Happy 16th, Brandon!

LOOKING BACK...

BIRTH You were born in MA. You made your Dad miss a Boston Celtics game. He was upset that it was being held for the last time in the Garden Arena. Your labor set in before game time. Your dad argued that he could make the game and be back for your arrival. (Sneaky, huh?) However, I didn't let that fly. You came in the middle of the night. Because of this, your dad still throws it up in my face that he could have made the game. You know how much he loves basketball! But don't let that little fit fool you. He was so proud of your birth that he kept the sneakers that he was wearing that night. Some blood had splattered on them and he wouldn't wash them off. He wore them proudly for years to remind him of that special event.

ONE YR You visited Salem and saw the witches. You went to Disney Land, CA. You had your first plane ride when you moved to Hawaii.

TWO YRS You were the clumsiest child I had ever seen. You ran into everything and fell constantly. Consequently, we went through a few set of stitches at this time.

THREE YRS You went to Hanauma Bay, the Polynesian Cultural Center, and Waimea Falls. You LOVED these places.

FOUR YRS You moved to Sumter, SC. You played T-ball.

FIVE YRS You drove my car into the bushes of the church. You kind of still scare me about things like that! ;) Learn how to drive!!! You started kindergarten. You went to Disney World, Sea World, and Universal Studios.

SIX YRS You started basketball. You went to Medieval Times in Myrtle Beach.

SEVEN YRS You were home schooled this year (2nd grade). And, I also believe this is when you had your famous knock out hit to Frankie. Wow! You totally amazed us with your full body punch. We wanted to scream and cheer because it was so perfectly executed. But, instead we had to contain our enthusiasm and send you to your room.

EIGHT YRS You were baptized. ALL of your family was there supporting you in some way. Even your Uncle Ethen, who was serving a mission in CO, sent a talk about the Holy Ghost via video tape. Everyone was included. You also started taking your first vacations with Grandma and Pop Cook. You went to Maggie Valley, NC.

NINE YRS You moved to West Columbia, SC. You got into paintball and started playing football. Grandma and Pop Cook took you to Gatlinburg, TN.

TEN YRS You loved helping your Papa out at his little grocery store that he ran. Grandma and Pop Cook took you to Edisto Island.

ELEVEN YRS You started wrestling. You went to the Lou Holtz football camp at USC. You went to Maggie Valley again with Grandma and Pop Cook.

TWELVE YRS You received the priesthood and started Boy Scouts. This year you to took your vacation with Grandma to Lake Lure, NC. This year was also marked with a lot of pain for you. You dislocated your elbow while wrestling. Remember, it was the first match of the season. I know you know the date because Gamma died that night: December 1st.

THIRTEEN YRS You traveled to TN to watch USC beat them in football. You also spent some time at Weston Lake, Ft. Jackson with Grandma and Pop Cook. You took a trip with us to Sapphire Valley, NC and went snow skiing.

FOURTEEN YRS You went on your first cruise. You went to Key West, Bahamas, Jamaica, Cozumel, and the Cayman Island. Cozumel, Mexico was your favorite. Remember the food? To die for!!! We had such a good time! You met new friends and experienced so much. You also went to Six Flags, GA, and went on Trek to Abbyville, SC. You were such a hard worker there.

FIFTEEN YRS You moved to Las Vegas. On your cross country trip, you traveled to Ruby Falls, TN and the Grand Canyon. You also got braces and started tennis. You flew to LA to watch USC get beat by #2 LSU. You had your 4th plane ride when you flew to SC to visit for Easter.

SIXTEEN YRS Oh my goodness! You're going to date, get a job, and receive your driver's license! (Please don't give me any more gray hairs. You know I have plenty.) Have fun, but keep the standards. Oh, and you'll go to the University of Utah for EFY this summer. That'll be great.