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Jon reminisces about his childhood, "It was great to grow up in a family of seven. Together we made memories that will last forever. To this day the memories of our family vacations are a source of laughter and fun. Our mother stayed home with us while we were young. She taught us love both with and without words. As a young teenager, I remember being afraid of high school. Her soothing words and warm embrace calmed my anxious heart. She never criticized me. She only spoke words of encouragement. You may find this hard to believe. But if there ever was an angel, she was my mother. She taught me honesty by being honest. She taught me how to love by loving us. She taught me how to give by giving us her time, her energy, her heart. Without my mother I would be nothing. My father's greatest gift to us was the gift of music. He worked hard to provide lessons in piano, violin, cello, viola, saxophone, trombone and voice. It was a small fortune that he could have spent on himself, but instead gave to us. As a family we would sometimes gather downstairs in the music room and all play together. These impromptu concerts along with the many other rehearsals and performances gave us something to share and brought our whole family together. Those memories are especially sweet to me. Me and my four brothers and sisters shared many memorable moments. Together we worked in the garden, did chores around the house, went on picnics and concerts in the park, made music, carved pumpkins, built Christmas gingerbread houses. We played in the snow, collected aluminum cans for extra spending money, taught each other how to drive, and and camped in the mountains. As the youngest, I looked up to my brothers and sisters. They made me want be successful and to do what was right. I cannot describe all the experiences that enriched my life. But these few examples give you taste of who I am. As a father, my greatest desire is to invest my time and energy into our children's future -- like my parents did for me. I hope that you will help make this possible."

We took our first family backpacking trip this summer - six days camping, fishing, and hiking. The four of us pause to enjoy Lone Pine Lake, five miles up the East Inlet Trail at Rocky Mountain National Park.

"Can you say SILLY!" Raluca and Addison in Rocky Mountain National Park. One of the kids' favorite things to do is to make a campfire in our backyard and have smores.

Time to read and reflect is a wonderful gift. Each day in Rocky Mountain National Park we read the scriptures. We love to read!! Raluca likes books about people, who have overcome difficulties in their lives -such as "The Secret Garden," "Winn-Dixie", or "Chicken Soup." Addison loves to read Curious George, Dr. Seuss, Little Bear, Berenstein Bears books.

"Papa cooked me some yummy oatmeal to warm my tummy on this chilly morning in the mountains." Papa and Addison

Lisa's family reunion in Wisconsin...we are so excited to be camping out for 3 days! We just had smores over a campfire at Grandma's cabin. We gathered with Aunt Laura, Uncle Ryan, our cousin Tristen, Mom and Dad. Tomorrow we will see so many cousins! We'll go swimming, barbecue, play games and put together our family history.

Swimming with Grandma (Lisa's Mom) at the family reunion in Wisconsin. Grandma loves to swim! She encourages Addison to not be afraid of the water.

"I'm helping Mom make a chocolate cake for Uncle Ryan," Addison says. Addison was especially skilled with the spatula.

"Papa wrapped me up like a burrito," says Addison. Grandma (Jon's Mom) made each of us a blanket for Christmas. We can't wait to spend this Christmas 2007 with Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Jill in Colorado!

Behind a modest Christmas dinner is a legacy of memories. Every Christmas Eve we gather for a simple dinner, music and a reading of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Making gingerbread houses with Addison can get a little messy...but that's half the FUN! Addison giggles about the frosting all over his face.

"Ouch!" says Jon, as Addison stands on his Papa's chest. Addison wants to be whereever his Papa is, trying to help.

Here we are at a family reunion, where Jon's extended family gathered. We had a BLAST!! Aunt Jill, cousin Nathan, Mom and Addison enjoy ice cream cones - Addison has discovered how fun it is to make an ice cream beard on his chin.

What a wonderful time Jon and I had dancing at my cousin Brian's wedding in Boston. "Let's dance the night away...it doesn't matter if we're dancing cha-cha, swing, country, or salsa...I'm dancing with my forever friend."