Holly 52, More Beautiful Than Ever

Holly turns 52 this week, where have the years gone?  Just seems like yesterday we were dragging main in my Chevelle, drinking shakes from Peach City and dreaming of a life together.  Now here we are with many of our dreams fulfilled and enjoying a wonderful life with friends, family and a life filled with memories.  I often tease Holly that she is 'Holly the Good', and she truly is.  The best decision I ever made was to ask this cute little 17 year old out after convincing my younger brother that she was meant for me and not him.  With more than 32 years together she knows me better than I know myself and I still learn new things about her all the time.  Holly is the most genuinely kind and loving person I have ever known.  She exemplifies the life of the Savior in almost everything that she does and has been the source of spiritual strength for our family for many, many years.  Her unwavering faith still amazes me when we are faced with trials and the struggles of life.

She has certainly made my life complete and is the hub that our family revolves around and I am so very grateful for her on this, her 52nd birthday.  Hope you enjoy the pictures that tell a bit about the life of this incredible woman whom I love more than life itself.

Holly 2012

Obvious to me that Holly could have been a 'Supermodel' but glad she chose the life a stay-at-home mom instead.  Still makes my heart skip a beat when I see pictures like the one above.  Inner beauty shining through a radiant face, that's my Holly.

The Broby Children 1961

Holly, The Little Dancer

This pictures speaks to me about the nature of my wife.  She still has the heart of a child, so naive and timid.  So many qualities to admire, love and respect.

Holly School Days

The Broby Family

I was fortunate enough to be 'adopted' into this wonderful family.  Holly has the greatest of respect for her parents and siblings.  They continue to play an important role in her life each and every day.

Dennis & Holly, Young Love

It was love at first sight at least for me, and I love that the courtship continues.

Blushing Bride and Her Grandparents

Holly with Kids and Grandkids

Lots of years have passed since those early years, too many photos to share but the end result to date is 4 children, 4 grandchildren, a dog and a couple wonderful son-in-laws thrown into the mix.  There is nothing more important to Holly than her family and she lives every minute with their welfare in mind.

Holly, Her Mom and Brothers

Holly with Hannah on her birthday

I'm pretty secure in my relationship with Holly, but I also know there is one she loves even more than me and that is Hannah, our golden retriever.  She truly is Holly's best friend and companion.

Holly, Val and Deb Camp - Southern Utah

More friends of the two legged variety.  She is loved by many but Val and Deb hold a special place in her heart.  Holly is fun loving and enjoys kicking my butt at whatever game I can talk her into playing.  Note to Holly: I'm sick of Scramble.

Halloween with Danielle and Deb

Holly with Haley and Kelsey

Thankfully the girls got their mother's looks and tender heart.

Grandma Holly with Emma

Danielle, Grandma and Walker

Grandma Holly with Eli and Kelsey

Grandma Holly with Lillian

 There is nothing Holly enjoys more, now in the middle of our life together, than spending time with our grandchildren.  They are each so unique and special in their own little way and Friday nights babysitting is often the highlight of our week.

Kindred Spirits

Holly in Jasper 2012

Yes sir, she's my baby and I'm glad of it.  Happy Birthday Holly, looking forward to the next 52!  I'm sure I speak for us all, friends and family alike, when we say that our lives are richer for having you as an integral part.  We love you!

Our family minus our son in law, Allan - the photographer

Day of Walker's Blessing, Cory & The Reays

Our family continues to grow and Haley will wed the man of her dreams this coming year.  Des, thanks for bringing happiness into our Haley's life.

Haley & Desmond

Old Barns and Canadian Thanksgiving

Yesterday morning as I was getting ready for work I caught my image in the mirror and had to laugh.  More and more my frame is looking like a sickle, bending ever more to the left, and my ability to stand 'right straight up' actually takes effort where once it was natural.  The hair on my head, though still thankfully thick, is much greyer and as the years progress, that darn grey hair grows everywhere.  My torso resembles a Google Maps page with new lines, red dots and blotches arising where once an even toned skin existed.  Yes, time marches on and with it so many of these physical characteristics come, but on this Canadian Thanksgiving Day it's also given me pause to look back over an amazing life filled with so much to be grateful for.

I thought it ironic that yesterday after getting dressed I got an email from my favorite aunt and uncle, Rod and Janet.  It compared our aging with the aging and appearance of a barn.  I've thought of it often over the past 24 hours and it's very profound when you let it work on you for a time.  Much like many of the old barns I see, especially when pheasant hunting in South Dakota, I'm leaning a bit more than I used to, and don't stand quite as tall as I did when I was young and full of life, but it's the seasons of life that change us, mold us, and make us who we are.  Our character and steadfastness are fashioned by the storms of adversity, the hail storms of life, and when the 'heat of the sun cometh, and scorcheth' our metal is truly tempered .  It is in all these trying times that we become the man or woman you see staring back at you in the mirror.

Old Barn 1

Like myself, it can be a bit of a comical experience.  However, unlike 'old barns' that through weather and adversity develop a rustic charm and beauty that no paint or man made treatment can duplicate, it is within our heart and soul that our true beauty resides.  We each face different battles of life, and are shaped under unique circumstances, but I can't help but think there is a loving God that knows each of us individually, and he understands what's needed to temper and shape our beings to make us worthy to be called one of His children.

Old Barn 2

I have so much to be thankful for, a beautiful, safe home, a country where I can live with so much freedom, so many wonderful friends, a job I can rely on and too many more to mention.  Trumping all these, however, is the unconditional love of a caring wife and family that sustain me through the storms of life and love me, recognizing that I'm far from perfect.  On this day, I express my love and gratitude to them both within our own growing little family and our extended family who are miles and miles away.  Nothing can replace family and I'm so blessed to have an understanding that these relationships can be forever.  My heart goes out to the many people around the world who live in circumstances lacking a home, job or even food to eat.  On a day when we recognize the abundance that we have been blessed with and acknowledge how full our barns are, we should bend a knee and ask that those less fortunate be granted the desires of their hearts and do all that we can to help.

Barn 3

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Calgary, Alberta LDS Temple Open House

We took a quick trip to Calgary for the LDS Temple Open House and are so glad we did.  Location of the temple is incredible with amazing views of downtown Calgary as well as the surrounding foothills.  Craftsmanship was inspiring with a wheat motif throughout and the murals in the Telestial Room really made the temple unique to Alberta and the beauty of this province.  Weather was a bit gloomy so the pictures are not as nice as we had hoped but it was a wonderful experience and we would encourage anyone who has the time to take in this open house before it's dedication on the 28th of October to do so.

Angel Moroni Atop the Calgary LDS Temple

 You will note that some of the pictures are formatted square.  This is to facilitate the use of the images as iPad Wallpapers.  Others can be found on my new blog, www.ipadwallpaper.blogspot.com and also on the website, www.smackeral.com.

The Calgary Alberta LDS Temple

Holly with Stained Glass Background

Steeple View

Holly on Path Around Calgary Temple

Incredible Stained Glass Windows with Wheat Motif

View of Calgary from the Temple Site

High Resolution iPad Wallpapers

I've recently reduced and simplified my webpage, www.smackeral.com to include just backgrounds and wallpapers for the iPad.  Keeping up with the other content was just too time consuming so I've limited myself to something that I really enjoy, looking for the perfect wallpaper.  Below are some of the latest additions:

Athabasca Falls in Jasper National Park

Boone Plantation Gardens, Charleston, South Carolina

Brigham City, Utah LDS Temple

Medicine Lake in Jasper National Park

Patricia Lake in Jasper National Park

SeaPines Golf Course in Hilton Head, South Carolina

Content is all original and taken by myself.  For instructions on installing as an iPad wallpaper you can visit the site at www.smackeral.com where you'll find dozens of unique wallpapers specifically formatted for iPad, all versions.  Use for free for all non-commercial uses - enjoy.

26 Years Ago Today Our Soft Lamb Arrives

It is beyond my comprehension that 26 years have passed since our 'Haley Maley' entered our lives and changed our little family forever.  No longer did we have the needs of one child to look after but now two and we had no idea what type of challenges we would face with our dear little Haley.  Her birth should have been a clue, however, when Holly had a difficult labor and delivered Haley posterior which is to say that she was born upside down.  Her entry into this world was a bit of a shock to both Holly and myself.  We never anticipated that our new baby girl would look more like a 'Papoose' than a clone of her sister Danielle.  She was beautiful none the less with lots of dark, dark hair, olive colored skin and a bruise that covered almost her entire forehead.  Her birth must have been difficult on her as well but perhaps it was the tough beginning that gave her the strength and character that she would need to face and overcome challenges and develop her strong will and sense of independence that we see in her today.

Haley Larsen, Born Sept. 24, 1986

 As parents you never expect that your little ones should ever be put in harms way, but in those early months with Haley we learned to rely on God and our faith more than we ever had to before.  Shortly after her bruising resolved we noted a lump near her groin that would protrude when she cried.  Testing revealed that she had a herniated ovary that would require surgery.  It just seems like yesterday that we handed over our precious Haley to the nurse and then sat and waited and prayed in the waiting area as they performed the surgery.  Thankfully our prayers were answered and she has not had any further problems to this day.  We thought we were in the clear but Haley was not done testing us yet when she woke up one morning looking like the picture below:

Purpura

This is a rare condition that occurs as a result of an adverse reaction to a virus and is called 'Purpura'.  At the time we were shocked as you can imagine and again our faith was tested and she healed with no lingering effects.  When we came to Canada the doctor that evaluated Haley was surprised to hear that she had had this condition and told us how dangerous it was.  As young, poor student parents we truly were blessed with our children and their ability to overcome.  Our ride with Haley has been one of smiles, laughter, lots of hugs and kisses with some adversity thrown in to challenge the way.  Haley is our soft lamb, as a small child she loved to snuggle up with Holly or myself and just be held.  She enjoyed being with her siblings and playing for hours on end with Barbies and Dress Up.  My Mom loved having the girls visit her and she always made sure there were plenty of dress up clothes they could use to entertain them while there.  As well as brownies, cause Haley 'loves them'.

Dress Up at Grandma Lynn's

Haley was the most independent of our children from the very start and had a very unique, goofy personality and could make us laugh at the drop of a hat.  I used to love to come home from work and sit next to her at the dinner table knowing that she would lean her head over and want to 'bonk' it with mine - even before she could say 'bonk'.

'Bonk'

But that independent streak sometimes got her into trouble but she was never afraid to try new things or to test the laws of nature.  Like thinking to herself while standing on a ladder at the park, "I wonder what would happen if I let go?"  Well, ask her what does happen.  You crack your head open on the rocks below - blasted gravity.

Haley's Bath Belly

Danielle and Haley were the best of friends in those early years spending literaly every waking moment together and giving their mom a chance to get things done around the house.   Bath time was always an anticipated time of the day, mostly so Haley could see how much bath water she could drink with the result above.  I'm happy to report at least as far as I know that she no longer does this.

I Love You, I Love You, I Love You - and a pinch to be sure.

When our Kelsey came along, bath time continued to be a big part of the day but Haley was a bit unsure of having a little sister stealing a bit of her thunder and was not afraid to let her know it.  That didn't last long and all our girls were a delight to have running about our home, playing and laughing and filling our home with joy.  I would say of all our children, Haley was the one that perhaps was the most mischievous and interested in testing the boundaries of our discipline.  She wasn't afraid to try new things like what lotion would do for your hair.

Oh Yeah!

As I mentioned above, Haley has always had the gift to make us laugh - looking back over the years and the pictures we've collected I can't help but laugh at her silly grin, her playfulness with the camera and her fun personality.  It's kind of melancholy for her mom and I when we look at where the years have been and wishing we could turn back the hands of time and do it all over again.

Haley the Troll, Danielle the Concerned Older Sister

Haley's Joyful Punum

Haley's Infectious Smile with Danielle

Yup, Haley has created quite a ride for us throughout the years but that's why we love her so much.  I'm not quite sure how we got a daughter with liberal views coming from our home, but that is just one more way that she is unique and special in her own right.  She is generous and caring of others and I know one of her greatest joys is being a wonderful aunt to her nieces and nephews and I know they love to be with their Aunt Haley.  She is indeed our soft lamb and always will be with a tender heart and a bright outlook for the future.  Many have and will be blessed for having Haley play a part in their lives - that's why she is such an amazing teacher.  First of our children to graduate from university and we could not be more proud of our 'Haley Maley'.  So glad we got to share birthday cake with her yesterday and that she has brought a wonderful young man into our lives as well, Des West-Chow.  We look forward to their impending wedding and are anxious to see Haley deal with her own little crew.

Utah Trip with Annual Hat Trip to Smith & Edwards

Haley's Grad

Hawaii Trip

Haley and her niece, Lillian

Kindred Spirits, Cory and Haley Christmas 2011

 And yes, Haley is still scared of clowns, but we're not quite sure why, perhaps as a result of her dress up days but then again she should be more afraid of Snow White, after all she did have black/grey hair for a month after that Halloween experience.

Halloween Clown

Haley as Snow White

Haley still makes us laugh and she is and will always be our 'Soft Lamb' and that's the truth.  Love you Haley - Happy Birthday!

Haley and Des

Jasper, Alberta Sept 2012

Just got back from a quick two day trip to Jasper, Alberta and am ready to load up and go right back.  This having to 'work for a living' thing is really starting to cramp the lifestyle that I wish I could become more accustom to.  We had amazing weather, beautiful scenery, remarkable food and there is nothing better than spending time with my sweetheart.  I just love that after 31 years of marriage we still discover new things about each other and can spend hour after hour just talking and being the best of friends.  It's interesting that for 25+ years our focus and drive was to raise our family the best we could and give them the skills we thought they needed to succeed, and now we still find ourselves discussing the same things but in a different context.  Even though I recently turned 53 and have the same worries and insecurities that I think many have at this age, I'm really enjoying where I'm at, who I'm with and the wonderful family that surrounds me.  Some days, like yesterday, standing in awe at the majesty of this beautiful world I just don't think life could get any better.

Hope you enjoy some of the pics of our latest road trip:

Athabasca Falls

Athabasca Falls Close Up

Dennis at Medicine Lake

We were at this same location 1 month ago and the rock I'm sitting on was about 20 feet underwater.  Medicine lake goes from being a trickle of a stream in the winter to a huge lake and back to a stream in an ongoing cycle that the natives thought was driven by the Gods, however, it's due to an underground water system that drains the lake each year.

Holly near Athabasca Falls

Holly at Medicine Lake

Holly Atop Huge Boulder

 Again, this rock was well underwater a month ago and in the distance you can see the trees near the shore.  They were about 5 feet underwater at that time as well.

Mount Edith Cavell

Mountain Goat

 On the drive home we were commenting on the fact that we had not seen any goats the past couple of times we've gone to Jasper and around the next curve we encountered this herd.  Many small goats with anxious parents watching over them.  Not the least bit concerned about our presence.

Mountain Goats with Young

Holly Lounging at Patrica Lake Bungalows

Patrica Lake

 Patricia Lake was the site of a top secret project during WWII that was put forth by Winston Churchill and the Canadian Government.  They attempted to construct a floating air craft carrier made predominantly from ice.  The project was ultimately dropped due to costs and the war drawing to a close but the remnants of the prototype still resides at the bottom of this beautiful lake.

Patrica Lake, Jasper, AB

Patrica Lake - September 2012

 Yesterday we decided to take a canoe out for a spin on the lake with the express warning from the property to stay close to shore, don't tip over, and don't take off your life jacket for any reason.  The water is incredibly cold, much colder than I would have anticipated and over the summer they had a gentleman take his life vest off and go for a swim.  His swim turned into more like a 'sink' and he went right to the bottom with his family watching in a boat.

Patricia Lake Bungalows Dock and View

So off we went after a bit of a rocky start we managed to move down the shoreline, enjoying the beautiful view as we went.  Ahead of us was a couple in their early 40's recently married in a kayak designed for perhaps a couple of kids not an adult couple and the guy was well over 230 lbs.  As they set off I thought to myself that his butt was really only an inch above the water.  Sure enough, a kilometer away from the dock we saw them sink and watched as they tried to get to shore.  We paddled like crazy to get to them and help as we could.  Upon our arrival they were standing in shallow water with the kayak in tow.  We were very concerned about the prospects of hypothermia but they were more worried about their sunken camera.  Anyway, they were in a good location to sit and wait for help and the sun was shining.  Needless to say, our leisure canoe trip ended up with a back breaking rowing race back to the dock to request help.  Thankfully, they didn't charge us for the rental.
Otherwise we thoroughly enjoyed the Patricia Lake Bungalows and will return after the snow melts next year.  Oh, and we saw 'Hope Springs' and yes I was the only male there and yes I did cry.  Some things never change.