Linder Farms 2013

 

School pictures 2013

Very typical photos of both of them at this age-- Ben always tries his hardest to not smile for the camera, and Travis hams it up!

No accident

On the 4-year anniversary of Ryan's death, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland spoke:

I testify of the holy Resurrection, that unspeakable cornerstone gift in the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ! With the Apostle Paul, I testify that that which was sown in corruption will one day be raised in incorruption and that which was sown in weakness will ultimately be raised in power. I bear witness of that day when loved ones whom we knew to have disabilities in mortality will stand before us glorified and grand, breathtakingly perfect in body and mind. What a thrilling moment that will be! I do not know whether we will be happier for ourselves that we have witnessed such a miracle or happier for them that they are fully perfect and finally "free at last." Until that hour when Christ’s consummate gift is evident to us all, may we live by faith, hold fast to hope, and show "compassion one of another..."

(Full talk here:  http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/like-a-broken-vessel?lang=eng)

I love and miss you every day, big brother.

"Parents"

by Benjamin, age 7

Parents are special in many different ways.

They clean up all the days.

I [wish] they didn't make me go to school.

But I have to go to learn the rule.

If I didn't have to go that would be fun.

Do not just sit there, there's homework to be done!

Why do I have to? Is it Saturday yet?

You don't have to if you go to the vet!

What about lunch and recess? I thought [you] liked them.

You can have a snack when you get home.

And give the dog a bone.

Sometimes I bump my head!

When I go to bed!

On a rainy September afternoon

 An indoor beach picnic turned into a crazy face contest.

Things can get weird when the boys are at school and work.

11 years!

Scott and I celebrated our eleventh anniversary on August 17th. Eleven years! It feels like yesterday that our super young selves tied the knot.

Seriously, look at us. We were babies.

(Thanks again for the pictures, Char!)

For our #11, Janine-- the most amazing mother-in-law ever-- watched the kids all day. We went mini golfing, enjoyed a sushi lunch, crashed on a picnic blanket in the shade for a few hours, caught a movie, walked around town, and stuffed ourselves thoroughly on steak. Knowing that our lives would be getting rigidly scheduled over the next couple of weeks, we soaked up that day of unstructured relaxation. It was perfect.

Oregon trip

On Saturday (Travis' birthday), we drove to Portland. Scott's high school friend Jason and his wife, Kristen, invited us to stay with them for a couple of days. We had a blast! Our kids loved playing with their cute daughters, Georgia & Alice, and we had a great time catching up. In all the fun, my camera stayed tucked away most of the time. Oops.

That Sunday, we took a little break during Georgia & Alice's naptime and headed over to the Portland Temple. We wanted to show the kids where we were married. Since our last visit, they added a beautiful visitors center. Sister missionaries guided us around the stunning grounds. I love visiting the place where our family began.

The next morning, we took the longer, more scenic route to the coast. This naturally included the Tillamook Cheese factory.

After a gorgeous drive down the 101, we arrived at in Yachats. Our cottage was across the street from the ocean, and we spent the evening settling in as we listened to the crashing waves. 

Mornings there were beautiful and chilly-- a bit too chilly for the beach, as we discovered our first day.

Since most of our activities burned a ton of energy, we took little breaks during the day to let everyone rest a bit. The boys always spent that time drawing together.

After that first day, we dedicated afternoons as beach time. The beaches closest to our house were fabulous at low tide.

Libby and I tried to snap a decent selfie...

...when Leo photobombed us.

Roasting marshmallows over our camp stove:

One foggy morning, we drove to Heceda Head.

View from the top:

Sandy beach and bridge below the lighthouse:

After lunch in Florence, we came back to Yachats and explored the Smelt Sands.

Travis walked the 804 Trail with me while everyone else stayed at the Smelt Sands beach. In his usual style, he posed for pictures nonstop.

Another morning, we hiked the Devil's Churn Trail down to Cape Cove.

Our whole family later trekked the 804 since three of us had missed it earlier. The waterspouts inspired Libby to bust out some sweet moves.

Ben loved the superfine sand.

Such dramatic views.

At the end of the trail lies a gem of a beach-- sandy and, best of all, uncrowded due to limited access.

Jamin asked me to bury him in the sand. Against my advice, he insisted on lying face-down. I think he learned that sometimes, mom does actually know best.

The perspective on this shot kills me.

After a week of sand, seafood, and salty air, our vacation came to a close. We drove home to Boise in one day, with a long lunchtime stop in Portland. My dear friend Char met up with us in the park to chat and paint the kids' faces.

Libby's butterfly:

(Libby acted like a butterfly for the rest of the day.)

Travis' Angry Bird (the first one, before he smeared it and Char painted another):

Goofy Benjamin thought it would be hilarious to have a pizza on his face since we had pizza for lunch.

We arrived in Boise very late and crashed. Whew, what a fantastic trip!