13 April 2025
VOLUME 13 – NUMBER 603
Braden’s 30th birthday party
Happy Birthday Braden! This Saturday, we went to Braden and Brooke’s house to celebrate Braden’s 30th Birthday. It was a blast. Brooke did an amazing job setting everything up.
A few weeks ago, Braden had commissioned me to illustrate a children’s book that he wrote. This wasn’t just any book though, it was a book about Easter. So Dad and I decided that we would complete publishing of the book as our birthday present to Braden.
I’ve had an amazing time illustrating these pictures, especially the ones of Jesus. Thank you Braden for giving me the opportunity to do that. It really did help bring me closer to the Savior, as I thought of Him and that Easter Morning.
Endia also helped to edit Braden’s original text, and Dad took the text and illustrations and laid them all out. He also arranged to have the book printed in board book form. It turned out great. What an amazing story, Braden!
Braden’s and Monte’s Easter book
This week has been one that Brooke has been prepping for a long time. She has wanted to make my 30th birthday really special, since 30 is kind of a big deal. It seems like she’s been working on details for this for months, and it all played out perfectly.
Brooke put together a party for the family to come over and hang out at our place. She did tons of decorations, prepared food, and had a couple displays of pictures of me throughout my life. It all turned out great and made me feel special.
To start off the day, Ashton, Caleb and I went to Top Golf, and then we got lunch and dessert afterwards. It was a great time with the boys, and I’m glad they freed up some of their Saturday to come with me.
In the evening we had family over, and had a great time relaxing and playing games. Thank you Brooke for making my 30th such a special day!
Braden, Ashton, and Caleb
Me and Troy went on a hike with our youth group and leaders. We went to Antelope Island. I was put in the car with Isabel Pei, Sophie Hutton, Eisley Horner, Jake Hutton, and Sister Bedont. I had a fun time with that group.
We got there and we saw wild buffalo. We were able to look through Brother Chamberlain’s telescope too look at the buffalo, which was so cool.
We got halfway done with the hike, and most of the youth and leaders wanted to head back to eat lunch, so we stopped at a big huge rock and sat for a little while. We saw a coyote off in the distance.
Children at Braden’s birthday party
Then we went back and drove to a ranch where we could eat lunch. After lunch me, Eisley, Dillan, Nash, Troy, and Evan went down to explore the little town there. We were able to walk in, and it was really cool. Then we went back to the cars and headed home.
When we got home, Ashton and Caleb were there. After a little bit, we got ready to go to Braden’s birthday party. I rode with Troy, Ashton, Caleb, and Monte. We got there, had hot dogs, and played games, which were really fun. Then we went home, and I was exhausted.
Braden’s birthday party
This week, I decided I wanted to buy an iPad! I've been kind of wanting one for a while now, and I finally had the money to buy one. So on Wednesday, I purchased an iPad mini from the
Apple Store with the Apple Pencil Pro, and went down and picked it up from Fashion Place Mall.
I was super excited the whole way back, and I just wanted to start unpacking it and getting it set up, but I had to wait, since I drove. I didn't end up purchasing a case or a screen protector to go with it yet, because I was gonna see if there were any cheaper ones I could buy that weren't specifically branded by Apple.
I did realize pretty soon that I'm gonna need a screen protector and a case, or I'm gonna drop it one of these days and its going to shatter.
Caleb and Ashton at Top Golf
For Braden’s birthday, he invited me and Caleb to go golfing with him at Top Golf. We decided beforehand, since it was his birthday, that we were going to let him beat us. He did!
Afterwards we got some lunch and ice cream, and then geared up of his party later. Brooke did such an awesome job putting it all together, and it was a lot of fun.
Braden’s birthday party
Top Golf with Braden and Ashton was a blast! I did way better than I thought—probably thanks to my last-minute YouTube education I got on golf form—but Braden ended up destroying us both.
Afterwards, we got some Mo’ Bettahs—Polynesian food. It was my first time, and I loved it! Too bad I left my leftovers in Mom and Dad's fridge later that day though.
Braden and Caleb at Top Golf
Next, I got Braden and Ashton some ice cream at Brooker's, which was also my first time there—I also recommend it. It's founding-fathers-themed ice cream, and it's just got a cool vibe. It’s a distinct experience.
Later that night, we played games at Braden's and Brooke's house, which were a lot of fun. Braden and Brooke always have good conversation starters and group games.
Earlier in the week, I had a fun time at London's, where we did a Hitch watch party. Besides that, I was just writing a bunch of papers and super busy with schoolwork!
Joanna after cleaning the Hobbit Hole
Most of this week, I just been able to work and work, but I did have a little bit of free time. Lately I’ve been going on walks with Veidi, and whenever Matthias is here, I take him with us. He really does seem to enjoy that.
School’s been really hard this week, just because I don’t really get much done with work going on. On Saturday for work, we were able to have an Easter picnic outside. That was really fun seeing all the residents mingle and enjoying the sun. We were outside for most of my shift after work.
We also went to Braden‘s 30th birthday party. That was really fun.
Gloria feeding Benson
Me, Dad, and Troy went to see The Minecraft Movie! I was so exited! We left and ate dinner at Ab’s. Then we went to Target to get treats.
The Minecraft Movie was so cool! Troy had to tell Dad some of what Dad didn't know. On the way home, Dad said we should play Minecraft together. The next day, Dad said that me, him, and Troy should play Minecraft for five hours!
Kai with his new learners permit
I got my learner's permit this week! The past few months I've been studying and stressing over the test, but it feels so good to finally finish the test.
I haven't driven much, except down 70th South and to Isaac's work, but other than that not much. Driving has been a little hard, but nothing that I didn't expect.
My main problem is keeping a consistent speed. The tesla's accelerator isn't very sensitive, much less sensitive than I would like. I've had a great time driving! Thank you, Mom and Dad for letting me drive!
Cougar and Joanna working on a puzzle
Dad took me and Quinn to see A Minecraft Movie. At first I didn't really want to go, because the everyone was saying that it was bad. But then Dad came to me and said:
“Troy, I know you said you don’t want to go to the Minecraft movie, but I think that’s because your older brothers aren’t interested, so to act big like them, you feel like you need to agree with them. But even though you said you didn’t want to go, I still bought you a ticket because I think that deep down, you really want to go.”
When he asked me if he was right, I smiled and said that he was, and I realized that who cares if it is a bad movie. I will still be able to go to the movie theater, so I decided to go. It was actually a really good movie. I’m glad that Dad pressured me into going.
Baby Benson
I also went to a ward activity at Antelope Island. It was really fun because we got to look at bison and antelope. We also got to go on a short little hike. It was really easy, and we saw a coyote.
We then had Jimmy John’s for lunch at a ranch, which was so good. We got to look around the ranch and the history of Antelope island.
Then we went to Braden’s birthday party, and it was really fun, because we got to play a couple of games and have J. Dawgs for dinner.
Ava and Mattias
I really did enjoy taking Quinn and Troy to see The Minecraft Movie. At first the older boys said they weren’t interested, but I think that after they saw the viral response to the movie, they might have been just a little jealous of their younger brothers. We had a great time eating good food, and watching a silly and enjoyable movie.
This weekend, Jenny taught a Care Communities class at Utah Foster Care. She went through the normal material that she used to train new Care Community organizations, such as Latter-day Saint stakes, and they filmed the class to save for those that aren’t able to attend in person.
Veidi and Mom using new dog washing tub
Since they were recording the class, Jenny needed a pretend audience, so I helped her invite our stake presidency, and they came, along with Shauri Milch, Carol and Addy Zimmerman, and my sister Amber.
Jenny did an amazing job, and I feel like even though the audience was “pretend,” everyone there left with a much greater knowledge and appreciation for what Jenny and Utah Foster Care do! Great job, Jenny! I’m so proud of you!
Braden’s birthday party