A year in the life of Brandon

Since Brandon turned 16, he has not missed a single school dance or LDS Prom. I don't think it is because he has a great love for dancing. He tells me he feels that he dances a little woodenly. We, his family, are very willing to offer our critiques and dance education, but he has so far refused to demonstrate his dancing abilities for us. And yet, he still persists in attending the dances. Maybe it is the cute girls who are the incentive?

Below, this was Brandon's first date and first dance - LDS Prom 2008. By the way, his first date was with an older woman - he was a sophomore, she was a junior! They also attended the LDS Prom this year, but I haven't scanned the picture yet.
Who knew that Brandon had this rebellious streak in him? He seemed to feel pretty confident in the skull shirt, studded belt, black earrings, spiked hair. Maybe he is secretly a rocker?

LDS Prom 2009 - now this one is a great story. You really need to hear the entire elongated version from Brandon himself. In short, the dance was held an hour away in Longview, WA. Brandon was driving his date and another couple. It took longer than they expected to get to a restaurant (there are none near us), drive to Longview, and get hopelessly lost (the GPS was absolutely no help). The two couples walked in for the LAST song of the night. Oh, AND this was the first date for both of the girls. Yikes!

Girl's Choice "Tolo" dance, with a jungle theme. Brandon's date was a jungle girl, and Brandon was an explorer. Their outfits were tame. Another couple in the group dressed as Witch Doctors, with skulls hanging from their staffs, tights and leotards, nose rings, huge black afro, etc!

Winter Formal - the group ate dinner at our house. Bailey and her friend were the servers.

After the three couples ate a fancy dinner, they posed for pictures on our stairs. Winter Formal 2009 was a Masquerade Ball.

AND

Other Brandon accomplishments this last year (other than dating): finishing his Eagle project, passing his four AP tests with a 4 or a 5, serving in the presidency of the Priest quorum, getting a 4.0 gpa, performing as a "Who Dad" in the school musical "Seussical," performing in a steel drum band, playing on the tennis team at school, swimming district-qualifying times in 50 and the 500 meter freestyle, forming a band (he plays guitar) and writing music and lyrics which his band is learning/performing, and making it to early morning Seminary almost every day (and occasionally on time). Oh, and being an enjoyable teenager and patient big brother. We love you Brandon!