Jessica Welcomes YOU!

Welcome to the Brayton Family blog! Please scroll down and enjoy our Christmas Newsletter 2009!

Picture courtesy of Images of U/Aunt Krystal!!!

Happy Christmas Time!

Ashley got MARRIED! On December 26, 2008 she was sealed for time and all eternity to David Blen Nance in the Palmyra, New York temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (The bride and groom even had a snowball fight after they came out of the temple). Ashley has since graduated from Brigham Young University - Idaho with a degree in Early Childhood Education/Special Ed. She and David are expecting a baby boy on (or near) December 31st.


Crystal lives in Provo, Utah and LOVES it there. She attends many social events and shops with her friends. She recently joined a running club that was formed by students in her apartment complex. She runs every weekday at 6am. Crystal is actively searching for a full time job in the food industry.


Elizabeth lives in Orem, Utah and attends Brigham Young University. Her major is Computer Science with an Animation emphasis. The dragon is one of her creations in progress. She and her friends have formed a sketching club called Snaggletooth. They meet twice a week to practice sketching. Sometimes they sketch each other. In the wee hours of the morning, Liz works on campus cleaning the McKay Building.

Mark is serving a mission for our church in the Pocatello, Idaho area. The above picture is of him (right) and his missionary companion (left) with a young person Mark baptized. Judging from his e-mails, he's diligently doing the work of the Lord by sharing the message of the Restored Gospel with anyone willing to listen. He is also having a FABULOUS time! He will be home next year, probably in time for Christmas.

Jessica is a senior in high school. Her college application to Brigham Young University - Idaho is more than half finished. Lately, she has been overcome by the urge to learn how to drive (even in the snow). She hopes to get her license in January. Of course we must mention Jessica's beautiful beagle, Savannah, who is 4 years old in people years. She is still led by her nose and loves to be with her people, until there is something gross to sniff.


Sam and Pam are both students now! Sam is working on his Business Management degree through University of Phoenix. Each class is a 5 week on-line intense adventure. Pam is working on a Teaching Assistant Certificate at Adirondack Community College, taking two courses at a time. At church Pam was recently asked to serve as president of the Primary Organization (18mo. olds - 11 yr. olds). Sam serves as the Albany, NY Stake Young Men President (12 - 18 yr. old boys).

We hope each of you enjoy a peaceful and joyous Christmas season and that your hearts carry those feelings throughout the new year!
WE LOVE YOU!

Ashley and David

Some of you may ask, "So, what's the story?" The short version is that Ashley and David have had a short holiday romance. They became a couple on a romantic weekend in Rexburg, Idaho just a week before Halloween. While visiting my parents and sister in Oregon over Thanksgiving break they became officially engaged. And...they will be sealed in the Palmyra Temple, December 26, 2008 (yes, that's an 8)!!!!! But, honestly, just look at those pictures. You can almost feel the love they have for each other. We're all very excited and happy for them. ((Some of us are a little stressed as well!!!!))

Congratulations, Ashley and David!!!!!

Their story in Ashley's words:

"My finance’s name is David Nance. I met him at BYUI in 2003. We were in the same freshman orientation group, and had many of the same friends after that. He served his mission in Chile Santiago North and I wrote him a few times, and he wrote me back. I left for my mission about four days after or before he returned from his. He emailed me a few times I think, and to back in touch with me once I had returned – which was late last December.

He had transferred down to the BYU campus in Provo, Utah since I had seen him last, so even though we kept in close contact over the phone, I didn’t actually meet up with him until August when we visited my family near there for my cousin Eric’s baptism. He came and visited me there for a couple hours, and apparently I did something right, because by October it was obvious he liked me, and I sure liked him. He came up to visit me in Rexburg in mid-October and we went on our first official date. “Fireworks” is a mild description for the feelings we had that weekend. Don’t be alarmed. We’re very careful to behave ourselves :) Two weeks later he came to visit again and we started talking about being together forever.

Two weeks later was Thanksgiving break. I went down to Provo for a few days then we went together to visit my Grandparents in Oregon. On the Sunday before Thanksgiving (11/23) he proposed in a saw-it-coming sort of out-of-the-blue way, down on one knee and everything. Wednesday he called my house and asked my Dad. Thursday we announced it to everyone in Oregon, and some of the phone calls spilled over into Friday. Friday we got the ring and materials for my dress, as my Grandma Lois and Aunt Lois (Weig) said they would make it for me. By the time I woke up Saturday morning they had finished the dress, and I took it back with me to Rexburg.

Sunday we ran into a friend, Jonathan Dunstan, who took some pictures for us with my camera to put on the wedding announcements. Then he went back down to Provo for school and I stayed here. We’ll be married in Palmyra, New York, in the Palmyra temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the 26th of December – the day after Christmas!!!! Crazy, yes, but it’s right. It’s so right. And I’m excited to start sharing my forever with my best friend, David Blen Nance."

Reindeer Run 5K

Before the race:
This is a cool t-shirt because it's a long sleeved running shirt instead of a regular cotton t-shirt. The reindeer on the front is wearing a Christmas tree costume.















Just to prove that I ran with actual reindeer I asked these two if they wouldn't mind posing for a picture with me. As you can see, they didn't mind at all. Cute, huh?

AND THEY'RE OFF!
The starting line was at the bottom of this hill! For those familiar with this area, we are running on Haviland Road (the same one the Glens Falls Chapel is on). The north entrance to Adirondack Community College is behind us. Meadowbrook Road and the golf coarse are in front of us.







Where's Pam?!
Look for an orange blur. I was trying to get a little closer to Santa so Sam could take a picture. This guy ran the entire race dressed like that. I think the woman to his right is his elf.











After the Finish!

3.1 miles (5K) in 28 min 30 sec
a personal best for me. I was tired but not spent.
I had a good time and experienced my first winter time run. I'll be looking for a 10K in the Spring.

The Great Pumpkin Challenge 5k Race 2008

WeeeHoo! Are we excited or what!?
Pam and Krystal dressed up as Pumpkin Fairies. Krystal made the costumes. They turned out GREAT!
Scotty is...you guessed...Thomas the Tank!


Pumpkin Fairies preparing for the race!
One last stretch and time check.

Rounding the corner headed for the 1 mile marker!
We're flying now!!!

Our loyal cheering section and photography crew!
*back row left to right: Dan, Mark, Jessica, Sam
front row left to right: Scotty (alias Thomas the Tank) and Hazel (disguised as a stroller)

There she is!!!! What a cutie!!!

Orange Blur Finish!
Sprinting as fast as our little Pumpkin Fairy legs would carry us!

Pumpkin My Ride!
What else would two Great Pumpkin Fairies ride in?

Hill Cumorah Pageant 2008

Elizabeth drew this postcard of King Noah from the Book of Mormon.

This is a cast member dressed as King Noah speaking with a member of the audience before the performance. The King Noah character and Joseph Smith spent a lot of time posing for pictures with people in the audience.

Sam, Pam, Crystal, Liz and Jessica were in the cast of the Hill Cumorah Pageant this month. Mark was on the work crew (Go to 2008hcpworkcrew.blogspot.com to see pix and video of the work crew).

Here is Pam in her Lehi Mob costume. She was among the people that ran Lehi out of Jerusalem.

Crystal was a Noah Citizen. She was with the crowd who shouted at the prophet Abinadi and watched him burn. All the Brayton women portrayed wicked people in the Pageant. The wicked people got the brighter, flashier costumes.

Elizabeth was also with the Noah Citizen crowd. She and Crystal weren't allowed to stand next to each other because they both wore red. Liz and Crystal are both wearing wigs.

Speaking of wigs, this is Pam in her second costume ready for the scene with Samuel the Lamanite. In the scene Pam threw a 'rock' at Samuel just before she joined the crowd as they tried to run him off the stage. The rock was a piece of Styrofoam wrapped in duct tape.

Jessica in the cast team tent area on the last day.
Most of the tents have been taken down.

Mark in his costume for the Lehi boat scene.
You can also see his work crew headphones and special effects tools.

Scotty, Dan, Krystal and Baby Hazel come to watch our performance
(Hazel was mostly listening).
This is the only picture I can find with Jessica and Sam in costume.

Bread Sculptures Past and Present

One day in February 2001 the kids had some fun making sculptures out of homemade bread dough. The picture shows them displaying their baked creations on our back deck just before they ate them.
This year, when the time drew near for Ashley to return from her mission, Mark suggested that we re-live that fun and memorable day. What a great way to celebrate our time together! Only a few days later Elizabeth went back to BYU-Provo and a few days after that Ashley returned to BYU-Idaho. Bread Sculptures Identified: Crystal's says HI, Mark made a woman's head with braided hair and big lips, Jessica's is Rapunzel's long braid, Elizabeth created a very intricate dragon, and Ashley sculpted some Chinese characters (It may be her name in Chinese.)

Scroll Down to see Ashley's missionary homecoming pictures and video...

Sister Ashley Brayton Returns from Taiwan

Ashley's mom gets to her as soon as she crosses over the security line. Then the rest of the family closes in.

Ashley receives a warm family welcome at the Albany Airport (NY). Smiles all around!

Ashley hugging Great Grandma Brayton and greeting her youngest sister, Jessica.

Grandma at-the-farm commenting on Ashley's missionary name tag.

I'M HOME!!!!

Merry Christmas to ALL !!

NO MISTLETOE REQUIRED!

Sam and Pam on Lover's Lane at the Anne Of Green Gables Museum on Prince Edward Island

Welcome to our Christmas Newsletter 2007! We thought we'd try sharing our news from the past year in a new way. We can include more pictures and stories and it cuts down on the expense. Please be sure to return here to our blog after the new year begins to see pictures of Ashley upon her return from her mission. We welcome all of your comments. Just click on the word comments at the bottom of this section of the blog. You can also share your comments by e-mail.

Jump in! Join the fun!

Sam has a wonderful life, just ask him. He works at the same job, lives in the same house, is married to the same wife and that is just the way he likes it. Three of Sam's favorite things to do...
1. Fix and build things. The pictures below are from our basement.
Steve (Sam's brother), Cheryl and family came to stay with us for two weeks this summer. Yay! Sam used their visit as incentive to put some long overdue finishing touches on the family room area.

















2. Spend time with his family. In July we were visited by every member of the Brayton clan. What a great time we had! We played kickball and mini golf, ran, biked, talked and played.

Above: The Brayton Men! L-R Back row: Dan, Mark, Sam II, Dad (Sam I), Steve, and Derek. L-R Front row: Scotty, David, Eric and Cooper.
Left: Sam sprints for home base during a family kickball game.


3. Take his children to places they have never been before. At the end of July and into August Sam took Pam and the kids (including Mark's friend Duke Martin) to Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia in Canada.

Sunset over the red cliffs of Prince Edward Island. Pictured: Liz, Jessica, Mark, and his friend Duke

Below: This wave is caused when the tide flows in from the Gulf of Maine and pushes water into the bay. The water can rise 12 feet in a matter of minutes. By the time the process was finished we could no longer see the dirt bank on the opposite side.
(for more info www.gma.org/undersea_landscapes/Bay_of_Fundy)

Swimming with the fishes isn't much fun, especially when they will sting you.

There were thousands of these jelly fish in the water where we swam.

PAMELA JEAN BRAYTON

BRAYTON FAMILY HALF MARATHON

L-R Back row standing: Sam the younger, Mark, Elizabeth, Pam, Jessica, Mark's friend Jessie, Mom (Joan), Steve, Crystal, Mom Moore (Cheryl's Mom), Dad (Sam the elder). L-R Front: Dan, Scotty, Krystal, David, Cheryl, Eric, Miranda

Pam had a great year! In January Sam's brother Dan, wife Krystal and son Scott moved in next door at the farm (Brayton grandparent's house). This was an especially nice treat for Pam as Krystal became a good friend and running buddy. Sam's brother Steve, who lives in Utah, was making plans to visit in July with his family. Steve has run several marathons and suggested that we organize a Brayton Family Half Marathon to be held in July. So, Pam and Krystal began to train by running together two or three times a week (they ran on their own the other days).

Pam, Liz and Jessica made T-shirts for everyone (Liz designed T-shirt logo at right). Sam and Pam mapped out a great route (Pink mile markers pictured at right). On the day of the 1/2 Marathon the weather was great and the route, which ran along the Hudson River from Schylerville to Fort Edward, was picturesque. Those who didn't want to run rode their bikes and carried water for the runners. It was a fabulous day!
P.S. If you haven't already read about Pam's Great Pumpkin Challenge 10K race scroll all the way down to the bottom of this page.

JESSICA SUZANNE BRAYTON

Jessica with her puppy Savannah

Jessica COOL flower child

Jessica turned 15 on August 4th after a very eventful summer. In this picture she is decked out with jewelry she obtained at Girl's Camp. She paused for the photo op while playing kickball in her grandparent's yard (Mark and Uncle Dan are in the background).

"I'm so EXCITED!" Jessica exclaimed this several times in 2007. The first exciting thing we did was drive to Tennessee in April (while Sam and Mark were in the British Isles). Jessica's Uncle Chris was being deployed to Iraq so we had a little Butterfield family reunion to wish Chris well and safe.

Picture at Left: Crystal, Pam and Jessica stand in front of a beautiful waterfall. Jessica wanted to go swimming...BRRRR!

Picture at Right: The Butterfield Girls with Mom and Dad...From oldest (top) to youngest (bottom) Tamara Ann Sorensen, Pamela Jean Brayton, Lois Renae Bell, and Susan Marie Jensen. In the matching sweatshirts Glenn Alma and Lois Marie Butterfield. (Uncle Chris Sorensen was the camera man)

Another highlight of the year for Jessica was spending a week at Young Women Camp in Seneca Lake. As a third level camper her group theme was the 70's. They dressed as hippies and decorated their cabin with flowers and smiley faces. Over one entrance they hung a beaded curtain. At camp she learned how to use a compass, administer first aid, extinguish accidental fires and much more. Her favorite activity was the Night Hike. The girls visited 5 campfires where women of the scriptures such as Mary and Martha, the widow of Zarephath, and mother Eve spoke to them about their challenges and faith. After visiting with mother Eve the girls were directed to the "iron rod" which they followed through darkness and difficulty to finally reach the Tree of Life. Under the tree stood women dressed in white to welcome them while girls who had arrived before sang sweet hymns.

MARK BUTTERFIELD BRAYTON

2007 was a busy year for Mark. In April Mark flew with Sam on a business trip to Ireland! They visited England and Scotland together, then flew over to Ireland. While Sam was in meetings in four different cities Mark toured Ireland on a bicycle. He was fascinated by what he learned aboard an old emigrant ship that was used to transport Irish emigrants to America during the potato famine in the 1840's. They also toured many castles and museums, saw the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and the Cliff's of Moher.

Mark falling over the Cliff's of Moher in Ireland

Sam and Mark attend church in Dublin, Ireland

The bike Mark used to tour Ireland

At the end of his Junior year Mark attended the Junior/Senior prom with his good friend Jessie Girard. They borrowed Mark's scoutmaster's Mercedes Benz for the evening (Sam acted as chauffer).

Mark in his scoutmaster's Mercedes

Mark and Jessie during the Grand March

In September Mark began his senior year in high school. He has applied for college at BYU-Idaho. In October 2008 he will turn 19 and plans to leave on a mission soon thereafter.
P.S. If you haven't already seen pictures of Mark with his hair bleached scroll down to a previous post or click on October in the Blog Archive at left.

Mark's Senior Pictures
(Pix on left:Pam's favorite. Pix on right: Mark chose for the yearbook)
Taken by Mark's Aunt Krystal

ELIZABETH GRACE BRAYTON

This has been a great year for Elizabeth. She took several classes that really surprised us! One was Russian. She learned Russian and was excited about it! She is now planning to go to Ukraine next fall with ILP (International Language Program) where she will teach English to Ukrainian children in their own classrooms. She didn't need to know Russian to do this but will probably get the chance to learn more of the language and maybe even use her new skills.
Another class was Genealogy/Family History. Liz caught the family history bug and even made an important discovery regarding the Armstrong line. Because of the class she can teach us all how to track and document information.

Left: Sam and Liz in Salt Lake City BYU men's basketball game.

Right: Liz braving the jaws of a Mayan stone serpent

In November Sam went to Salt Lake City on a business trip and spent the weekend with Liz. Together they enjoyed a BYU men's basketball game (Jimmer Fredette, a young man from our ward here at home is on the team) and a visit to the Mayan Adventure Restaurant (It's awesome!)
P.S. Liz would love to have you visit her blog. It's listed on the left under the heading "Brayton Blog Heaven".

CRYSTAL JEAN BRAYTON

In May Crystal accompanied Sam on a business trip to New York City. They rode the train down from Albany to Penn Station. Seeing "Wicked" on Broadway was a definite highlight. She also enjoyed the wonder of the Lego store in Time Square. Crystal got her dream job in September. She began working in the cafeteria of a private Catholic school in Glens Falls. The people there are wonderful to her. She loves her job. This year Crystal has been working on completing her first college course by mail. She is also contemplating missionary service.

Above: Crystal standing in Battery Park with the
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in the background.

At Right: Crystal enjoys a visit to the Lego store.
That Statue of Liberty is entirely made of Legos.

Sister ASHLEY LYNNE BRAYTON

Ashley with a Taiwanese family

Ashley will return to New York from her mission in time for the final weekend of 2007. She has served successfully in the Taiwan Kaohsiung mission for the past 18 months. The climate in Taiwan is marine tropical which sounds a lot like hot and muggy. She is nervous about coming home to cold, snowy New York. In one of her recent e-mails she requested three things: a warm full length coat, a pair of warm winter boots and a rice cooker. Sadly her visit will be brief. We will only have seven days to enjoy her company before she flies out to Rexburg, Idaho to resume her education. She'll be happy to have her coat and boots there too.
P.S. For those close to us here in NY Ashley will be speaking in Church on December 30th (10am) and we will hold an Open House on January 1st from 5pm -8pm at the Church so she can share her experiences. If you need directions e-mail us or give us a call.

There you have it!!!! We feel extremely grateful for the love and support of wonderful people like you. What a blessing! We know our Heavenly Father loves us and sent His Son, who began as a babe in swaddling clothes, to spread His message of love and redemption to all the world.

May you feel and enjoy love, peace and goodwill this Christmas season and throughout the coming year.
The BRAYTON'S