Are We Walking to Alaska

Are We Walking to Alaska
Are We Walking to Alaska - A True Story

Friday, February 14, 2014

Happy Valentines Day

This is a special day.  I know there are many that say it is simply a commercialized holiday made up by Hallmark and candy companies - but we can make of it what we want to - and I want to make it special.
Candy hearts

Boxes of candy for your sweetheart
Roses
Pretty presents

You may have all of those or none of those - and it still can be a special day.  Just one more day to remind us how fortunate we are to have sweetness and friends and family in our lives.  Another day to be happy and smile and make someone else happy.

My family is what makes me happiest
It started with just the two of us ( I was a Senior in High School - Don was a Sophomore in college, come to  Alaska for a summer job, when this was taken)
And then our first little Valentine
Then there were two
And then there were three - we would have had a dozen if possible (well 9 was our original plan)
They grew
And grew
And grew - what fun we had - the three kids with their Great Aunt Dorothy - she had just come back from Australia and brought them Koala purses and boomerangs
A little boy and the excitement of getting his first bike - we did have fun!  And he promptly rode the bike off a small cliff (That wasn't as much fun)  but survived to ride again. 
The sang us christmas carols when we lived far from town and no other carolers came out that way

We had fun Valentine's Days - and other fun days

 Graduations


And weddings - and then we were eight!

And then grandsons - and eventually we were 11 - as Don says - he finally has his full baseball team of 9!  Some taller than others - but 9 anyway!
Little boys with their Grampy - ready for a ducky  hike 

Little boys who love bridges

And make the most wonderful faces

Little boys in train outfits

And cousins - at a train show - this may be my favorite of all times photo I ever took

Little boys learning computers

And selling lemonade
Going on boat rides at the bird festival

And driving the bus 
Doing science projects.
Ben on the left,  watching as Jahn explains his science project 
Posing for school photos 
And cousins playing in the yard 
Ready to swim? Or holding your hair out of your face? 
Happy Boys

Happy Valentine's Day!

10 comments:

Fundy Blue said...

What a wonderful, love-filled post! Happy Valentine's Day, Joann! You're spot on ~ It is what we make it, and my hubby and I are going to have a wonderful evening!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Beautiful boys and a beautiful family. Loved every picture, JoAnn!

Happy Valentine's Day!

xoxoxoxoxo

Kay said...

An absolutely perfect post! I love seeing what a beautiful, loving, and happy family you and Don have made. Happy Valentine's Day! (And the heron shots are gorgeous, too!)

greenthumb said...

So true family is everything.

J said...

What a lovely surprise! I enjoyed watching your family grow and grow and GROW! What a group of beautiful, loving people. My fave has got to be good natured grandpa with his ducky canteen - all ready for an adventure! You are so right about Valentine's Day - a perfect time to reflect on the love we have right in front of us! I enjoyed my day too!

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Wonderful photos to cherish! Happy Valentines Day!

Powell River Books said...

Happy Valentine's Day to you too. What a great family and family history. - Margy

The Weaver of Grass said...

JoAnn - this has got to be one of the happiest, most cheerful posts I have ever read.

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

What a fun post / trip down memory lane ! :) Love it! Hope you had a great Valentine's Day ! :)

Deb from Homespun and Frugal Little Bunglalow

Jeanne said...

Precious is all I can say!!!!