ELDER BRAD DUFFY is in TIJUANA, MEXICO!

Elder Brad Duffy emailed us this afternoon to let us know that he is officially in the mission! He flew out of Salt Lake City this morning to San Diego and was bussed across the border with 6 other fellow missionaries! In his own familiar words "he is pumped and humbled" and ready to serve and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are so proud of him, and we are looking forward to hearing from him about his experiences with the wonderful people in Mexico!

ELDER BRAD DUFFY - Missionary Update

Elder Brad Duffy was scheduled to leave the MTC today, Monday, September 15, 2008, but there has been a delay in Visas to Mexico. He will be in the MTC for at least a week (along with the rest of his District) until Visas are complete. He travels to Salt Lake City some time this next week with his district to meet with the Consolate from Mexico to work out details. We actually received a phone call from him on Saturday (the delayed missionaries were asked to call home), and he let us know about this variance in his schedule. He is doing very well, loves the language, loves missionary work and is anxious to report and serve in the mission field in Tijuana, Mexico!

BRIAN'S SENIOR PICTURES!

CHS FOOTBALL "away" GAME (Moses Lake High)

A brand new stadium with "field turf" (first game of the season on it) at Moses Lake Highschool. Coeur d' Highschool holds off the #1 ranked team in Washington 23-13!
Brian played an exhilarating game! Good times!
Offensive line (Brian on left of bench) receiving instruction during the game. The win made the 2 1/2 hour bus ride home go by quickly! Go Vikings!

Coeur d'Alene Highschool "FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS" Football!

The start of school in the Fall also denotes highschool football games every weekend. Brian (#57) is the "starting" Center and "starting" Defensive End for Coeur d'Alene Highschool Varsity football team. Lining up and getting ready to hike the ball!

Go #57!

The First Day of School - Fall of 2008

Ahhhh...the first day of school, actually, Brian's first day of his Senior Year! He and Shaun begin the day with Seminary at 6:30 a.m.

Shaun really is looking forward to school! He just can't believe that he has to have his picture taken! Too early in the morning! He is beginning his Sophomore year at Coeur d' Alene Highschool.

And they are on their way! Have a great day at school, boys!

Carmen is thrilled and looking forward to fifth grade. (Shaun refers to this as "being at the top of the food chain"!) Her teacher, Mrs. Rude, commented to Carmen this morning that she was excited to have one of the many Duffy's in her class this year. Our children have been attending Hayden Meadows within a span of 17 years since it opened when Megan entered second grade. Lots of history and memories! In fact, Carmen is still reminded by the staff and teachers that everyone remembers when she was born. She was "show and tell" many times! I have to admit that it was just as hard for me to drop her off in her classroom today as it was when she entered Kindergarten. Luckily, Carmen gave me a kiss and hug assuring me that I would be fine without her for a few hours. It doesn't get any easier! (for the Mom!)

Memorializing the Wisdom Teeth!

This past 18 months, at one time or another, Brad, Brian and Shaun have had their Wisdom Teeth extracted. Brad, being the big brother, showed the way and went first. Of course, we took "after" pictures - it was a big deal. Brian had his taken out next, in fact, it was right before Thanksgiving last year. I obviously forgot to take pictures of him, but the memory of that Thanksgiving dinner for him will go down in history. Let's just say that he will make up for any missed "food" this year! Shaun finished up his summer with the extraction of his wisdom teeth. Can you tell Brad and Shaun apart in their "after" pictures?! Take note of the ingenius way to "ice" their cheeks! So, I realized during this period of time that I still get extremely queasy at the sight of blood - I will spare the details and Carmen is hoping that she doesn't have any wisdom teeth just like her older sister, Nicole!