A Living Hero

My kids greatest Hero.

Grandma

Hyrum often calls our dear friend Jodi "Grandma". Why? Because she's about the nicest thing in the entire world. She loves us like family. Treats our kids like gold. Makes about everyone here feel like they are the bestest of the best of the best. And ALWAYS gives us treats.



Here are boys are playing with some of Jodi's boys legos. She and her family have introduced us to so many fun things: marshmallow guns, prayer time cheers, gamma lids, braided french bread, the cup game, colored spatulas . . . ( i could go on and on and on)

Jodi is incredible. All of her goodness easily compensates for her addiction to the "Doom & Gloom" news section of CNN (the sky is falling. the sky is falling) which she feels she must share with me on our morning walks. And somehow she still likes me even though I ALLOW my kids, prepare yourself for this, to jump on the trampoline on SUNDAY. Yup it is true. Two people who can look beyond such a huge chasm and still appreciate each other, it is no wonder we are the greatest of friends.

Roller Derby Crew

The picture doesn't capture it, but picture this threesome just tearing down the cul-de-sac at 30 mph. The wheels just a cranking as fast as they can. The rubber burning. Arms flailing. And big huge smiles and they come around the corner on just one wheel.

Visit

Here's a little three generation photo. Warner, Grandpa, and Eric

Grandma forever endeared herself to our boys (not that she hadn't already) by giving them The Dangerous Book for Boys which gets referenced daily. I've also had several requests for Little Boy Blue since she has been gone.

Our handsome family of 7 at Eklutna.

Tattoos

Whoever invented Temporary Tattoos should be shot. And so should the friend who encourages your kids to plaster them on.

Warner's First Balloon

Last week we went to the Bear Paw Festival. Warner got a hold of his first balloon.

Warner's Pediatrician

What is so amazing about this? No, its not that my kid is long and lanky. It is that these stats were written by HIS Pediatrician. Yup, a doctor, whose handwriting is downright scrapbooking worthy. If she keeps this up, I can guartentee she'll make it into the family photobooks. (And handwriting aside, she's a fabulous doctor as well!)

Sammy

On Monday Sam and I sat down to plan his birthday party.

Me: So Sam, how about an obstacle course. We could make marshmallow guns with Targets. We could buy bandanas and play games. You could invite 6 or 8 friends. Cake & Ice Cream. Does that sound fun?

Sam: Mmmm. . . can I have my friends come over here. Then we could go to the park and play on the toys.

Me: Like we do every Wednesday?

Sam: Yah!

Me: Sure.

This kid is wonderful. So simple and genuine . . . and in my opinion, the best birthday party planner EVER! I wrote on a piece of paper all of the friends that he could invite. Friends from school, from church, from the neighborhood and asked him to circle 8. He stopped at four. Sara, Taylor, Laura, and Jaylen. All girls. Does this boy know how to party or what?!?

EFY

here's my attempt at embed-ing a YouTube video (yes, I know I'm a bit behind the times)

EFY

Eric and I spent last week working with EFY (Especially For Youth), a summer youth camp. Eric did a fantastic job!! He really is a gifted speaker.

We brought the boys onto the UAA campus for the variety show and let everyone see first hand just how talented the little 'bits are. Click here to see the video on YouTube.

5 kids

On my flight back to Alaska I sat by this wonderful couple. After talking to the woman for a while she told me she had two kids. The oldest was 17. She asked me how old I thought she was. Awkward. She is 47. Then she asked how many kids I had. I said five boys. "Really? I wouldn't have guessed you're over thirty." I just smiled.

For the record I am 30. No need to point out the freakishness of my idea that starting a family when I was young, like my mother, and my grandmother, and my great grand mother, is less than modern.

I don't think having 5 kids is hard. I think having 5 kids and getting a decent family picture is the bigger challenge:

Hy

Mr Personality Deluxe.

L: Plant Tanner gave me for Mother's Day
R: Pinch Pot and flowers Sam gave me for Mother's Day

Anchorage Temple

We wanted to show Eric's folks the Anchorage Temple.

Fourth of July Fun

We took Eric's folks to Girdwood and showed them some Alaskan sites. So much fun to have you with us!!!

Eric and Grumpy Warner who had a fever. Poor kid gets a crazy high fever whenever he's cutting teeth.

Fourth of July

Our little town celebrates the Fourth of July with a bang. Starting at 12:30 a.m. they city puts on a firework display.

The fireworks were amazing, but even more incredible was that these pictures were taken at 12:30 a.m. and YES we could see the fireworks.

Radiance

I took this picture of my sister-in-law on her wedding day. Not only am I jealous that her wedding dress is probably the size of my right thigh, but look at her beauty. There is just something about the hope and peace in her countenance. . .

Congrats Greg & Jess

My baby brother was SO KIND and flew me down to Utah for his wedding.
Aren't they a great couple?



I never thought that I would feel so "mother bearish" about my little brother getting married. I think since I live so far away from him and his GREAT wife, that I felt like I didn't get to see them fall in love and see first hand all the wonderful qualities that Jess has. So I found myself calling my sisters and asking, "So how wonderful is she?" "How much does he love her?" "Is this going to be an awesome marriage?" Greg's eager YES! during the wedding ceremony answered it all.

Me and My Sisters.