my dear brother...

December 31st, 1962...this handsome little boy was born. This is my brother Joe, Joel David Temple. Dr. Joel David Temple to be exact. He is a pediatric cardiologist in Pennsylvania. I love him and am so proud of him.

I've been told that he was always so kind to us younger 4 girls, some of whom came along well into his teenage years. This picture of him giving shirtless Tracy and I a ride on his back is proof. I've always had a thing for Joe. Not a THING, but a thing. I've always thought he was just the coolest, and the most handsome thing I've ever seen. I compare everyone to him. You can ask my husband. I will see people on the TV, in the movies, on the street and comment on how they remind me of my brother. I guess that means I don't have enough of him in my life. I only get to see him every 2 years, unless something unexpected happens and we visit 2 summers in a row!

I crave time with Joe. I really do. I think all my sisters would say the same of our only brother. He is FUN! He'll make my mom wet her pants, faster than anyone else can. :) Just listening to him speak or watching his mannerisms makes me laugh. Maybe it's the anticipation of something funny right on the tip of his tongue.

I value his opinion. His feedback on my photography, my children, me. I treasure it. He's said some very kind things to me. Compliments that I'm sure he's forgotten, but I haven't.

He is a great dad and a great uncle. Here he is at the beach with Annie draped around him. Alex was next, then Emily, then Lizzy. He is SO FUN at the beach. Our family reunions in Delaware would NOT be the same if he weren't there. He is the "it" guy. You want to be sitting next to him, hearing what he's saying, laughing at his jokes. He doesn't really tell jokes actually. It's a dry wit. So dry and SO good.

He and his gorgeous wife Thelma are raising 4 boys. They are beautiful, kind, smart boys. My boy adores them. :) He tries so hard to balance fatherhood, church callings and an extremely demanding job. I can only imagine how exhausted he is...constantly.

Oh, lookey here. I told you he must be tired. This was a few summers ago, when his family rented an RV and drove out here and all over the country. We'd just walked around the BYU campus and were resting and eating at the cougar eat. He zonked. He can sleep anywhere. Standing up if he needs to. It makes me laugh. I hate when he's so exhausted though, because we miss out on him.

He is a hardcore cyclist. Road biking. He takes that thing everywhere with him. He loves BYU football. He is an amazing photographer. He is able to capture real life, candid shots, like I can only dream of doing. He loves the outdoors. He loves the Punkin' Chunkin" every fall. :) He is a wonderful trombone player...takes after my Dad. He's even in a band. I know...I'm related to a star!

I love him so much. I am so proud of him. I can't wait to be with him this summer! Fenwick 2010 or BUST! Happy Birthday Joe!