"I'M BACK!"

Please excuse my brief hiatus. I thought I was going to stop blogging, but I've been petitioned by many of my family members to continue posting occasionally. So if you didn't ask for more blog posts from yours truly, just ignore these updates.  And for those of you who wanted more, you win!

Since going back in time is a daunting task, I'm just going to pick up the last month. Suffice it to say, we had a busy summer and a great fall. 

My sister and I had a great time creating and starting a business.  We are also really glad to be quitting our venture and spend more time doing things we are excited to do. 

The SunKissed Homestead with my sister

We've loved spending time with our kids and are so glad we all live in the same state. It makes our visits much easier.

Scott and Skittles LOVE watching football together!

Mango and I enjoyed a fun outing to BK!

She's an adorable ball of exuberance!

He's a tender, creative 1st grader!

My music studio is growing! I teach 24 wonderful kids! Scott suggested I have TWO Christmas recitals instead of just one BIG one. Both "shows" were great! 

Christmas was wonderful! Especially the night after Christmas when we sat and visited with our adult children for a few hours. We really love (and what's more: we like) our kids! It was such a happy time to spend with our little (but growing) family!

I finally got nativity pjs to match my decore!

And these guys are doing what comes naturally.  Ha ha ha!

And these guys are always exploring and enjoying the world around them!

New Year's Eve was great! We celebrated Ken's birthday with fondu, and then we brought in the new year with the Lillywhites and the Browns. Of course we still made goals. (see below)

Happy 2026! We love and miss all y'all who read this blog.

Red Skittle will
"read ALL of his Magic Tree House books."

Lobster will
"fix more tech."

Beka will
"self publish her book and travel to 3 new national parks."

Kiara will
"crochet 19 projects before November, homeschool Red Skittle, and run two 5Ks"

Cody will
"compete in 2+ Horsemen of the Apocalypse and track running 50+ days"

Alicia will
"work on a new hobby and eat more homemade snacks."

Ian will
"understand AI, understand CNC language, complete his forge, 

complete a 14 day workout, and make 12 trips to the temple." 

Scott will
"illustrate his wife's book, reupholster chairs, create a green house and get chickens."

Sundy will
"publish poetry, journal/blog, and cross-stitch 3 LARGE projects."

Bonus Picture (Scott put together a HUGE Lego t-rex during our new year Harry Potter marathon!)

DeTHORTENHAUSEN'S REUNION - A MONTH LATE

Over the Memorial Day weekend, we had such a wonderful reunion with our Kentucky family! All of us were there (except for Elder Nathan Bettenhausen). It's amazing how even after being apart for over two years, we still feel and act like family! Yellowstone was incredibly beautiful! But the company was even better! I'm soooooo grateful for our DeThortenhausens!

MY kids - Just entering the park:

Starburst, Skittle, Raisin, and Juice

Scott was super proud of his buffalo picture.

Grandpa with Red Skittle and Mango

The Browns

Mary and Aaron

Lovin' the great outdoors!

Uncle Chris with his great niece, Mango

Raisin with Scott

The Bettenhausens with my Cody

Crazy Kids and Men

Scott

Us

Skittles, Raisin, and Starburst

Look at these strong men!

Learning about birds...

Becoming honorary park rangers.

With Red Skittle

Me and My Eternal Companion
I like him!

Red Skittle loved the orange color in this guizer

The Lillywhites

The Browns

Us

Isn't this picture amazing?!

Thank you! I took it.

Love that freckled face!

And both of these two got KINDA close to a buffalo.
See the brown "rock" in the background?! It's actually a buffalo.

Love these bears!

Church was actually outside.
It was so fun to be worshipping with many other tourists, dogs, and children, etc.
The ward even brought us the sacrament outside.

Here's the entire crew!
Back Row: Cody, Scott, Skylar, Chris, Hammond, Mark and Jacob
Middle Row: Kiara, Me, Katia, Aaron, Amy and Mary
Bottom Row: Skittles, Mango, Juice, Starburst and Raisin

Best spot in town: Grandpa's shoulders

Aaron just hanging around.

Mango is along for the ride.

At the lake.

On the rock.

Kiara with the two cutest 6 year olds EVER!

MY girls!

Key Lime Pie and Kotten Kandy

Mommy and Son

Just thinking.

Who are these people?

Stick pull - Not sure who won.

The gang

These two are the BEST of friends!

Look at these pelicans

Happy Birthday, Cody!

Cookie Cake and Presents

Mary is so talented!
She drew the dragon on the cover of Cody's new art book.

My adorable grandchildren... so far.

On the way home....

At Shoshone Falls

Katia, Skylar, Mango and Jude

Shoshone Falls with Grandma and Grandpa

I feel sooooo blessed! I love my Bettenhausens, Thorntons, Lillywhties and Browns! This small Kentucky family is surely growing! Can't wait until our next reunion!