Christmas

Chris's Birthday started out our nice long Christmas vacation in Boise. I gave him a rocket kit as a present. Awesome, right? We all had a lot of fun with the rocket. We ended up with another rocket, lots more engines with lots more power, and a mini camera taped to the rocket (with crayons taped on the other side in an attempt to stabilize).

 Steven, Chris, Julie, and I went shooting one day. BRRRR! It was SO COLD that day!

 It was fun to see all the kids for so long. Here is Ryker eating Steven's hand.

 Mom had a great idea. Julie, Mom, and I all made 1 wiseman each out of clay. It was a blast. It took us all about 8-9 hours of straight sculpting. It was so fun. The world kinda disappeared for that whole time.

 For a few days we all went up to Grandma's cabin. The first night we played a game where you have to grab a paper bag with your mouth only letting your feet touch the ground. The bag gets progressively shorter as the game goes on. Chris made it very far... but darn his competitiveness, he pulled a muscle.

 Qanuk got to come to the cabin too. It was fun to go on walks with the dogs and enjoy the pretty sights.

Chris built an igloo on the kitchen porch. The kids loved it, but I think Chris REALLY loved it too!

 Of course a cabin trip wouldn't be a cabin trip without at least one engine! Stoney drove the kids around with chains he put on his four wheeler.

Julie and I took Qanuk snowshoeing behind the cabin. We chased a bunch of elk up the hill, and eventually got above them. It was way fun. 

 Chris was a good sport and the last day we were there took me to Abbott (a pretty good hike in some deep snow). It was beautiful. And of course Chris found ice to break.

 Qanuk kept getting ice balls in between his toes on long hikes. So we tried putting socks on him. He didn't seem to mind at all, but they didn't stay on very long anyways.

Gold Strike Hot Springs

Saturday Chris and I went to Gold Strike Hot Springs. The hike was about 8 miles round trip, down a boulder-y canyon. It was tons of fun. We didn't actually go in the hot springs because there are amoebas that will swim up your nose and kill you. At least there is a chance they will. I just don't want to swim in water that I know has amoebas in it... gross.

Sommer

Anyone who knows Sommer knows immediately how amazing she is. Sommer is able to make people for cared and loved for. She is intently interested in others and the problems they face. Sommer consistently goes out of her way to help others.

More than a wonderful friend, Sommer is an amazing wife. She has an ever present concern and uses her energy for improving our home, and our time together.

Sommer is incredibly beautiful. She brightens every room she walks into. People notice when Sommer isn't around and her presence is sorely missed at any event.

This girl has a passion for progression. She is dedicated and very creative. She is usually always working on something and if she doesn't have a home/creative project to work on then she is day dreaming of one. She has helped to turn our little house into a wonderful home with a very inviting feel. I am so grateful for all of the little projects she does.

We have so much fun together and the last 3 years, 3 months, 23 days that we've been married have truly been amazing. I love this girl. It's been 4 years, 2 months, 24 days since I first met her and even though I rolled her jeep, had to operate on his toes, and her dad supposedly told me I couldn't marry his daughter (but I remember him saying yes) these last 220 weeks (rounded down) have been the happiest most fulfilling memories I have.

She indulges me when I like something that she doesn't. She goes on little adventures with me all the time. I have so much fun with this amazing girl.

Sommer has so much to share and I learn new things from her each day. I love hearing her stories and the excitement in her voice as she relives all the fun experiences she's had. One of my favorite things is having part in those experiences and hearing her tell others about the fun we have together. I can't say we've done the most amazing things ever, for the most part, but Sommer has so much fun and shares our adventures with such animation and excitement that the stories seem almost surreal...which is exactly how I remember ever moment I've had with her.

Sommer is amazing.

She inspires and supports. She has worked so hard and has made herself a wonderful person. She strives to grow stronger and works on improving herself all the time.