Derek

Derek is honest. 100% I have learned the importance of honesty from his example. Derek is reliable. If he says he'll do it, he'll do it. If he says he'll try to do it, he'll do it. If he says he can't do it, he has a solid and immovable reason why he cannot do it and he feels bad about it. Derek is happy. He wears a smile more than any other expression. Derek is selfless. He is always serving someone. He might sneak over and mow your lawn while your away. He might drop a letter in the mail just to tell you why he thinks you are so great. He might shovel your walk in winter. He loves to serve. Derek is nice. He treats everyone with respect. Derek is a gentleman. He opens doors, he respects women, he smells good all the time, he will never eat or even make his plate until I have my plate filled and ready. Derek is handsome. Even more now than when we met. Derek helps. He does laundry, dishes, dusting, ironing, bathrooms, yard work, you name it. He notices on his own whats needs to be done and he just does it. There is no such thing as a "honey-do list" with Derek. Derek is an amazing father. He plays with, he teaches, he leads, and he loves our children. Derek loves me. I can't believe I get to be the girl who married Derek.

I'm bugged!!

I have a couple of questions to just throw out there. I want honest feedback... FaceBook - Okay I really don't get the draw. You log on and try to find people who aren't really important enough to you that you have kept a number or address for? Then you have conversations for anyone else who is your "friend" to read and comment on? I get like four "friend" invitations a day. Boo! People in the ward, Natalie's friends, people I don't really know, and so on? And please tell me why anyone under the age of 18 would ever need a face book page in the first place? Where do people find the time? Texting - Why not dial a phone number and have a quick conversation and call it good? What's with the typing back and forth and your face in the phone and not out chatting with your present company? I guarantee that the world won't come to an end if you don't reply to the text until after you are doing whatever with whoever is right there in the room with you. Saving seats - Are you kidding? The kids and I walked into stake conference AN HOUR EARLY and every row in the chapel was taken...by suit coats. There were less than 20 men in the chapel yet every seat was saved. Really? The minute amen was said in the priesthood session the men just staked their claim for their family then most left to go have breakfast or what not and return to their nice padded pews 10 minutes before the meeting starts. I felt like Forest Gump on the bus, "Taken...taken...taken" remember? I was speaking in stake conference and my emotions were high. I had worked hard to get me and four kids ready for church (okay Nat got herself ready) and we were there an hour early to get a good seat for my folks to watch the kids while both Der and I were on the stand. I didn't cry but I wanted to. Using the express lane with a full cart of groceries - What? So rude! So, I'm really not bitter, but I was just kind of curious about these few things. If you have time between texts, and facebook conversations, drop a comment and give me your feed back for or against any of it. I'd love to hear from both sides. As a blogger, and lest I sound hypocritical, I just spent 30 minutes reading blogs and commenting where I felt like it. So I'm not one to judge right? Ho, ho, ho...

Danny's Preschool Graduation

This was such a cute program. We are so pleased with the hard work his great teachers put into their class. He learned so much and had a great time doing it!! Danny and Mrs. Proctor

Danny with his loot!!

Ms. Nelsen and Mrs. Proctor

Signing the song "Sing a Rainbow"

More signing. I love his hands!!

"Oh Mister Sun, Sun, Mister Golden Sun, please shine down on me..."

Danny and their teachers aide Ms. Nelsen

Kindergarten here he comes!!!

Brockbank Awards Night

I can't remember all the awards this great kid received, but, as always, she worked hard all year and we are so grateful that our children work hard in school and have fun while they do it!!!

Natty and BFF Bekah

Receiving one of many awards for the night!

Memorial Day Hike to Deseret Peak

We had a wonderful hike to Deseret Peak. We were hot and cold. The terrain was dry and warm and then cold and snowy. But the temperature was always perfect. We figure we hiked around six miles there and back. We couldn't quite go the whole way because the snow was past our knees in some places. We found a pretty spot to enjoy our picnic. It was wonderful. Both the boys did great. They were soaked at the end because of the snow, but they didn't care. Towards the start of the trail we had to cross a small stream over a log about four feet in the air and they were sure that this was going to be a grand adventure. They were not disappointed!!

Cowboy Party

A few weeks ago Natalie went to a fun birthday party where it was a western theme and you were supposed to dress up. She said the boys even dressed up. She had a great time and here is our cute country girls all ready to go!!

Brady's field Trip

Der took the day off work a few weeks ago and was able to take Brady on his school field trip to Red Butt (hee-hee) Gardens and the Museum of Natural History. I wasn't there but here are some cute photos. He was in charge of four kids. Brady, Koby, Zack, and Whitney. Zach, Koby, and Brady. Best Friends!!

Zack

Brady and Dad

Brady, Whitney, Zack, and Koby

Brady and Koby

Brady and Koby again

Koby, Brady, and Zack

Brady, Zack, Whitney, and Koby

Brady, Koby, and Whitney

Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House

Last week our family attended the open house. It was a wonderful experience to be in the temple with our whole family.

So we begin in the tent with the video presentation. They pass out a brochure to each of our kids and Brady opens it up and begins to read. He leans over to Der and says "You mean they just give it all away?" Der looks at Brady and he is pointing to the picture of the Celestial room and has this disappointed look on his face. Brady couldn't believe that they showed you the rooms before you got to see them in person. Maybe you had to be there but it was so funny!! Two weeks ago I spoke in Stake Conference and referenced the talk where President Monsen counsels us to touch the temple so that the temple may touch us. Well Brady took this to heart and her had to touch all four sides of the temple. He would place his entire palm on the wall and close his eyes.

Once we were leaving and in the van Brady says, "I have three ways to remember this day. First, I have this (he shows us the brochure), second, I will remember that I touched the temple, third, I have this ." We look at him in the backseat and her is holding a baseball sized rock from the landscaping. Now if you have read previous posts about Brady you know that he is a rock collector. A SERIOUS rock collector. We are always finding rocks in his pockets, backpack, church bag, wherever. We couldn't bear to make him put it back, so we now have a temple thief in our family. Maybe we should throw an extra dollar or two in with our tithing for the building fund aye?

This is a beautiful temple. It is done in honey maple colors rather than the rich mahogany we tend to see a lot of. The decor is just so pretty. However, if you go, look for the DR. Seuss tree's. You'll know then when you see them. He's a babe!!!

Fish family Reunion

This was such a fun party. I love the Fish family!! They are so warm and accepting. This was the first time I had met many of these wonderful people and they all want to talk and get to know you.

I am so glad that our family was able to attend. IT will be a great memory for a long time!

On the bottom left you see Uncle John and then John-Howard. Right above them are Aunt Marie, Ginger, Aunt Raneva, Uncle Leon, Uncle Ash, and Aunt Connie. Gingers kids are next to her and in their Grandma and Grandpa's arms. The three children front and center are Brandon's and Kristin's kids. Der and our kids are on the far right 2nd and 3rd rows.

Dad will have to identify the rest!!!

Lolly's graduation

It's hard to believe that we are now the parents of two junior high schoolers!! Lolly's graduation was a great event! We were so proud of her achievements. Her test scores put her in the top 3% for her age in the country. She was one of three students to receive this award. She also received the Presidential Gold award signed by one of her hero's President Obama. Her third award was Excellence in Leadership. We have begun this candy necklace tradition in our family. We first made them for our niece Briana's graduation so we decided to make them for Laurel too. So far they have been a hit. As Laurel walked in the boys ran up to her and each gave her a hug and then put a necklace around her neck. I thought Brady would be embarrassed, but it was clear that he thinks his big sister is pretty great. When Grandma Bezzant walked in she put the gold necklace on Lolly. Lolly loved every minute of it. Laurel's birthday this year was pretty meager because we were still recovering from our Grand Canyon trip, so we wanted to really surprise her for graduation. She has never had a new bike. She has always gotten Natalie's old bike as Natalie has gotten to big for them. So this was her year. She was so cute and excited!! Grandma and Grandpa gave her a beautiful watch. She was very pleased and it fit perfectly. They also gave her some nice body lotion and wash. Grandpa caught some zzz's after a long day at work. It was a fun evening. I can't believe this girl is going to junior high!!!!!