Graci and Jesi had important birthdays last week. Graci turned 18 and Jessica joined the ranks of the teenagers in our family (6 teens for now!!!). They both got breakfast in bead and had some time with mom and dad. On Graci's birthday (Aug. 4), they got to go see The BFG along with Xander and Cali. On Jesi's birthday, Christi and I took the two of them to Thanksgiving Point to walk through the unbelievable beautiful gardens and have lunch. Jessica wrapped up Saturday night with a birthday party. (Way to go, Christi! You're always so great at putting these together.)
These two girls are so fantastic! Graci is such an amazing young woman with a beautiful testimony of the Gospel and love for her Savior. She is a tremendous example to all of us as she strives to choose the right and is constantly serving her family. Graci is patient and obedient. She works hard in school and has received several academic awards, including an award for being "Courageous." She looks after her younger siblings, sometimes when she's asked to and often even when she's not. Christi and I don't know what we're going to do when our Grace graduates high school and begins to spread her wings. Love you, Graci!!!
Jessica has had me wrapped around her little finger since she was an infant. She is so fun to be with. Her shy smile can sometimes be challenging to tease out of her, but it lights up a room when it comes. She is a good student, conscientious in her work and striving to do her best. She loves the young women program at church and has many good friends there. Jesi makes really deep friendships. One of her very best friends moved across the country a couple of years ago, and Jesi flew all by herself to Detroit last month to visit her! For years we've kind of divided our kids into the "bigs" (Taylor, Parker, Graci, Cali, Conner) and the "littles" (Xander, Lexi, Elli and Sophi). Being right in the middle, Jesi has the luxury of slipping into either group, depending on who is going to have the most fun that day:). We're so excited to see Jesi growing up and blossoming into such a lovely young woman. Love you, Jessica!!!
Summer! So much fun! So many activities!!! It seems like things are non-stop around here during the summer:). I guess things are non-stop around here pretty much year round. But with church camps, visually impaired camps, sports camps, family reunions and other camping trips, we didn't haven't had too many nights since school let out when all 12 of us slept under the same roof.
Monday through Wednesday of last week was High Adventure for Taylor, Parker and Conner. I was able to accompany them again, as was my brother, Tyler. What a great trip!!! We left Monday morning about 6:30am and drove up to Jackson Hole, Wyoming to the Boy Scouts of America Grand Teton High Adventure Base. We got back home about midnight on Wednesday. In between we did a high cope course, a low cope course, shotgun shooting, whitewater rafting and a hike and swim in Grand Teton national park. We saw five moose, including two babies. We saw the mother moose chase off another moose in a scene that you could have watched on a nature show. We ate well, we were spiritually uplifted around a campfire, and we learned two fantastic new games: Kubb and Gaga Ball.
One of the predominant themes of the week was how impressed everyone was with Conner's willingness, courage and ability to complete everything that everyone else did. Despite being blind, Conner conquered the giant's ladder and the rest of the high cope course, got over, through and around the obstacles in the low cope course and even hit three of the clay pigeons (with some help from uncle Tyler) with a shotgun. Everyone at camp was so inspired by him. The kids in our own group, kids in other groups and adults and leaders throughout camp were amazed by his accomplishments. Way to go, Conner.
It is such a blessing to be a dad! I love all of my kids so much. It was so fun (and exhausting!!!) to spend this time with Taylor, Parker and Conner. I love these opportunities to develop stronger relationships with my children. I am a lucky man. Thanks to Christi for letting me attend activities like these. And thanks to LaRita (Christi's mom) for coming and helping while I was gone!
Jer
Conner navigates the giant's ladder and other high elements:
Moose at moose pond in Grand Teton National Park (notice the two babies in the background):
Going for a swim in some refreshingly cool water:
Trying to get across an "acid river" using a limited number of moveable lily pads. Once we were all stretched across, Conner walked over on our feet:
Me, trying to get across about 10 tire swings without touching the ground. I was proud that I made it half way:)
Taylor made it all the way across without much of a problem, so he decided to add a new level of difficulty!
Parker gets pretty intense when he plays Kubb:
At the shotgun range:
Here is some video. Note how tightly Conner clings to Uncle Tyler's neck as they swing across the "river," how nice it is to have a 6'5" son to be the last one to go over the wall, and look in the upper right hand corner for the very small clay pigeons that Conner blasts to bits:).
This is Conner ascending the Giant's ladder. I edited down quite a bit, but still left it a bit longer than usual videos to give you a sense of the challenge this was for Conner. The best part is at about 1:30 when I offer him the chance to quit and come back down. He responds, "I believe I can do it." Simple, inspiring, Conner!
A few months ago we were contacted by a production company in London about doing a little YouTube video on Sophi. (This is not the reason we were in London-- that was for something else.) We had a videographer come spend the day with her-- they just released the video tonight. I think they did a great job capturing the essence of Sophi. 💜<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DpNlvQLgsAc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Yesterday our five oldest kids went to youth conference for the weekend. They had to be at the church by 5 am. Since I was getting up with them anyway, I thought it would be a great day for an early morning hike. Xander wanted to come along again, so I had a buddy for my trip:). We hiked to the top of Butterfield Peaks, just to the west of Herriman. Beautiful views all along the 4.5 mile round trip. We climbed 1600 feet in elevation. I love the smells and sounds and sights when I'm able to get into the mountains. We are lucky to live so close to so many beautiful places!
When we fell in love 24 years ago, we started down a path that has been challenging, exhausting, and breathtakingly beautiful. Here we chronicle the blessings and stressings of parenting some pretty amazing children. We think they're the perfect travel companions as we look forward to the next fork in the road. Welcome to our journey.
Our oldest by birth, he's the voracious reader, BYU fan, spiritual giant, sports nut, 4.0 student, huge-hearted ray of sunshine!
Parker Matthew--22
The red-headed social butterfly, he's our all-star athlete, top student, outdoor-loving, spunky second-born, with a heart of pure gold!
Jessica Anne "Jesi"--19
Our little princess with the big smile, Jesi loves fashion, friends, hanging with her siblings, and vacations. She sparkles!
Jacob Michael-- 6/8/2004
Little one of heavenly birth, born too soon to bloom on earth. You have taught us so much--we love you, Jacob!
Emily Anne "Emmy"--9/28/2005
Emily's exquisite little hands and feet have left their mark in this world. Her body was tiny, but her spirit enormous. We miss her!
Elizabeth Mei "Elli"--18
Elli's world may be dark, but she's the light of our lives! Lover of music, chocolate, and new toys, she fights a courageous battle with autism while bringing joy to all who know her!!
Gracelin Kate "Graci"--24
Showing true grace throughout her battles with heart disease and pulmonary hypertension, our Gracester is loved by everyone! She's smart, gorgeous, friendly, and has faith to move mountains!
Alexander Philip "Xander"--18
With a spunk and smile that could outmatch anyone's, our Xander has not let Cloves Syndrome get the best of him. He's a talented chef, a caring friend to MANY, our best helper, and is full of teenage humor.
Alexis Li "Lexi"--18
Meet the friendliest girl on the planet! Blind from birth, Lexi amazes all of us with her braille skills, determination, talents, but mosly by the way she spends her days SMILING. She is an angel in every way. We are thrilled to have our darling daughter home six years from China!!
Sophia Breanne "Sophi"--14
Her eyes called out to us from half-way around the world. Little Sophi is growing up and we would do anything to freeze her in time! She's beautiful, smart, and coy and can do amazing things with her toes! She has inspired people all around the world and we can't believe she is ours. Sophi = perfection.
Calais Rose "Cali"--22
Charming Cali joined our family in December of 2012. This girl is beautiful both inside and out. Born with spina bifida, Cali is confined to a wheelchair, but that does not keep her from enjoying life to the fullest. She is smart, opinionated, strong, and lovely in every way. She is a light in our family and a magnet for handsome young men!
Conner Allen-- 22
Meet our newest addition! Home nine years from China, Conner makes us wonder what we ever did without him. Blind from birth, he will blow you away with his incredible talent on the piano. He is sweet, witty, girl-crazy, kind and finally, OURS! We love you, Conner!
The Dog
Baxter-- 3 years
She begged and pleaded and wrote letter after letter telling us why she NEEDED a dog, and Sophi finally got her wish! Meet Baxter, the cutest mini-audssiedoodle on the planet.
