My mom found me just sitting on the stairs pondering the other day... she's not even sure how I got up here.

Ha ha, isn't that funny?

And my big brother likes to put ALOT of gum in his mouth.

Love,
Kahri

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Happy Birthday Dad! Look for a delivery Monday!

(we had to embarrass ourselves publically on the blog because my e-mail wouldn't send the file for some reason)

Kahri

Fun in Jackson Hole

Yellowstone Park

As a last chance to spend some time together before Jen and Steve moved and Meg and the kids went back to Switzerland, the fam packed up the trailer and headed to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone Park. We invited Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Gayla and we had a great time!

Kyler and Jenni at the Ripley's Believe it or Not museum in Jackson.

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Everybody chillin in the center square in Jackson Hole.
and of course, Old Faithful

Howard Springs, fresh water mountain spring, best water in the world.
Dad's and Mom's Rig
Roughin' it.
Dinner in the Camper
Kahri and Megan at the indoor swimming pool.

We also enjoyed the alpine slide and Bar T five horse drawn wagon ride/dinner in Jackson Hole and caught a play at the playmill in Yellowstone.

Annual Tiki Lamp Campout

Most years, to kick off the summer, we have a campout in the back yard-- Tiki Lamps and all! Friday night was the night we had planned for our Camp Out. Unfortunately Daniel was sick and throwing up Thursday night, so we canceled. Good thing we did, too, because Friday night Chris and Mom both got the same thing!

Anyway, we ended up doing it Sunday night instead.

It was a fun night filled with "Hawaain" haystacks, homemade coconut ice cream, steel drum music played on the Sponge Bob boom box, tiki lamps, and plenty of flaming 'mallows!!!!

Medical School!

On Wednesday, May 14th, Steve received the great news that he has been accepted to the University of Toledo College of Medicine in Toledo, Ohio! We are all so proud of him and this great accomplishment. Now, to start this next chapter in our lives. We will be moving to Ohio at the end of June/beginning of July. Pretty quick to just pick up and move. Luckily, most of our stuff is still packed from when we moved into Steve's parents' house back in December. We are excited. A little nervous, but excited still. For more details on all of this, you can visit our blog.

CONGRATULATIONS FUTURE DR. TOLLER!

Kahri Marli

Kahri had her 2 month doctor appointment last week, and got her first set of shots :(. She was very sensitive all day and got a small fever, by the next morning she was fine. Doc said she looks to be healthy and growing. She is now 4.860 Kilograms (10.7 pounds) and 56 Centimeters (22.05 inches) long.

Wardrobe Malfunction

Her favorite way to be held lately, weirdo.

"All Flowers Remind Us of You..."

For Mother's Day, Cass used her craftyness to make Mom a nice shadowbox of her babies. It turned out really good and, of course, Ma shed some tears : ) From top left to bottom right: Chris, Jen, Meg, Dan, Jord. Weren't we a cute group o' chubs??

Jen and Meg sent these fruity flowers to mother. I must say, I didn't know flowers like this grew naturally : ) It also had a card that said "All flowers remind me of you."

Also, for a big ward auction to raise money for the Young Women's Girl's Camp, Mother dearest conconcted these dandy treats. Candy sushi! You don't have to like seafood to like this sush, ya just have to dig sugar! Good job, Mom (me and dad did bid on a couple plates o' these babies)

All sushi reminds of you, Ma! We love ya!

"Jordan's" New Toy

Fun for the whole family!

This drumset is electronic. Which means, luckily for the rest of us, it can be played wearing headphones! It is also hooked to a sound module thing which makes it possible for the drums to sound like things ranging from steel drums to voices! Kind of neat really. Jordan is now learning to play the drums from Dad and from the instructional videos and books that Dad purchased for him. Soon, Jordan can join the ranks in the Kirkham Rock Band....

Lucky Kid...

Daniel made it into Jazz Band for next year at the Junior High!

He started playing the trombone back in fall. The other day, out of the blue he says to mom,

"Oh yeah, I made Jazz Band....... Ya know, I must be like the luckiest kid in the world or something. Because, I didn't even go to the real try outs.... then my teacher told me to just come try out this morning. I didn't even practice or anything. And then I made it."

I think it is more due to his incredible knack for music than luck, really. But, either way, Congrats Daniel! Way to go! We look forward to hearing you Jazz it up next year!

Another Edit of Daniel's Rock n Roll Debut performance

Daniel's Talent Show

Daniel participated in a talent show at school a couple weeks ago. He and his friend Isaac performed "The Greatest View" by Silverchair (Daniel Johns). He ROCKED. We are all so proud of him. GOOD JOB DANIEL!

Farewell to Brantly Kirkham

"Farewell to Brantly," by Uncle Mike

How can I face it, how can I survive
The torment I feel as I constantly strive
To make myself better for I am so weak
I’m not sure I’ll make it, this life is so bleak.

Although, I’m a good boy, I feel so much shame,
I fear I’m not worthy and can’t honor my name.
Though I can’t find a reason, for feeling this way,
For I’ve made no bad choices to lead me astray.

I’m scared just to open my eyes in the morning,
It seems every sound rings an ominous warning,
“Today will bring failure and panic and dread”
So I hide myself deep in my fortress, my bed.

The darkness engulfs me and holds me so tight,
I can barely hear laughter, and see so little light.
I’m sure I’m a burden to those who are dear,
It’d probably be better if I weren’t here.


Interlude

It seems they are crying. Oh, what have I done?
I couldn’t imagine so much sorrow would come.
So clearly, I see now, what was hidden before
That they wanted to keep me on that side of the door.

And now that I listen with crystal clear ears,
I hear how they loved me and talk of my years.
How they speak of the good and the love in my life,
Their words sink to my core like the blade of a knife.

Oh, I wish I could go back and comfort their fears,
To tell them I love them and stop up their tears.
But now I must wait and I’ll hope and I’ll pray
That I’ll see them again on some bright future day.

Till I see you again, please, take heed my dear friends
That the darkest encounters always come to an end.
Face each day with great courage and never lose sight
That the people who love you, will help you to fight.

The dark fog of depression, my perspective destroyed,
But now I can see God’s plan fully deployed.
It gives us a chance to get up when we fall,
And it’s there for each person, it’s there for us all.

“I love you from here to Japan”, I would say,
And you’ll hear that faint whisper when you remember each day,
Laughter, love and a life full of kindness and splendor,
Please think of these things when you try to remember.


I Love You Dear Family,

Brantly