New Star of the show for this year's Paula Deen Weekend!!!!

Miss Kalai and Carissa accompanied Julie, Amanda and me to Headland for our second annual Paula Deen weekend and all eyes were on her. We did have fun and eat lots. I think it would be impossible to spend enough time with Nana and D-Dad, but we were grateful for a few blissful hours. They both look great and us 'girls' had fun visiting on the way there and back. I am constantly amazed by the wisdom and strength of my sisters. When I'm with them they teach me so much I have to remind myself that I'm the oldest! Carissa had some wisdom to share too and I've really enjoyed getting to know her. And Kalai doesn't have to be wise - she can just be cute.

Hope all is well in the rest of the Brannon world!!!

"Paula Deen Week-end #2"

We need a report on the above when someone has time.
Love to all, Dad(Wayne)

Anziano Brannon is on the move!

In our email this morning Jonathan told us he is being transferred. He will travel tomorrow (Thursday) to Collegno (pronounced "co Lane yo" for those less fluent in Italian than me.) We actually got the pronunciation off the internet. It is very close to Turin/Torino home of the Shroud of Turin and the site of the 2006 winter olympics. He will be the "senior" companion. His new companion has been in Italy about 6 weeks. He says they speak Ancora Italian, a dialect, with some regional differences to what he has been speaking. He will be at the foot of the Italian Alps. Maybe a little cooler but not much. He gave himself a little haircut a couple of weeks ago. He says it is one less thing to worry about. Thanks for your prayers and support. We are grateful to be part of such a wonderful family! Friday night is Decatur/Austin and Emma will be cheering from the sidelines!

Baby Kalai in Texas

Mr. & Mrs. Russell Lee Brown

We had a wonderful time at the wedding! Sally & Jim Bennett came down from Dallas and Betsy, Emily & Clay came all the way from Alabama! Thanks so much!

Here are a few pictures of the big event.

Here comes the bride!!!

Well, now three of my four daughters are married. It was a wild few weeks around here, getting ready for the wedding. Then it was even a wilder few days with everyone here (except Tommy - picture me frowning here). The wedding went well and we appreciate all who came (and missed those who couldn't - but understand how busy life is). Hillary (Grace's former roommate from Provo) left on Sunday. Laura, Josh and Harrison left on Tuesday morning and my niece, Ruth-Anne, left on Tuesday night. After a fun - if short - honeymoon in Gatlinburg, Grace and Aaron returned very late Tuesday night and were back and work and school on Wednesday.

So now I'm trying to get back to regular life and not miss everyone too much. Christmas will be here before we know it!!

Anziano Brannon/family update

I know it has been awhile since I updated our family. Jonathan is still in Trieste. It is possible he will get transferred next week. He really is enjoying himself and working very hard. He was a long way from the train explosion last week. It is summer now and they don't do much air conditioning over there. His apartment is on the seventh floor and they don't have an elevator. His current companion is Anziano Bosco. He is Italian. Jonathan's Italian is improving. He is even learning some cooking tips. He recently informed us of an important lesson he learned. He forgot to buy hamburger to go with his "pasta and red sauce" (that's spaghetti to you and me.) In looking for a substitute he learned that hot dogs are not a good replacement for hamburger. Please note that in your recipe books for future reference. He is my son! Emma has had a busy summer with cheerleading practices and cheer camp, as well as girls camp and youth conference at church. She thinks she is ready to start high school. I hope I am! Pam enjoyed her summer off by going to AMSTI training and handling her duties as the new Young Women's President in our ward. I'm enjoying a cool summer at the ice rink. I teach the 9 year-olds in Primary. We have 11 on the roll and 10 show up almost every week. It is a challenge, but I am frequently reminded of the old adage about paying for your raising. We hope everyone is well and we look forward to seeing some if not all of you next weekend. Much love, James