2011 in Review

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)

2010 in Review

Dear Family and Friends,

Is it just me or did this year go by even faster than normal? 2010 has been a busy year. As I look back over all the things we did I think maybe we need to consider doing much less…As a family, we enjoyed going on a trip to see the Cahokia Indian Mounds in Illinois and visiting the St. Louis Zoo where we were able to pet Sting Rays, my mom was here visiting and was able to go with us. Kevin’s brother Greg, and his other brother Vernon and family were able to come out and visit us in June for a fun week of cousins playing together and the rest of us fitting in as many board games as we could J. We also enjoyed having our friend Tanya out to visit twice from L.A.

In July, we visited our friends, the Busch's, in Atlanta, GA and then stayed in Orlando, Florida for a few days. We were able to spend some time with mission friends, Alex and Rosa Mancuso and their two daughters, and we were able to go to Disneyworld for the first time. Emilie loved seeing Buzz Lightyear and she hated Splash Mountain. Hyrum loved it all. Reed decided he did not like Space Mountain and Mallory decided she likes roller coasters after all. Kevin, Mallory, and Reed were able to go to the Orlando Temple with Kevin’s brother, Vernon, who is the Young Men’s President in his ward in Davie, Florida. We went down to Davie, Florida next to be with Vernon’s family and were able to play lots more games, visit the beach, and the Flamingo Gardens.

Recently, we had fun going to a university football game together and going to see Tangled 3D at the theater. On a sad note, our cat, Lexie, disappeared one April night and we have not seen her since. We think an owl got her as we spotted one the next day near our house.

Emilie turned 4 in February. She started Pre-K at Blanchard Elementary, since Alma Schrader is in the process of adding on and had less room this year. She played soccer in the spring and in the fall. She really got into it by fall and scored seven goals in one game. She and I attended the opening of the Cape Children’s Museum and she ended up on the front page of our local paper! She did swim team this past summer and learned how to swim then went on to compete in two swim meets, earning ribbons at both (it helps that they let you grab the lane line as needed at age four.)

Hyrum continues to love cub scouts and Explorers. He turned nine in April. He is in his final year at Alma Schrader, since he is in fourth grade. He loves participating in the fourth grade choir and helping with safety patrol. Just before his ninth birthday he got contacts which he likes better than glasses. He played soccer in the spring. He also had the opportunity to go to the City Museum in St. Louis for the first time and loved it. Half the time, I wasn’t sure if he was in the ceiling or under the tile floor—what a place that is! He ran weekly with Marathon Kids after school last school year and continues to do so this year. This past summer, Hyrum loved being on swim team and being in the soap box derby. On his practice run, a girl’s car ended up crossing in front of him near the end in a t-bone crash. It was scary and her car was done for the day with a cracked floor board and Hyrum’s car had to be put back together as he had lost a wheel and axle. He kept the bent axle as a prize. He and the girl had already been friends on swim team and became even better friends through their crash experience.

Reed enjoyed the last semester of middle school. He was in reading club, math Olympiad, triathlon kids club, and he was a finalist in the school’s Geography Bee. He made it to the final four in the chess club championships and enjoyed being a part of the percussion ensemble, Shere Khan. They traveled to Iowa City on tour. Reed got to play a lively Caribbean tune on the steel drum which he really liked. He also was able to go with his Explore Group to Camp Lakewood up near Potosi, MO. He learned team building skills and survival techniques. I enjoyed going too. He and I also joined the sixth grade on their end of the year zoo trip. He played soccer every season and continues to play on an indoor soccer team now that it is winter. In the spring, he played on an all star team. He qualified to go to the state track meet by winning first in more than one event at the Hershey’s track and field meet but we decided to skip this year. Reed started junior high as a seventh grader this past fall and recently turned thirteen. He is enjoying percussion and cello classes. He also participates in library leaders, reading club, BETA club, and Art club. He ran cross country for the junior high and ended up placing tenth in the Conference Meet. He recently received a full size marimba to practice on at home.

Mallory is fifteen and a sophomore in high school. This past summer she got her driver’s permit. She really likes driving and wants to take her dad’s Honda Civic as soon as she gets her license this coming summer. Mallory swam with the Gator swim team this past summer and worked as a volunteer at the Cape Girardeau Public Library. She continues to excel in orchestra (cello) and qualified for District Honors Orchestra. She has also continued to be in Spanish club and BETA club. She completed her second year as a Varsity Cross Country runner for the high school and is swimming for the high school for her second year. Mallory earned her Academic letter for being on the A honor roll both semesters of her freshman year. Mallory continues to attend early morning seminary and her Spanish teacher and Art teacher both told me that she is gifted in these areas when I attended parent-teacher conferences. She also is in Honors Chemistry, Honors English, and Honors Algebra II. She also joined Junior Varsity Scholar Bowl this year; so far they have won most of their meets.

Brynda (Me) can’t believe she will be 40 this month! Where do the years go? In May, I was released from being the Ward Relief Society President after only two years when Kevin received a new calling. Later, in May, I was called to be the Ward Gospel Doctrine teacher, and I have enjoyed getting an in-depth look at the Old Testament. In the spring, when I went to Camp Lakewood with Reed, I got to have fun doing archery and climbing a rock wall, only to make what felt like a suicidal jump to get back down again! I was feeling my age. I started working out four times a week from September until now, as a guinea pig for a student at the University training to be a personal trainer. I discovered after weeks of sore muscles that I do feel much better when I keep up a regular exercise routine. I have been getting a few white hairs so I had blond highlights added to mix in with them J.

Kevin has been almost as busy as the kids if that’s possible. In April, he was released from being first counselor in the Ward Bishopric to be called as second counselor in the Stake Presidency. Over Spring Break, Kevin went to Washington D.C. to take students to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a non-partisan policy think tank. He was elected Faculty Senate Chair-Elect at Southeast Missouri State University and will be the Faculty Senate Chair next year. He flew out to Los Angeles in October for the baby blessing of our new niece Charlotte Naida Dickson, Greg and Stephanie’s first child. He enjoyed spending the time with his family and friends out there, all 3 brothers were able to be there which doesn’t happen all that often with us all living in different time zones.

We wish you a Merry Christmas from our family during this special season in which we remember the birth of the Savior of the world.

Kevin, Brynda, Mallory, Reed, Hyrum, and Emilie

2009 in Review

Dickson Family Christmas Letter 2009

At this special time of year we reflect on the year gone by and the many experiences we’ve had throughout the year. Like all of you, we’re busy and I’m getting a late start on this Christmas letter, but since I always enjoy reading about how all of you are doing and this is kind of like my own journal record of the events of our lives, I’ll attempt to put into words some of our many activities of this past year starting with the youngest and going to the oldest.

Emilie is 3 and has been enjoying going to the Center for Child Studies in the morning and then pre-school at Alma Schrader Elementary in the afternoon. She loves to say all of the letters, sing random tunes, write her name, and suck her thumb (we’re working on that one). Her favorite foods are yogurt and blueberry mini-wheats. She also loves our cat, Lexie, throwing balls, and spending time with her brothers and sister.

Hyrum is 8 and was baptized this past year by Kevin. He loves cub scouts and took first in the Rain Gutter Regatta again as well as 4th in the Pinewood Derby. In May, we figured out he was having trouble seeing far away and he got glasses on the day school got out. He loved being involved with the Soap Box Derby and riding in a go-cart this past summer. He is in the 3rd grade. He graduated from Speech classes recently and participates in the Gifted Program.

Reed just turned 12 and is in the 6th grade. He is enjoying his 2nd year of being in the African music ensemble Shere Khan at school. He got 2nd place in the Pinewood Derby and has moved on to Boy Scouts. Like Hyrum, he participated in his first Soap Box Derby and had a thrilling first ride down the street when his brake did not reach the ground! Reed was in a Regional Math Contest and forgot that he was allowed to use his calculator, that made it a little (lot) harder. This past summer, he got to go to his first Cardinals baseball game in St. Louis with a friend. He also became a certified baby-sitter and soon after got his first baby-sitting job. When Reed turned 12 last month he got the Aaronic Priesthood from Kevin and earned his Faith in God Award; that same Sunday he gave his first talk in Sacrament Meeting. He loves to read and excels in school. In his spare time, he is in Science Club, Truman Club, Math Olympiad, Mission Possible Team, Triathlon Kids Club, Chess Club, and takes piano lessons. He is also in the Gifted Program.

Mallory is 14 and started high school this past fall. Before she left Jr. High she played the piano for the Jazz Band, lettered in cross country and track, and earned her 1st cup in piano (it is earned by getting a perfect score in Festival for three years). In high school, she is finding the academic load to be more challenging and is taking Honors Geometry and Honors English. She loved running on the Cross Country team and earned her Varsity letter. She continues to be 1st chair in cello in the Freshman Orchestra and is currently on the high school girls swim team where the backstroke is her specialty. She also is in Beta Club (a service organization) and Spanish Club. She starts each day by getting up at 4:45am and then going to Seminary before school. This past summer she got braces and had blond streaks put in her curly brown hair.

Kevin was called to be the 1st counselor in the Bishopric in February; he flew out to California so his dad could set him apart as a high priest. In March, he flew to Ireland and then Denmark where he spent a week as visiting faculty. The highlight of his year was being awarded tenure! In August he flew to Chicago for the Academy of Management meetings and more recruiting for faculty positions in his department. In October, he flew to Los Angeles for his 20 year high school reunion.

Brynda just finished 1 year as Relief Society President in October. A few days after her birthday, she got a “new” 2007 Toyota Sienna which she lives in for much of the day as she takes kids places and picks them up. She had her first surgery this past September as she needed to have a cyst removed, thankfully it was benign. She works hard to keep up with all the kids’ activities. She enjoyed seeing many old friends at her 20 year high school reunion in Twin Falls, Idaho this past summer and spending time with family.

Other happenings this past year were that we were blessed to have Greg and Stephanie Dickson come out to visit us from Arizona. Bryn’s parents came out from Idaho for Hyrum’s baptism and they enjoyed helping us get ready for the Soap Box Derby as well as our friends the Dodds. We were thrilled that the Cape library was completely remodeled and re-opened in May; the kids were there on opening day.

Mallory and Reed both placed first in various events at the local Hershey’s Track and Field Meet and went on to place at the state track meet in Jefferson City. Mallory, Reed, and Hyrum also enjoyed swimming with the Gator Swim Team over the summer. Mallory attended her 3rd year of Girls Camp and then in July our family drove across the upper states to Idaho. Along the way we drove over a mountain to see Bryn’s brother Shay who lives in Eden, UT. It looked like a scene from the Sound of Music. When we got to Idaho we had a big family reunion to celebrate Bryn’s parents 40 year wedding anniversary and her mom’s 60th birthday and her dad’s 64th birthday. We convinced Kevin to come with a large group of us to his first drive-in movie experience. We also enjoyed visiting the new Twin Falls Temple. Brynda was able to spend a night out at the races at Magic Valley Speedway with her dad and got to see her cousin Johnny who was racing that night.

Finally, it was time to come back to Cape and we made it home just as a huge storm hit which knocked out our power and flooded our basement. We were able to keep the water on the tile and off the carpet with constant mopping and decided afterwards that it was time to bite the bullet and have the back yard re-landscaped to prevent water from getting near the house. After lots of $ we have a new back yard and no more flooding.

These years go by too quickly. Mallory is already starting to get college letters in the mail. So far she’s thinking maybe BYU-Idaho? We love Cape and our many friends here, we miss all of you who live so far away and thank you for taking the time to stay in touch with us and keep us updated on your lives.

Lots of Love and Wishes for a Merry Christmas and Marvelous New Year.

Kevin*Brynda*Mallory*Reed*Hyrum*Emilie

2008 in review

Dear Friends and family members,

2008 has been a busy year. I was kind of thinking that maybe we weren’t going to get around to getting out a Christmas letter this year. We are still living in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and love the Midwest, despite ice storms and flooding. Here’s a quick rundown of our year.

Emilie

Emilie turned 2 in February and enjoyed starting pre-school at the Center for Child Studies in September. She is full of personality and brings us great joy. Her best friends are Jay and Jacob and she’ll say I want to see my Jacob (at school) or my Jay her other friend who moved away. She loves dancing and is still very much attached to that left thumb. She also enjoys chasing the cat around the house.

Hyrum

Hyrum turned 7 in April. He started 2nd grade in August and he enjoys reading although he says recess is his favorite subject and then lunch. He loves cub scouts and took 2nd for the tiger scouts in the pinewood derby and took first out of the whole pack for the Raingutter Regatta. I actually helped him make the boat so I was pretty amazed he won also! He played soccer this Fall and their team won the season. Hyrum even contributed a goal. He started piano lessons this year and had his first recital. He also loved being on swim team and competing in all the different strokes.

Reed

Reed turned 11 on Thanksgiving day. He graduated from 4th grade at Alma Schrader in the Spring. He was honored with a special Pride of Missouri Award for the virtue of Knowledge. Of the entire 4th grade, 15 students were chosen for 15 different virtues that they exemplified. Reed also took 1st place in the long jump at a city track meet which qualified him for the state Hershey’s track and field meet where he took 6th place with a jump of 6 feet 11 1/2 inches. He is our athletic one and enjoyed both indoor and outdoor soccer. He also loved being on swim team and took 1st place in the 50m Breastroke at the Championship meet. He started 5th grade this Fall and was chosen to be in Shere Khan (an African music ensemble), and Math Olympiad (where they spend time exploring math in more depth). Recently, he earned his Arrow of Light award and all the Webelos awards that were possible. He crossed over to boy scouts soon after. He is becoming quite skilled on the piano.