Ungraceful Break

There's no graceful way to begin writing again after a prolonged break. I don't even have much to write about. To be sure, a lot has happened since last writing; probably to much to attempt to recant in one episode. A couple of the highlights were a new fuel filter in Arkansas and a broken leg on South 5th. Perhaps I'll rewind and rewrite about them someday. And perhaps I'll write again tomorrow; or at least again before months go by...

Back to School

Jacob and Erik are at Hamilton Middle School; where Tara went to high school.

Emily is at Daly Elementary School; where Tara also attended.

Go, Osprey!

The local Rookie League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team is called the Missoula Osprey. One of their slogans used to be "..so fun you'll drop your fish!" The actual birds are not that rare around here but we stumbled upon one today in a tree at the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge with an actual fish for lunch.

AvaTara

AvaJacob

AvaErik

AvaEmily

AvaTony

Jacob's Ride

Jacob and I made it all the way from Bass Creek to Lolo and back to the Ravalli/Missoula County line yesterday; exactly 20 miles. He needed to accomplish that as one of his requirements for Duty to God. I was fairly surprised that he made it. Erik actually started out with us, too; but only made it about 5 miles before he blew a gasket. We'll have to let him try again another time with a better bike, better fitness, and a better attitude.

Fire!

Where there's smoke...

Significant Buildings - First Home

In what will likely be the last installment of the "Significant Buildings" series, I offer my childhood home at 225 S 300 E in Preston, Idaho. For the first 17 years of my life it's the only home I knew. In this photo some actually appear to be out front either shucking corn or snapping beans. Corn on the cob and creamed beans were great treats on Summer days. There are many more memories I have that I'll likely save for another day.

Significant Buildings - Current Home

This is our home at 801 South Third Street in Hamilton, Montana. We purchased it in 1997. This picture was taken shortly after purchase. Just this January ('07) we finished a remodeling project to add a bedroom on to the back of the house. I couldn't find a good picture of that and it's dark outside right now so I'll have to take one another day. Anyway, this is a good house but it's becoming a better home each day.

Significant Buildings - Chapel

I was going to write about our home tonight but today was the Sabbath. I spent a few hours in this building, the ward building for what is now both the Hamilton Ward and the Blodgett Canyon ward; the latter of which I am a member. Each Sunday I spend at least 3 hours in this building on Sundays; 1 in Sacrament Meeting, 1 in Sunday School, and 1 in Priesthood Meeting. I often also attend Priesthood Executive Council, Ward Council, and Welfare Committee meetings before the regular 3-hour block. Anyway, this building means a lot to me. It's where I go weekly to hone my skills and my soul as I try to become more like Jesus. I figure that's a worthy diversion from my desire to write about my home tonight. Maybe I'll follow through tomorrow night. After all, it will be Family Home Evening night.

Significant Buildings - Temple

Farmers State Bank's building in Victor, Montana is significant to me because I spend 8+ hours there nearly every weekday. What a perfect segue to another important building, the Spokane, Washington Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tara and I paid a visit today. It's a place where I can find solace, peace, and learn about life from an eternal perspective. When we got home we were pleased to see that our picture window's been replaced and we've got water back in the master bathroom again. Our home is like our personal temple.

IT is I

I was "unofficially" promoted to IT Assistant Manager yesterday at Farmers State Bank in Victor, MT. Nothing's very formal there; which is probably for the better. I'd been the 2nd of two IT guys there since being hired in 2004 to backup Mike Wright, IT Manager. Just this year we hired to new IT Specialists. So I now factor in between them and the hancho.

Erik Bryson

This is the earliest known photo of Erik. He either has something glowing in his belly or that's the flash reflecting off the hospital glass. He was also a big one; over 9 pounds. Today he's the biggest kid in the family. We often have to tell people that he's bigger but younger than Jacob.

Erik was born in Brigham City, Utah but we moved 2 weeks after that on our exodus to Montana. Consequently he doesn't remember much about his birthplace. Each time we visit we try to show him but he doesn't seem much interested; must be an age thing.

Jacob Anthony

This is probably the worst Jacob has ever looked. I still remember the doctor in the birthing room almost immediately calling for the forceps. He apparently had misjudged the size; thinking it was a 7-pounder when it turned out to be over 9! I can still see the doctor's foot pressing against the end of Tara's "bed" while he was pulling with all his might with the "salad tongs". No wonder Jacob was so bruised.

Tara's All Wet!

After writing about my second favorite girl and her bike-riding accomplishment in the last post I thought I'd go back in time to share a honeymoon photo of my first favorite girl. It's been over 15 years now since I took the photo so I don't remember if I was specifically waiting for a wave to come in; knowing me I probably was. At any rate it's a classic photo of Oregon Coastal Water being splashed upon my newlywed bride.

Emily Bikes Solo!

You can hear her saying "I can do it! I can do it!" just before she says "Whoa!"

Beautiful Bitterroot

I took this picture during Helaman Camp at the lower of Twin Lakes up Lost Horse Creek in the Bitterroot National Forest above the Bitterroot Valley of Western Montana.

(Is that enough prepositions for ya?)