Welcome! (be sure to catch our updates below)
We are happy to finally join the blogging world from our home at the base of Hatcher Pass, Alaska. Gary says "hello" -- Nancy says "peace!" -- and Aren says "hey" and gives a little smile. We look forward to visiting with you here -- if not in person :) -- and hope you enjoy catching up with us and our cr-aaaa-zy lives.
We live in our log home with Aren, now almost 25, who we're quite sure appreciates the digs while he lives with and always works to progress towards complete cognition after getting anoxic brain injury 5 years ago. Not too much talking from him, not too much moving...he is unfortunately extremely physically disabled.
But not his spirit! He works hard to improve his abilities every single day -- and he goes after it like he did while teaching himself to do those double backflips on his snowboard. So we hope you enjoy seeing a few images from his life now. And send a note sometime!
NEWS: Today is so special! Aren's brother-in-law, Bill Albrant, gets home and stays home for awhile awaiting arrival of Aren's next niece, Bristol, down in Ketchikan! Big sister Bailey can not be any cuter and we hope Aren's sister Rebecca doesn't get too worn down answering all her questions or chasing her around. TALKING: Aren used new breath patterns, mouth shapes, and voice today to say a word to Nancy. Dang -- still can't quite make those words out except for the most basic: hi, uh-huh, no, yea, dad, mom. But here's the family secret: we cherish every single stride he makes, no matter how minute. Luv ya, Aren.
More about larger families and our beautiful life and a special tribute to our dear "Uncle Roger" soon.
