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| Ryder, Joe, Choice, Juliann, Shiloh, Tate, and Anna |
It was a special treat to be able to visit and stay with our dear friends, Joe and Anna Woyjeck, while in Seal Beach, California. Although the reason we came to know the Woyjecks was horrifically tragic, the bond runs deep and they are counted among our closest friends. Their oldest son, Kevin, was one of the youngest members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots. His infectious smile and spunky personality made him a unique and wonderful addition to the crew. The kids and I immediately adored Kevin when we met him at a weekly BBQ at Heritage Park. My favorite conversation with Kevin was based entirely on his strategic plan for growing a thicker and darker mustache. Andrew and I both cracked up at the innocence and hilarity of Kevin's humor.
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Tate, Ryder, Shiloh, and Choice
Anna and Joe were amazingly hospitable to us. The kids were thrilled when they were asked if they'd like to swim in their pool. It was obvious from the onset of their time swimming that they would surely be shriveled up like little prunes before we could convince them to get out of the water. |
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| Choice, Ryder, Shiloh, and Tate |
Their excitement multiplied when Joe brought home pizza and allowed them to eat in the hot tub. My hope that the kiddos would stop getting spoiled was placed on hold while visiting the Woyjecks. In fact, we all felt spoiled during our time with them.
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| Choice, Ryder, Shiloh, Tate, and Juliann |
I absolutely love visiting with Anna. I could have chatted with her for a lifetime as there isn't anything I feel uncomfortable discussing with her. She and Joe are both so welcoming and accepting of others.
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| Tate, Choice, Shiloh, and Ryder |
Clearly, the kids could've spent a lifetime with them also and been blissfully happy.
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| Ryder, Tate, Shiloh, and Choice |
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| Choice |
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| Shiloh, Ryder, and Tate |
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Choice, Shiloh, Ryder, Tate, and Juliann
Scout, the Woyjeck family dog, kept the kids company. He has the energy of a puppy that could match that of the kids. Shiloh and Tate chased him around and around the house. I was so nervous they would break something but Joe and Anna continually reassured me that they build this house to be a kid-friendly home. After all, they raised 3 great kids there. We had a chance to spend some time with Bobby, their second child, while we were there. His chivalry and tenderness, coupled with the love and respect he showed his parents, are a testament to the amazing job they have done in raising him.
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Scout
My boys all gravitated to Joe. He has such an inviting demeanor and is a man whom everyone immediately loves and trusts. I was moved as I watched him hug and snuggle them. It was precisely the kind of male bonding they are so desperately seeking. However physically uncomfortable he most likely was as the kids smothered him on the couch, he looked emotionally content and engaged. I was so grateful to him for the tender care he gave each one of them. |
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| Tate, Choice, Joe, and Ryder |
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Tate, Choice, Joe, and Ryder
In the morning, Morghen and I awoke to a wonderful surprise! Joe gathered the kids with him one by one in the family room and had them quietly watching morning cartoons. This allowed us to be able to sleep a while longer...an unheard of gift! By the time we were up and moving, Joe had already made them all breakfast and took them to the beach to play on the sand toys...a memory he cherishes sharing with his own children when they were young.
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| Shiloh, Ryder, Tate, and Choice |
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| Choice |
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Choice
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| Tate |
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| Ryder, Shiloh, Tate, and Choice |
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| Choice, Shiloh, Ryder, and Tate |
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| Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, and Choice |
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Choice, Shiloh, Ryder, and Tate
Before leaving the area, we asked Anna and Joe if they would mind us paying a visit to the cemetery to see Kevin's grave and take a moment to remember him. They graciously agreed and made the drive over there with us. I was in awe at the beauty of this cemetery. Not only are the grounds gorgeously maintained, but Anna and Joe meticulously keep up the landscaping around Kevin's area. |
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| Choice, Tate, Anna, and Ryder |
They allowed the kids to assist them in replacing the flowers in the vases placed at Kevin's grave. This was a task the children took very seriously. However, it was obvious how comfortable they have become in cemeteries. They had no hesitation in wandering throughout the grounds and speaking about their daddy and the other hotshots who are now watching over us from heaven.
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| Shiloh, Anna, Ryder, Choice, and Tate |
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| Tate |
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| Ryder, Tate, and Shiloh |
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| Ryder, Tate, and Shiloh |
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| Ryder |
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| Ryder, Tate, and Shiloh |
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| Ryder, Tate, and Shiloh |
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| Juliann, Choice, Ryder, Tate, and Shiloh |
Many thanks to Joe and Anna for a wonderful visit and the example you shared with me by being loving parents. I witnessed first hand the love that you share for your children and the way in which you serve them, teach them, support them, and celebrate them. I appreciate the way that you gave that same kind of attention to my four kids during our time there. I now understand that although Ryder, Shiloh, Tate, and Choice, as well as 12 other GMIHC children, lost their daddy's on June 30, 2013, they have stalwart men in their extended Granite Mountain family whom they can look up to and emulate. We sure love you guys and hope to see you again soon!
Kevin, we love you buddy. You're one of the special ones! "You had it all figured out".
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| Ryder, Joe, Choice, Juliann, Shiloh, Tate, and Anna |
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