From the last post of Dec 2010 our family has seen two weddings and two more grandchildren though we will talk about three along with all the other grandkids. We have had three graduations and lots of moves. I think we will go youngest to oldest children and then talk about the grandkids a little. I am horrible at chronological order so just know I'll be all over the place but you will get all the info.
Garrett as most know now joined the Air Force and in April 2012 graduated from boot camp. He then went to Mississippi for training . Basically he's becoming his dad which is definitely a good thing! Garrett also was one of the recent marriages...Tara Bennit (now Bowen) dared to brave the world of Garrett and married him in May 2012. Many are still hearing about the fact that he is married as it was more of an elopement or last minute decision with only some of each side of the immediate family present. Luckily Tara was able to move out to Mississippi to be close to him while he finishes his classes (yeah I'm jealous). Garrett finishes his schooling in September and will be back in Texas for a short jaunt for his reception on the 15th. After the reception Garrett has received his first station in Okinawa, Japan and Tara and he will be leaving shortly after the reception. JAPAN!! I never saw my brother going there but we are all so proud of him and amazed at how much he has matured and grown since starting this path and section in his life. Love you Gare-Bear!!
The Wedding
Mom and Dad and the Newlyweds
The sister representative
The Cake with a perfect topper for Garrett
The Mess and Fun
Melanie has moved back in to torture her parents some more while RJ, her husband, is on tour for the Navy. Melanie was the other wedding though theirs was back in August 2011. She is now a Service but forever Bowen Strong (or jinxed depending on how you look at it). RJ is stationed in Virginia and that is where they moved to but given the 8 months they lived there it was quickly seen that an ocean home and the fauna there were not good for Melanie or Lily and so it brought them back to Texas when RJ deployed. Melanie also came back in time to walk for her graduation with three associates degrees in Social Work, Criminal Justice and Psychology. Also a big reason for moving to Texas was to be healthy while Melanie was pregnant. On July 30, 2012 Brighton Richard Service joined the grandbaby ranks making him Rose Ann and David's 10th grandbaby. He also evened up the boys and girls ratio with 5 girls and 5 boys. RJ is to get back at the end of the year and they are looking to move to Texas or Arizona when he gets out of the Navy in April 2013. He is looking into Law Enforcement as he has been working security on the USS Enterprise and has had special training that he can carry over. Melanie is hoping to start her bachelors in Social Work soon as well as enjoy being a stay at home mom. She was recently called as a visiting teaching district supervisor and she's excited as well as nervous. This is her first "big girl" calling as she calls it as her others were to do with young single adults. Welcome to new adventures!
welcoming their new brother
Brighton Richard Service
Brandee has just moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming and began a new chapter of her life. She is very excited to be a stay at home mom for a while now as Spencer just got a full-time job that will allow her to stay home. Spencer was our third graduate and we are all very proud of him for finishing school! He now works for the school district in Cheyenne as their IT guru. Brandee also finished her last days as Pocatello RN and her kids don't know what to do with mommy home all the time. They are now living on Taft Ave...looks like being closer to Colorado also brought home Taft St memories and their home was found. It is nice being able to get a hold of our Brandee Brooker any time now. Brandee this last year and a half has had a lot of medical issues but thankfully she seems to finally be on the mend and hopefully with the older two in school she may have a little resting time. Of course she did have Mr. Bowen Bagshaw on October 28, 2010 so he will still give her a run around. Bowen began the latest set of three of the grandbabies and he is Mr. Smiles even entering the terrible twos. Brandee needed Mr. Smiles this last year. Also Brandee after only being home in Wyoming for two weeks was called as the visiting teaching coordinator while Spencer was called as elder quorum teacher. Brandee is a little frazzled as their boundaries are huge. We know she can do it. We love you B4!
Christina and Arik are our most stable family. Still living in Pocatello, Idaho and visiting and helping the family as they can from Utah and beyond. Christina has begun working on her Masters focused on online teaching. She loves her job and Melanie takes advantage of her knowledge every chance she can. Arik is still fighting fires and working hard. Christina had a new addition May 3, 2011. Aiden Jorgensen has turned into a cute rolly-polly with the most beautiful blue eyes. His sisters were shocked and wanted to throw him back when he came out with blonde hair, the first non-redhead of the three. They have since decided he is a keeper. Christina has her hands full not only with her one year old and school but in church she is a primary teacher for the 10 year olds and is also the girls' camp director. Arik on the other hand is young men's president...yep we all know what that means. Good thing Weenie is a trooper. We love you Weenie!
Rose Ann and David enjoyed 8 months of almost an empty nest. Garrett before joining the Air Force was home for a bit and of course they get rid of him to gain back a daughter and three, almost four, grandkids. Poor Grandma and Grandpa. David is still without a mustache and is first counselor in the Bishopric. Rose Ann is Webelos leader and finally can go to Relief Society on Sunday. She was also called as a church service missionary for the FM group that in reality is a free way for David to get her to work for him. It's her own fault for being that good at any job. Rose Ann's health has been up and down but on the mend when she listens to her husband and kids and finally goes to the doctor. Thanks to a new program called Pathways through BYU-I Rose Ann is going back to school for her degree and starts in September. So they have finally seen all their children married and greeted their 10th grandbaby this year while working and planning for their own future (hopefully nest free).
The piano of Grandbabies...only no room for Brighton (and no picture yet) so he got a Welcome above.
GRANDBABIES!!!
Alex, Lily and Ivy start soccer next week with David as coach and Melanie and Rose Ann as assist coaches though this year Rose Ann is backup as last time she got roped into doing it all. Alex just finished up gymnastics and since his favorite part was cartwheels he didn't mind leaving gymnastics and now gets back to his sports. Lily and Ivy just finished summer dance, ballet and tap, as well as gymnastics. They will continue into the school year semester. We now have a kindergartener or 5 year old, Ivy, and two second graders or 7 year olds, Alex and Lily. We met their teachers today and are way excited for the new school year. Brighton is doing great and was 7lbs. 3.5oz at his two week check-up. He will be 4 weeks on Monday Aug. 27. RJ got to Skype with the family this last week and saw Brighton in action for the first time. It was awesome and they are excited to greet him when he gets home.
Oh yes...Lily broke her collar bone while at school in May but it didn't stop her dancing!
Brookelyn got to play soccer in Utah at half time of a Real Salt Lake game with her soccer team(Lukas was there too as they are on the same team) and we are so proud of her! She is also in second grade and a big 7 year old. Kira just finished dance which she did with her MaKynzee though she does play soccer too. Kira is 5 and totally ready to take on kindergarten. Of course having a mom that's a teacher helps but she is very excited. Both Kira and Brookelyn can ride their two-wheelers and have been for a while. Something that no other grandbabies can claim yet. Bowen turned 1 in May and is finally walking and getting into everything. He has a great blue eyes and a smile that screams innocence that makes you think mischief. He is definitely a daddy's boy.
Lukas is a mini Spencer and a computer smarty. He played soccer with Brookelyn and is such a stud, must be that Bowen blood. Lukas is 7 and just about to go into second grade too. MaKynzee was tied to the hip with cousin Kira in dance and soccer. She is such a doll and definitely a little leprechaun as her birthday suggests. MaKynzee is the oldest of the 5 year olds and is just as ready for kindergarten as the rest of them. She loves to read and will do great. When they moved to Wyoming MaKynzee thought they were moving by Melanie's kids. It will be a new experience not having family close. Bowen will be turning 2 in October and when we saw him at Brighton's birth he was letting us know that those twos were coming up. He is still Mr. Smiles and with how sweet he was with Brighton...he's going to be an awesome big brother when it happens. No that is not a hint.
Bowen Giving Loves
A gift to Grandpa but a good representation of the Grandbabies
So that is our update. We have been busy and loving every minute of it.
