What a year for Gavin!

Gavin's 7th-grade year was a busy one, thanks in large part to his commitment to his select soccer team, the FC Sharks. Gavin also ran track and played soccer for his school too, not to mention somehow squeezing in scouting. He had hoped to play basketball for his school as well, but those tryouts and plans got interrupted by the unexpected drama detailed below.

First day of 7th grade!

The FC Sharks. This pic was coincidentally taken when Gavin was suffering from appendicitis, but had played the game and scored a goal anyway...

Probably not the best idea, since he ended up two days later with a ruptured appendix (deja-vu for Mom!!!). Here he is being wheeled into surgery on 11/12/13 (easy to remember that date!).

Gavin was out for a little while after surgery, but his main complaint upon waking was once again that he was STARVING. He literally had eaten nothing for two days and barely anything for the two days before that. Prior to the surgery they wouldn't let him eat anything and the hunger was almost worse than the pain from the appendicitis. When he was finally allowed to eat something more than broth, he requested a Chipotle burrito and ate the whole thing the very night of his surgery. His surgeon was impressed, to say the least. 

We happened to be at the hospital when this lovely couple brought in stuffed  animals for all the pediatric patients in honor of their son who had been a pediatric patient at Medical City, but who had not survived. They have been doing this for decades once a year on their son's birthday, and we were there for their visit. Gavin received a dragon--not like he's a big stuffed animal guy, but it was very kind of these people. 

Really bored, but hanging in there! Gavin was in the hospital for 5 days, during which time we watched more TV than we could really stand. We also played quite a bit of pool, with Gavin dragging around his IV stand. I stayed with him all day every day, and Tim spent every evening with him, along with staying overnight the first two nights too.
Gavin was such a trooper! All the nurses commented on the way Gavin took this all in stride--no whining, moaning, crabbiness, or carrying on. It seemed to make a nice change for them! :-)

Finally time to go home!!! Good-bye Medical City! Hello Chick-Fil-A strawberry shake (Gavin's craving finally satisfied on the way home!). 

These great friends of Gavin's came by to visit him with a signed soccer ball the next day.

Other than his surgery, and soccer, soccer, and more soccer. . .

. . .I think we will all remember this school year for Gavin as "The Year of the Hair." (Mind you, none of this experimentation detracted in any way from Gavin's popularity with the girls at school!)

Back in the fall, before serious experimentation began.

We like to call this "do" the Wolverine.

This one is a modified Wolverine, with more of a center swoop and plenty of hair product.

Right after a soccer win Memorial Day weekend, and it's safe to say the Wolverine has been tamed for good! (Sigh of relief!)

We love Gavin!

Some stuff Tristan's been doing this year!

Tristan has had an incredibly busy year in many ways, especially as he worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor all through the school year. His academic year wasn't as challenging as I expected for his Jr. year (his grades are excellent, though), and in fact, a few months ago he commented, "It's a good thing I don't have much homework! I just don't have time for it." And it was true!! He never missed a day of seminary, attended Misson Prep every week, and also participated in our community's Youth Action Council.

The school year had barely started when it was time for Homecoming!

Don't get me started on my thoughts about the insanity of this Texas tradition: the ridiculously overpriced (and just ridiculous in general) MUM. But no self-respecting guy wouldn't provide one for his date and Tristan did a great job coming up with this creation.

Tristan with great friends Dallas and Nidish.

Tristan and Homecoming date, Noelle.

We always enjoy attending Tristan's choir concerts, and the annual Madrigals dinner show is a particular favorite. Tristan was rather dashing as one of the 3 Muskateers this year.

Pop Show, final concert of the year.

Tristan was asked to be on the Stake Youth Council this year. This group was responsible for planning and executing Youth Conference, and they did an amazing job! The theme was missionary work, with the pinnacle event being that the youth were all paired up and went to 100 different homes throughout our community to teach a missionary lesson. It was incredible and a life-changing event for many. 

Tristan is on the left in purple.

A big bonus from being on the Youth Council was that Tristan met so many great guys in other wards that he could hang out with. Here, he and his buddy Kevin, along with several girls, made cookies at our home, and then ding-dong ditched with plates of cookies, Ninja-style. 

Tristan went to Mormon Prom with a friend from another stake, Haley, that he met a few years ago at EFY. They took pictures in our backyard with a big group of friends and then all went to dinner together prior to heading to the Prom.

Two weeks later Tristan was at it again, this time attending his school prom with his close friend, Allie. This was another huge group of friends who first had dinner at someone's house, then went to prom on a "party bus," then followed that with another party! We are glad Tristan has such great friends.

Sometimes Tristan even squeezes in a little bit of family time. Here he is with his brothers down at Grapevine Lake. Gavin and Caden always feel like Tristan's presence takes every adventure up a notch. We love Tristan!