The Book of Mormon and Uncle Ben

Nathan set a goal in January to read the Book of Mormon. He was doing great until he got to 2 Nephi which is full of Isaiah and he started to get frustrated. We discussed how sometimes we need to adjust our goals so that they are reasonable for our capabilities and he decided to read from the Book of Mormon for Young Readers. It isn't simplified reading, it's all word for word scripture, but not every verse is in there and all of the pictures and thoughts in the side bars make it feel a little less overwhelming.

In July, he finished his goal!
It seems appropriate that he reward himself with a set of battle axes considering he just finished a book full of battles.

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Uncle Ben Whisnant (Robin's husband) sent the boys a package from his home in Georgia. The boys were thrilled to open the huge box to find a walking stick for each of them. They were hand carved by Ben with incredible details, a compass on one end and a secret compartment on the other with flint and steel to start a fire.

They have packed these around everywhere, not only as walking sticks but also as weapons and just because they are "super cool".

I printed a picture of each one of them so they could make and write a Thank You card to Uncle Ben.

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These boys have no idea how easy they have it doing dishes for only the four of us which is why they still try to get out of even the most simple chore of emptying the dishwasher.

I asked Hyrum if he actually had the money and gum to give to Nathan and he gave me a mischievous grin telling me he did not. He admitted that he had the money and the "pack" of gum...just no gum in the pack. It opened a brief lesson on honesty and deceit, which he handled well, already knowing that he was being a sneak.

Fun with the Boyds

We were so happy to have the Boyd family visit for a few days before they left again for Malaysia. I hope that such a short time together builds memories that will carry these cousin relationships throughout their lives.

With each child being an animal lover, it was easy to choose the petting zoo at Bear World for an outing.

Bear World is as close to an adventure park as we get in the Rexburg area. The roller coaster may be small but it still offers a belly flopping experience and the boys spun around so fast on the spinning bears that Hyrum briefly passed out and squeals had to have been heard for miles.

We'll see how much they've all grown in bear comparison in the coming years.

Summer heat, sprinklers, trampoline, and sun screen all make for a perfect summer afternoon.

Poor Hailey had to avoid the water a little until we finally wrapped her cast in a bag and she couldn't jump because of her broken arm. She still found ways to referee the games and play, even on the sidelines.

Hyrum wanted to share his baking skills with his cousins so he made up a recipe for "Cheesecake" to share. I was a bit confused with the name because it was more of a muffin and had no cream cheese in it but the creator gets to name the creation.

He made up his recipe from a combination of recipes in his book, mixed all his ingredients from scratch, baked, plated and served it with many happy bellies as the result.

4th of July and Kailee Jo

The 4th of July was the usual celebration of parade, food, friends, family and fireworks and summed up in a beautiful hot day.

Hyrum was excited to hand out flyers during the parade and he did a great job!

We were blessed to have Kailee stay with us for a couple of days while Bret and Erika took an anniversary trip. 

She loves shopping, especially for clothes and kitties (which Grandma couldn't resist buying for her)!

A visit to the orthodontist was entertaining with Moana, Lego and a short ride in the dental chair.

Evidently, we provide good nap time entertainment as well because when I went in to get her the entire container of wipes was pulled out, her bedding on the floor and she had created a stand in her attempt to escape.  Not a bit of remorse was evident as she declared "mess" as she reached up to me for rescue. 

Our outdoor adventures included a snack in the raspberry patch. She learned quickly that white berries are bitter and after that only red berried made it to her mouth. She had to be quick though because Charlie was right there with her, "sharing".

To wash away the grass and raspberry stains we headed to the bath where she soaked the floor in giggling splashes and had us laughing at her silliness.

As soon as Grandpa got home from work the bath was forgotten and another trip was made to the raspberry patch. 

3rd Annual Fullmer Reunion

This reunion has easily become one of our favorite summer events!

Our trip highlights included an Idaho crop duster buzzing right past us on I-15 and the Utah highway did not disappoint in the crazy department as a big boy trike sped by.

We played so hard that on the way home the boys were knocked out and snoring before we were even ten miles out.

The flames of a campfire draw us all in and the reuniting begins.

Saturday was full of water play, games, a hike, delicious food, and the making of memories to last us until next year.

Hyrum felt so grown up going out on the lake by himself and even got a bit of meditating in. Bret taught Nathan and Kailee how to balance on the waterboards and Justin pushed his gym skills in his attempts to get 20 back flips on the waterboard for his team challenge. A few bruises and welts later he came extremely close, and then finished on land.

Derek also spent some time on the lake but found his true skill when balancing a cousin (Jeremy) on his shoulders while juggling. It was definitely a comedy act worth watching!

Nine Square was played constantly with kids and adults both involved and then Fawn pulled all the younger kids/teens in for some minute-to-win-it type games. I loved watching the kids all work together, compete, and laugh.

It was obvious who our pet lovers were. Emily was both ready to cuddle and eat that poor baby snake and the boys made a quick friend in their little chipmunk. Landon and James took him home because he was so friendly and seemed like a pet. To this date, nearly a year later, the little guy is doing great and will hopefully be at the next reunion where they are considering letting him go.

The glue that holds us all together, the Vern and Reva Fullmer kids, our parents
Evan, Sandra, Sylvia, Alice, (Mary)

Grandpa and Grandma Fullmer (my parents) have a good relationship with all their grand kids and I'm grateful that we are close enough for them to have that relationship. The bottom picture looks like a good senior magazine cover but it really just shows how worn out Dad was. He was still recovering from pneumonia and would so quickly run out of breath. It was hard to see him struggle and made me realize how every moment is important.

Evan Fullmer Family

Top: Alice Fullmer Sullivan family and Sandra Fullmer Dubose family
Bottom: Mary Fullmer Carr family and Bill Fullmer family

All of us left thumb print leaves and our names on canvas to make a family tree for each of our parents/grandparents.

I'm so very honored to be part of this big Fullmer Family Tree! Though we only see many of them once a year, there is an immediate connection that only family can bring.