Austin . . . a Teenager?

Austin turned 13 in August and it's all been downhill from there--junior high, girls, and all that goes along with it. No, really, Austin is such a cool kid. He was wary about starting junior high, but absolutely loves it. He is taking French (of course), algebra, PE and more.

Austin takes after his brothers in many ways. He, too, skis like a pro (really---double black diamonds don't even scare him!) and plays the guitar. He takes lessons at Jef Nielsen's studio and practices like crazy. I love the fact that these musicians of mine never have to be asked to practice. Sure, I often ask them to "stop playing and go to bed!" but moms like that sort of problem.

Austin has the gift of gab, as many of you know. Once when he was small, Austin and I were going to Salt Lake City. As usual, he was talking the whole way. Suddenly, as we were stopped at an intersection, Austin said, "I've just run out of things to talk about!" He was stunned. So was I. This had never happened before. Because it was such an oddity, Austin then spent the next hour analyzing how crazy it was that he had nothing to say. I just laughed and nodded at the appropriate places. Not much has changed since then.

At Church, Austin is the President of the Deacon's Quorum. This is not surprising. He's the spiritual giant of the family. He has always just seemed a to have a direct line to heaven. He gently prods the rest of us along. What is really remarkable about his church service. . . He never complains about all that is asked of him--including early morning flag duty which happens each holiday.

The last picture is one of Austin and his brothers at Park City--doing what they love most.