James and Allie Thornbrue

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

A Tribute to Nine Years of Marriage

WARNING: The following images may be disturbing for those who either missed or forgot the "ugly" years where adolescence still held a firm grip. And while there are a few more gray hairs and unfortunate curves, I'd like to believe that 10 years later we are better looking than ever.

So, without further ado I give you the top 10 reasons why I love James:

#1 James has an oddly funny yet dry sense of humor.

The first day of school my freshman year at BYU, we ended up in the same line. A discussion ensued and I commented that I hated it when professors brushed over students' comments like they were stupid questions. James responded, "I hate it when students ask stupid questions." Umm. Okay, you are a jerk. And oh, by the way, just how smart are you?

#2 James is an amazing artist.

Sometime into the middle of the semester, I showed James what I thought was a neat picture a guy in my ward had drawn of me for his art class. James said I should have him draw a picture of me sometime. So, the competition was on and James produced this:

This is a picture of us at BYU's homecoming. We went out that night not because we liked each other, but more so because we wanted to annoy Steve Ting. It worked. (Although, we did end up kissing that night.)

#3 James is very supportive when it comes to MY callings.

He draws posters and pictures, babysits for lengthy meetings, loads and unloads the car when I decorate an entire church for a silly primary activity, and wears ridiculous outfits just for pioneer day.

#4 James is a lot of fun on Halloween.

Aside from his crazy pumpkins which, unfortunately are not pictured, he sure has some good costume ideas. He also enjoys decorating the house with a harvest theme, and even sewed the head for our porch's scarecrow. I mean come on, what woman can boast that her husband enjoys shopping for nick-knacks as much as her? (In case you can't blow up the pictures, I am a tennis player from "Havahd" and James is wearing a dollar for a bow tie. His label reads, "THE" Business School. That was our first year in Boston.)

#5 James is smart.

I just assume that in any group, James is probably the most capable person to get a job done well and the most efficiently. As such, he is very good at providing for our family. He works very hard and writes very insightful talks for church. (He has to write one this week, and although he wishes he had more time to come up with something insightful, it will be undoubtedly great.)

#6 James brought me to Boston where I learned it is more important to be good than it is to be smart. He also brought me to Tucson, one of the warmest, happiest places we have ever lived.

#7 James builds beautiful backyards.

He admits that he would make a career change if he knew he could make as much money building things as he does blowing them up.

#8 James is thoughtful on EVERY major holiday. Valentine's Day? Check. Anniversary? Check. My birthday? Check. Columbus day? Umm. Give me a minute, but I am sure he did something...Oh wait, I do remember. He reminded me that Marie didn't have school that day and that I could go back to bed.

#9 James bought me $4,000 braces, but loved me anyway even when my teeth were crooked.

#10 James is a good daddy. In fact, just this week he came home from work just to unlock Ben from the bathroom when I was incompetent.

What can I say? Millions of women across the world were robbed when I made James a married man.

Happy 9th, James. Let's make it a zillion more.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Camping at Sprague Lake

We stayed at a handicap accessible camping spot. We figured (and the park rangers agreed) that Jarom's bowels constituted a reasonable handicap--not to mention five children six and under. If the ranger who cleans the outhouse never talks to the ranger who approves the reservations, then we may be allowed to return.

The campsite was about 1/2 mile from the parking lot on a nice trail that went about half way around the lake, then up a few hundred yards into the trees. It took several loads with the wagon to get our stuff back and forth.

This tree marked the entrance to the campsite. We felt that Levi was with us, but who is Lacy?

It's not camping without S'mores. Thank goodness for baby wipes to take care of sticky fingers (Ben calls them feeners) and faces.

The girls enjoyed sitting by the fire. Ben liked the idea of fire but was not too sure about the physical reality.

One of the kid's favorite activities was gathering firewood. Here, Tessa tries to break a log with her foot. She was unsuccessful.

This is Ben, enjoying some forgotten event.

On Saturday morning, Grace woke up crabby. She was sent back into the tent with Grandma, and the next thing we knew, she was non-responsive and turning blue. Uncle Jarom kept her from passing out completely and eventually revived her with some warm Tang. We think it was a combination of the altitude, a cold, and low blood sugar.

Here is Grace napping later that morning.

This is the view from where the trail leaves the lake heading up to the campsite.

Ben really wanted to figure out the fishing pole, but it will be a few more years. The goal of this trip was to teach him how to use a tree. He was really excited about it, but got frustrated after he, Allie, and Jarom got it in the face. The poor kid's hole is only partly open, so it not only shoots straight up but also travels at least 12 feet. Allie thought boys were just messy (he actually does a pretty good job on his potty chair, but it involves using his hand as a shield). Time for a trip to the doctor.

James caught four fish--all about nine inches long. They were caught with worms because (1) it was a bit too breezy in the morning for an amateur fly fisherman and (2) he is convinced that fly fishing is like a pyramid scheme--more about peer pressure than the actual catching of fish.

This is Tessa holding the only fish that wasn't released. Ben wouldn't hold it at first ("It's too flipping.") but ultimately wouldn't let it go. He liked to open its mouth and make it roar and at one point kissed its head.

The fish was eventually eaten, and thus a poor, little brooke trout fulfilled the measure of its creation.

Early Friday evening, a deer wandered by about 20 feet from our camp. The kids followed it a ways through the woods, and it didn't seem like it was in too big of a hurry. On the drive home, we saw a whole herd of elk in a meadow.

We stopped for ice cream in Estes Park and made it home just over 24 hours from the time we left. There are now two exhausted parents, four happy kids, and lots of good memories.

We would like to thank Randy, Jane, Jarom, and Melissa for putting up with us. We had a really good time.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Kids' Quotes

Marie (using a music stand): Quiet, everyone, I am giving a speech!
Tessa: What is a speech?
Marie: It's where you give a talk. Outside.
Allie: Did you learn that from Mrs. Lynch?
Marie: Yep. It was in a book, about black people and white people.

**********

Marie: Mom, can we buy donuts at the store?
Allie: No, we need to use this week's grocery money to buy more food storage items.
Marie: Yeah, because one day we will go to the store and there will be a sign that says, "CLOSED."
Tessa: And because one day the store will be shooted down. That's why we follow the prophet.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Denver Temple

Allie and I made it to the Denver temple (thanks, Grandma Jane). Please vote for your favorite picture.

Picture #1

Picture #2

Picture #3

Picture #4

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Rocky Mountain High

We decided to spend the afternoon in Rocky Mountain National Park. We saw a coyote, two deer, chipmunks, squirrels, ducks, and other birds. Also skunk roadkill.

This is Marie at Aspenglen.