Even MORE HAWAII

More fun from the gang in Hawaii!!!

More Hawaii 2009

Hawaii 2009

Aloha! We just got back from a week in Hawaii. We spent time with cousin, Julia O'connor, Cousin Maralie Cleaver (and Mark, Melissa, and Chris), We spent time with Foeata Fetokai who is now Foeata Barclayon (husband, Keoki and three ADORABLE kids: Ke'ala, Anna Tela, and La'akea). I also got to see Barbara Elkington quickly (on a whim) as we were leaving BYU-H. I wasn't even sure she was still there....but she was and it was so wonderful to see her looking great. We mostly swam and body surfed the whole time. We did visit the Polynesian Cultural Center. Foeata put on a surprise B-day Beach/BBQ Partyfor Spring and La'akea. The older kids learned how to surf, Ephraim got very good at boogie boarding and body surfing and standing boarding he was bummed he was too little to surf. Ben ate a lot of shrimp (he has good taste). Autumn got some very cool clothes and convinced Spring to "go Hawaiian". They look good! We are grateful for the opportunity we had to go, the protection we enjoyed, and the blessings of doing some missionary work as well. Just can't resist that part...hee hee We've been saving for this trip for over three years...it was totally worth it.

love,

Heather

Ephraim was on the K-2 team for Odyssey of the mind. The judges said they were the best they had seen all day (and they performed last!) Their problem...create a set that looks like a candy factory, have a candy maker who explains five different kinds of candy that each have a HEALTHY ingredient, and have a humerous customer. It was completely kid made (points off for any outside help)

Spring was kidnapped for her birthday (last year when she went into young women's ) She'll be 13 next month now...whew time sure flys. Spring went to the 6th grade dance with her girl friends. I had such a fit after chaperoning the dance at the middle school two years ago that this dance was quite fantastic!

Then there's Autumn with her friend from Bellamore (their semi-professional string quartet) They are performing at the Wells Fargo Center next week.

Ben's Odyssey of the mind team won THIRD place in the region this year. They had to design and build a vehicle that could travel four different terrains and change appearance at each one using no man power and no batteries....it was COOL.

Farm Boy Ephraim milks a cow for the first time. He said it felt "squishy"

Heather's Graduation

The Best Thing about graduation was having my parents come down from Oregon and my best friend, Denise, attend too! I was so proud to have Reg and Ben there to see me in all my educational glory! It's so nice not to have my energy diverted...no more home work..HAH! Now back to the house work. My thesis was on "How does learning to read music affect reading English text for 'at risk' middle school students." My thesis is going to press this week! YAHOO I'm done.