~Stephanie and Russell and their Seven~

to say that this branch of the family is crazy about science fiction would be true! this photo is Rose and Brenna and David ready to go to the Anime Bonzai 2009 convention. http://www.animecons.com/  there are neatly stacked(and tightly stacked so little ones aren't able to dislocate them) on bookshelves, many, many years of paperbacks along this subject that have all lovingly been read and often re-read. when Russell discovered Terry Prachett years ago and started reading to the kids in the hall by night it was a floodgate for the kids to begin many wonderful hours of pleasure in reading him and dozens and dozens of other authors. Stephanie and Russell and Brenna are authors also. the types of books has expanded greatly.
to be in their home to witness the passionate and lively debates and discussions of every subject under the sun of this planet is quite the experience.  very thinking family.

  it's a busy house with Ian finishing up his mission papers and becoming a freshman in college this year, and musical instruments running amuck, dances to go to, games to play, dramas, plays, musicals that they get involved with, etc, etc. we will go celebrate with Ian when he leaves for parts now unknown. there will be a post on the day he receives his mission call.    here we see Ian playing with a band he was with for a few years, and then running through Thanksgiving Point with David and Laurel. fun-gi!  Brenna at home and with the group that went to prom together with their dates [she's at top, left]. with  Ian driving, he and  Brenna went together with their dates to meet the group. i love that they love being together in this little family and that they are all each other's best friends.

Russell takes some darn good photos like these of David, Ivy, Laurel and Ella.

In above photo with Brenna, Russell, Rose, David and their Asplund cousin, Eve, they are in front of Cameron Falls, which Russ says is required visiting when going to Alberta, Canada, his former country.  
    Stephanie and Ivy in these last ones, taking in the myriad of people and activities at our family gathering and loving it- July of 2009...

   ...and five pirates attacking Rose-what unfair warfare! with their cousins from WA, Asher and Gavin who don't seem to claim any part in it!! and then a stitched panorama of this family, along with Uncles Matt and Russell, and various cousins, putting up the tramp for our days of fun...Laurel and Ivy and David trying it out. What a gorgeous and creative group!
LOVE ALL MY KIDS!!!