena Park. She also enjoyed volunteering at the Food bank of SE Missouri with her kids, then helping them again as backpacks were put together for school children to have food to bring home each weekend. In November, she enjoyed helping the youth sort the coats and winter clothes that would be given away on Thanksgiving to those in need. At the end of April, she found out that her friend Lisa Pocock Davis had become a health coach. Lisa convinced her to change her eating and get in shape through the Take shape for life program. Brynda lost 30 pounds and enjoyed having lots more energy to keep up with the busy kids. She and Hyrum recently enjoyed hiking 3 miles in Trail of Tears State Park with the Webelos and helping with Scouting for Food. This past semester she has been working out with a personal trainer 3 times a week. Brynda also serves as the Kindergarten Girls Coordinator for the local soccer league.
Mallory (16) was happy to get her braces off in February. She was busy this past year participating in Varsity Swimming, J.V. Scholar Bowl, Spanish Club, BETA club, early morning seminary, and Varsity Cross Country. She ran a 5K in March, then once Cross Country season started in the Fall, she was running 5 K’s all the time and feeling like she could have run farther. She had poetry and creative writing published in the competitive high school publication, Central Light, and competed at the State level for cello. She also received a special art award at the high school and was recognized by Jo Ann Emerson (our Congresswoman) as a Congressional Art Contest Award Winner. She enjoyed attending EFY in Provo during the summer and spending time with family in Idaho. She also loved girls’ camp where she was a youth leader and youth conference where she enjoyed getting to know a young man by the name of William. William took her on her first date in September. She also made it to Districts in Cross Country and was selected as one of the region’s top runners. In addition she made All-District Orchestra and added another bar to her academic letter for continuing to be on “A” honor roll. She’s taking college credits this year and is ready to get her license when mom and dad decide they can afford the insurance. Mallory’s friend, Liz, joined our church and Kevin had the privilege of baptizing her.
Reed (14) got braces in January. He played soccer and was running track but had to discontinue due to Sever’s Disease (pain in the heels associated with growing). He is probably about 5’10’’ now and wears shoes the same size as Kevin. Reed participates in BETA club and Art and Reading Club. He enjoyed helping during back to school registration. Reed attended high school Marching Band Camp. Then he took a refereeing class for soccer and became a referee for the local soccer league during the Fall Season. Currently, he is playing indoor soccer. He made Jr. High All-District Band in percussion. He also plays the cello and the piano. He met a visiting Chinese student at school this past semester and they quickly became good friends. Reed helped Ming with English and the transition to America. Ming even taught Reed about 35 words in Chinese. Sadly, Ming has to return to China this month.
Hyrum (10) enjoys running and designed the medal that was used at the end of Marathon Kids club. He graduated from Alma Schrader Elementary and started school at Central Middle School. He tried out for and made it into Drama Club and Shere Khan (a percussion group). He also enjoys running and went to Cross Country summer camp with Reed and belongs to Running Club at school. He enjoyed visiting Jefferson City for the state capitol tour. He and Kevin enjoyed an overnight stay at the Planetarium/Science Center with his gifted group at school. He helped Brynda pick blackberries and make them into blackberry jam this past summer. He got to attend a Cardinals games in St. Louis with our new friends the Condie’s who moved
here from San Antonio, Texas. He is taking piano lessons and playing indoor
soccer. He has developed an increased love of reading and continues to love
swimming.
Emilie (5) loves to play soccer and swim. She even won a ribbon in the summer league championships for back stroke. This was surprising as she is only 5 and had to swim in the 8 and under group. Emilie graduated from Pre-K at Blanchard Elementary and now attends Kindergarten at Alma Schrader which she has looked forward to for a number of years now. She thrives in school and enjoys being at the center of everything. She can officially do cartwheels now. She loves to color and draw and has set up her own little “office” in the basement
We enjoyed having Grandma Shana out during the summer and
were finally able to take her to visit Nauvoo and Carthage. While there, we
were able to see Kevin’s uncle (his dad’s identical twin) and aunt who are
serving a mission there. Kevin’s brothers along with their families and Tanya
were able to come out for the second annual Kevincon--days of game playing and a night floating on the lazy river at Cape Splash. We also enjoyed getting to know the Shahwan family that moved here this past summer from the country of Jordan. They opened a Mediterranean “Brick Oven” that we like to frequent. We also have enjoyed getting to know Ming’s mother “Jean” who is very loving and friendly. She played basketball with Reed, Ming, and a group of guys every Wednesday night. John Fournier, former chef of Gregory Peck, also gave us a fun cooking lesson at the Condie’s house. We also enjoyed Contra Dancing as a family.
We love our family and the many people who come into our
lives and become “family.” We’re thankful for the Savior not just at Christmas
but all year long. We have our house on the market as we are trying to buy a
slightly larger house. We’ll keep you posted if our address changes.
With love,
The Dickson family
(Kevin, Brynda, Mallory, Reed, Hyrum, and Emilie)
