2012 Fullmer Review

Every year I debate on sending a letter with my Christmas cards letting you know the events that happened in our family for the year.  Well, once again, I decided to do it e-letter style on our family blog.  I figure what better place to update you all on our happenings than on our family blog, right?

Let's start with the kids first:

Kylee (17)

• Ky is a Varsity Cheerleader for her High School this year.  Her team took first place in their first cheer competition this month.  She is loving it and looking forward to more competitions.  Especially Nationals in California this March!
• She is a Junior
• Made the Honor Roll for first quarter.
• Driving her own car which is very nice for mom and dad!

Makayla (14)

• Is in 8th grade.
• She is on her 5th straight 4.0!
• Taking dance and loves it.
• Still just as sweet and beautiful as they come.  She is such a good sister and has a natural motherly instinct.  She loves to bake and makes a pretty mean batch of chocolate chip cookies!

Talon (11)

• Is in the 6th grade.
• Still rocks the guitar like no other.  He is really improving with his guitar skills and has such a great time playing and learning songs that he loves.
• Played his 3rd year of football this year with Chet as a coach and did AWESOME!  He has a lot of heart and gives it 110% every game.  We are so proud of him! 
• He is now playing Jr. Jazz basketball.

Hunter Jay (8)

• Hunter had such a big year!  As you can see by his age, he turned eight!  Which means he was baptized!  It was such a special day and I enjoyed being the Primary President when this took place!
• Hunter is in 3rd grade and doing well.
• He is such a friendly and social little guy.  He has a ton of friends and loves school...not for the work, mind you.  More for the social aspect of it!  He really is his dad!

Cashy Poo (3)

• Cash is such a smart boy and knows all of his letters and numbers.
• He is such a crazy ham and always keeps us on our toes!
• He loves playing with his brothers, sisters, cousins, mom, dad...basically anyone who will PLAY!
• Cashy is MR. PERSONALITY!  He never stops going and makes us laugh.
• Loves his video games, SpongeBob, (basically any cartoon on Nickelodeon) 
• Loves to sing and dance and knows how to work his mom's phone to play the games he wants and listen to the music he wants...over and over and over and over and....    

Chet and Kim

 

•  Chet is working at Ingenix and we are grateful for his job!
• Coached his 17th year of little league football.
• Elders Quorum President
• Loves playing the guitar and watching sports!
• Kim is busy as a mom, taxi driver, cook, cheerleader, maid, counselor, psychiatrist, teacher,  nurse... You would think I should be making a lot of money, huh?
• Just released in October as Primary President and enjoying her new calling as a Primary teacher!  YAY for PRIMARY!
• Enjoys photography and reading books when she can fit it in!

We are so grateful for another year of employment and good health! We feel so blessed to have the love and support of such amazing family and friends!

 Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2013!

Love, 

The Fullmer Family

 

Elf Mischief

We had a very special package on our porch Thanksgiving weekend.  The kids unwrapped it to find our very own family elf to adopt!  We couldn't decided between two names to give him, so... we decided to give him a first and last name!

Meet Herbie Jingle!  The Fullmer family elf and Santa's little scout!  We were so excited to see what fun he had in store for us and here is just a little example of the mischief he has been up to so far!

Chicken Parts

I love my kids... they are so entertaining and the innocent things they say just totally put a smile on my face.  A few weeks ago as I was sitting in McDonald's having a nice lunch with my two littlest guys, my cute little 8 year old and I have the following conversation... but first, I will apologize if you already read this on FB, I am just wanting to document this here on our family blog in case, one day, I decide to ever make a book out of this thing!

So here goes... the conversation that took place and almost made the lady in the next booth have to perform the Heimlich on me!

Hunter:  "Mom, I know where chicken nuggets come from."
Me:  " A chicken!"
Hunter:  "NO, I mean I know what PART of the chicken."
Me:  "What part then?"
Hunter:  "The potty."
Me: (not sure I heard him right)  "The body?"
Hunter:  "No, the privates!"
Me: (laughing)  "No they don't!"
Hunter:  "Then why do they call them 'nuggets' ?"

That kid makes me laugh so hard!  I don't know if that's what they call "boy parts" these days but I loved his thought process.  I mean, they ARE round, deep fried pieces of chicken meat!  Where else on a chicken could perfectly round pieces of meat come from?

I'm Melting!

 I was having an itch.  Makayla has such pretty, long hair and we were talking about doing something different with it.  I love the new trend of hair melts or ombres (however you want to refer to it).  So, we both decided to be brave and she let me experiment on her.

It turned out SO cute and she really loves it!  It actually blends a lot better than what you can tell in the picture.  

I'm thinking maybe I should have gone to hair school and become a hairdresser!  Can I just say, I love having girls! :)  Thanks for being a good sport Kayla and letting me use you as a guinea pig!

Scout Camp!

My cute little Hunter Jay going to his first ever Scout Camp.  He was so excited and had so much fun.  You should have seen his little face when he got home.  If he were to get wet, he could have turned into a big mud pie!

And Talon off to his very first OVERNIGHT scout camp.  It was only a one nighter, but I was still nervous just the same. He had a great time too.

 

DON'T YOU JUST LOVE A GUY IN UNIFORM?! :)

Grand Marshalls

My Little Rock Star

My cute Talon playing the guitar in his 5th grade talent show.  He just barely learned this song a couple of days ago.  He was planning on playing "Don't Stop Believing" but really wanted to use his whammy bar so "I Love Rock n Roll" it was!

Hall of Fame

Ah!  I have  been terrible at blogging.  Here's my problem... I have lots of pictures.  I want to go through and edit the pictures before I post them.  Well, I really have not had much time to edit, therefore, I do not blog because my pictures are not ready.  SO, I decided it's better to post crappy pictures and blog than not at all.

SO much to catch up on!  In March, Chet's cute dad was given an incredible honor.  He was inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame for a Lifetime Service award.  We took the kids because we wanted them to have this memory of their Grandpa receiving such a huge award.

It was such a FUN night!  Such an incredible honor to be there and support him.  I am so grateful to be a part of this family and be a part of carrying on the Fullmer name and legacy through my children.  I hope they realize how important their name is.  That they will honor and respect it!

He Lives!

4 years ago in the spring I decided I wanted to plant some rose bushes. I did some shopping and saw some roses at places like Walmart that were quite a bit less than what you would pay at a nursery. However, I wanted to make sure the roses I planted were healthy, sturdy and strong so I spent the extra money at a nursery.

After spending quite a bit of time picking out just the right ones, I brought home two beautiful rose bushes. Now, understand that I do not have a green thumb. So, I took great care in reading the planting directions... preparing the soil, mulching the ground and digging the holes just the right size. Once the roses were in the ground side by side, I watered them, fertilized them, sprayed them for bugs & pruned them when needed, hoping that they would continue to live and grow.

One rose bush continued to thrive and grow while the other seemed to struggle just a bit. The next spring the one rose bush, again grew and continued to produce beautiful blossoms while the other one struggled even more. This particular Spring it only grew one long stem with two blossoms. The blossoms became so heavy for the thin stem to support and the stem completely broke off. I read everything I could and did everything possible to try to help this bush survive, but no more stems were produced that season. The following winter and spring was harsh. Temperatures dropping with snow in late May. I was worried about my roses. However, the same rose bush that thrived before continued to thrive. The weaker one, did not.

I kept it watered and fertilized through that Spring and Summer hoping that it would survive. However, when last fall came and not a single green stem or leaf sprouted from what was left of the bush, I accepted my loss and pulled the whole thing out, roots and all, with plans to plant another bush this season. I was still sad for my loss, for the work and care I put into this particular rose bush, only to have to pull it out and throw it away.

Spring is now here once again and as I started to weed my flower beds I came upon the spot where I had planted the roses bushes. I glanced to where my poor little rose bush once stood and saw something green. My beds being full of weeds, I naturally assumed it was another weed and knelt down to pull it out. Upon closer observation I realized it was not a weed, but what was new stems and leaves beginning to sprout.... ROSE stems and leaves!!! Somehow, after the bush had died and was pulled out, it sprouted new life.



With Easter only being a week away, the experience immediately made me reflect on one thing... our Savior. This last month has been a very difficult one for Chet and I. We have experienced trials that have been some of the hardest and most heart breaking that we have had to deal with. I have spent so much of my time on my knees in prayer. Asking for guidance, help and comfort. I felt that there was no light at the end of this long tunnel.

Seeing this new life from what was once dead reminded me of our Savior and what he did for me...for all of us. The Atonement... He suffered, he took upon himself our sins and burdens that we could be forgiven and that our loads may be lighter. He was spat upon, whipped and nailed to a cross where he eventually died. All for me (and you) so that one day I could return to my Father in Heaven... and even after His death, He was resurrected and continues to live.

Seeing this new life sprout from something that once was dead reminded me of all of this. My little rose bush continues to live just as our Savior lives. I was given new hope. I know that I will make it through this trial as well as others that will come in life. How grateful I am for the Atonement! I know that Heavenly Father allowed me to have this experience for a reason....I certainly needed a reminder. I know that He loves me, He is aware of me and He knows what we are all going through.

I am so grateful for a loving Savior and his Atonement. What a wonderful time of year that we have to remember Him and all that He did for us. I know that He loves me... imperfections, weaknesses and all. Through Him I can find peace, strength and forgiveness. I love Him with my entire being.

"How sweet the joy this sentence gives, I know that my Redeemer lives!"

Open Wide

How do you brush a fighting toddler's teeth? You sit on him! I know it sounds cruel but if you only knew my Cash you would understand. Sometimes I laugh wondering what people would think if they could only see us trying to brush his teeth. At times it takes two of us to do it. One sitting on him holding his hands down under their knees and the other holding his head still. It's quite the ordeal!

Needless to say, I wasn't surprised when I could see a big cavity in his front tooth. I knew a regular family dentist was out of the question because there was no way Cash would hold still and just open his mouth for him to exam. I found a great pediatric dentist who was great with him and they were able to see the cavity and get a quick cleaning in.

Now, the icky part. To fill the cavity they had to put him under IV sedation. Let me just say...this experience left me NEVER wanting to do it again!!! Not only was it expensive but it was quite traumatic to watch. For you mothers out there who have experienced this you know what I'm talking about. The anesthesiologist has you hold the child in your lap to give them a shot that starts the sedation procedure. It is almost like a hallucinogen. It calms them down and relaxes them enough to put the IV sedation in.

Chet held Cash during this procedure. He cried because the shot hurt and then his eyes got really big, he started whipping his head back and forth trying to look around and started screaming "mom! mommy! mom!". I just talked to him and rubbed his head, then he went limp as he just started to stare off, wide eyed right into space. He honestly looked dead! His breathing started making some funny noises and then they took him from Chet and brought him to the back to begin the procedure. That's when I lost it! I sobbed and sobbed... it was the worst experience ever!

When the procedure was done they brought us back so we could be there when he woke up. Everything went fine. They made sure he could keep a Popsicle down before they let him leave. When we got him home he laid down on my bed and a few minutes later he tried to sit up. He immediately laid back down and said, "Oh, I can't get up. My head is slipping!" It was too dang cute. He got a little sick to his stomach but the poor little guy was so hungry. He wanted to eat, but couldn't have solids quite yet and then he would throw it up after. What an ordeal.

Thankfully, he is much more cooperative when it comes to brushing his teeth. I am going to try and hold him off from having to see a dentist again until he is old enough and less squirmy so he can see a regular dentist. Not an experience I want to repeat!

Valentine's

I'll admit, I have never been much of a Valentine's Day fan. To me, you shouldn't need a designated day or "Holiday" to buy somebody flowers or candy and tell them you love them. Shouldn't you be doing that anyway? And what about those who don't have somebody special in their lives, I think it's just kind of rubbing in the fact that they are alone. It just makes me kind of sad.

However, I do enjoy the fun things about it like doorbell ditching Valentine's treats to friends and neighbors. Giving my kids cute Valentine's and having them give me cute ones in return.

Chet and I never really do much for each other because we have our Anniversary a few days later, which is much more important and fun to celebrate anyway! :) But he did send me some beautiful roses (in the middle).


Kylee also got some beautiful roses and Valentine's from her friends and a "secret admirer."

Talon also got a very special Valentine from a very cute girl in his class. It turns out that they both have a crush on each other. I know her mom really well and I think it's kind of cute. I'm sure it will be short lived, but he was feeling pretty special all the same.

Fun stuff!

Birthdays!

As many of you know, the week of February 13th to the 19th is a very busy, busy week. We have four birthdays in all, including extended family, Valentine's Day and our Anniversary! *whew* can you say TIRED? (and expensive!)

This post is going to focus on two of my favorite guys ever! Talon turned 11 on the 13th of Feb. I can't believe how fast he is growing up. He is getting taller and and has the funniest sense of humor. He loves sports and music and is incredibly smart when it comes to remembering facts about bands, music and sports. He is a lot like his dad that way!

He loves playing the guitar and is doing really well with it. This year for his birthday he got an upgrade. We had him open his first present which was a guitar case. We told him that his teacher thought he could use a better case etc, etc. Talon had guitar lessons really soon after that so Chet had his guitar stuff upstairs and ready to go. We told Talon to see how his guitar would fit in the new case, so over he walks to his old guitar case and opened it up only to find that it had a new electric guitar inside. He was SOOO excited and tackled Chet with a big hug immediately. It really brought tears to my eyes. I love seeing my kids so happy!

He wanted a Dallas Cowboys "Star" cake and that is just what he got!


He wanted eggs in a basket for his breakfast, we went to Winger's for lunch and chicken enchiladas for dinner. YUM!!! We celebrated his birthday with his Grandma the night before (Sunday) with the Fullmer's and when Grandma Viv got home from the Philippines we celebrated both Talon's and Cash's birthdays at her house.

Now for my little Cashy! I can't believe that my baby boy is now 3 years old. He is doing great with the potty training and talks up a storm. His favorite things to do is play with his video games, trains, cars... pretty much all little boy things.

He is always playing with his siblings DS or Gameboy video games so we decided to get him his own video game "type" console. Only, with these games he is actually learning something. It is one of those Leapfrog Explorers 2. He calls it a "DS" and loves playing with it...that's almost all that he does. So cute!

He loves trains, SO... I made him a train cake. I wish I had more time to spend on it and make it look a little better but we had church, dinner right after and only a couple of hours before his party at Grandma Fullmer's house.

He is showing everybody that he is now "3" :)


Oh, how I love my boys! I hate that time seems to go bye faster and faster with each year, but I am grateful to be able to watch them grow. They make my heart smile!

Sweethearts

Kylee went to the Sweetheart's dance at Bingham on Feb. 11th. She asked a cute boy that Chet used to coach in football about 2 years ago. We lucked out again and found a great steal on her dress. $25 on clearance!!! I am so proud of myself.... this momma does NOT sew. Yet, her dress was strapless and we needed to make it more modest. I had originally planned on having someone else sew some straps on, but I was feeling brave and decided to give it a try myself. It actually turned out really well and very cute! I felt very accomplished! My favorite thing about the way she looked, how perfectly my shoes went with her dress!!!

Our Hero & Champion

On January 28th 2012, the Fullmer family and community lost a really great man. Chet's uncle, Don Fullmer, died peacefully in his home surrounded by his family.

He had been ill for a few months due to a form leukemia that he had for 15 years. The doctors said he would most likely not make it to Thanksgiving, but true to his nature he fought to be here until the end of January.

What a wonderful man he was! Always smiling and giving out hugs and kisses. Always a "hi honey, how are you doing?" when I would see him. Chet and I were so fortunate to buy a home just down the street from his parents and Aunt and Uncle, (Don and Nedra) which put us in the same ward, as well as all of the boxing events that we got to go to and spend time with him. He was an incredible man and left behind and even more incredible legacy.

Don, along with is brothers, Gene & Jay, were professional boxers and through their careers put the city of West Jordan on the map in the state of Utah.


When their careers were over they continued to live the boxing life through training other young boxers out of their gym, Fullmer Brother's Boxing Club, now located in South Jordan. I am so thankful for all of the memories and time we shared with him at so many bouts over the years and even trips to the National Golden Gloves tournament and Boxing Hall of Fame. I am really going to miss sitting next to him at all of the fights both local and away.

When Cash was born we were debating on his middle name and who to name him after out of Chet's uncles, Don & Gene. Chet really wanted to go with Don because of how close he is to him as well as the great personable personality he had. So, Cash Don it became. I am so glad now that we decided to name him after Uncle Don. A couple of days before Uncle Don passed, we took Cash up there to see him and have his picture taken with his namesake. To our surprise, Uncle Don was sitting up in his chair, alert, talking, smiling... ( the night before, we visited and he was not looking good at all. We thought he would go that night.) Uncle Don was even giving Cashy "knuckles" and telling him to punch his fist. We were able to get some great pictures of the two of them!

It was a very tough loss to take. Not only because we lost a great man, but because it also became an end of an era. A legacy of three brothers still living, still signing miniature boxing gloves, shirts and pictures. Now, it is only two. How very different every boxing match, every trip to Nationals, every golf tournament will be now.

As expected the line for the viewing was 3 hours long. People lined up forever to pay their respects. The flowers that were sent were numerous in number and very creative and beautiful. Some in the shape of a boxing glove or having boxing gloves in them.



The funeral service was a wonderful tribute to him. All of his sons spoke and their was laughter among tears and the Stake Center looked as if it was Stake Conference. It was packed all the way to the back. The graveside service was very touching. Uncle Don was a fireman and at both viewings there were officers standing guard by the casket. Every 30 minutes they would switch off with a really cool ceremony where they would pass the ax to each other. At the graveside service they folded the flag from the casket and presented it to Aunt Nedra.



Chet was given the honor of presenting the last 10 count for Uncle Don. Boy, was that tough!!!



After the 10 count, family members placed red roses on his casket.



We love you Uncle Don. Words cannot describe how much you will be missed! Thank you for your example, your love and the legacy you left behind. We will wear the Fullmer name with pride. You are our hero and forever our Champion!

YIKES!!!

It is here. The day I have been dreading!

Kylee officially got her drivers license today. Now she just needs to learn how to drive a stick!!!

Association

I think it's very funny to see how kids associate things. Having a toddler in the house finds me giggling quite often at one thing or another.

This particular incident was just so funny and cute I had to share.

Let me preface by telling you that Cash has a little friend in our ward who happens to be African-American. He is a year older and they play in nursery at church.

Well the other day I was in my bathroom getting ready for the day and Cash and my two other boys were watching TV in my room. I could hear Cash kind of whining and crying about something. Then I could here Talon asking him, "what do you want? Ninja?", Cash: "no,... " then he would say something that nobody really was sure of what he meant or wanted. I finally walked into the room because Talon was getting frustrated that he couldn't understand what Cash was trying to say or what he wanted. So, I step in and ask him what he wanted. I couldn't figure it out either and I started going through all of the cartoons in my head that he liked trying to figure out if it sounded like any of them.

Finally, Cash grabbed the remote and started flipping through the channels. Then he pointed to the TV and said "Jonah!" I repeated, "Jonah?". He said, "YEAH, JONAH!". I then looked at the TV and saw that 'Little Bill' was on....which happens to be a cartoon about a little black boy and his family! I realized what he was trying to say and found his association with the cartoon and his little friend, named Jonah, quite funny. Then I explained to Talon what he was saying and why and he laughed so hard. It really was too cute!

{Smile}

This world is becoming a hard, scary place. I pray and worry daily for my kids and the influences that are out there. I am so grateful for good examples and role models out there...especially when there seem to be so few anymore when it comes to "celebrities."

I came across this post on FB today and it really, truly made my heart smile! What a great kid... I am so thankful for his example and the role model he is to so many people....kids and adults alike! He will make a wonderful missionary... AND when he gets home, Kylee will be just the right age! :) {HOPEFUL!}

(I can't remember how to post a video link below so click on the title post to take you to the video!)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQVKJnZbAwk&feature=related