A Boyd Visit

I received emails in May from Brendan and Jeremy, asking if they could stay with us for the summer and work with LeRoy. We were glad to offer Brendan a job with LeRoy and Jeremy a job around our house. The boys were excited to have a big brother figure in the basement again.

Brendan was a great apprentice for LeRoy and I was thrilled to have Jeremy work for me around the house. Jeremy painted the guestrooms and helped the boys build the new jungle gym for the play area. In free time, they shot air guns, played on the trampoline and in the sprinklers and when the heat was at its worst, they had a free day at Airbound.

Kellie and the girls came and stayed for a few days which made for great company. Andie read most of the time, Hailey played pet whisperer with the dog, cats, and bunny, and Madelyn entertained us with her excitement and enthusiasm over any and every topic.

Erika was also visiting for a few days at the same time, so Kellie and I took Kailee and Madelyn to Bear World. 

Seeing the bears from the van was okay but they loved hanging out in the shade in the petting zoo.

We also rode on the train and Huckleberry Drop a few times.

These little girls keep us young and remind us to keep it simple and enjoy nature and each other. 

Fullmer Reunion 2019

I love these Fullmers!

I'm so grateful for my parents and sisters!
There's a playful joy that comes from siblings and cousins, nieces and nephews, grandkids and grandparents.

Evan and Trudy Fullmer

Nathan and Hyrum are perfect uncles for our adventurous Kailee Jo and she adores them!

Bret was a doting daddy as he followed her around and played in the water with her.

Erika was busy snuggling with one month old Lilly, when I wasn't stealing her.

There was oodles of food, a frenzy of games, plenty of sunshine and the lake for refreshment. Having a cabin made it so much simpler than tent camping and was much more comfortable for LeRoy and I. There are few moments that remind us that we are aging, but sleeping on the ground is definitely one of them. We didn't even mind sleeping in the loft of the cabin so that Bret, Erika and the girls could sleep downstairs. It was much easier for us up there than for the boys. Until it was puking time.

I had warned the boys around 10:30pm that they should probably cut back on the candy that was readily available by the pound while they played games at the pavilion. But, I know all too well how hard it is to stop snacking in social settings, with the treats staring you down, and the unspoken rule of eating while playing games. I warned, but I left it up to them to decide.

Around 1:00am I could hear Nathan constantly rustling in his sleeping bag. He was on an air mattress on the wood floor so it made all kinds of noise. After about 20 minutes, I asked him if he was okay. "I don't feel so good." But, he tried to go back to sleep. I attempted the same but with thoughts of what to do in case he needed to throw up. We were in the loft with the attic stairs up to give the downstairs a bit more room and to not tempt Kailee to climb them. We didn't have a garbage can or bags. No paper towels or rags, though I did have my water bottle that if absolutely necessary, I'd let him use to wash his mouth out.

Not even 15 minutes later, I hear the familiar, "moooommmm???" I grabbed the flashlight, opened the door in the loft that led to a fake balcony, guided Nathan there and directed him to puke over the railing and to NOT hit the air conditioner that was in the window directly below. After several minutes of the horrible wretching sound from our loft to the muffled plop on the ground, I gave him my water bottle and some tissues that I found in the pocket of my backpack. Soon the loft ladder was pulled down and Bret came up to give us a garbage can, paper towels and some more water. The next morning I learned their perspective of the night with a muffled wretching sound and a very loud splatter right outside the window next to their bed.

The experience prompted Nathan and Hyrum to be much more cautious about late night eating, especially sweets, and it caused me to be puke prepared for the remainder of the weekend. It also gave us a funny memory to go with our reunion.

Airbound, Weber, Jazz

In 2007 I put Justin in gymnastics in an attempt to focus his energy and "tricks" in a positive place and to save the couch and his bed from daily jumping, bouncing, flipping abuse. Airbound, his hard work and determination, and a friend convincing him to try out for high school cheer, sent him much further than we expected. Even far enough to pay a good portion of his university tuition.

As Justin progressed on the Weber Spirit Squad, he set a new goal to try out for the Utah Jazz Stunt Team. He adjusted his nutrition, changed his workouts, and focused on partner stunting. I received amazing Snap Chat videos showing his improvements with each new stunt, though much to my dismay, the videos self-destruct after watching. Still, I was witness to his hard work and commitment and was immediately his number one fan as he gained the status of a Utah Jazz Stunt Team Member.

At a Jazz game a couple of months later, he was able to do his firm official half-time performance with his original gym coach in attendance.

ValaRae was texting me throughout the evening and was so thrilled to watch Justin. She was especially impressed that right after doing the routine, Justin looked right at their family among the crowded stadium.

Camdyn and Jensen were already Justin fans from the gym when he would coach them, but having Justin search them out and make a quick visit in their sky box completely made their surprise birthday game an even bigger surprise.

From ValaRae on Facebook:
We took our boys to the jazz game. It was a special treat to learn that our beloved Justin Edwards was performing not once but twice!! Don’t worry he has not abandoned Weber. He is doing BOTH!! We are so proud of where your talent has taken you.

It was so tender to receive this text between performances from Justin: “I find it very fitting that my very first tumbling coach saw my very first tumbling pass in professional cheer. Thanks for being an awesome mentor Val!”

We love and miss you terribly!!! But are excited for your adventures ahead of you!!!

4th of July

The day started with a series of texts from a neighbor . . .

It's fun that even in Utah, Justin has people recognize him. I love it that others cheer for him, especially when we aren't there.

Nathan, Hyrum and I spent a couple of days in Utah, which happened to also include the 4th of July. Kate had invited us to her house for their traditional barbecue so we decided to go a couple of days early to spend time at Kellie's house while they were in the country and to see Erika's family as well.

All the cousins had a fun water balloon fight, which helped battle the extreme heat and pulled them out of the house for a bit.

I will never understand the draw of a HOT tub when the weather is nearly 100 degrees but the kids were convinced it was the best thing to do after splashing around with lukewarm water balloons.

Kellie and Baby Lilly had the right idea! Napping with snuggles are the best!

At dusk (which still felt very past my bedtime), Mike set up all the sparklers and fireworks near the intersection where all the neighbors came together to share their colorful (and safe) explosions. I thought it was a perfect show for the 4th celebration.  Nathan and Hyrum felt it a bit lacking; missing their dad's dangerous flare for the holiday.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch in Rexburg . . .

Poor Daymia was left with all the guys. Tom Waldron (a friend from the ward) was living with us for a few weeks until he was finished teaching on campus and would be moving to Arizona with his family, and Brendan was living with us while working for LeRoy for the summer. Levi brought his friend Danny over and that meant Daymia was alone with LeRoy, Levi, Tom, Brendan and Danny. All great guys but I won't do that to her again.

They had a picnic, some shooting time, some blowing up time, and my cousin showed up with her roommates for the fireworks. I can't say that I missed it since every 4th is just a day of prayer and anxiety for me, but the boys really wanted to be home, even though it was initially their idea to hang out with their cousins this year.

Grandbabies

These beauties have stolen our hearts! Kailee is so gentle and loving to Lilly.

Kailee is also very loving towards Charlie. She kept trying to kiss him but he would always lick her face as she got close, so in return, she reached forward and licked him! A big hairy kiss had his eyes looking a little concerned and confused.

Lilly is a very calm baby but every once in a while needs a little extra comfort by way of pacifier. Because she doesn't use the pacifier often and is also tongue and lip tied, she accidentally pops it out frequently. Erika's answer was very creative! Invention born of necessity.

Kailee also has a very sensitive heart for her show characters, specifically Spirit, the horse. In certain episodes, she completely breaks down and is so overcome with emotion in behalf of Spirit. She's afraid that Spirit has really been kidnapped or hurt or is scared and the only thing that calms her down is her parents or continuing to the next episode where the trouble with Spirit is resolved.

LeRoy is such a doting grandpa! His enthusiasm when he sees the girls leaves no doubt in Kailee's mind that Grandpa loves her. He may not get to see them often but they will always know he is excited to see them and that he would do anything for them.

That same love and devotion also applies to their mommy!

Erika 1993  ~  Kailee 2016  ~  Lilly 2018

The littles also have their aunts and uncles completely smitten.

It is so fun to watch Levi and Daymia practice parenting with their nieces.