Happy Thanksgiving!!

We are thankful for our wonderful family, and extended family!! We love you!

More Pictures from the Temple Outing

These are the pictures I took at Lynn and Barbara's after we went to the temple. If you didn't get to watch the DVD Lynn made, you should, if just for the fabulous fashion blast from the past! Can you say mullet, Brent in plaid, and poufy bangs, not to forget the stretch pants?

Brian, Lori and Bryce

Brittany and Andrew

Cheryl, Ann's Head, Darin

Brent, not in plaid--not even the tie!

Thomas Bullock was a cool guy, but . . . . .

Thomas Bullock was a cool guy. He gets mentioned in the early history of the church often, and there are quite a few things we know in church history because he wrote it down. But, we are not related to him. I am guessing that they possibly knew each other since they were in many of the same places at the same time.

Our first Bullock ancestor to join the church was James Bullock. His wife was Mary Hill. They emigrated from Scotland to Canada and joined the church in 1840. They moved to Nauvoo in 1841. They had interesting things happen to them but didn't keep journals nearly as well as Thomas (maybe it's genetic and that's why we're not so good at it either--except for my mom and maybe Aunt Georgia).

Thomas and Mary came across the plains in 1848 bringing their family. At that time they had three children--Alexander Hill Bullock (known as Sandy--our Great-great Grandfather), Elizabeth, and Mary. Their oldest child, Thomas, died when he was just a few months old in 1837. They lost two another children, Janet (age 8) and Isabella (age 2 1/2), in 1847 while they were at Winter Quarters. Their last child, James Orson, was born in 1849 after they reached the Salt Lake Valley.

Besides taking their own children across the plains they took on the responsibility of bringing the six motherless children of their friend Orson Spencer, who was on a mission to England. They had two teams and wagons and Alexander who was ten at the time drove one and his father drove the other. Aurelia Spencer grew up to become the first Primary President. James Bullock died in 1850 and he is buried in the Salt Lake Cemetery.

There are no pictures of James, but here's one of Alexander:




I found all this information in the Kenneth Bullock Book A Genealogy of James Bullock and Mary Hill, Latter Day Saint Pioneers It's a big blue book that was published in 1964. There are some fun pictures (I am even in one--since I am the oldest cousin/grandchild. I think that everyone in the family (i.e. Harold and Lola and their kids) bought a copy. You can probably find one to look at in a family bookcase somewhere!


Here's a later picture of Alexander and his first wife Emily Caroline Harris:

An unexpected find...

I was up at the Salt Lake City cemetery wandering around while Robyn was doing hair for a wedding. I have always loved this cemetery. It has such a variety of headstones and so much history. I was walking through an area and came upon this headstone out of nowhere:

I have always felt some sense of pride for my pioneer "ancestor". I have always heard the stories of Thomas Bullock growing up. Some of you may know some more. Heck, the guy put up with three wives! (Just kidding Robyn, you are a beautiful angel). But seeing his headstone caused me to search the Internet for more  information about him. Wikipedia had this. I also found a great picture of him here. Pretty handsome guy, but his spelling was no good...(Kanyon?); OK, I guess he was a pioneer..

There are  a lot of great stories from this great recorder of early Mormon history. It reminds me of the journals that grandpa Bullock had, and all of the interesting and important things he documented. Aunt Joyce, and Aunt Georgia were also very good at it. 

I know that I don't nearly write things down as much as I should. I suck at keeping a journal, even on my mission. I know that years from now, my kid's, kids will wonder what problems or excitement I had in my life. And yes, We have been told by prophets for a long time about the importance of journals.  I think I am going to dust off my journal and catch up on, like, 10 years worth of stuff. You are all welcome to repent with me if you like! Grandma Bullock would say that would be "precious".

Bullock Family Temple Outing

We had a very nice evening going to the temple and then going to Lynn & Barbara's for dinner. Being in the temple together was a wonderful way to remember Harold & Lola and the legacy they left us. These pictures were taken while we were watching the DVD. Sorry we didn't get more of you and better pictures. Thanks to all who brought food and were able to come to make this a memorable night.

Apple Cake

Here's the recipe for the dessert we had the other night!

Apple Cake
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter (no substitutes)
2 eggs
1 tsp. nutmeg
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups flour
4 large apples, peeled and grated or 2 cups applesauce

Cream together sugar, butter and eggs till very fluffy. Add spices, soda and salt. Mix well. Add flour and mix well. Fold in apples or applesauce. Bake in a greased 9 x 13 pan at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Serve warm or cold with warm sauce below.

Sauce
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter (no substitutes)
1/2 cup cream
1 tsp. vanilla
speck of nutmeg

Combine all ingredients and cook over low heat till sugar is dissolved and butter is melted. Allow to simmer briefly to thicken slightly. Serve over cake.

We are very excited to get together this Saturday to honor Harold and Lola. At the family reunion we had talked about possibly visiting at Grandma and Grandpa's home in PG. We would love to have anyone over anytime, however our family is involved in a Stake Primary activity on Saturday and will not be home until late afternoon. We just wanted to let you all know in case anyone was planning to stop by. We would hate to miss you. Please know we are planning a Easter bon-fire and hope to carry on the tradition. See you Soon.

Darin and Cheryl