Yep, I let an entire year go by without updating your letters. I'm sorry. Really, truly I am. We have been busy, but that's really no excuse as I know I will be kicking myself in the years to come for not making time for this. Luckily I haven't quit taking pictures, so hopefully that will jog my memory enough to give us a half decent recap of the year.
I ended 2014 with an update on Christmas, and the rollerblades did not disappoint. The empty basement was the perfect place for you guys to skate, and skate you did. Many hours were spent going around and around playing tag and racing.
We ventured to the park more than once with them too, although this was slow going and not as much fun as the roads in the Ranchos are pretty bumpy. Once we got to the park though it was around and around again on the sidewalk surrounding the playground.
At first when I saw this picture I wondered why I had taken it, nothing real special that I could see going on, then I noticed that probably not every kid loves to read so much that he can't even stop to eat breakfast in the morning. You are definitely a reader, and ended up with well over your accelerated reader goal in 2nd grade.
Just being a dork eating Pringles at the park.
On Valentine's day this year dad took us out to Gunsight Point. To say I was a nervous wreck as you guys ran along the edge of the cliff rolling rocks is an understatement. Somehow we all managed to make it home alive, even Toby who we had to hold on to in order to keep him from trying to chase the rocks you threw.
I bought Ty some sunglasses one day when we were shopping, and you couldn't be left out. Of course you chose the most ridiculous ones in the store!
Later in February we all went up to a Utah Jazz game. We had never taken you guys before, and you all had a blast. The Sportsman's Expo was there that weekend as well, and you and dad got to go there and walk around for a bit while we killed some time before the game. Then we got to the Energy Solutions Arena, and everyone got to pick their dinner. I love how you are looking at your pizza like it's some amazing food you've never experienced before.
We swam in the hotel pool and visited Scheel's and rode their ferris wheel before going home the next day.
Dad became the captain of a type 3 engine at Jacob Lake earlier in the year, and when his new truck arrived we had to go check it out. It is ENORMOUS. If I remember right I can nearly stand up inside the cab, and you barely came up to the BOTTOM of the door!
In true Southern Utah fashion one week we were playing in snow with dad tossing you guys so you sank all the way in...
and the next we were out hiking in our short-sleeved shirts! We have done quite a bit more exploring of this amazing place we live lately and have had a blast doing it.
We finally made it to Peekaboo where you guys loved running through the slot canyons. We're always glad when dad is around to take us so we can be sure we won't get lost.
And one day during spring break I took the three of you on an adventure to try to find some geocaches and another slot canyon. We didn't find any of the things we were looking for, but we did find this cool culvert/cave that runs under the highway by Mt. Carmel.
I posted this picture on Instagram with the caption "It isn't spring in Southern Utah until you've caught your first lizard." I remember catching lizards when I was your age in Phoenix, and it is fun to see you guys do the same.
One weekend in the spring we were up in Panguitch and Grandpa Ralph came by and insisted you all jump in the Gator for a ride. He LOVES his gator, and his great-grandkids, and every time we are there he makes sure you all get to go for a ride.
In the spring you played fast pitch baseball and had a blast. A couple times they had you play catcher, and you weren't so sure about that, but I had to take a picture to send to dad since that's where he played in high school. You mainly played 2nd base and had a good season, being one of the best hitters for a big chunk of the season. Your team ended up playing for the championship, and my poor memory can't remember if you won or not, but I know that you guys came out and beat some pretty good teams. Your good friends Landon Clarkson and Easton Ott were both on your team, so of course that made it even better.
Another Sunday hike attempting to find a canyon that our friend and bishop Harry Barber told us about. We found where it was, but by that time you guys had had about enough walking in the sand, so we didn't go much further. We had a good time walking together as a family though!
Such a cute kid!
Another Sunday when dad was working I took you guys up to the K-Hill trail. I wasn't sure what to expect since we'd never been there, but we found the trail, didn't get lost, and even managed to make our way to the K, which is a hike in and of itself as it is a good 100 yards UP off the trail, and you basically scramble your way on your hands and knees half the time.
You and Ty giving your sister some love after her Kindergarten Circus the last week of school. You sure loved having Mrs. Shakespear as a teacher.
We were getting down to the wire on getting your baptism invitations made. I kept thinking I had plenty of time, PLENTY of time, until all of a sudden I didn't, so one random morning I loaded you and your brother and sister and all the kids I was babysitting that morning and ran down to the Ranchos Park to try to get some half-decent shots Aunt Lisa could use in your invitations. My you are a handsome kid! I loved the suit you chose for your baptism, and for a few weeks you were determined to wear every single piece, down to the vest and suit jacket, even when it was hot!
For your birthday your dad and I decided that you didn't need more STUFF, and we tried to come up with something that would be just as exciting. You had somehow become obsessed with the Arizona Diamondbacks during your baseball season, so we got you and your dad tickets to go to Phoenix to a game a couple weeks after your birthday. I'm pretty sure you were okay with getting those tickets and time with your dad instead of more stuff!
You requested a chocolate chip ice cream sandwich "cake," which was definitely a little messy but really tasty. I think everyone enjoyed your "outside the box" thinking.
June and July are definitely busy summer months for us, and this year was no exception. You helped me out with games and races at the Veater reunion this year since Grandma and Grandpa were in charge.
And on June 27th you were baptized and confirmed by your dad. You have no idea how proud of you we are for making this decision. You have been reading the scriptures and learning as much as you can in Primary to prepare, and I know you felt ready and excited to take this step.
All your aunts and uncles, cousins, and grandmas and grandpas were there to support you, and we gathered afterward to eat the lunch of your choosing, PIZZA! Aunt Lisa took some pictures, and this is one of the few where Tinsley wasn't posing with us!
I love these kids!
Two handsome guys. I can't believe that in 4 short years you will be receiving the priesthood!
The Monday after your baptism you and your dad headed down to Phoenix to see your Diamondbacks game. Dad kept sending me pictures, adn I kept writing back things like, "It looks like he is having a terrible time!" or "Cheer that kid up why don't ya?"
It was dad's first time at a major league game too, and I'm actually not sure who had more fun.
After that whirlwind weekend our summer continued on, and we had a blast making blanket forts...
playing with salamanders...
and even getting dad out on the kayak at the Hatch Reunion where he was able to come out and spend a day with us.
Cousin Quade came and spent about 4 or 5 days with us while we sent Tessa to their house. You and Ty thought that was a pretty good trade, and I think Tessa felt the same way! You and Quade can be about as different as can be sometimes in your personalities, but you had a blast playing together this week. We spent a LOT of time at the pool...
On the way to meet Aunt Syliva and Uncle Dusty to make the switch this was the scene in my back seat. I'm pretty sure you wore each other out, but we can't wait to do it again next year.
You got a little creative with your still life photography...
We went on lots more hikes/geocaching trips, this one was with Grandma and Grandpa Hillier when they came over to hang out with us one Saturday.
And one night the power went out right before bed and everyone was freaking out, so we decided the best thing to do was go to bed, in MY bed! Those 4 people in one bed made it feel pretty crowded pretty quick, but it was a fun memory.
Our friends the Shakespeares built a fancy new pharmacy in town that has a Soda Fountain inside, so we had to go test it out for friendship's sake. You guys approve, and we try to make regular appearances there.
Just some random goof balls. The house we have lived in for the last 5 years sold, so we were spending some of our last days here at this point. It was a weird house in not the best neighborhood, and your dad and I never thought we'd live there this long, but it was home for longer than we'd lived anywhere else our married lives, so it was a little bittersweet to leave.
Dad had been busy, busy, busy this summer with only a few days off between the end of July and the first part of September, so when he came home from a detail and had a couple days we took advantage of the time and went north for a trip to Lagoon. Our hotel was close to a bowling alley/arcade, so we hit that up the first night we were there.
We had a good time at Lagoon with you and dad riding some of the bigger roller coasters together. We tried to go to an Ogden Raptors baseball game afterward but found out too late that it was going to potentially be sold out due to a customer appreciation thing. We didn't let that spoil our fun though, and headed back to our hotel to swim after having dinner at In'N'Out.
The end of August brought back to school, and you were excited to start 3rd grade in Mrs. Leslie Glover's class. You have really enjoyed her class, and she has really enjoyed you too! At our parent/teacher conference last week she mentioned that you are a joy to have in class. It is so awesome as a mom to hear you doing so well.
You have enjoyed cub scouts even when that has meant doing the dirty jobs like cleaning up the manure at the end of the Western Legends parade. The Western Legends parade is almost 100% cows and horses, so that was a BIG job! You didn't want to do it, but you did, and that made me really proud.
We spent the last days of summer doing more playing at the creek where we hid our first geocache (which promptly washed away a couple weeks later in a big flood in the creek)...
...and we found another fun canyon thanks to the Barber's where we played on Labor Day.
We took our annual trek to Hurricane for Peach Days where we hung out with grandma putting puzzles together...
And you got your 3 cavities that we had found at an earlier appointment filled. I had to get the picture of your fat lip.
Then I took you to St. George to get a "real" hair cut (as in not just me with the clippers at home haircut), and you looked so handsome even with the fat lip!
Dad finally came home after a 21-day (25-day total) detail to Washington State, and you were excited to have somebody besides mom to play basketball with.
Earlier in the summer when we weren't sure where we were going to move when our house went up for sale. My visiting teacher, Sister Douglass, had told me that they were going on a mission in the fall and would love to have us take care of their home while they were gone. We didn't think much of it as we thought we would have to move before they left, but our prayers were answered when the timing of everything worked out just perfectly. We had to be out of our house by the first of October, and the Douglass' were leaving the end of September. It was a busy week moving, but we made it just in time, and we have been LOVING their beautiful grassy, shady back yard. We are also blessed that we are able to stay in the same ward and in a better neighborhood. It truly, truly has been an answer to our prayers.
Your school pictures came back, and when you showed them to me you said, "I wasn't even sure it was me at first it was so handsome!" Ha! I agree, you do look pretty dang handsome.
October meant Halloween cookies, and you guys did a great job frosting them. October also means the deer hunt, and somehow I don't have ANY pictures of you from that time. It rained almost the entire time we were out there, but you guys didn't let that stop you from having fun. You had a blast with cousins, hunting with dad, and driving grandpa and Uncle Dusty crazy the night you all went in the truck with them.
For Halloween you dressed up as Harry Potter, and we let your hair grow all the way from your "real" hair cut late in September to the end of October to help with your authenticity. We had a ward Halloween party put on by the YM/YW, and you decided you wanted to ride your bike to the church, and for some reason that cracked me up.
Where ya headed Harry?
Halloween night we met up with your friend Easton Ott at the trunk-or-treat in town, and then headed out to hit some houses for more candy after that.
We got Easton to take a picture of us...
So those nice shade trees in the backyard? They weren't so much your friend in November when the leaves really started coming down. One day I heard something out the window and looked out to see it raining leaves. It was crazy! Unfortunately for you, you got in trouble for not helping too much when we were out getting wood one day, and your punishment was to rake leaves every day after school. Fortunately for you November was crazy busy for you with scouts and basketball, and you rarely ended up raking! We did all buckle down one Saturday in December though and got them all raked up before the first big snow.
Early in November we had a "Fakesgiving" at Grandma and Grandpa Hillier's house with turkey and all the usual Thanksgiving food since it was their off year. There were 5 pies for 6 adults and 4 kids, so it was a good time.
Thanksgiving was at Grandma and Grandpa Veater's this year, and we had lots of good food and football, which was also a good time!
The next day we went out on the East Fork to get our Christmas tree. Grandpa was on his best behavior, and we were all able to find a nice tree in record time even with the snow making them all look like winners.
The first week in December we had our ward Christmas party, and Santa made his appearance. You asked him for a Wii U.
During November and December you played basketball and did really well. Your dad and I were impressed with how much you learned and what a difference there was from the beginning of the season to the end. You had a fun team and ended up winning all but one of your games. You took a few shots that never quite made it in, but we loved seeing how you never got discouraged and kept playing your best.
The weekend before Christmas we went to Grandma and Grandpa Veater's for the Pollock Christmas party and to open presents with them. I love this little shot of you playing nicely with Tinsley!
At the Pollock party you sat on Santa's lap again and asked for a Wii U, again...
Uncle Derick's family got our family the game Twister for Christmas, and we busted it out that day. The grandkids had fun playing and trying to outlast each other, and the adults who dared play just hoped we wouldn't break any bones or pull any muscles.
You picked up a cold for Christmas this year, so our activities during the break were at a minimum. When we made Christmas cookies I took a few off to the side and frosted them and told dad to eat those ones since all 3 of you kids sat here and coughed and sneezed as you decorated! Santa didn't mind though, and I love this tradition of making cookies with you guys even if it isn't the neatest. I had just swept and mopped the floor (duh) and as you guys decorated all I could hear was sprinkles hitting the floor nonstop!
We enjoyed our Christmas in the Douglass' house, and my favorite part was that we were actually able to hang our stockings over the fire! We decorated the outside of the house with lights too, and I had to put this memory in so I don't forget to razz you later. Dad was getting on the roof to put lights up, and you said to him something along the lines of, "You could fall off and die! Can't mom do it?" Thanks bud!!
Christmas morning came, and even though you were sick you thought for sure you would be the first one awake, but when I woke up to try to sneak in a shower before everyone got up Tess was already sitting on the couch. She went in and woke you and Ty and dad up, and we got down to the business of opening presents. You got a marble run thing called Q-Ba-Maze which we have had fun putting together a bunch of different ways, snap circuits, a new Sunday shirt, a Harry Potter video game, and a Lego idea book. No Wii U, sorry bud! Luckily both your best friends got one, so you can play at their houses I guess. From mom and dad you guys got a new swing set which we haven't been able to use since it has been crappy weather pretty much since Christmas.
We even had our 2nd white Christmas in a row! What a view from this house too!
We went over to Grandma and Grandpa Hillier's house later that morning and ate lots of yummy food, opened presents, and hunt out and had fun. I tried to remember to take pictures, but you were sitting next to me and didn't get in any of them!
Three days after Christmas is Ty's birthday, and you guys all had to get in the picture when I took one of him with his new bike.
We also gave you guys tickets to a Jazz game on Ty's birthday for Christmas, so we headed up after breakfast. Our hotel was downtown, so we walked up to Temple Square to see the lights before heading to the game.
In the cheap seats, but you guys don't mind, especially since that means a little more cash for buying dinner and ice cream at the game.
On New Year's Eve I was sick, but we didn't want to be too lame, so we went to Panguitch where they have a dinner and some activities at the Triple C. I was excited I didn't have to attempt to cook, and you guys had a good time with the games. You climbed the rock wall 3 times, and made it all the way to the top on the last 2 tries!
2015 has to be one of my favorite so far. I count my blessings every day that I get to be your mom and be a part of watching you grow up. You've had ups and downs with friends and school and sports and church, and my favorite thing is seeing you overcome those downs and get excited about the ups. You are an amazing big brother with lots of love and concern for those around you, and I can't wait to see what 2016 brings us. Hopefully it will bring more consistent letters from your mom so we can keep a better record of this time.
Love you bud,
Mom
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