Thanksgiving in the Philippines

Harold had to be in the Philippines for Thanksgiving so we decided to go to him. He has spent a lot of the three years we have been here in the Philippines so I am so happy we got to finally go see it.






These jeeps are everywhere. People just hop on and off all the time.


It is like anyone can charge for a ride. There were so many autos like this just stuffed full of people.

This is Rally Harold's(his company) driver He makes about 40$ a week and is contracted to be available 24 hrs. a day 7 days a week. I felt bad because his pants were always ripped. Still this is more money then a lot of Philippines make. The maids at the hotel make around 6$ a day, also a lot of them travel 2 hours a day each way for these jobs. It made me feel so grateful and also like a putz.
I don't know how they eat. We grocery shopped there and it was not much cheaper then normal.

So many shoes.

Need a knock off purse? We saw millions.


Dinner at the Hobbit House. Yes it is owned and ran by little people. I thought it would be fun but I have to admit, it felt a little like the time we stopped in Oklahoma to see the cow with 6 legs.

Here we are in front of the world famous Hobbit House door. I swear the little person who took this picture was like under three foot high.

So many Jelyfish
This is me being artsy at the aquarium. those are also Jellyfish.





Thanksgiving dinner back at the hotel. It was pretty good. Nothing like seeing the Philippines to make you truly grateful.

"sister Stylist"

A few weeks ago Emma decided that she wanted bangs. Miranda felt up for the job. The older sister always does. I know because I have 4 of them.


Not to bad.

This sister cutting is something I swore I would never allow in my house and this is why. I grew up a product of the"Sister Stylist" Here is the sad proof.


Really mom you let me go with that hair and that shirt on picture day. And then you actually paid for the picture.

I remember this cut. I have to say I am not quite sure which sister was the cutter. Why am I not the one with a towel on my head. (Yes, I am shacking my head again. Ridiculous!)

Online Bonding

Normally I would not be a fan of online gameing but with Harold being gone so much it has actually been a blessing. Whenever it is convenient he will get online and play with the kids. It is kinda cool. I also have to say "yay for skype!"
I took these pictures one day when he was home.
I would like to title them "the boys being super nerdy"

Harold in the office

Logan in the living room.

Caleb in the dining room.
(yes, I am shaking my head right now, it is rediculous!)


They play while Emma runs around serving them drinks and whatever else they can think of. This only applies if she is wearing the Apron and chef hat. I myself have taken advantage of her in this state.

Father/Son Camp Out and a Hen Party

Here are the men folk in the district at the service project following the camp out.

Alexander and Logan at the camp out.



The ladies just waiting for the men to come home.

Look at all these adorable little girls. No more being sad they got left behind. I am going to plan a party every time. It was a blast

The moms playing a quick game of split second

Joanna celebrates her lead.

The girls Karaoke.

Kathryn and Nicole Join the girls.

Miranda and Charlotte play tap tap

ooooops! I did help them after I took a picture.
This was a fun filled night full of Music and food. I was a little worried the MP's might show up we were being so loud.

Logan turns 10

Logan turned ten in May and is super excited to be a I.D. carrier.

This birthday puts him in the double digits and is one more giant step in his life long quest to be a man.

Branch Variety Show

So just to recap the 3rd week in April almost killed me. Let's start with saying. Harold was gone. He was trapped in Alaska with mechanical,and weather problems. Miranda because we didn't get a dress before Hawaii, had 4 days to get a prom dress, and since are choices to buy included slutty and sluttier, whatever we bought would need to be altered.(those sleeves were not there)
Caleb had a birthday and an eagle project that was totally stressing us both out. Plus as activities leader I was in charge of a ward variety show that just happened to end up on the same day as the eagle project.
Anyone who knows me can understand how crazy this was for me. I don't handle stress well and I do even worse when Harold is not here(he mellows me out). I lost 7 pounds that week but I survived and all in all things turned out pretty well I think.

-side note- I want to publicly thank any past, and future activities leaders who have ever,or will ever entertain me and my family thank you truly.

Here are some picture of our branches variety show.


we don't have a stage so we did this picnic style.

The Branch presidency skit about Sam I Am

Lehi, Nephi,Sam & Lamen and Lemuel
"That Sam I am, That Sam I am. I do not like that Sam I am." It was really cute.


The singles K pop dance. I love the singles.

The Young Mens There was titled "the best skit ever". It was a crowd pleaser.

Young women do a synchronized swim.

Me on my trumpet. Scary.
There were a bunch of other great acts. It was a good night. Especially when it was finally over.

Up with the Birds

For Calebs Eagle Project he counted Birds. Every year this needs to be done on Yongson Post and this year they were looking for someone to take it on. Caleb scoutmaster asked around and Caleb accepted the challenge. We are not really bird people but this was a great experience.


Volunteers had to be up with the birds and an amazing amount of them showed up at 5:30 a.m. to help look for birds. This was no small sacrifice for a Saturday and we were truly grateful. Everyone was given a tally sheet,binoculars, a spot on the map and some pictures of birds common in the area. It was actually kind of fun.
It was a lot of work. In a world where the bar seems to be set a little low for our boys, scouts can truly help make a difference.

Caleb turns 14 and Miranda goes to Prom

Caleb turns 14. And is now as tall as me.



Miranda goes to Prom with one of her best friends Sam.


What is prom with out cosmic Bowling.