Our Family Is Sealed

Best Christmas Present EVER!

On a very snowy day we drove to the Jordan River Temple. Mom and Dad Fullmer met us inside and we took Max and Zane to the children's center. I had been worried that they would be scared or nervous, especially Zane in his mommy phase and really wanted them to have a good experience and good memories. We had explained everything we could about what would happen and I was relieved to see them forgot all about us as soon as they saw the abundance of "temple toys."

We had some waiting to do in order to fill out paperwork and get our clothing. As my escort Mom helped me to dress and we shared some tears in the brides' room. I felt beautiful as I put on the white temple dress and connected as I wore the clothing given to me by Grandma Hawkins many years ago. While we were dressing, Mom asked me how this came about. (I called her just a few days before Christmas to tell her our great news and ask if she and Dad would be there with us. They were of course excited, emotional and pleasantly surprised.) I told her that James was ready and our new Bishop was inspired to meet with him to make it happen. I am so grateful for Bishop Howe!

Dressed in our white clothing, James and I had a short veil ceremony, then met with the sealer in an tiny sealing room where he made sure we knew what we were doing. He then took us to an enormous sealing room where after talking to us about families, especially our responsibilities to our children, he sealed us. I have wanted to be sealed to James for nearly 15 years and it was almost anti-climatic how quickly it was done. Not in any way to be taken for granted; just so right that it felt like it had always been that way. After we were sealed we waited for just a moment for the boys to be brought in.

From down the hall we suddenly heard Zane's little voice as he called, "Daddy, Daddio!" It was so sweet and humorous. The boys came in and Max zipped around the room talking a mile a minute about the toys. They looked so cute in their ill-fitting white clothing. After quieting Max down we continued with the ceremony. During the ceremony Zane looked over at me and said, "Hi Mom." He was quiet for a moment and then looked at James and said, Hi Dad."
What an amazing moment it was to have Max and Zane sealed to us!

Kate and Mike met us outside the temple and had everything ready so we could get a few family pictures without spending much time in the cold weather. The boys didn't smile but I still love the pictures of our family together. And the pictures of them kissing me are so adorable! I am so grateful that we have pictures to help us remember this amazing day.

(Afterwards our small group went to Wingers for a celebratory lunch. )

Our wonderful neighbors the Milligans brought us over this beautiful picture as a congratulations gift.

Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving we were able to enjoy two wonderful Thanksgiving get-togethers with the Hill and Fullmer families.

It was amazing, loud, chaotic, fun, amusing and enjoyable to have so many of us together at Kellie's house.

Max was super excited to help me roll out dough for fun decorations on an apple pie.

An older cousin showed Max how to wear a coconut purse as a bra.

He danced around with it on chanting, "coconuts, coconuts."

Grandpa Keith & Liddell weren't able to make it to dinner due to the weather so Marshall called Thanksgiving morning asking if we could bring rolls and a couple more pies. Luckily I had decided earlier that week to make homemade rolls and they were already made so we just had to run to the store to pick up more pies.

As always the Hill get-togethers seem small and calm, especially after the chaotic fun at Kellie's house. But it really nice to visit with them for a few hours and the kids are getting old enough that they play well together.

Marshall snapped pictures of us outside the house.

 

Halloween

Zane trying on different costume

 Doctor Max

Firemen Max and Zane

Uncle Maury Visits

Every few months Maury comes for work and stays with us. Max loves his Uncle Maury! I guess none of Maury's other nephews or nieces call him Uncle so whenever Max says, "Uncle Maury" he responds by saying, "Yes nephew Max?"

 One night we were in the living room trying to put the boys to bed but Max insisted that Maury read him his bedtime story. It was very quickly turning into a tantrum when Maury came in to read to him. It was fun to see gruff Maury reading to my little boy and to see Max's excitement. 

After Max had gone to bed we thanked Maury for taking time to read to him. I teared up when Maury said, "I didn't do anything today that was more important than reading that story to him." As obnoxious as Maury can be he definitely has his moments. And he is really good to Max.

The Circus

At the entrance...

Max with his hand over his heart (sort of) for The National Anthem.

And sitting on the bike with two of the crazy motorcyclists. 

Eight motorcycles in a 16 foot steel sphere reaching speeds of 65 mph. So cool to watch!

Two hour of amazing sights. We were all amazed at the acrobats, the bare-back riders, the motorcycle high wire, the Kung Fu Kings, the Shaolin, the lion tamer and of course the silly clowns. Zane especially loved the elephants. So many talented and daring performers. We all had a blast!

At our favorite Chinese restaurant after...

What a fun and exhausting day.

New Cousin Brooklyn

We went to see new baby Brooklyn at the hospital.

Max was super excited to hold her.

Zane wasn't happy about sharing his Mom.

Logan started taking pictures and managed to get some of the best pictures we have ever seen of Max.

Look at those smiles!

Max's Tumbling Class

We enrolled Max in a community tumbling class. He has always been a bit timid physically and we thought this would be a fun physical experience for him. He had a blast and it was fun to see him become more sure of himself.

Max's 1st Primary Scripture

Max was asked to give his first primary scripture and prayer.

We chose Mosiah 12:33: "Abinidi said unto them, I Know if ye keep the commandments of God, ye shall be saved."

I wrote the scripture down and read through it with him a few times. He memorized it SO quickly.

His little brain just soaked it up and spit it back out. 

We practiced all week long and I had no worries that he would remember the words.

My worry was that he was going to say it so quietly it couldn't be heard or in his crazy robot voice.

We worked on saying it slowly and clearly and in his normal voice and when the time came he did AWESOME! We all went to primary with him. He sat in front and when it came time he stood right up with his picture of Abinidi. The leaders looked at me to see if I was coming up to stand with him but I stayed sitting down. He glanced at me a little uncertainly and I held up the paper that we had practiced with all week and he jumped right in. He said the scripture loud and clear and you could understand every word. Then without any help he said a prayer that was so sweet and sincere. I cried I was so proud! 

The parent sitting next to me (SallyAnne Wakley) said, "You are kidding me!" I smiled even bigger as he ran back to us to give us hugs and high fives. His first ever public speaking and memorization was a huge success! 

Alphabets

I was momentarily distracted and walked away from the pantry.

I returned to find Zane helping himself to some Alphabets.

Three years earlier the culprit was Max.

Max's Music Class

My friend Tiffany teaches music classes for children. She approached me about doing some work for her in trade for tuition for Max. I didn't realize it but she has been waiting for Max to be old enough to start the classes so that we could trade. I do the paperwork, registration, and weekly emails. I think that I by far get the better deal from this, but she thinks it is well worth it for the time and energy it saves her. I am so grateful for this opportunity for Max. We would not have been able to do it otherwise and he loves music and will love these classes.

Here he is ready for his first day of music class...

James 38th

James and I are not fond of cake so I decided to try something different for his birthday. Our first Christmas together I introduced him to our traditional holiday Peanut Butter Chex treats. They very quickly became a year-round regular treat. I added no-bake cookies; another favorite, to it and molded them together. Zane enjoyed licking the spoon and Max loved putting on as many candles as he could. This may become our family birthday treat as we all thoroughly enjoyed it.




I gave James a picture frame with the words, "I'm crazy about you because..." (That has always been more of our personal endearment than I Love You; maybe because we are both just a touch crazy.) I added small picture of myself and I use a dry erase marker to write on it the things that I love and appreciate about him. I try to write on it regularly and it is a great reminder to me of all the ways he takes care of me and our family. (It is also a great exercise when I am frustrated with him to think of a sincere comment to write.)

Korben's Birthday

The water games were a blast for the kids.

So many cousins...

Max has so much fun picking out a gift for Korben and making him a card.

Max and Zane with Grandma.

Max waiting anxiously for the cake.

Erika's Bridal Shower

Kate and I drove together to Rexburg for the bridal shower.

The boys had a great time together and were pretty good for the drive.

The bridal shower was amazing!

So much yummy food and a creative game to tell fun things about Erika and give her gifts.

I put together a colorful trio of baskets and put in a few of Erika and Bret's favorite things...

brownies, popcorn, popcorn cups, skittles and the movies: "Music and Lyrics" and "Little Rascals."

"Reading" Online With Grandpa Keith

Grandpa Keith likes to read stories to Max.

They can both see the story and hear each other.

Despite his serious expression Max loves doing this.

It is a great way to build their relationship with their Grandpa.

I am so grateful for the technology that keeps our families connected.

24th of July

It has become tradition for our little family to meet Grandpa Keith and Great-Grandpa Liddell in a park in Tooele for the 24th of July. They always bring little toys and yummy treats to spoil the kids. I am grateful the boys get to know their Grandpas.

Mother's Day and My Birthday

For Mother's Day James took the boys to pick out necklaces for me. The heart is from Max. The butterfly from Zane. They are so sweet and remind me of my little boys as I wear them. I will ask Max which necklace to wear that day and he always tells me to wear the brown heart because "it is his favorite color and because the heart means how much he loves me."

  

James gave me the necklace for Mother's day.

Then a few weeks later for my birthday he added the pendant and earrings. 

(It is the first time he has ever given me jewelry.)

(I loved it!!!)

4th of July Tooele Parade

We took our traditional drive to Tooele to Great-Grandpa Liddell's house to enjoy the parade. 

Max of course enjoyed the parade but this year he really enjoyed his cousins as well.

Zane was in awe of all the noise and chaos.

Old Boss, New Job

My old boss Donny contacted me to see if I was interested in an at-home job offer. He is an attorney now and needs some help collecting payments. I was excited to meet with him and discuss it. I always enjoyed working with him and it is a way to bring in a bit of money without having to leave the house.

In the beginning there was a bit of work as I figured out his accounting system and changed several things to make the process run more smoothly. Now it mostly just includes once a month sending out invoices and statements to all his clients and then once a week contacting clients to collect payments. Once a month or so I meet with him to discuss all the clients. We settled on a set amount of $500 a month. It is a good amount of money, especially for the minimal amount of time it requires of me. But for him it is worth it to have money coming in steadily. For me it means being able to make improvements to our home! James and I decided that the money will not go into our regular budget but after paying tithing will all go to make changes to the house. I am so grateful for this blessing of being able to bring in some extra money working from home.

Riding Thomas The Train

A maze, mini golf and balloon animals before the main event...

Waiting to board...

Riding the Train...

Max was so excited to see Thomas and enjoyed all the fun activities. The train ride itself was slow paced and just went forward for 15 minutes and then reversed over the same path. I wish I had been able to capture the moment when the train started to move though. Max's face lit up and he beamed! We probably won't do this again but it was fun for a one time thing. 

Zane Turns 1!

The Harrisons joined us for a little party for Zane's 1st birthday. The "cake" was really a cookie. We are not cake fans so I thought this might be more fun. I debated because I wanted the typical 1 year old pictures with cake smeared all over but decided to try the cookie. He turned his nose up at it which was completely adorable! Max helped him blow out his candle. He did try a bit of ice cream but wasn't impressed with that either.

He was completely uninterested in the gifts but Max helped him open them.
He loves his Caterpillar book from Grandma Fullmer.

James had the idea to get him these bristle blocks and they were a big hit with everyone.
He plays with them often and he enjoys them because they stick together so well.

I thought this little Leapfrog house was so cute and he was so cute peeking in the window.

A very worn out 1 year old...

Max's 1st Primary Activity (with Logan & Korben)

Max went to his first primary activity and his cousins got to go with him.
They had fun learning to make good choices at the "Choose your own Adventure" activity.

James and Zane

My Men In Their "Monkey Suits"

Every week after Church James says, "Lets get out of these monkey suits."

I made them stay in their clothes just long enough to snap a few pictures...

Zane's first week wearing a suit...

Max wouldn't take the picture without his dog Scout...

(At four years old Max was still wearing his 2T suit...the pants and shirt sleeves were getting a bit short, but it took 2 years for him to out grow it. We got him a new suit the week after this picture.) 

Sitting on Dad's Bike