Spring Break

 Spring break was quiet for us, we had kids getting over colds. Noah and Emma both spoke in church. It was Noah’s first time and he did great, he talked for 6 minutes! We had dinner and a game night with grandma Deedee. Emma tried to soak up all the sun with her friends and even though it was cold and windy. We met cousins and aunties at the movie and the kids had lots of sleepovers with their cousins. I think Noah and Jacob spent half the week swapping houses and Navy and Kinslee were super relaxed with all their spa time. 

As soon as the sun came out a little we headed to my mom and dad’s pool. The water was cold but we played games and took in a little sunshine. Benjamin likes to challenge everyone to push up challenges and Kylee took him up on it and won haha. Navy’s new little boyfriend Cash thinks they are 16 and they crack us up. Navy got him a baseball and signed her name on it and Cash got her a necklace with a C and a heart on it. The necklace Navy has worn everyday since. Kylee and I met up and took them to froyo and they had some park time.

Idaho’s spring break was the week after ours and our besties came down and brought the Las Vegas heat and sun. Navy stayed down on the strip with them the whole time and had the best time ever. The girls did crafts and projects, shopping; picnics and more. As well as their hotel had a beach sand entry pool, volleyball, and a lazy river. 

Emma, Noah and I took turns joining them and laying out. We sipped delicious pina coladas by the pool and pineapple dole whips. Noah even babysat all the girls while us adults went out shopping. I love catching up and seeing the kids play. Thank you Bunkers for letting us enjoy your spring break as ours. 

March

 Noah had his fifth grade wax museum project due. He was Elvis Presley. He did all the research and made a poster with his facts. Noah had to memorize a presentation of facts about Elvis’ life and recite it any time anyone walked by his exhibit. He did amazing and looked so good with his hair done up. He even added snippets of Elvis’s songs at the end of each presentation. 

We took a trip up to cedar to celebrate Grandpa Bulloch and grandmas anniversary. Sadly Benjamin had volleyball and wasn’t able to make it so we missed him. We stayed at Jeff’s new house and the kids loved having a sleepover with cousins. 

We started the day off where some of the great grandkid's did baptisms in the temple. Then we had 8 or 9 couples and cousins of grandpas, kids and grandkids go and do a temple session together. The spirit was powerful looking around at some of grandpas posterity. I really enjoyed our time there. After the temple we all headed back to Jeff’s house where he had all the food for us. We chatted and caught up with cousins and had a great lunch before heading back to Vegas. Uncle Brent even had some fun orange bucket hats for the kids to rock. 

February

 

Annual daddy daughter dance. Navy always loves getting a dress and having her date night. This year they danced and got mini glass slippers as their gift. The dance was Cinderella themed. Afterwards they got Red Robin and ice cream.

I took Navy, Emma and Hailey shopping and we brought Ginger along for a wild time with these girls. Noah went to top golf for Jacob’s birthday. Benjamin is official with a drivers license, um what?! I do love sending him to get my groceries. 

While Jake and Navy were out Kylee and I took Benjamin, Noah and Jordan to the movies for a mama date night. Snuck in a pic of Ben he fell asleep while getting work done at the dentist. I still don’t know how he did that. Noah has loved going to the temple and Jake took him in the morning to do a whole bunch of names and breakfast. Noah loved skipping school and said no better place to do it then at the temple. 

For Presidents’ Day we headed up to the mountain with Jeff and Melissa. The kids love our weekends up there. They got right to driving and Benjamin took Umi and Emma down the mountain to town to grab some stuff for dinner. Jake and I went for a ride and got pretty close to two bald eagles that were stunning. 

Jeff made ribs and went up even higher in Navy’s books because the girl is a meat eater! We played a new game Mexican dominos, it’s one of my favorites now. The kids made a movie together with lines, props and all. We finished the weekend at the best pizza place in St. George. 

The second day there Benjamin was on a ride on the four wheeler and Umi took Navy on a ride in the jeep. While gone Umi rolled the jeep a full 360 after hitting a berm on the snowy roads. Right before the accident Navy really wanted to switch and go with Benjamin which is weird since she loves Umi so much. We are so blessed no one was hurt. Navy had also made Umi put her seatbelt on because Umi doesn’t like wearing one and all she had was some soreness from the seatbelt. Our hearts truly were so grateful for the prompting Navy had to get out of the car by the Holy Ghost. It definitely taught all the kids and us adults a moment of listening and recognizing those feelings. It took awhile to get the jeep off the road, but everyone made it safe and warm back by the fire in the cabin at night. 

January

 The big kids had homecoming Emma asked her friend Ryder with Canes chicken. Benjamin had volleyball so was unable to go till the evening. He got asked by Emma’s friend Annabelle. It was so fun having them be in the same group. They played games, painted canvases, shopped, danced and did Froyo. They had a great day and fun group. 

Emma loving on her baby Ginger. She says she birthed her and so she is actually her baby. That pup is sure loved. Grandma was in time and taught Navy how to lead the music so she could at Piper’s baptism. 

I had the best girls night at Swingers mini golf where I had multiple holes in one. We played at Jeff and Melissa’s and us girls watched tv and made steaks while Jake and Jeff changed Jake’s breaks which ended up with a dent in my car, um yikes, but we can laugh now. Church matching and a great start to the year. 

New year

We started the new year with my newest niece Rachael being born! She is an absolute doll and we all love her so much.

 Along with a new life, I lost my friend Cinder, her funeral she wanted everyone to wear bright colors and it was a beautiful, bright service. We will all miss you. 

Christmas break ended with a fun fast food surprise dinner we got to have with Casdon and Savvy. Lots of puppy cuddles and more new food. We loved having Charlotte back here for a few weeks before she went back to Idaho to school. I will always be grateful for my amazing sisters and the bonds they have with my kids. 

Happy birthday to Gramps and Uncle Jeff! We got to celebrate their birthdays with Jake’s brothers and cousins with yummy dinners.

 

Noah priesthood and temple

 Noah turns 12 this year which means that he got the priesthood. He has been so excited for this. We had a busy Sunday and his cousin Cash got the priesthood too. It was great seeing Jake and Chad as brothers to be with the boys and all the love they have for them. It was so great to have my mom and dad there with us for Noah. They love him so much and we are grateful for them!

Noah was so excited to go to the temple so we made it happen luckily with a free appointment slot. I loved being there with three of our kids. A great night and Noah is already begging to go back. He even got called up at church during conference by our stake president to talk about his temple experience. 

December

Fun, busy December time. We had my work party with a delicious spread of Italian food and Jakes work party tradition at Lawrys. We are both extremely blessed to have such wonderful bosses we are very grateful for. My coworker Gaby and I even matched at the office one day from head to toe. The kids went with Melissa to Hailey's dance recital and loved cheering her on. We had lots of fun Christmas shopping dates too. I love the excitement the kids get picking out gifts for each other. Noah enjoyed his Harry Potter color changing Hot cocoa. I love that he loves HP like I do. 

Western Elite Polar Express time. This is one of our favorite traditions. Every year Im in awe of the work, labor and love put on by these wonderful people to bring the Christmas magic to us. The kids love all the props and themes everywhere. The train even had new scenes this year which were so fun. We love the singing competition on the train, Singing loud for all to cheer. 

Benjamin's team finally had a tournament in Las Vegas, the first ever for boys volleyball and we loved being here and not traveling for once. Grandma DeeDee  and Kylee came out with me for one of the days and my parents came and Jake came out the next day to cheer him on. 

One of our favorites Carson LeFevre left on his mission to Kansas. We went to his farewell and I can't wait to see what he does. He has been Navy's favorite for a long time and she thinks he is just the cutest. My sisters Golden River had her puppies and they are so cute. Threw some pictures in with navy and Noah and their friends and then Emma’s friend sneaking a pic to send to me in class haha. Our elf Jolly brought the tiniest little Jesus with him to bring Christ into our home at Christmas. Ended up there was lots of Jesus hidden all over the house and even ended up being hidden all over grandma and grandpas too. It was a pretty fun reminder that Jesus is with us everywhere over Christmas. The kids would find them and then rehide them for their siblings. 

For a few years now we have decorated cookies at Jeff and Melissa’s house. The kids have a blast and then end up making crazy concoctions of frosting colors. I even made a buff Benjamin cookie since he wasn’t able to make it with us. Sure do love cousin time in the busy season. 

It was time for my friend Ambers annual ugly sweater party. I won the prettiest ugly sweater Cookie decorating contest lol. We had so much laughing at the gift exchange and a great night with such awesome ladies. Benjamin got hired to dress up and play the Grinch at a Christmas party. He was pretty nervous at first, but loved playing with the kids and goofing off as the grinch. The party was full out with snow and all things green and grinch. 

 

Christmas

Christmas Eve started at the movies. We went and saw the new Mufasa Lion King movie. The kids all loved it and have been singing the songs ever since. After we came back to my house do decorate cookies. Everyone always begs for my sugar cookies, so I taught Charlotte this year and loved all the help with decorating. 

Christmas eve was breakfast for dinner and delicious as always. We played games and opened our Christmas Pjs. Charlotte, Peyton and I inadvertently even matched in our super soft, white leopard jammies. Jake and Benjamin had matching sweat outfits, Noah and Emma in their nike gear and Navy with her stitch obsessed self. 

We went over to DeeDee's for breakfast on Christmas day. All of Jakes siblings were there and we had more yummy food. We sat and played Blockblast trying to beat those high scores haha. Ginger even came with us on her first outing. 

I did not take many pictures on Christmas, but we had a great day. Jake got a new gym and Navy got a set of pink and purple weights with new workout outfits so she can join the boys getting those muscles. The kids spoiled me with a fun basket filled with gifts. Navy got me a coke shirt (which just happened to be small enough that she could wear it after me lol. I have been enjoying doing puzzles on my new board I have wanted forever. Noah got shoes, clothes and science/craft items. Navy opened all things Lilo and Stitch and still carries them all over with her. Benjamin got xbox pass accessories, clothes and shoes. Emma of course is loving her puppy Ginger still. The perfect Christmas puppy. 

We spent the rest of the day at my parents playing games and eating. My mom even got Navy a big plush stitch that has three babies in its tummy! We had a great Christmas with all our loved ones. It was really great getting to have the holiday with all my sisters in town and together. Lots of fun memories made with seriously the best people.

 

End of 2024

Charlotte chose to go through the temple and so we had a great start to our christmas break at the temple with my family. Our stake youth also had a goal to get to the temple over break. Taliah, Ben and I got to take Benjamin and Emma to do baptisms. I loved it and loved being with such strong, amazing people in the temple. 

We had a park day with Ben's family and enjoyed the sunshine at Christmas. We had a warm break for sure. Emma brought Ginger for her first park play date and they both loved it. Emma is doing amazing training her little one and Ginger is rocking it at everything she can do. The cutest little puppy still! Grandpa took Jordan and Navy to sushi and Navy still is not a fan as you can see with that face. Im so proud of her for trying again haha. 

We all went out to apex and rode dirt bikes, bikes, and the razor. The kids were in heaven and loved it all. Uncle Vernon gained major cool points with his jumps and tricks on his bike. Benjamin loved riding around for hours and now wants his own dirt bike..... We will enjoy it when we can lol. Emma, Noah and Navy all rode the little dirt bike and did really well. Navy practiced on the electric bike for a while before she was ready to try and she hopped right on. 

 

New years Eve we went to the Zerkle property to have a bbq fire dinner and fireworks. Vernon, Ben and the boys put on a great show. The whole night was so fun and the stars and fireworks were stunning out in the desert away from the city lights. We ended the night with a giant bonfire of burning the christmas tree. That LIT up so quickly! I still can't believe how fast that tree went up in flames. 

We played with sparklers and enjoyed the fire. We got home by 9 so we could get Benjamin to his friends going to the dance. Emma was off at a party and the dance already. Navy was partying till 11 and had the best time with her friends to. We all had a good night. Happy New Years. 

 

Benjamin’s 16

 

Happy Birthday Benjamin! I can not believe you are 16. Benjamin is just a hair away from being 6'3" so is still growing tall. He loves it. He enjoys working out and getting bigger muscles, he loves even more to show us all those muscles. Benjamin dances and smiles all the time, but is definitely growing up and making big decisions. He has finished everything for his license and is just waiting for our DMV appointment since its so hard to get in there, he has one more month to wait. Benjamin just finished his volleyball club season and is on a little break for right now. He fell in love with dirt biking over break. Benjamin loves getting snacks and drinks at the gas station and just hanging out. He loves math, chemistry and his french classes this year. 

For his birthday he just wanted a small dinner, clothes and headphones. We had Biscuits and Gravy with my family, which is his favorite and he knows how to clear those plates. We love you Benjamin and I can't wait to see all the big things coming up this year for you.