Family Photos!

Kjersti was a baby and we lived in Iowa when we last had a professional photographer take family photos!  

That was 9 years ago!

Part of the reason has been--we live on a desert island so to speak.  We're in the middle of nowhere in a small town in Arizona, and photographers aren't an easy find.

But we found Melissa, who lives near us.  She majored in fine arts in college and now has a studio of her own!  And -- she is good!

We took these photos on our 60 acres of land. Sixty acres you say?  That is a bit of land!  Yes, it is, and no, we are not developers, and don't plan to be. But we did get 2 goslings during the COVID lockdown--(because everyone should get goslings during COVID).  

Well, as I'm sure you guessed,  these goslings are now geese, and not just regular geese, but members of the family.  They are loud and obnoxious and hilarious, and Jace and I and Grammy Jill (Ryan's Mom) love and adore them.  The rest of my clan--barely tolerate them.  

 Dr. Swigert wasn't loving them pooping on his back patio and swimming in his pool anymore.  He was OVER it.   So, we did the simple thing - we bought land,  lots of land - and drilled a well,  a deep, expensive well, - because it's the desert,  and water isn't easy to find.  Then we put up a fence, not just any fence,  a coyote proof fence, then  we built a pond,  a 10,000 gallon pond with a super duty filter, because geese poop A LOT.  Then we built  a goose house,  a cute goose house with windows and shutters, because that's the bare minimum of what every goose requires, -or maybe that is just what Swigert, royalty geese require??

I do still miss them coming up to my back door--- and knocking on the glass window with their beaks so I'll spoil them with my romaine lettuce. 

Now, back to the photos.  Here is the whole clan!   Oh how I love my peeps! Check out the view behind us!   I do hope to one-day build a dream home on this land, that overlooks the town.  It's so serene and gorgeous!  And yes, I'll have a glass backdoor again so my geese can visit me. 

Here are the kids.  Kjersti, age nine, is a violinist.  She has studied 5 years. She's beginning to really sound good and is level 5 Suzuki.  Between me and you--that's really good for her age. She has a wonderful teacher, that is also demanding.  She averages 2 hours of practicing per day. Pretty good for a 9 year old. 

Jace, age 16 is a cellist--

and a good one at that.  His level of commitment to his instrument comes and goes.  High school kids are busy and homework takes away from practice time. Unfortunately.  Jace is witty.  He says funny, clever things.  He is a delight.  He's rarely moody, and is just an easy teenager.  He is solid and steady.  He isn't swayed by the foolish whims of the world. 

One thing I love and admire about our kids is their kindness to each other.  They are not mean or selfish with each other. 

All growing up my mom would tell us- "Your  friends will come and go, but you will always have your family."  And I have found that to be true. 

Kjersti is quiet and reserved. She also has a sense of humor and has funny comebacks to her Dads frequent teasing. 

And, I have to say, her violin posture is perfect!!

Jace--with a twinkle in his eye.  He's totally thinking something funny!

Sisters, all you ever need is a sister!

Man, I love my girls!!

This is Madelyn Grace, 13.  (Twelve when we took these phots) She is gorgeous and graceful, and her name suits her.  Years ago, when I was teaching violin in Salt Lake City, before I knew Ryan, I taught a 6 year old violin student, named Gracie.  She would come to lessons with a big bow tied to the side of her head.  It was so cute,   It was then I felt that someday, I would have a Gracie of my own. 

 Gracie is compassionate and caring. She is also an accomplished pianist-she has a lot of natural talent.  Her fluidity and touch on the keys is superb. I love hearing her play pieces like Fur Elise and Nocturne by Paderesky. 

Here is the Dr.  - the man who holds us all together.  He lightens the mood at our house when the pressure is on to get prepared for music lessons and he makes sure we have fun.  His goal is to make lasting family memories. 

Here are the girls sitting near the waterfall of the goose pond.

Meet Charlie, now age two.  He hates the geese.  They chase him and bite him. 

Since we couldn't haul Gracies piano out into the desert for photos, because we aren't the Piano Guys, we brought the dog!

She adores him! He's the perfect companion for her.  Gracie has a big heart, and she can pour her heart into raising Charlie. 

And here is my boy--affectionately called Buddy Boy - with his most sophisticated and regal goose--Ducky!!   Oh how I love that bird and boy!  I never thought I'd love a goose--but that goose has my heart. 

She's loud and protective, and mean to everyone except her select few!!

And as you can see,  by the way she's nestled into her boy's lap,  Jace has her stamp of  approval!!