12 Years

Today is our 12th Anniversary. Wow--we can't believe how quickly the time goes. I think this is the hair color/hair club for men anniversary.

June 29, 1996
Portland Oregon Temple

That was then. (We didn't have a clue.)

June 29, 2008
Homer Alaska
This is now.
A few wrinkles, a few gray hairs. . .

"Through every up and every down and every twist and turn around,
It's been a fun exciting ride . . .
Because I have you by my side."

Overall we've had a dozen good years, and we are looking forward to lots more.
I sure love you Trace!

More Kite Surfing Festival

More photos from the first annual Kite Surfing Festival in Homer Alaska. Saturday was a glorious day--perfect for kiting. The turnout was great. There were kiters from as far away as Isreal, Tasmania and San Fransico, and of course Anchorage and Homer. This was extremely satisfying for Trace to see his idea come to fruition, to quote Traveler he felt like a "proud father." Check out the article in the Homer Tribune June25th edition. Here are some more of my favorite photos from the weekend.

Tanner loves dogs, and found a new friend at the beach.

Gives new meaning to "riding off into the sunset."

A classic shot of kitesurfing in Alaska.

Trace is so cool.

Ready to kite.

The scene on the beach Saturday afternoon. Kites everywhere.

Tom and Jimmy. Hang loose.

Taylor was finally worn out from a long day of kiting. He got cozy by the fire before spending the night with Trace in the Uhaul. The kite surfing festival was one of the highlights of his summer. Next year he plans to be in the water with his dad.

Ladybug ladybug fly away home

Last week we (me and the boys) bought two bags of ladybugs from the Wagon Wheel "for the garden." Taylor and Tanner released one bag of bugs (approx 300 bugs) in the garden and then spent the next hour catching them and playing with them. Tanner kept saying "bug, bug, bug, bug . . . " What happened to the other bag you ask? Taylor emptied the second bag of ladybugs into a bowl and covered it with foil and carried them around and played with them --we are still finding ladybugs hiding in the house.

(*This was the only day this summer that has been warm enough for T-shirts and shorts--augh!)

Mary, Mary Quite Contrary . . .

How does your garden grow?
We are hopefully watching our little cucumbers and tomatoes and other vegetables grow. And tonight we harvested our first cucumber and enjoyed it in a salad. We are looking forward to our tomatoes turning red and more cucumbers, radishes, peas and broccoli too.

Lets Go Fly A Kite

This weekend Trace and some of his friends have orgainized the first ever kite surfing festival in Homer Alaska. They planned it for solstice weekend -- kind of a "surf under the midnight sun" type of thing. Today they had a handful of people , kiters and wanna be kiters at various skill levels. Trace and Jimmy

Taylor and Tanner--Taylor had been at the beach with Trace all morning and I brought Tanner down after his nap. He was sooo happy to see his big brother and his dad.

I even took advantage of the free lessons. Its not as easy as it looks, but i finally got the hang of it.

I took a picture of myself.

Kiter in Training

During the Kitesurfing Festival Taylor gots his first kiting lessons. Trace started him on the trainer kite and he took to it like a natural. Like father--like son.

Flying Solo!

Flying Solo!

Tag

Tag

Angeline tagged me and I usually don't do these but . . .
5 Things I was doing 10 years ago:
1. working as a housekeeper at Lands End Resort
2. living at Gma Pats house
3. trying (unsuccessfully) to get pregnant
4. went on my first vacation alone to my friend Christy's wedding
5. at the first ever Quiner family semi-reunion in Alaska

5 Things on my to do list:
1. Go to the temple
2.Get my hair trimmed, and the boys hair too
3. mow the lawn
4. organize the boiler room/shannons room
5. go to the movies

5 Favorite snacks/foods:
1. potato chips
2. dryers all natural lime popsicles
3. pie (apple, berry, lemon merangue, etc.)
4. fruit (most all types are good)
5. white cake with raspberry filing (from safeway:p)

5 Things I would do if I was a billionaire:
1. Build my dream home/shop
2. Travel

3. Set up my kids future (missions, education, weddings)

4. Invest in business

5. Help our moms out

5 Bad habits:
1. I eat too many treats
2. pick at my fingers
3. loosing my temper too easily
4. not following through all the time
5.giving in to my insecurities

5 Places that I have lived:
1. Richland Washington (but I don't remember it)
2.Newport Oregon
3. Corvallis Oregon
4. Philomath Oregon
5.Homer Alaska

People I tag:
1. Tiffiny
2. Charlotte
3. Alicia
4.
5.

*Unfortunately I don't know of 5 people to tag and the rest of this "game" really depressed me because it just illustrated how boring my life is and has always been.

Mischief

Lately Tanner has been getting into all kinds of mischief. Last night I was filling the tub for the boys to take a bath but Tanner couldn't wait. He climbed in with all his clothes on.

This morning I caught him climbing the shelves in the kitchen. I don't know if he wanted cereal or just and adventure.

Then, just before nap time he decided to help himself to a drink of juice. Obviously a case of "monkey see, monkey do."

I can tell that life with Tanner is going to continue to be an adventure. . . and always with his characteristic smile that reminds me to enjoy every minute of it--because he sure is.

Gone Fishin'

Our friends were down from Anchorage for the weekend so we decided to take a boat ride/fishing trip. Ron took us all out on his boat Saturday morning and it was another short adventure for our family. This was Taylor and Tanners first time on a boat. Taylor was so excited. The weather was beautiful, we packed a cooler of lunch and headed for the harbor. First stop was life jackets for all of the kids. Tanner did not like this at all.
After fueling up we headed out to sea. This is where things got interesting. The swells were only 3-4 feet but heading straight into them just about put me and Tanner into a panic attack. Add a touch of seasickness for Kendall, Trace, Heather, and Caleb and we decided that we would never survive a long trip. Now to convince the captain . . . Just about this time the turbo on one of the engines went out so we turned around and headed back to the harbor-slowly. Taylor and Mason had a great time and weren't affected by the waves at all (except for the excitement). They were on the deck or up top with the captain the whole time. Caleb is the only one who had to use the blue bucket (if you know what I mean). Once we were moving at a slower pace Tanner had a great time out on the deck and climbing around the cabin. And Tanner got out of his life jacket before we were back to shore (I know that is bad, bad, bad . . .) Trace accused me of praying the boat to break, I admit that I was praying--but not for the boat to break. I guess the Lord works in mysterious ways. :) When we got close to shore the guys threw some lines in the water and we jigged for fish until each of the big boys (Taylor, Mason and Caleb) caught and released a fish. I know I will never get on a boat again but it was an adventure, and I'm glad we shared the experience good friends.

Taylor, Mason, and Caleb (top)-waiting to head out to sea.
Taylor and Mason--it didn't take these two long to get their sea legs. (bottom)

Nichole andLibby

Taylor and Caleb

Tanner (he accepted the life jacket by now)

Just a typical Trace picture-on the cell phone.

Are we having fun yet?

Taylor and his fish.

Fishing

Tanner found a ball (notice the missing life jacket).

Trace, Tanner and Kendall

Heather feeling more green than she looks.

Long lost cousins . . .

It is embarassing to admit to how long it has been since seeing Kyndra and Athalia. We loved our short visit with them and are looking forward to spending more time with them this summer. They are growing up so fast.

And the other "cousins" . . .
Tanner just loved the dogs--Pandora and Bruin. This picture makes Pandora look vicious but they were gentle and fun and Tanner LOVED them.

The Joys of Childhood

The simple joys of childhood. Playing in the sandbox . . .

hunting for bugs . . .

swinging . . .

and learning to share?
We are so glad our kids can spend time together making happy memories of childhood.