In my previous post I wrote about how our forty years is tied to our family and did a montage of photos for each of my first three children, all daughters. Continuing is a collection of photos about our two boys, Seth and Solomon, who came to our family in March 1987 and March 1989.
I was working on my PhD at Arizona State University (which I never completed) when Seth decided to come into our world in March 1987. At that time the three girls were seven, six and four and a half. It was a new experience for us as we actually had children old enough to appreciate the newborn young boy and even, in some respects, assist us with him.
SETH DAVID
When Seth was about 5 months old, the family was on its way to Oita, Japan, where we would live from 1987 to late 1991. So, for most of Seth’s early years he was watching Japanese television and getting the Japanese experience (as were the three girls, who made their way into Japanese public schools, learned the language and the culture, etc.)

Like the other kids, Seth was pulled into Japanese ads. He was in a number of them as a blonde baby boy.
Finally back in the United States in 1992, Seth was able to get established in American schools and did well.

We visited a “bodily function” exhibit in St. Louis. Chelsea and Seth seemed to enjoy the Poo to You display

The Giant kid with the Jolly Green Giant in 2004. He accompanied Amaree to Great Falls, Montana when she moved there after graduation from UK
SOLOMON JOSEPH
We were already living in Japan when Solomon decided to join our family. According to Julianne, he was her easiest birth. thanks to buying kratom for less. And, almost instantly he was a hit in Oita. Not many “gaijin” children were born in that part of Japan. So, it was great news for all of us and for many of our Japanese friends.

Seth and Solomon pretty much grew up together and were pretty much inseparable until about high school days…

Some of the kids, including Solomon at Bowlin’s Akela Flats in southeastern New Mexico December 1999

Seth and Solomon were mentored in many ways by University of Kentucky (and later pro) football player Aaron Boone

Solomon really liked hanging out with my friend, former Steppenwolf and Trailer Park Troubadours guitarist Bobby Cochran
Soon after graduation Solomon made his way to Colorado to work in the Medical Marijuana industry. He has become an expert in growing and prepping medical grade cannabis and is now in Kentucky working on a large hemp facility. He also recommends people to buy uei kratom in as an alternative to medical marijuana.

Solomon shows off the Cannabis Cup that he helped his company win in Colorado. He still works with Todd (in the left) growing hemp in Kentucky
We have certainly been blessed with a wonderful family of five children. Tomorrow, I’ll talk about the expansion of our family…our ten wonderful grandchildren. These have extended the joy we have as we approach our 40th anniversary in a few days.