Week of July 24, 2018

   What a beautiful week we have had. The weather has been about 70•and beautiful everyday, Cecily said today I actually felt tropical-I wouldn’t go that far!  We decided to go camping on Wednesday and we are still here, I actually had to drive out to the highway to get service to send you a letter. We found a wonderful little camping spot in portage Valley, it rests on a lake. Driving by it wouldn’t look like much, but when you pull in there’s a beautiful lake and it’s pretty secluded with the portage mountains surrounding it - the best part is that it’s a free camping spot. We learned that you make camp anywhere in Alaska so long as it doesn’t say no camping overnight, so we’ve been here six days here and will be leaving on Monday.
    Some of the fun things that we have decided to do throughout the week, of course fishing for Thayne - he has caught a couple little trouts on our lake, we’ve been paddle boating and kayaking, it’s been fun to see little Tryg out there on his own kayaking: of course they’re all wearing lifejackets. Boden and Liam have felt confident in swimming in the lake even though it’s frigid, I know because I took a bath in it to wash my hair and I swear I got hypothermia. Not really but it was pretty cold. We went hiking the other day in Girdwood which is only 15 minutes from the camping spot. I don’t remember if you remember Samantha Pate, but she used to live up there, and she has told us about some great little finds for outdoor Activities. One of those was a hike near The hotel Alyeska. It was called winner Creek Trail at the base of Mount Alyeska. you could take two separate courses. One of those trails took you to the summit of Mount Alyeska we did not do that one. We chose this other trail-I think it’s my prettiest hike that we’ve ever done so far in Alaska. It was kind of fun because they were setting flags out along the trail for the Alaska Iron Man which happened today,on Saturday. These crazy people from all over the world did a full Iron Man right here in Alaska, 113 miles of biking, 3 miles of swimming, and 29 miles of running and part of that run went through this trail we hiked. It took all day because the blueberries are out and so of course every 5 feet the little boys had to stop and snack on blueberries. At the very end of the 9 miles that we hiked we cracked one of those blueberries open, and it had a little tiny worm in  it and then all of a sudden Boden got very OCD about feeling like he was infested with parasites, he caused a major commotion in the car as he tried to vomit the contents of his stomach up. It was a little bit over-the-top but the blueberries were good and more than likely not all of them had worms. The most unique thing about this hike was that at the end of the trail there was this rushing river andThey had this tiny little cage attached to a tow rope that you pulled yourself a cross this river. Now this cage wasn’t like 10 feet off the ground it was a good hundred feet above this river and it was quite a little hard to get to the other side, not a small river. So we went in groups of three because it was two person in the cage or maximum of 400 pounds.... Aiden had a panic attack as he got to the other side mostly because when it was his turn to go with dad somebody was helping to pull the rope and they didn’t wait for the cage to shut all the way and Aiden got some rope burn as he tried to hang when the rope started getting yanked before they were situated.  it was a little bit scary for him and it was quite an adventure for all the kids. I will suggest doing that with you when you get home the summer after your mission, because it’s a hike that is very secluded and I’ve never heard of it before and it was just gorgeous.
    The other thing that we did in Girdwood is trudged to a huge waterfall called Virgin Creek waterfall. it’sLiterally right off the Girdwood highway only about a 2/10 of a mile hike up to it (I’ve attached a picture)  it’s covered in moss and it’s very storybook looking. Anyway we’ve had a few neighbors come and go as they have parked but we’ve pretty much made our self at home here.
   Oh yah, one other fun thing we did was we watch the salmon as they came in to that Potter marsh Bird viewing area right at the base of anchorage.  weve never walked that trail before so we did today. We discovered that the salmon are running up right through the from the ocean into those rivers and little tiny ponds, and so we watched them for quite a while today . it looks like a variety of salmon too, it wasn’t just humpeys.  looked like there were some silvers and maybe even a few Kings in there, also a lot of pinks and some baby Salmon in all different sizes, some trout too. all kinds of fish just pouring in from the ocean.  we live in a pretty unique place! 

 Corrections in this email: Elder Barney is getting married and Elder Magee found the recommend.  Sunday:
We had a good sabbath, dad went back to Kenai to work today but we remained behind. We met some super cool people from Anchorage up here, they had a little wiener dog named Dover  that the kids were drawn too and so they brought their dog over for the kids to play with. He was from a family of 9 kids and he and his wife  loved watching all our kiddos have fun with their dog, they didn’t have kids of their own, I think by their adoraration of ours they most likely couldn’t have kids which is sad. I took the kids on a leisurely stroll through one of the nearby trails and we explored the portage visitor center. That place is masterfully built and the kids thought the glacier waters running under the building were warmer than our lake here, haaa. They had a boardwalk that went right to the edge of the glacier, looks like it was recently damaged and broke away from the main structure and so 1/3 of the walkway you had to trudge through glacier waters about 3-5” brrr. It was a peaceful day to worship, though we didn’t attend services the sabbath was still honored and we enjoyed our family time.
     I received a few pictures from Darla of you which is always a win win. You look so tan! A Stake celebration as opposed to a ward celebration for July 24th is unusual. Were there tons of people in attendance and how does their Pioneer Day differ? Ours is going to be at the Nikiski Rec center on the 28th. I can image Utah and Idaho probably do it right! 

       The main reason for coming up  to Anchorage for the week was the temple today. It was a really neat experience because dad got to baptize his grandma today. Cecily stood in proxy for her.  I can’t wait for grandma to except that ordinance on the other side, she was open to the Gospel before she passed away and I’m pretty confident that she’s going to be happy her work was done. I think the kids had a much greater experience today baptizing members of their own family as opposed to random names that the temple has assigned them in the past. I did print off a few of my father‘s relatives and know that there’s a ton more work on his side that I could be working on. I know my heart needs to be open to forgiving the sins of my father and doing the work of his family because they deserve those ordinances too. though my heart is closed off at this point to trying to put in a lot of effort to his line. I pray that I will be able to come to an understanding of the importance of doing his work. We had a great turnout at the temple today Holly Ward Received her endowments last week and was able to come up today with Cameron for his first time through for baptisms, so that was kind of special. I think we had 29 or 30 youth go which is great. Dad I guess ended up dropping his temple recommend on the ground somewhere up there and we got a phone call from Elder Magee who used to serve in our ward, he went through the temple today with the Hansen’s which is kind of awesome. We also got news that Elder Barney is getting married.

   Gooma got the results back from her tests and bloodwork. It doesn’t look like things are improving much for her, however he signed off on the paperwork for her to come up here before they got the tests back. when the numbers came in for her diabetes (which was way off) he actually told her she couldn’t come to Alaska unless she got that under control. So she’s working on her diet to help bring her numbers down. But we need to continue to pray for grandma and her cancer that it will continue to heal and that she will be able to arrive safely here in Alaska. I know how very much she enjoys spending time up here and receiving the loves that she so deserves.
   

 Lochlan Boden and Liam all received a scholarship to attend the young Americans workshop today tomorrow and Wednesday. It's a cast of 45 international actors are coming up to Mountain View elementary school. They will be teaching them about lighting dance vocal impromptu all sorts of things and then on Wednesday night they will be performing with the young Americans .  I get to go pick them up in about 45 minutes to see what it's all about I know they were pretty excited to get out of school for three days. Aiden's baptism and birthday are coming up this weekend for his birthday were going to go see boss baby on Friday with the family and maybe a friend or two and then have cake he picked a skittle cake this year then on Sunday at 5 o'clock he will be getting baptized and work cited for him to do that also  I have lost about 15 pounds with upping my medication to 150 mg of level thyroxine and I was put on and anxiety pill which has helped with my mind anyway. I have less negative thoughts and I'm a little bit more relaxed. I'm excited for general conference this weekend to be able to get to me answers as to how I can continue to stay motivated and trying to get my body healthy again. I bought my moms  ticket to come up here this summer. She will be here August 8 to October 17 and work cited to have her again I just hope that she's healthy enough to make this trip one or two more times the kids really enjoyed having her here. What out lock Lynn has decided to go to BYU Idaho in the fall and then go on his mission in January little bit nervous for that he still has not completed his ego which is OK but I'm  A little bit sad that he got this close to completing it and has not been able to do that. He's a great kid is just too much going on for him he's also the lead in the Pirates of pens ants this year

 So we have received a ton of new snow in the last week here in February. We decided we were going to make a maze in the front yard and the boys have built a little tiny shelters in little tiny fortes all throughout the front yard two of them have collapsing on them but the kids seem to not be wanting their devices so much and they're spending a lot of time outside which I really appreciate. Tomorrow we're headed to Homer for Boden and Liam to participate in a ski meet and then I need to rush them back into Soldotna so that  I can get my teenagers to an etiquette dinner Boden and my Cecily are not excited about that. Cecily made me a beautiful bouquet of flowers for Mother's Day I mean for Valentine's Day and they're still thriving here on my table made fully of carnations. Lochlan called good luck today talk to her for an hour on FaceTime she had a good birthday one of her friends made her coconut cake we bought her A huge card but she hasn't received it yet it may be sitting at the post office but her post box is so full that they're not delivering mail they got 18 inches of snow the other day. We've had quite a few cars go off the road because of accidents because the road is so bad. This afternoon we went to the funeral of Shandy and Jen Knight they lost the baby at 24 weeks pregnant this is their second baby that they've lost it was snowing and very cold and it was sad

Today is Valentine's Day Aiden blew up a heart shape balloon and Tryg said if it's filled with human air it will not float away and it's filled with Helaman then it will!

 Matthew and I had to go up to Anchorage last Thursday to get a part for the car it's saved us $2000 going up and doing it there while we were there we went to target and Costco we don't have any money right now so I'll charge some stuff at target and bought some gum well we had an incident tonight's ago like I was sitting on the counter and had not been opened and all of a sudden one of the three packets was gone so I asked the kids who took him I was not mad at that point but every single one of them refused to say that  they had taken the time which was in truth I wasn't mad about them taking the guy am I became mad about them lying about the gum and I knew one of them had to of done it. So I sat them all down the fireplace and I told him that none of them would be leaving in less somebody admitted to taking the gum well I went through each and everyone of them and ask them one at a time did you take the damn no mom no mom no mom through all of them I could see that Boden and Cecily were telling the truth so I dismissed them then trick piped up and said that he had done it I pulled him into the bed  room to ask him where the gum was he said I didn't really know if I took the gum but I may have taken the come maybe it's under my bed but I really don't know where the game is at that point I knew he had not taken the gum so he was dismissed that left me with Liam Payne and Aiden I could see that Liam was getting very upset he was adamant that he had not taken the guy I knew it was Aiden but I wanted him to admit it I finally asked him to come into the bedroom and I asked him where is the damn he said he didn't do it again I said it  Aiden and I know you took the gum where is the gum he finally admitted that it was in the kitchen drawer with the spoons and then I had to have a nice long talk to him about being repentant and saying sorry to his brothers and sisters for getting them in trouble and feeling sorry for what you've done he's getting baptized in several weeks and I want him to feel prepared to do that. Anyway it was a very sad moment when I asked him if he could say sorry to the siblings and we call them out all out into the living room and he was crying and I started crying so  he finally admitted that he had done and that he was sorry for getting them in trouble and it was a nice learning opportunity but I hope that he has learned a lesson because he's got a tendency to tell not truths and I don't want him to be a dishonest. We've had this problem with several of the kids Liam and Lochlan and (Thayne) especially I just hate that they lie about simple things I mean the other night I asked them if they brush their teeth and they all said yes and not one of them had I'm like why are you lying about brushing your teeth it's such a simple thing anyway I hope the lesson was learned but it made me feel sad inside they know that he felt sad afterwards.

 I had my 42nd birthday the other day. Matthew took me out to lunch to play Azules restaurant which was really yummy Addie went with us and refused to eat anything but it was still good then he made me a beautiful peanut butter rhesus peanut butter chocolate cake for dinner really because I didn't eat dinner I was so full from lunch. Tricks says can I give you my present now when he got home from school and I said sure. So I said what is  and he said it's hugs and kisses forever and he started smooching me I love that boy loves on me so much and I am so grateful that he shows such affection for me because I know it wears off I tried giving Thayne loves he's been pretty grumpy lately I told him you know you used to be just like trick you used to hug and kiss me all the time now he gets all stiff and prideful and sometimes throws fists punches or whatever and calls it an accident towards his brothers and has a hard time controlling his anger. I had to talk to him the other day because he's always saying it was an accident you don't just accidentally kick somebody in the stomach buddy. Anyway we got to work with him and I know we have to work with the other kids to with more one on one time it makes me feel bad that we love them all so much

 Abby has been absolutely up SAST with taking my phone she'll swipe it real carefully and then go hide behind the couch with this little grin on her face and then she says I have your hone the other day she took it and she shoved it underneath the couch cushion and she said I don't know where you're holding hands. She's kind of crazy she actually threw a fit last night at family home evening a full on face plant kick her feet bang her arms fist feet fit that you would see in A movie. I've never had kids do that before and it was all because I took away my hone

 Our family has come down with a stomach bug many of us have been sick. The other day Boden had to stay home from school because he was throwing up while the next thing you know Liam comes home from school and he's only wearing one sock. So I said Liam where is your other sock? He says oh it's in an envelope and I said why is your sock and then he says I'm giving it about because I know it'll make him happy. My kids are so weird

Jesus and Tryg

I just had to share this post from Trygs teacher, it of course is in reference to Tryg and she says she loves that he is soooo concerned with her knowing Jesus:

SETTING:  My kiddos were getting dressed to leave and line up for the day (for my lower 48 friends...we have to completely put on snow gear and boots to leave each day.)  Kids were trying to be bossy and tell each other what to do.

Me:  Friends, remember to take care of your self.  I am still in charge and will take care of the rest!
Kinder: Mrs. Trammell, I know who is in charge of you and your daddy, Mr. Tim. (somehow  my hubby is always my daddy to my kinders)
Me:  You do?  Who?
Kinder:  Yes, Jesus!
Me:  Yep!
Kinder:  Do  you know him?
Me;  Yes, Yes I do!
Kinder:  (Looking me squarely in the eyes and a simple nod of his head.)  GOOD!

Abbie & Teagan

 Today my visiting teachers came to share a message with me. My new ones our Lindsay Jorgensen and Samantha ate. Well Lindsey brought her daughter Teagan who is very similar to Abby the next thing we know Teagan is running out of the bathroom saying Abby is naked I said why is Abby naked and she said Abby's going potty and I said that's weird I she doesn't normally go potty by herself did you help her ? Teagan said yes! The  next thing we know Teagan is back in the bathroom and then Abby and Teagan are running through the house holding the end of the toilet paper making big long streaks where ever they ran Abby butt naked and the girls laughing. I think Abby found her soul sister.

 Hi my name is Tryg and I love my mom . I dream about transformers going into the backyard.

Side Photos

 

So oh my goodness, I came across these side pictures on this blog.  I obviously haven't updated this blog in a long time.  We came across the two blurb books that I had made of our family back in 2008 and 2009 where I was an avid blogger and all of my life was recorded in entered, photos meticulously taken and uploaded and than placed into the blog.  I than made a book and we LOVE THEM.  Then my computer got lame, and I was no longer able to blog from my picas account and 7 years of our life has disappeared in time.  Kinda hate that a lot.  I'm gonna see about this new computer.  We got a mac and I think I will easily be able to move pictures about and so we are going to get going on a book again.  I wanted to save these pictures cause I think It's time I update my side pictures.  Here goes my first blog post in a long time, and hope it's the first of many.

Pirate Thayne

Thayne is such a goofball.  He came up with the brilliant idea to be a peg leg pirate.  He looks like the  kind of kind to plunder your candy right, arrgh!

Lily and Cecily

These two buds always love getting together.  Thier moms (Angeline and Tara) have been best friends for 20 years, and it's so fun to see these two grow up together.

Jewel Beach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Camping with Cousins

We went camping this past weekend with Heather and the Boys.  It was a lot of fun.  There was a burn ban when we were there so no fires, that meant no smore's (old fashioned way anyway, we did it in the campers oven on the second night) and no cobbler, no campfire dinners ect.  Kind of a bummer.  We did get there and got the last camping spot...which we later found out from the camp host someone had already paid for but never came back for.  The mosquitos were killer, we stepped out of the car without bug spray on and were immediatly attacked by a swarm of them...they were pretty much unbearable the whole time.  we did have the camper, but set up the tent for the kids to sleep in with Matt. 
 

this tube of course ended up being all fun and games for Boden and Tanner, who by the way, get along amazingly. 

there was lots of time spent on devices...I feel a little sad knowing this is becoming the way of our childrens lives, but it is what it is.  Liam jumped in this picture for some wierdo time 

 

Thayne out exploring 

Ummm, I think she was doing the wiggle dance 

Ahhh, Heather must have taken this picture.   Matt, Lochlan and myself ran in the Mayors Marathon and she brought the kiddos to the finish line to pick up Lochlan, I do believe this was on their way to meet him...how adorable is that.

sticks sticks and more sticks 

Cecily loves her Auntie, two beautiful woman! 

I'll just chalk it up to the fact that he was 16 days late at birth... 

getting some reprieve from the bugs under the net tent 

Aiden waiting for a cookie 

my (somewhat) darling children and thier (somewhat) adorable faces :)  Just kidding, they are the cutest 

Aiden riding a bike with his eyes closed eating an apple?  He's talented 

 

 

so these two boys tried to convice heather and I that the LDS motivational speaker Hank Smith was camping in our grounds.  There was a privat party in the overflow area, and they said that saw and heard him speaking about the Gospel and Alcohol.  Now Hank Smith is one of Heathers favorite speakers and so she and I went on a wild hunt to see if this was true, we never did find out, but we did drive into the party area and it looked like everyone there was holding a beer can and smoking a cigarette, we looked at each other and said this was not a venue he would speak at, it was more like an AA meeting.  Either way, it made for an exciting evening in the campground with our little prangsters.