Adam is 5!!

Our Cute little Adam had a birthday. We went to a really fun Indian Restaurant that has lots of animals and good food. He loves all the animals and could hardly wait to run from one animal to the next, to get his picture taken.

 Adam decided he wanted to frost and decorate his own cake. He is a pretty capable little 5 year old.

 He did a pretty good decorating job if I do say so myself!

He is really a super hero. He is a great big brother and awesome little brother.



 Adam is such a happy little boy and extremely helpful. He is my laundry helper. He is an expert at running the washer and dryer.

 Preston, Sydney, Jordan, Spencer, Adam and Ethan

 After dinner we went to the Night Safari.

Cebu Philippines Temple Trip

In October our Ward took a Youth Temple trip to the Cebu Temple. I stayed home with the little ones and Christopher went with the boys. The boys had a great time and even fit in some playing too.

How handsome is this group of men?

What's wrong with this picture? YEP, Christopher ended up on the temple trip with all MY FRIENDS!!!! He kindly chaperoned these ladies to and from the Temple and Hotel. They had all traveled to the Philippines without their husbands.

These women are all GREAT WOMEN. I was sad I missed out on such an opportunity to be with them.

Bali: Out and About

The 3 older boys and Christopher went rafting.

Spencer, Preston and Ethan

We had some extra time on the beach and Jordan got her hair braided. The lady who did it was incredibly fast.

Each village has a special trade. We went to the carving shopped and watched these magnificent craftsmen at work.

The food in Bali is delicious.

Adam was really sick on this day. He was a trooper. We drove all over Bali with Ziploc bags, which he used frequently. At this restaurant I experienced a first. I have never ever had anyone compliment me on the way my children throw up. I guess a couple at a nearby table were impressed on how Adam threw up and how we handled it. It just proves that there is always a Silver Lining.

Bali has miles and miles of beautiful terraced Rice Patties.

The Monkeys at this park are very aggressive. The monkies freaked the little kids out a few times.

Couldn't resist this cute little boy

Preston, Syd and Spence

Sunset

We loved our time in Bali.

Bali: The Villa

We stayed at a beautiful villa in Bali. There were 3 villas on the grounds. When we arrived, they were having trouble with the electricity in our villa so they upgraded us to the deluxe villa. It was huge and very fancy with a great pool.

Spencer,Preston, Ethan, Jordan, Adam and Sydney

Syd with her statue friend.

Spencer, Preston and Ethan chillaxin watching movies.

Jordan, Sydney and Adam reading stories before bedtime. The got to sleep in mosquito netting.

Sydney loved having our own pool. She doesn't just love the sandy beach, but she loves swimming.

Preston, Spencer and Ethan synchronized diving

Adam and Jordan synchronized canon balls.

Syd and Jordan

Jordan and Adam

Bali

Bali!

Bali has been on my list of places to visit for years. When we lived in Japan we were all set to go to Bali until the terrorist bombings occured and we decided maybe we should rethink visiting the island. This time there was no hesitating and we had a blast playing and relaxing.

You are never to big to play in the waves

Ethan, Preston, Spencer and Adam

 Jordan is doing her best to save Adam

 The boys took a quick surfing lesson and then they were off.

 The boys caught right on.

Here is Ethan.

 Preston

 Christopher

 How cute is Ethan?

 Spencer

 Sydney and Adam enjoyed jumping over the waves with the help of Christopher

 Spencer took it upon himself to make sure that Adam surfed. He would paddle and hold on to Adam's ankle while Adam scrambled up to standing. Adam thought he was pretty cool. Not bad for a 4 year old.

 We can't go anywhere without Preston or Ethan pulling a backflip. This time I caught Preston.

Adam got really good at the boogie board. He could hardly get back out fast enough to catch the next wave.

After getting Adam surfing, Spencer decided Jordan needed to try. After much convincing, he got her out and onto a board.  

Manila, Philippines

In July, my friend Julie (whom I absolutely adore), suggested we go to the LDS Temple in Manila, Philippines. I thought it was a great idea so we made arrangement to fly to the Philippines for the weekend. It was SO FUN. We attended the Temple, Shopped, went to Church and laughed alot. We even ate Krispy Kream doughnuts that we smuggled into the restaurant.

Me and Julie

Me in front of the Manila Temple 

At the Temple, Julie began chatting with a beautiful lady, Sharron. Sharron offered to drive us back to our hotel and invited us to go with her to her Ward on Sunday. She came and picked us up on Sunday and made our stay in the Philippines all the more special.

Sharron with her beautiful daughters

Sharron teaches the 3 years olds (Sunbeams) at Church. Julie and I got to go and play teach the Sunbeams.

I love these multi colored buses. They are called Jeepneys and are very common in the Philippines.

Mindy is 39!

Yep. I had another birthday. And I was spoiled as usual!