Russian River 2

One afternoon we tried roasting everything we could get our hands on. Hands down, the roasted Twinkie was my favorite.

Nothing says little boy heaven like a fire and a few sticks.

Warner was a trooper and just slept on the go. Here he is bundled up in the Porta Crib (more for mosquito protection than cold). The poor fellow did get about 10 BIG bites on his head and looked to be hiding 10 marbles underneath his skin.

Sam experimenting with roasting a Mike 'N Ike.

This is day 2 of 4. Christian's face is covered in twinkie, marshmallows, mike 'n ikes, and is gearing up for the delicious Honey Butter that topped the Scones we had for dinner. YUM!

Santa

One of the biggest perks to being an Alaskan, is living so close to the North Pole. While at the BearPaw Parade, Hyrum caught a glimpse of Santa enjoying a rainy day during the off season. Even in his street clothes it was unmistakeably Santa. . . the beard, the jolly laugh, the belly, the clothes with red on the collar and cuff.

Santa still takes Christmas orders even in July. Our friends were trying to get him to ask for a pony, but he was wise and put in for some Star Wars Lego guys.

Only 150 days until Christmas.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

If you look really close in this picture you can see the double rainbow. The picture doesn't do it justice. . . but it was BEAUTIFUL!

Sammy's Birthday

Sam had a great birthday. This was probably his most beloved gift (thanks J.C.). He tore it open, built it, and slept with it for three nights straight.

He received a couple of other lego sets too (thanks Mom!) that were a huge hit as well as some cool playdough, a spiderman on a ATV, and some galactic hero figures.

Bacon

It was November 1997, and Eric and I had broken up for about the thirteenth time. I was driving to the Middle School where I taught English to a fantastic, frustrating, full of energy group of 7th graders. While in my stylish Volkswagon Fox, I was listening to the radio when the DJs opened up a discussion on the importance of Gratitude during this season of Thanks.

"We'll who isn't grateful for bacon?" one DJ immediately asked.

What!?! That was the one thing I didn't want to be thinking about. Bacon. Really? Of all the things in the entire world that DJ really he picked BACON!?!

Those two went on for about fifteen minutes about why they both just loved, loved, loved bacon. How life wouldn't be the same without bacon. How the world needed bacon.

All that talk about Bacon got me thinking. Was I grateful for bacon? for Bacon?

It took some time for me to really decide on that. A year to be exact. Eric and I were married that following Thanksgiving. And yes, to this day, I can still say that I am grateful for Bacon.

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: