Benjamin volleyball

 Benjamin has been traveling and staying busy with volleyball. A couple weeks ago he got to fly to Chicago! It was his first time on a plane since he was a baby. His team played great. They lost in the Silver semi final round by 2 points in the third set. We are grateful for Kylee and that she coaches another team so he had some family while he was there. 

The next weekend his team went 3-0 in Cali and they get to move up for their next big tournament. I’m excited it’s the first one I will be able to go too out of 6 so far. I love watching him progress and get better. 

President's day cabin trip

 Jeff and Melissa invited us to their cabin up in Paragonah, UT. Heck yes! A mountain weekend was exactly what we needed. Roads were crazy so Jeff came and picked us up at the bottom of the mountain. Kids put their snow clothes on as soon as we got there. They worked all weekend on a snow fort. Complete with couches, chair, cupholders, table  and a slide. 

While they worked Jeff, Melissa navy, Jake, and I took a ride. We checked out the sledding hill and got some practice rounds in before we got the big kids. Navy got to drive and loved it. Jeff and her stay under 10mph, one straight away she yelled, “ I'm at 16, hold on to your butts! " She is the best. We went to a lookout above the lake with a spectacular view. 

  

 

The next day we started Off shooting.Hailey, Emma and Melissa stayed back.  I was so proud, I usually never get to go as I stay back with little kids. Well since Navy was old enough I got to shoot, I hit bulls foreye 7 out of 10 shots! All the kids did really well, Benjamin was the best shot out of the kids. Jeff was great and gave everyone a lesson and test before they could shoot. The boys all shot the loud, big gun too. Jacob, navy, and Noah built a snowman while we were there. They , did a great job by themselves.

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After we were done shooting we went the cabin to eat lunch then grab the girls. Off to the sledding hill. Jake and Jeff helped make the run so fun. They had a competition for who could get the farthest. Benjamin took the W with the very last run. Loved all the smiles, flips,  jumps, and crazy.

The kids all got to drive while there. Snowmobile, 4 wheeler, and Kawasaki. They all did really well. We played nonstop and loved it all. The kids set up the projector and watched movies every night. I don’t know how they kept going. The kids got along and had so much fun. E taught them one of our favorite games and yelled and played while the big kids told us we were to hyped down stairs hahaha. 

 I read my book and found some peace in the quiet nature. The whole weekend was so perfect. We ended with lunch in Cedar, then slept the way home. 

 

February

 February has been so much fun, filled with lots of cold, rain and sunshine. We celebrated my nephew Jacob's 10th birthday. The kids loved jumping and flipping with cupcakes and cotton candy! The next day we west to church with him and were able to watch Jacob get baptized. He is such a smart, kind and fun kid. 

Also navy has been practicing doing her own hair. She is so proud and I love watching her. The kids love board games just like me. I sure love them. in the bottom collage is Benjamin and I at the pro volleyball game for Vegas’ new team. We had a blast on their opening night home game. 

Happy Valentines. I took a cookie decorating class and then practiced for the holiday. We had heart shaped pasta for dinner and I got beautiful flowers that are still bright 3 weeks later. During the day I rocked my pink velvet pants to volunteer in the kids classes. Jake and I went to Flyover Las Vegas for date night. It is a fun ride similar to one at Disneyland we love. 

Art Walnum

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Uncle Art passed away January 17. He will be missed. We love him and aunt Joyce so much. When Jake graduated college they went on a mission to Guatemala. They , offered us he opportunity to rent and watch their home while they were gone. We are grateful and they answered our prayers. A few years after they came back we had the chance to move back to the area. We saw them every week and the kids loved drawing them pictures and giving them hugs. We loved swimming at their pool, the kids loved going over. They got to help and bake. Peaches will always be remembered being the best on their peach tree. 

Their boys all spoke at his funeral and were so touching. We loved heaving and learning more stories of Uncle Art’s life. 

 

 we were all sad for the circumstances, but we got 

to have grandma stay with us. Us girls enjoyed our lunch with grandma. Each visit we try to do a lunch just for us. This time we had our favorite pizookies. While grandma stayed with us, she was a huge help. She ever cleaned for me. Grandma measured Benjamins bicep muscles and gave him a voice lesson. Noah got a few piano lessons. Amazing for my boys, grandma is very musically talented. Grandma helped Emma study flashcards for her test. Navy also got homework help and practiced reading with grandma. We are so lucky to be so close and my kids to their great grandma. I love you grandma!

 

January

 Noah got braces! He has been begging for a year. The time finally came and his smile was so big. That lasted about two days then his mouth got sore. We can't wait to see his beaut smile!

Navy has been loving activity days, her leaders are amazing and have so much fun with them, crafts and ice cream are big hits! Noah is loving his class, the last week they did astronomy and used , Noah's telescope. The kids got to drive and work a tractor at uncle breat's and aunt Diane's city ranch. We love getting farm life over there. Benjamin and Emma are Fortnite rockstars and I love that they play together. Emma also looking beautiful at her school dance that they put on in WEB- student counsil.