UTAH IN OCTOBER--FAST AND FUN

Kia Ora

Home again, home again, jiggity jig!

 

 

Wow!  What a whirlwind!  Where to begin?  Our first trip home for General Conference was a fast-paced and memorable marathon!  Our first stop--Baby Elle!  Born October 4, 2014, we couldn't wait to see our #20 Grand Cherub!  What a little doll she is--a total angel. 

 

 

Proud Big Sister Kate was only too happy to present sweet Elle to Mimi and Papi!

 

Big Brother Benson adores his new little sis! We are so blessed and absolutely adore our newest blessing from Heaven!

 

 

Even Cousin Jordi joined in the fun of showing off precious little Elle.

 

 

Indian Summer persisted for a few days early in our visit and Mimi hosted a "Wendy's Frosty" picnic on the lawn of the condo with a few of the cherubs.

 

What a perfect day to wade--or immerse--in BYU's beautiful stream above the Fieldhouse.  Maddox took advantage of the gorgeous sunny weather to cool off!

 

This place is a children's paradise.  Hard to wipe the smiles off the happy faces.

 

Mimi got in on the fun, wading, and joining in the refreshing stream.

 

 

 

This is exactly what childhood should look like!

 

 

What a reward at the end of the hike--DUCKS!!!

                             

And lest you wonder what Papi and the boys did in their spare time--Here's a view from "Y" mountain. Guess who was the first one to reach the top?  You'll have to ask the boys:)))

 

 

GNO at Women's Conference began with a nifty golf cart ride to the Conference Center!

                                     

 What a joy to be together with these amazing women, learning and growing as we heard the uplifting messages of Women's Conference.  I'm a happy and proud Mimi!

 

Celebrating all the October birthdays was FUN!  Happy 12th Birthday Maddy!  Happy 30th Birthdays Kourt and Brett!  Happy 35th Brithday Giff!  And a very Happy 60th Brithday Papi!!!!!!

 

 

                                              

Now we know what Tay Tay does in her spare time!  Everyone had a blast at Provo River Woods Flow Rider!  Go girl!

Go Drewbie go!!!

Wow, Kacey, hang ten!

Natalie showing her skills!

                                    

 

What's a Utah trip without attending a BYU game? 

 

Mimi's favourite lineup, sitting on the sidelines!

 

Halftime crew--fun being on the field.

 

Robby has a brush with Cosmo!

 

The Girl's view of the Utah State Game.  Sad outcome, but fun being together.

 

The gang's all here.  Such fun having the Houston Cousins join us!

 

 

Conference Reunions are the best!  Love you Christy Perkins!

 

Mimi has missed her former neighbour at "The Brigham" Galdys Sitati.  Fun to be together again.

 

 

 

 Hooray, Robby's 9 and can attend conference!  He made it to three sessions

 

 

Four cute cousins attend together--first timers!  Makes Mimi and Papi so happy and proud!

 

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Ice cream for breakfast?  Only when Mimi's in charge:)))

 

 

What a cute line of duck watchers.  Last chance before this vacay's history!

 

 

 
 
 


                                      Of course we made it to Brick Oven!  Fave!!!

 

Olson/Nielsen last supper at Cheesecake Factory.  Bitter/sweet!

                     Three cheers for family fun in Utah at Conference time!  Go Cougars!!!

 

                Till April when we'll do it all again!  Hugs and love from all of us to all of you!!!

Kangaroo roaming free and in the wild

Kia Ora

 

Perth is definitely a hopping town!

 

 

Recently Elder G. made the jaunt to Perth--about as far west as our area goes! He had a marvellous time there attending Stake Conference meetings, speaking to the missionaries, meeting with the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Michael Sutherland,  and enjoying the hospitality of wonderful President and Sister Lindsay.

 

 

 

 The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Michael Sutherland (standing middle with the blue tie) hosted a group of his colleagues, LDS church leaders and other faith based leaders. He is a wonderful friend to the Church and has been instrumental in protecting families and religious freedom.

 

But as great as all of the above was, his adventures were far from over!  Look who he found roaming freely  in a local cemetery!  Leaping lizards--er, I mean Kangaroos!  Only in Australia!

 

Kia Ora

WE LOVE OUR "BEACH" HOUSE!

 

 

 

Everywhere we look there is color and beauty!  This home makes us feel so safe, secure and HAPPY!!!!

 

 

The blue, soft rug reminds us of the ocean--just outside our window!  We LOVE coming home to this beachy haven! We are SO happy in our New Zealand retreat!

 

 

 

 

Say hi to Sammy the Seahorse and our magical anemone lamp (the only plug-in we brought from the states!)  Kourt's coasters round out our square side table:)

 

I worked hard on this arrangement and it arrived in great shape--halfway across the world!  I love this cute little side table with sea glass. 

 

How I love my dishes!  It was very sporting of every store in Utah to go with my nautical theme!  Love the corals, shells and sea glass!

 

Hated to waste the wine rack openings, so I filled them with glass containers holding all of our nuts, raisins and quinoa!  Voila. 

 

 

Our Bishop's son Oliver, (Elder Cain, serving in England) created these wonderful shelves housing our most priceless possessions--the CHERUBS!  Love their parents too:)))

 

This nifty rope mirror was a local find.  Just right for our seafaring sitting area!

 

This guest room has YOUR name on it! Hurry--while vacancy sign is lit up!

 

His and Her guest beds!  Surf's Up, don't be late! We are happier than clams in our cozy cottage by the sea.  Can't wait for our first visitors in November to arrive.

 

 

Nautical nooks and crabby crannies!

 

Many thanks to my friend Joyce Hamula--former occupant of our apartment for suggesting this theme.  Even the music cubbies point to the sea!  If you're ever in the neighbourhood be sure to bring your snorkel and fins!  Kia Ora--time to collect some shells!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kia Ora

SENSATIONAL SAMOA--AUGUST 2014

 

Somebody pinch me!  I'm in SAMOA!!!  What a beautiful island! Our first assignment after landing in New Zealand and getting settled in our new home in Auckland (Takapuna) was a trip to gorgeous Apia, Samoa.  Our hosts, President and Sister Tolman, made the visit memorable and comfortable in  every way.  We drove from one side of the island to the other, viewing the ancestral homes and the verdant beauty of this tropical paradise.  Above is a sample of the ferny, lush greenery against a    striking blue sky, dotted with puffy white clouds.  We were in heaven!                                      

We stopped on our tour to take a "selfie" and enjoy the amazing view!  What perfect guides and leaders these two are! Blessed missionaries to have their examples and love.

Along the way we stopped at a zone conference and met these dedicated and hard-working missionaries.  I LOVE the missionaries of this amazing Church! They willingly give 18 months to two years of their lives to find and teach their brothers and sisters all over the world, desiring to bring them unto Christ so that they can enjoy the fullness of His gospel!  Always uplifting to be in their presence.  It is a joy to serve the Lord and help in building His Kingdom on earth! 

Next we were privileged to speak to a chapel full of these wonderful servants of the Lord.  After we spoke, we enjoyed meeting them and shaking their hands.  We were in the presence of greatness!

On Sunday we were delighted to attend Stake Conference and meet many more of the faithful and beautiful Samoan Saints. Here are a few of the members of a fantastic youth choir. These amazing Saints sing like angels!  Music is one form of their artistic  talents and they sing with their whole heart and soul.  If we closed our eyes we could imagine what Heaven will sound like.

Just one example of the faithful and wonderful families in Samoa. These people are generous, kind, loving and helpful in every way. What a privilege to be in their land and enjoy their hospitality!

The Samoa, Apia Temple is absolutely divine. One of the highlights of our trip was to enjoy a session inside these hallowed walls.  Truly, we felt that we were amidst heavenly cherubs.  There is no peace like being in the House of the Lord.

President and Sister Fitisemanu preside over this lovely temple. It was our joy to join them on the temple grounds along with President and Sister Tolman to snap a photo in remembrance of a special time and place.  How I love this Church--that teaches the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I am in awe of the dedication and love of so many of Heavenly Father's children who work tirelessly so that others can enjoy the blessings of the gospel.

I LOVE to see the temple.  Each one a sacred and hallowed place. We are so blessed!

 

Quintessential tropical scene.  Just a snapshot from the car as we drove by!  Amazing.

 

 

                                     

 

Serious beauty--I love Heavenly Father's creativity and artistry!!!

 

 

                                     

 

The locals enjoy their tropical paradise--easy to see why!

 

 

Beautiful homes, often with ancestral burial grounds in front.

 

  

 

The Tolmans were the perfect hosts. They showed us the beauty of this island and its amazing people. They treated us to a vegan restaurant lunch and lots of healthy and delicious meals at their home. We will never forget our delightful trip to sensational Samoa!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traditional Good-Bye Song!  Made everyone cry.