God bless America

This year we went out to Jake’s dad, Grandpa Jeff and Grammy Vicki’s to celebrate the fourth. They just built a new pool and we were so excited to go swim. The kids jumped and went down the slide all day long! They have jumping rocks at different levels, a rock waterfall with a grotto underneath and a water slide that goes so fast! Even Navy was brave enough to jump off the waterfall. The kids had a blast with their cousins. We had bbq for dinner and then swam some more. When it got dark we drove through valley of fire to the reservation to watch fireworks. It was incredible. People buy the fireworks and then they have a whole section where you can light them off. It is a constant firework show for hours long! Charlotte, Blayke, Benjamin and Noah loved watching them get lit. They said it looked like a battlefield.

We are very grateful to live in the USA. To be blessed that we can believe and celebrate how we want to with our families. In Idaho my dad talked to us about heroes. Captain Moroni and the title of liberty. How we still value today and need to defend- our religion, freedom, peace and our families. Talking to the kids about their great grandpa who died in war and was a hero, saving so many. How Jesus Christ died for all of us so that we can be forgiven for our sins and to live with him again and to be with our families forever. This talk has so much power and the kids sat, participating and listening the whole time. Watching their minds take in the importance of those values and those people in our lives as they learn about our country and history. This was perfect for the lead up to the fourth. The kids were so excited to celebrate with family. We sang patriotic songs and just loved being Americans. Navy combined all the songs and made her own song that she sang all day as she waved her little flag.

Thank you Jeff and Vicki for having us out to party for the USA! The kids are already asking when we can go back out, so we can’t wait for more swim days!

Chip

Emma got Chip for her 8th birthday. On one of his ears the color was missing just like a little chip from beauty and the beast teacup. He fit in perfect already. Chip was like a dog! He came when called and wasn't afraid of people at all. He also loved human food. Chip was Emma’s best friend and slept with her every night. Whenever she was upset or cried he would run to her and just cuddle her. Emma’s anxiety has increased a lot lately and he was such a comfort to her. When the other kids were sick he would cuddle with them to cheer them up. Chip was tiny and played with Beast (st. Bernard) all the time. They would crack us up as we watched them play together. On the Fourth of July he went out through the doggy door and hasn’t come back. A lot of effort has gone into finding him and we miss him terribly. Emma is heartbroken and Chip can never be replaced. We are still hoping that one day he will just show up. Special thanks to all of our friends and family who have helped search for him!

Summer Idaho

Finally we got to go to Idaho. Jake got to come the whole time and we savored every moment there. We love spending time with cousins and grandparents. My grandparents are just the best and love us all so much!

 We got to help out around their houses, go on walks and to the falls. Grandma Schraft made the kids awesome masks. We had a lake day with one of my best friends from high school and Navy got to play with Gracie and calls her, her BFF now too like mommy. My cousin Brady took Benjamin out on some rock chuck and bird hunts. He got Benjamin hooked! The first time they went out Brady told Benjamin they wouldn’t go home till he missed and he shot perfect at his targets and his three hits after! Papa Jack wanted to do something special with Benjamin since he helped out a lot and is getting to be a young man. He surprised him and took my dad, Jake and Benjamin mini-golfing and to lunch. Benjamin felt pretty cool going out with the guys this week.

It’s pretty rare that my cousins are all in town with us, but we were because we got to celebrate Casdon and Savvy getting married! We had so much fun dancing at their reception. Navy loves her and her dress. Navy waited all week to wear her wedding dress (just a church dress).  They had a VW bus to take pictures in and Noah took sooo many pictures!!! He made us laugh all night long with the poses he came home with.

Everyone got to go to the Bearded Axe and we got to test our skills. It was seriously a blast. No one on my side had done it before. Emma and Benjamin loved that they got to throw too. The guys all killed it and Papa Jack steppes right up and got it dead center!
They came over before we left and we played cards all night. Love getting to spend time with everyone. It was a great week in Idaho!

Emma is double digits

Emma is 10!!!!!!
We were driving to Idaho on her birthday so we threw her a friend party before we left. That’s all she wanted was to see some friends because she had missed them with no school and everything going on. Emma is just the sweetest and so kind so when she actually asks for something we try and do it!
She had a blast with her girlfriends. She has the best group of girls from school and her cousins her age came. It’s so fun to see all of them growing up and being friends!

She got totally spoiled this year! Chromebook for school (ugh to virtual school and technology problems hahaha) all of the accessories were pink and blue of course! Her next favorite was a water pick/flosser from my mom and dad. Yep, she begged for one! Hahaha anything to help with those braces staying clean. Gramps and Grammy helped out with a pretty rocking hoverboard, so now she doesn’t have to ride her brothers. Deedee gave her some cash and she went on a crazy spending spree at Her favorite stores. Aunts, Cousins and friends Spoiled her with all her favorites, clothes, crafts and bags! For her party she requested sugar cookies and lasagna.

On our way to Idaho on her birthday at each stop we surprised her with a little present to try and make the long road trip fun. When we got there Grandma Peggy had a yummy cake all made for her that day and had made her cinnamon rolls for breakfast the next morning! We love you so much Emma. Keep on being such an amazing girl. Happy 10th birthday!

Kinder graduation

Noah finished Kindergarten! Definitely not how we thought, but he did and he worked hard all year round. The boys were sad they didn’t get their school party so we got together with cousins and extended cousins and some friends. Everyone had a little kinder graduating and we also had four fifth graders ready to move on to middle school!
Jeff and Melissa hosted a swim party for all the kids. Emylee got caps and gowns for them and of course Uncle Chad made awesome shirts! They were so excited and looked so handsome.
Noah absolutely LOVED his kinder teacher Mrs. Ballard. She beat out all of his previous favorites in the family this year hahaha. He would sit and wink at her in class or show her the sign language 🤟 I love you sign. He drew her pictures and was never late on his homework because he didn’t want her to work harder. It was so funny the stories I would hear back, he always made sure to compliment her on her outfits and hair too. We had a great year with her and can’t wait to see what next year will bring.

Easter 2020

Easter was such a special day this year. It was one of our first days out of the house. We went to my parents and had a sacrament meeting. The spirit was so strong as we all participated and talked of our Savior and Heavenly Father. It was a great day during a really hard time to remember what is the most important.

In May we got to celebrate with the Bierstedt’s. The kids got their Easter egg hunt where each kid gets their own color/design. It’s so fun this way when the kids can all help each other out. We had a lot of eggs and kids running around playing. It’s awesome to see cousins be friends too. 

Mothers day

My sisters and I got together and recreated old photographs for Mother’s Day this year. It was so fun planning them and then seeing the results. Mom and dad didn’t know if we did it to make them laugh or cry haha!

Broken Bones

About two days into lockdown I slipped in the kitchen and took a pretty bad fall. I broke my elbow and big toe and ended up in a boot for two months and a sling for a few weeks. Is there a better time to basically be immobile then when we aren’t allowed anywhere? I don’t Know it still sucked pretty dang bad and 4 months later I’m still in pain. Such small bones to be so dang annoying.


Well three weeks later Noah fell off his bike in the backyard and broke three bones on the top of his foot. There was some miscommunication between the drs and me  so he didn’t get it casted till a week after. Poor kid crawled around for 3 days because it hurt so bad. He chose red for his cast. He loved having us sign it but was sad school wasn’t in so his friends and teacher couldn’t sign it. His teacher sent a little picture of her for the kids to take with them during the no school time. She got to go with him to get an X-ray and get the cast off and Noah loved that! Poor Noah is still in pain every once in awhile too. These dumb breaks just won’t heal all the way!
The drs kept asking if we were in the same accident and we just said, “nope, totally different lame accidents.”

Crazy times

These are a lot of random pictures from the first half of the year. Some are right before we all got put on lock down for Covid-19, then there are some during. We had family before the lockdown and got to have some fun at the drive in- where we love to be! The kids have swam and we have Also done a lot of nothing. We spent sometime on Mt. Charleston with our family and Madi and vernon’s Zerkle clan came too, the kids had a blast exploring. We have had lots of fun cousin time and also celebrated Jake’s 32nd birthday. We had a day out on the trails too. Navy learned how to ride a bike a few months ago and basically is a pro now with no fear. She might give me a heart attack!
 Our life gets pretty crazy so it has been nice spending time together with those we love and that love us. It’s what matters in the end even in all the crazy of 2020!!!!

Daddy daughter dance

We love this time of year. This is the 5th dance for Emma and she only has one more. It is crazy to see how much the girls have changed and grown. They sure are becoming beautiful young women. They always have so much fun telling Jake and Chad where they want to go for dinner and dessert.

Benjamin

This is the year Benjamin turns 12. So even though it’s at the end of the year he got the priesthood in January. He is now able to pass the sacrament at church and attend the temple. It is an amazing thing to see my oldest at the temple with us. I love filling my home with priesthood holders.

Valentines

Noah’s class did a little program for valentines. Navy celebrated at pre-k and loved getting all dressed up.

100 days of school

Noah celebrated at school. He choose to dress like Papa Buzz and he did so good! Noah absolutely loves Kinder and his teacher!