Young Women in Excellence

We enjoyed a great Young Women in Excellence program this year with our lovely young ladies.  The theme of our evening was "Daughters of a King", and how we stand in holy places because we know that we are daughters of a King.  The best part of the night was when the girls came walking in one at a time wearing their princess crowns while we read an informative introduction all about them, and then they stood at the podium and shared their thoughts on how they stand in holy places.  We sang Jenny Phillips' "Happily Ever After" and enjoyed some yummy treats.  I hope the girls felt special!

And this is the crazier version of our YW

Kinley's Crazy Hair Day

There isn't much that we can do with Tanner, even if he would let us (and he wouldn't), so we have all of our Crazy Hair Day fun with Kinley's tresses!

Justin and Crew

He loves his Daddy.

Happy Birthday, Crew!

All day long, Crew sang, "Happy Birthday to Me!!"  This was the first year he really understood what this birthday business was all about!  It was really fun!

Happy birthday, big guy!

Doing his "I'm so excited" wiggle dance that he's famous for!

Birthday Blocks from Grandma and Grandpa B.

Crew is always trying to play with Tanner's Legos, but he can't quite manipulate them.  He has a few medium-sized Legos that we've done a little occupational therapy, but we thought it might be nice to get him some really bug chunky blocks to get started with, something that he can hopefully use somewhat independently... eventually.  Happy birthday, Crew!  He loves them.  Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa!

Happy Birthday, Dex

We traveled down to the cemetery the weekend before the twins' birthday, when Grandma and Grandpa B. were in town for Tanner's baptism.  It was a beautiful afternoon, perfect weather, quiet and peaceful.  We visited Dex's grave, released balloons to heaven, and took a looooooong walk through the cemetery, one of my favorite things to do.  I like to wander, to see all there is to see, knowing that behind every headstone is a story of love.

(Tanner is in big trouble, now that I have seen how this photo turned out!)

Grandma and Grandpa B.

Presents from G&G

Balloon release.  5 blue balloons for 5 long years without our little guy.

"Bye bye, Dex."

This year was a big one.  FIVE.  It was harder than I expected.  It's always harder that I expect.  The week leading up to their birthday was, as usual, the worst.  This is the year that I should be preparing 2 little boys for kindergarten, worrying about things like "will their teacher be able to tell them apart?"  Instead, I have one little boy that may or may not be attending kindergarten this next year with his peers.  A little boy that continues to battle the effects that prematurity ravaged on his body.  A little boy that is dearly loved and spoiled rotten.  A little boy that continues to defy the odds stacked against him every day.  A little boy that wants to be big like his brother and sister, to have friends, to run around the neighborhood with other kids his age. A little boy that brightens with sweetness every room that he enters.   A little boy that lives for now in blissful innocence that he is different.  A little boy with a special brother in Heaven that watches over him every day.

It's complicated.

OT

Occupational therapy takes can take many forms.

Crew wants so badly to be big like Tanner, to play with Legos.  Building simple towers with these larger Legos is where we begin!

Using a small fishing pole is a lot harder than it seems!

Brrrrrr!!

Cabela's

It just doesn't get old.

Scary polar bear.

World Prematurity Day

Today is World Prematurity Day. This is our own itty bitty miracle, all one and a half pounds of him! The doctors weren't very hopeful that he would survive that first week. 5 years later, we still battle the effects of his prematurity every day, but are so thankful to have him here with us! We are thankful for the medical expertise and dedicated staff that saved his life, bringing him back from the brink more times than we care to remember. We are grateful for the many prayers that were offered on his behalf by family, friends, and strangers. And we are thankful to our God, who has seen fit to let him tarry with us these last 5 crazy years. He has blessed our family with sweetness and perspective. He continues to defy the odds that have been stacked against him and teaches us to rejoice over the small things in life. We love you, "Baby Crew".

Tanner's Baptism

On November 2, 2013, Tanner was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by his father.  It was a very happy, peaceful day for our family and I felt Heavenly Father's love for me.  Special events like this always help me feel close to Dex, since I know he wouldn't dream of missing such a sacred occasion.

He was baptized on the same day as his good friend, Hunter!

"Crew turn!"

Grandma and Grandpa B. came down from Idaho to celebrate Tanner's special day with him too.

We are so proud of Tanner and excited for the choice he made to be baptized like his parents and big sister!
 

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween, from our 50's gal, Spiderman, and ninja!

Happy Birthday, Tanner!

Our eldest son turned eight years old!  Happy birthday, Tanner Banner!

Now, a story.  Words are almost unnecessary.  Almost.

Kinley saved up her money to invest in Tanner's fondest birthday wish: a Perry the Platypus Pillow Pet!!

See how deliriously happy one of our sons is?

Uh, oh....

Tanner is so happy!  And... Crew makes his move....

Round #1 goes to the whiniest child in the house.

Tanner also received the rope bracelet of his dreams! 

Kinley explaining Tanner's gift from Grandma and Grandpa B.

Oh!!  I have a savings account!  Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa!

A little tip.  There is a Lego competitor out there that makes building sets that are compatible with Lego, but a fraction of the price of real Legos.  The name of the brand is Sluban and you can buy them on Amazon.

It's great to be eight!

Look, Ma! It's "Eggy Potter!"