SIX MONTHS OLD

Nicolas Alexander Bokma
Six months old

LITTLE MAESTRO

Sofia is drawn to the lights on the keyboard.

ANNIVERSARY UP NORTH

Happy Family

Peter and Jenn
Karis and Liam

Harry and I treated ourselves to a short vacation for our 39th anniversary. We headed north to see Pete and Jenn and Karis and Liam in Otis Orchards, Washington. The ten-hour-long roadtrip gave us lots of opportunities to reflect on our simple little wedding in my Mom and Dad's den so many years ago.
Our Wedding Day - March 6, 1970
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Bokma

We were met with lots of snow on the drive. The weather slowed us down quite abit, and prompted our decision to stop and spend the night in Cascade at the Ashley Inn.
Winter's Last Hurrah?

The snowstorm that greeted us in Cascade let up by morning.

We had a great visit with Peter and Jenn and Karis and Liam. It was good to see Liam looking so well considering the issues he is having with his stomach. We keep praying that problem will resolve itself quickly. Karis surprised us with her ability to recognize letters and numbers so well. Pretty impressive for a two-year-old. Besides grabbing a few meals in town, Jenn prepared a special Irish-themed dinner for us...corned beef and cabbage. That's the first time that Harry and I have ever had that! That was a special treat.

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS

CHICKEN POX ARRIVES

Lizzie yesterday, February 20.

Oh no! It looks like the chicken pox have arrived.
Lizzie has not been feeling well for the last two weeks. She's had a cold, a fever and an ear infection. Hopefully the eruption of the blister-like rash, which looks a lot like chicken pox to me, will be the turning point for her.

Lizzie today, February 21.

As you can see, Lizzie has not improved yet. Smiles have not crossed her face much of the day. Please pray that she will get well soon. She says that she is sick and tired of being sick and tired.

LIFE IS SHORT

This is my father-in-law. He died on February 12, 1986, at the age of sixty-seven, from complications of surgery. The internal bleeding and the resulting shock and kidney failure saw him flown from our local hospital to a more sophisticated facility in Boise. He lay in intensive care for days. Visitation was very restricted, so family and friends spent a good deal of time in the intensive care lounge. During those days, snow was falling heavily, and eyes were glued to the television sets as we watched the space shuttle Challenger blow up. Conversations were awkward, holding the strain of the situations all around us. Minutes ticked by ever so slowly. Hope for "Pake's" recovery was restored one minute, and dashed the next. This intensity defined Pake's life and all our lives from January 20th to the morning of February 12, when Pake passed away.

I have sweet memories of my father-in-law. He was a simple man who loved simple things. He often came to our house to help Harry with building projects on the dairy, making certain to include morning and afternoon coffee-time into his schedule. He never seemed to be in a hurry. I sensed that he loved being here. Pake loved to work in the yard and he loved to craft trinkets from wood in the little shop at his house. Bowling, classical music, "Hogan's Heroes", and a mild cigar (an odd combo, no?) thrilled him.

This day holds that memory. But this week holds the memory of two other young women in our church who lost their battles with cancer.

Dianne Bolt- died of cancer at the age of 52.
Janice Evans- died of cancer at the age of 57

Life is short. Life is precious.

BOWLING A BIRTHDAY

Grace Adelaide Loman is Seven!
Robbie and Elly had a party to celebrate the event at Cedar Lanes in Filer. Everyone except the infants bowled. ....Badly, but we bowled. Sorry, Brad. Everyone, but Brad, bowled badly.

Harry celebrating his moment of glory.

FAMILY SUPERBOWL PARTY

February 1, 2009
We had the family over to watch the Superbowl game between the Cardinals and the Steelers. Nearly everyone was hoping that Arizona would win. It was disappointing to see Arizona lose, but great to see such a good game!

Even for the little ones, eating is a big part of the Superbowl.

Ava practices her cheerleading skills.

Sofia and Nicolas sporting hats.

Results of the family betting pool:
1st quarter - Vereni $25
2nd quarter - Harry $25
3rd quarter - Vereni $25
Final - Robbie - $75
Robbie also won 2nd prize (DQ blizzard coupons) in the halftime logo quiz.
Adriana took 1st prize in that! ( $50 gift certificate to Cabelas.)

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

"Ignorance of ignorance is a lot worse than knowledge of ignorance."

SCHOLARS AND THE WEATHERBOY

Kaya and Ava practice the ABCs

Benjamin checks out the weather.

Kaya, Ava, and Benjamin
spent the night here
while their mom and dad
went to Boise for a birthday party
of a friend.