Tanya's Family

Blaine, Tanya's father, grew up in various areas surrounding Ogden, Utah.  He is the oldest of seven children (the youngest, Patty, was adopted through foster care). 

He graduated from Ogden High School and entered the Navy for 4 years, after which he got married and had Jadon, Tanya's older half-brother.  After his divorce, he was able to meet Tanya's mother, Julie.  He was working at the Defense Depot of Ogden as the Head Electrician at the time and made sure to frequent the restaurant she was waitressing at.

 
Blaine worked for the DDO until it was shut down in 1997, and he was reassigned to various departments at Hillfield Air Force Base, nearby.  When he retired, he was overseeing the reassembling of hospital facilities that returned from war zones.  Julie has worked various local jobs when necessary but her largest focus has been raising her two girls as a homemaker.

Julie is from Brigham City, has three siblings, and graduated from Box Elder High School.  She and Blaine were married in 1982 and have been great for each other.  They each took classes from Weber State University, but graduating decreased in priority as their life together unfolded and parenting opportunities came.  Julie has taught her girls about the strength and significance of love and that anything is possible if you are willing to work for it.  

The girls and the family dogs, Pepper and Toby Jake. 

Unfortunately, Julie passed away on September 4, 2016 from a heart attack, brought on by internal bleeding from an unknown source. She gave 150% of her heart and energy to being a mother.  She has been exceptional at it.  She was a nurse, and helpmate, a therapist, a cheerleader, and always managed to become whomever we needed her to be.  She loved to laugh and to be a goof, as long as the witnesses were few.  She lived for her trips to Wendover, where she loved playing the penny slots.  She enjoyed shopping with her daughters, watching her shows, cooking/eating out (especially chips and salsa from El Matador), and doing word searches.  She is sorely missed but we are confident we will see her again some day.

I've always been a daddy's girl and you can see why.  He has so much love for us. 

Blaine has always put his childrens' needs ahead of his own.  He makes it a point to teach us to value nature and encourages us to overcome our fears and to never allow obstacles to keep us from pursuing our dreams. He enjoys frequent roadtrips to Flaming Gorge (where we have a vacation home) and riding his Harley on back-country roads.  He is an explorer.    He loves camping in the desert and deep in the forest.  Blaine hunts elk and deer yearly with friends.  He also loves fishing with his daughter, Shantele, and with Tanya too, when she will come, haha!  

Tanya's brother, Jadon (36yrs), lives in Alaska with his wife, Michelle, and three kids, Peter, Aurora, and Rachel.

He is in the national guard and works as a driver/mechanic/manager for Arctic Refuse.  He's a jack of all trades, like his father.  Michelle is a personal care attendant and is currently going to UAA to get a Bachelor's degree in Social Work.  Together, they enjoy camping, fishing, owning pets, playing cards, and reading.

Tanya's younger sister, Shantele (25yrs), is has graduated with Bachelors degree in Health Promotion and is currently working for a vitamin supplement company.  Huge heart, this one.

Mom says her greatest gift to me was braces.  While I love and appreciate my smile, I have to disagree.  Her greatest gift to me was my sister.

The following link will show pictures of the two of us growing up together...if you're interested.

Tanya & Shantele

She'll do anything for a friend or family member.  Tanya idolizes her, as she is definitely the courageous one of the bunch.  Tanya always had Shantele do the scary things first before she would give them a try.  Shale, as her family calls her, is single and enjoys spending her weekends 4-wheeling, snowboarding, playing basketball and fishing.

Pictures of the Family Together:

Taken at my Dental Hygiene Graduation Banquet

My family members jump at any opportunity to babysit our Cooper!  Especially my sister, Shantele.

This was taken in Mexico before we got to swim with some dolphins!!!

Extended family came to visit.

Cabo San Lucas, 2012

We went ziplining and repelling

Love the sister.