Homecoming 2024

Benjamin and Emma both had their first homecoming dance. They are in student council and have to go so they each got with their friends and planned their nights. 

Benjamin asked Maddi. He made a sign with it saying, “Life is a highway, let’s just cut to the chase, you- me- hoco, Kachow!” His friend Lily had the song life is a highway from cars playing at the front door for when he knocked and Maddi opened it. Their group was 8 kids, they started the night at Floyd lamb taking pictures. It was so fun being the boy mom at the pictures. The kids were so creative and got so many fun pics and videos. After that we took them to Bjs for dinner and it was hopping with all the hoco groups. Next was the dance on the football field. They then went back to lily’s house. We had it all set up so fun, with bean bags, games, drink station, food, candy and dessert. Ben and one of the other boys even jumped in the pool. The kids jumped on the tramp and had a great night. It was such a good group of kids. 

 Emma got asked by Ransel. He came over with me and watched Emma’s game and his mom came over too. After the game he went up to her in front of the whole team and gave her flowers and a hot pink ball that said, “can I score a date with you to hoco?” So adorable and such a cute brave kid to ask in front of so many people.  Ransel’s mom made the kids dinner and had it set up so pretty. Then we took pictures around their yard. Emma and Ransel had matching shoes along with some of the other kids in their group. They were so cute. Both the boys and girls were having the best time with crazy poses. After the dance they went back to his house for a movie in the pool. They swam and played games all night. All day long I hopped back and forth between both groups for pictures, dinner, rides, dance and after parties. I was exhausted but loved being able to help in their fun. They both had a great time with great people.

Navy’s Baptism

The day was finally here. Navy has been planning her baptism for months and months. We started off by toning her down early from her wanting 3 different baptism dresses to agreeing to just one. Hahaha she cracks us up. Before our camping trip we stopped at the St. George temple to take some pictures. She was so fun twirling, laughing and blowing kisses. 

To start off her weekend we had family coming into town. Navy and Noah skipped school so we could hang with my cousin and her kids. We love when they stay with us. Navy and Oakley played non stop. We went swimming and loved as the rest of our family got there. Kelsey and the girls helped me finish the cookies for the baptism. I made around 150 and they were all gone and we didn’t get any pictures of them. 

Before her baptism Navy got to go on a date with my mom and dad. That is a tradition our grandparents started and my parents continued with their grandkids. They take the kids to go shopping and get their own set of scriptures with their name and all the accessories for them. I love that they get to do this. For her baptism program Navy was very specific of who she wanted to do what. Everyone did so great. 

I loved that she wanted cousins to say the prayers she had Piper and Jordan each say one. My cousin Kelsey was the chorister. My great aunt and navy’s great great aunt Joyce played the piano for us. My cousins Casdon and Savvy were her witnesses. My dad gave the baptism talk on a chest with a lock and key and a journal with a lock and key and related it back to how navy now has the first key she needs to go back to live with our Heavenly Father. Charlotte gave the talk on the Holy Ghost and had different items that represented all the ways having the Holy Ghost can help Navy in her life. 

For at least a year Navy has been adamant that she wanted Benjamin to baptize her. We made it happen. My heart was so full watching my oldest baptize my youngest. Navy and Benjamin are so similar and I love that he wanted to do this for Navy too. The spirit was so strong with them together. It was an absolutely beautiful moment. 

Jake then blessed her and confirmed her with the Holy Ghost. It was such a meaningful and beautiful blessing for such a beautiful girl.  The priesthood members that helped Navy are all so amazing in our lives. We had dad, grandpa, great grandpa, uncles, great uncle, cousins and friends all join in the circle for Navy. 

The whole room was full with so many people that love and support Navy and our family. We are so blessed to be surrounded with such amazing family and friends in our lives. 

After the baptism we ended the day with all of our family in town to eat, swim and play games for the rest of the weekend. We had intense ball challenges in the pool and jumps. We had an even more intense game of monopoly that went on too. The whole weekend was so amazing and the best time together. 

 

My birthday

 For my birthday I started off with Melissa and we went and got Starbucks and my favorite treats at TSP bakery. Then we met Madi for some shopping at downtown summer. I found the cutest sweaters. Next stop was meeting charlotte and Kylee at the movies. We saw It Ends with Us. Noah is so thoughtful and found Harry Potter diamond paintings that he got me and I love that we have been doing them together. That night Jake made one of my favorite meals of Tuscan Italian chicken. Huge props to him for cooking it for me! Thanks babe. I also had a surprise visit from my dad with cookie dough and a plate of his cookies right out of the oven, they were still warm, so he hopped right in the car to bring them to me. I love my family so much. That weekend Taliah and Ben came and all of us adults went to Red Robin for dinner and I got sung to again. Then we had a swimming party and my mom made me delicious angel food cake. I also got to celebrate with my besties for Brooke and my birthdays with Amanda at North Italia. Thank you everyone who made my birthday so great. 35 and it’s going to be a great year. 

8 is Great

Happy birthday Navy! To know her is to love her and laugh. She is the so fun and entertaining. Always keeping us on our toes with her stories, comments dancing and jokes. Navy’s favorite colors light pink and teal, but loves all of them. She wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up. She loves math in school. Navy loves playing with her Barbie’s, dolls and doing crafts. Her spa time and unquote “ is essential to her staying calm”. So she makes sure to take baths, face masks and eye masks quite often. 

For her birthday it started off she got to go on a special date with Grandma DeeDee. They went to the mall and got some shoes, clothes and got a fish pedicure. Navy giggled the whole time with the fish swimming between her toes. For her party Charlotte came over and helped me make almond wedding cake cupcakes and coconut lime cupcakes. We also made ice cream cone cake pops. All were delicious and so cute. Navy got a camping Barbie set and a mannequin doll head to practice doing hair. She also got lots of clothes and shoes. Her main ask was cute clothes, but made sure to clarify she wanted “high school cute” clothes. 

On her birthday we had all our family to the park for cupcakes and ice cream floats. She got so spoiled and loves seeing everyone. I love seeing the individual connections she has with people. 

The next day we headed to grandma and grandpas house for a swim party with her friends. We got everyone giant blow up balls and had lots of pool floaties for everyone. The girls had the best time. Noah even caught a giant lizard for all the girls. 

Back to school

 Back to school! Benjamin is a sophomore. Emma a freshman. I love that they get to enjoy shadow together. Both of them are totally thriving and loving high school. They are both in student council together so stay busy doing all of the activities. 

Noah is in fifth grade, his last year in elementary! He switches back and forth between two classes and for the first time is in the same class with his cousin Cash. They are so excited to be together. Noah also got lucky and is with his besties Janie and Ellsie again! We love them. Noah is in Jr lighthouse (elementary student council)  for his third year and loves being apart of the school. 

Navy is in third grade which is upstairs with the big kids. She has Mrs. Anderson and is absolutely loving her. We can’t wait to see her what the year brings. Both Navy and Noah decided to join the schools beautification club where they stay after to help make sure the school is picked up and ready. So proud of all my kids. Here’s to a great new year. 

After school on the first day Grandma Deedee put an Ice cream party together with all the toppings. Noah worked with Janie and Cash on posters for school. We are off to a great start. 

Duck Creek Camping

What’s better than deciding to throw a camping trip together for the weekend before school?! Yep, still can’t believe we did it, but it was so worth it. Taliah and Ben met us from Provo so we had all five sisters together for the weekend. 

We got three tent spots right by Navajo Lake. We had the most stunning view all weekend and beautiful skies. We also had thunderstorms BOTH nights. Also when I say thunderstorms I mean the worst storms I’ve probably ever been in. Lightening and thunder was so intense. Also the rain guard on tents does not work when it rains that hard for that long. The kids were singing I am a child of god as we all huddled together in our tent. As soon as they finished the song a giant lightening struck so close to us and lit up the whole tent leaving everyone screaming! 

We did lots of fishing all weekend and actually caught fish. Ben cooked one and only the boys were brave enough to try it and weren’t a huge fan of the makeshift seasoning/cooking haha. Uncle Ben is for sure a fav with everyone, but the boys had a blast with him running and swimming in the lake together. 

We went to strawberry point and were amazed at the views. I’m so grateful to be able to enjoy things like this with my family and sisters. We even saw a mama deer with two babies and a buck all lying together. 

We went and explored a few different caves in the area. Benjamin got a pretty gnarly cut on his leg somehow. Also with all the rain everything was so muddy. We were covered and slipping all over the place. I fell asleep waiting for everyone and my sisters thought it would be funny to pose around me… lol 

On the second night the thunderstorms came from both directions and literally rolled across the sky. We felt the thunder in the ground and all around us. When we woke in the morning there were two really big washes that went right next to our tents and we are so lucky they missed us. Even with the rain we had the best time eating smores and being together. 

 

August

School starts so early now so August is filled with lots of playdates and school shopping. 

Uncle Chad took Benjamin and Noah up to the mountain for a day and they had the best time. We love all our time there and so glad the boys got a short trip this summer. 

Kids filled time with cousins, swimming, Roblox, Fortnite, spa time, picnics, parks and more. Love their smiles. 

We did an end of summer bbq at gramps house. Swimming and bbq. The kids had so much fun jumping, diving and surfing in the pool. When it came time for dinner they act like scavengers eating gramps’ ribs lol. Great day before school started again. 

Navy had a date with Ben and Taliah for her birthday, she loved having them to herself. Navy also got to go to the shark week for her birthday with her friends. She had so much fun telling us all about everything she got to see and touching a sting ray. Also thrown in our school pics and waiting for carpool. Noah got to dissect owl pellets!

 

July

July has been busy and hot. We are in triple digits all month long and part of June. It’s not cooling off anytime soon either. I went and played Bingo and one of us actually won! First time I’ve ever been someone in my group won and we loved it cheering so loud. 

There are some pics loving on Ben since he got a shot at his well check appointment. lol I’ll take the hugs. Kids are having fun with cousins too. Benjamin, cash and Noah have been playing Fortnite non stop. I even got a cute permanent bracelet done by Penny. 

Cowabunga bay day. The kids and I all headed out last minute for the best time. Navy was tall enough so I went on all the slides with the kids. Even though the lazy river is still my favorite place. Making memories as these kids grow so fast is my favorite. They are the best. 

My nephew Kyler wanted to do a cousin sleepover at Jeff and Melissa’s. They had a big chunk of the cousins who danced, swam and stayed up late. The kids had the best time taking funny pictures and laughing. They all got a long so great and want to do it again. Kyler and Maddie are the best for putting it all together. 

Madi and I took the kids to jump and play. They went non stop and had so much fun. Navy was so excited to rock climb and Noah and Luke had the fast slide down. Emma loves Ryan so she followed him around as he ran and jumped. 

Kylee, Madi and I also took all the kids to see the new Despicable me. Benjamin and Emma did a swing dance class and I can’t wait to see if they use these skills at the next dance. It was so fun.  Benjamin and Bridger being goofs are my favorite and our concerts in the car. I had another girls night where we went and tried dumplings in china town and we went and did an Asian foot spa. Love my girls. 

The missionaries were over and we were reading scriptures and Noah put a chain on the cat so we threw that gem of a picture in hahaha. Navy and Noah enjoying the first 10 minutes of rain we had in months.

We went and saw the new Twisters with my parents. It was so good, we love the original so had to see the new one.