t r a d i t i o n

A Memorial Day tradition mobilized when we moved to the area, close enough to visit the grave sight of Bob's dad, who lost his battle to cancer when Bob was just six years old. Payton was a wee babe then. I have a pic. of the three of us standing just as we are presently, smiling behind the head stone. It's kind of surreal to see us now, how much we've grown as a family, and I'm not just speaking of size and numbers.

Bob's been out of town a lot in the last few weeks. In the midst of feeling empty and sad without him, I'm reminded how FULL he makes our world and grateful for his LOVE and fervor in constructing a good life for us.

From horse riding

I'm appreciative for this tradition he holds us to and what it teaches our children about remembering those who lived before, even those who fought and died for our freedom. It's favored by the kids, for sure, because afterwards we retire to the ranch where they take joy in Uncle Barry's horse rides.

From Collages

....and I don't think there's any place on earth, my horse lovin' girl would rather be.

It works out rather well for Bob and myself too, enjoying Aunt Phyllis's contagious, happy spirit, and devouring her delicious home made treats, like moist chocolate cupcakes smothered in buttery smooth, silky cocoa frosting.

....and I can't help but to wonder when I see Bob with his uncle, if his adoration for him stems a bit from the wonderment that Uncle Barry, being so close to his dad, is perhaps a little bit...

like he might have been.

Every time we pull out of town, and proceed to the open road, I turn and take a gander, one by one, of my sweet baby's faces. Sure makes me sad to think of leaving this life so young without my little crew, as Robert's dad did, but I know full well and have great faith in the "plan." I look out the window, not wanting Bob to see, and try to hide the moisture with my over sized shades, but my eyes take a swim as a picture of the back side of Danny's head stone rolls forward in my mind. Five children left behind, each with their name en graven perfectly in a formation of lineage on the course, gray stone. I take a moment, consider Bob and his siblings, and can't help but to think how proud their dad must be of each, and not for any other accomplishment more than that of....

the lives they've created with their families.

FREEDOM

Over a month and NO updates. I regret that. I've got a big bag of excuses but perhaps it boils down to one, FREEDOM. Being a slave to the computer 9 months out of the year, makes me shy from it during the summer season, and even though I love to document our happenings and take a breather now and then to "write" what's on my mind, weighing on my shoulders, or tuggin' at my heart..........wait it must.

At least this is what my inner voice conveys as the pictures heap and the "moments" we've experienced this summer reuniting with friends and family, racing, boating, vacationing, and just lounging with the kids.....tarry tolerantly for a post.

From Max in the tub

Until then, here's the Mr.

...still coveting bath time and crackin' up the fam with his fabricated, cheese ball, dramatic, attention seekin' EXPRESSIONS!

celebratin'

From Max's 1st

From Max cake

It's hard to believe the pages in your first year of life have completely turned.

Your birth captivated our hearts, filled a space within, and made our family complete.

The joy and smiles you have brought over the past 12 months have most certainly, enriched our lives.

Our love for you, completely immeasurable.

Oh boy can daily cheer be found perched quietly on your enticing cheeks and undoubtedly felt by devouring your sweet, chunkyness!

Simply put, we adore you.

It's a good life, Max.

Thank you for sharing it with us.

Nervous energy

From Payton track

Nervous energy is good for one thing.........winning.

Those mad butterflies carried Payton first across the finish line, in both her running events.
Walking away from her first track meet with blue ribbons was most certainly groovy, but the real excitement stemmed from the aftermath. The phone call came today, requesting her information and promising a letter, THE official letter inviting her to State, in good ole' Rexburg, Idaho! If that nervous energy can nudge her first across the finish line there too......an all expense paid trip to Hershey Pennsylvania, where's she wined, dined and able to compete against the fastest kids in the nation, will be her fortune. Now we have no idea how this cookie's going to crumble, but I must admit... the thought of it ALL, releases a whole lot of nervous energy, and I wish I were just speaking for the young one with fleeting limbs!

maybe a thousand

From owen 1st day

I shed a tear or two or maybe a hundred, 9 months ago, the day Owen started pre-school.

Cousin Beckham was in town visiting. I just happened to notice that the grey Beatles T, Beck is sportin' in the photo above, is ironically enough, the same Mr. Max is wearing at this very moment. Sure am grateful for hand me downs, and for a sister in law with good taste!

From Owen pre-school graduation

I shed a tear or two or maybe a hundred, just last week, the day Owen waved good-bye to friends and wonderful teacher Summers, shuffled away wearing his paper cap and holding a fancy certificate, credentials and validation for learning brass tacks,

and just like that...............his pre-school days are behind him.

From kid pic.

Mr. O has been my side-kick for 5 momentous years. I'll keep him close and have him to myself all summer long, but in mid August when the night winds start to cool and the buzz of a new school year rings in the air,

I'll shed a tear, or two, or maybe this time.......a thousand.......because then "inevitable" arrives, taking Owen by the hand and leading him forward, onward, schoolward, while Mama is left standing in the shadows, mustering up the strength...........

to face the music and let him soar.

From jump

Braggin' rights

From Coach Pete Run

I BEAT PETE!

......said I was gonna!

Ya beat Pete around here, ya get braggin' rights and a t-shirt to prove it!

Congrats to my speedy Payton, who I tried desperately to keep up with but only lasted a measly 10 yards, and all my fast friends who earned the "winning" shirt.

Hats off to Uncle J. who came all the way from Twin Falls to join us for the big race. We love you, buddy!

Pete, you know how we hate to see you lose

...................unless it's to US and the annual Beat Pete Scholarship Run!

Hot Babes in Monkey Suits

Who throws the tots in the vehicle and drives 10 hours through the lowly desert, in a last minute effort to bask in blue skies and feel Mr. Sunshine's kisses?

WE DO!

After lugging a chunky monkey and his bag of necessities, the big, old camera seemed an added nuisance. I surrendered the MM and chose to snap shots with my nifty new phone instead. Sad ending to the story is I can't quite figure out how to get the darn things downloaded to the P0000ter!

I'm on a mission to download portraits, hopefully sooner than later.......

cuz' something tells me the G'ma's are dying for more shots of the hot babe in his monkey suit!

P.S. I am laughing. I just looked over the post and noticed Bob's hole and wound vac are showin'. It's so second nature round here, I didn't even regard it! Sorry for the eye sore, ignore and focus on Max's amazin' baby figure, chunka legs and all!

Cheap Thrills

You've made it pretty apparent you're partial to your pops, but I'll never forget you said, "Ma ma" first! Thanks for the cheap thrill, Mr. Max.

P.S. I've been tuckin' the inner cheese ball down tight. It squeaks out just a little when videotaping, but I think this clip is substantial evidence me's a trying.

To My Favorite 5 Year Old

From Owen's birthday

From Owen birthday

From Owen's birthday

From Owen's birthday

Happy 5th, Owen boy.

You are my gentle, shy, big-hearted boy. I wouldn't say your Dad's right about everything, but when he says you've got me wrapped around your finger, I'm afraid he's dead on. You see, you won my heart from the very beginning. You were the perfect baby, sleeping through the night at just 2 months. Even as a toddler you never gave me a moment's grief. Minus a few episodes and phases, you've pretty much been unceasingly easy going, good and cheerful.

Not much has changed today, except you're bigger, infatuated with sports and Boise State football, can dribble a ball better than this point guard could in high school, love Pre-school, playing with your buddy Cole, making Max laugh, and following your sisters everywhere. You are my side kick, my every day, "turkey sandwich and chocolate milk lovin' lunch date", my wrestling opponent, my "unload the dishwasher and empty the trash cans" helper, and my giant bear hugger. You are your daddy's boy, missing him while he works and insisting on sitting next to him every night at the dinner table.

I'm grateful for your kindness, Owen, for your million and one, "thank you, mom's", and your consistently pleasant, "sure" when I ask a favor. You wear the sweetest smile across your fair skinned, delicate face. An expression that softens my heart, and makes me think,

"Man, I'm privileged to be your mother. "

I love ya BIG, kid.....and always will.

Yo Ladies

...all the ladies.

(especially my G'mas)

Just thought you might want to know I bruised the scales at my 9 mo. check up weighing 17 lbs. I even jumped the charts from the lowly 5th right up to the 10th percentile.

Last week I slept through the night for the very first time. Mom sung a happy tune all day, which makes me wonder if there was a sliver of a correlation.

I'm crawling around in the forward range. My style's something else. You can check it out on the video below, but I'm warning ya, mom and dad sound down right ridiculous, especially mom, who has learned the hard way to zip her lips while videotaping!

From Max

See what I mean?!

The last pics. are of me and Owen. I've overheard Dad say it's too bad we're 4 years apart. There aint nothin' bad about our age difference. Ya see, Dad isn't home all day to witness Owen and I playing. We're so loud together, when mom's on the phone, her friends ask who is over visiting.

So here we are, showing off our mad football skills. Ya sure, mom might have busted me pulling a face mask or two, but like Great Grandpa Peterson used to say, "If ya didn't cheat, ya must not have wanted to win bad enough!"

From Max

......and I think that sounds like a mighty fine motto indeed. (wink, wink)

Love,

Mr. Max