BRYCE TURNS 9 IN 2009!!

Bryce Roy Baak

The Amazing Mathmatical Genius

Turns 9 in 2009!

Our family rang in the new millenium, the new century, 2000, with the 3rd proud addition to our family; Bryce Roy Baak! Already having a daughter and a son, we welcomed our 2nd son, 3rd child, very happily and with no hidden hopes for a girl or a boy. We were just excited to watch our family tree grow!

The middle names of our kids all have meaning. We chose Roy, because it is my dad's middle name, part of my dad's father's first name (LeROY), and my great-grandfather's middle name (Franklin Roy). We not only liked the name Bryce but it also holds family signifigance because my great-gradfather; Franklin LeRoy (whom he shares a name with) engineered all the roads through Bryce Canyon during the great depression.

It ends up being very fitting Bryce is named for them as he has my grandfather and great-grandfather's flare for math. He loves it! (unfortunately, it skipped me) He wants to be a mathmetician when he grows up. Truly, his great- great-grandfather, who was a prominant engineer, and his great-grandfather passed that on. His great grandpa, LeRoy Junior Davis, helped get the first rocket to the moon by creating a computer program that could figure out how thick they needed to build the walls of the rocket containing the fuel so they wouldn't explode on the way to the moon. He also invented a computer program that could figure out how thick they needed to build windshields in airplanes to withstand impact of birds that would oft times fly into and through the windshilds of planes, killing or injuring pilots. Before this time, they would shoot chickens out of rockets at windshields to test them, no joke! (he is a chicken's hero)! Just a little family connection for you Bryce!

Bryce is such a wonderful addition to our family. After crying away the first year of his life, he ended up being a very happy, easy going child. He sucked his middle two fingers so it looked like he was making the sign for "I love you" when he sucked his fingers. It was so cute!

I did worry about how I was going to break him of the habit when the time came since you can't just take your fingers away. I needn't have worried. When Bryce was about 4 we were sitting on the couch watching T.V. He looked at his fingers and noticed the callouses he had on his fingers. He asked me what they were and I told them they were from sucking his fingers. He asked me how to get rid of them. I told him he was going to have to stop sucking his fingers. I could see him thinking it over but didn't really push the issue. About a week later, Bryce comes up to me and says "look mom, my callouses are gone!" Sure enough they were and I realized that he had stopped sucking his fingers all on his own accord! I was so proud of you Bryce!

That is so true to your character. You really think about things you want to apply yourself to. When you decide to do it, you do it full force and follow through successfully! It also shows how self-motivated you are which is why they love to snatch you up for combo-classes at school. When I give you an assignment like "do your homework" or "do your chores." You are usually the first one on it and do a good job of what you are asked to do. That quality will take you far in life.

You are the spitting image of your dad, a mini-Danny, right down to the impish grin! You share so many of your dad's qualities, especially the love of games and his competitive nature! If you're in the middle of Danny and Bryce playing a game, watch out! It's a fight for first place all the way and loving every second!!

Bryce is the quiet button pusher full of mischief, of the fun-loving kind! But you are kind and have a tender heart. You have been so responsible watching out for Brian at school who just starting kidnergarten by having to pick him up from class after school and walking him to the carpool!

Mostly, I am so happy that you try so hard to CTR and that you really think about what you learn about the gospel and ask good questions. You will be blessed for that!

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For Bryce's birthday, he wanted to take some friends miniature golfing. So we took a few friends, ate pizza and played a few games at home first

Left: Ethan Campbell, Ronnie, Ryan, Hunter Patton, Corbin Cubute, Brian hiding and Bradley in rear.

then we shot 18 holes of mini golf.

We did this the day before his birthday as there was no school that day.

On your actual birthday, the next day, we followed it up with dinner at your favorite restaurant Soup Plantation and then cake....


and presents....

your own remote controlled helicopter and the book "39 Clues" by Rick Riordon, which we're enjoying right now.

Bryce, we sure love you! You are a priceless addition to our family! May this day and every day be happy!