Shea's fake birthday...

Shea's birthday isn't until June 19, but things are starting to get crazy and we will be on the road (between Utah and Colorado) on her actual birthday. What's a girl to do?

Have a fake birthday!

The theme was "Music" and the Professor made a great music cake (remember - he does the Easter eggs, Pumpkin carving and Science projects. My hero!)

Eating watermelon on the tramp...

it was 95 degrees today!

Hailey, Shea, Allysa, Jenna & Courtney

Making instruments. Or a mess.

not sure which one it was.

Making music.

actually - it was just noise to me:)

Playing pin the record on the DJ

Robert also made this game....

since I can't seem to draw even a straight line.

Shea's favorite color is purple.
Favorite animal is panda.

Who knew they made purple pandas??

Thanks Hailey!

Shea wins 3rd place at her swim meet!

Shea getting ready for the breast stroke...

almost there.
don't give up!

touch with both hands!
you did it!
3rd place winner!

Last day of school!!

If you are around my age, you probably remember this song...

School's Out For Summer

There was an Alvin & The Chipmunks version,
but we needed the REAL thing!

turned up LOUD!

(plus - the older I get, the less I like chipmunks singing:)

Due to a few unforeseen circumstances,
I had a few extra kids today.
six to be exact. plus my two.

The girls made Kayla a card

Braden shows off his waffle lunch
(I was cleaning out the freezer)
and the purple socks he traded with a friend.

EWWW!

Playing in the back yard.

Twisted up playing Twister!

Memorial Day 2009

Saturday we had a bbq at our friends...

kids played on a water slide and we ate!

A perfect day in West Texas.

Today, we went over to the War Memorial

and Robert read the words to a few verses of "Taps"

and then read Alma 46:12-13 to help the kids

understand that we believe in protecting our freedoms.

Braden took these great pictures...

I didn't get mom of the week....

Here's the beginning of Kayla's most recent letter:

Dear family!

How are you!? I think this is the first week I have not gotten a letter from any of you - but I will forgive you, because that is what Jesus would do :)

I actually DID mail her a letter... and Andrew even wrote her a note on the back. I put a Bliss chocolate bar in it (to make sure she remembers me) and added extra postage. I guess that wasn't so smart. It came back to me in a ziploc back with a not-so-friendly note from the USPS. I guess the chocolate melted.

So I mailed the letter a second time with a dollar so she could buy her own Bliss chocolate bar.

Kayla does LOVE getting mail so if you are in the mood to send her a note, here is her most recent address:

Sister Kayla Sawyer
19608 127th St. E.
Bonney Lake, WA 98391

4th Grade Recognition

"Excellence in Reading"

was Shea's award

She wanted a "princess bun without the tiara"

She did her own nails.

Sparkly purple. Of course.

Wow!
Not sure I like this grown up look.

Braden had a concert at the same time
so Robert was at the Junior High
and Andrew went with me.
Love those kids!!

A Wonderful Mother's Day

Lots of hugs.

A clean house from Andrew

Cake from Robert

Cake from Andrew

YUM!

Shea made me a card that everyone signed.

even Faya & evil Sasha

We got to talk to Kayla!!!

She is doing so well, it makes it easier

to have her gone knowing how happy she is!

Music and Art

these kids must have great parents.

(hee, hee)

Braden won an award for outstanding band student!

Shea's teacher entered her Panda Bear
foil relief into the Lubbock Art Festival.
She didn't win - but I'm sure it was rigged :)

A most precious Mother's Day Gift

I received this gift in the mail today....

Dear Sister Sawyer,

We want to thank you for sharing your lovely missionary daughter with our family. First, let's give you some background:

Our son Warren has been away from the church for at least five years. Much of the time he was openly antagonistic not only towards the church but faith in general. He married a beautiful non-member girl named Angela, but she kept her distance from us and the church. Warren and Angela associated closely with a young man named Camillo. All three of them rebelled together as a teenagers and had walked a very rough road in life.

We loved Warren and Angela, but our hearts ached to see them make wrong and destructive choices. We prayed, we fasted, and hoped for a change but saw nothing. Every time we tried to bring up the subject of the gospel, we got a cold response.

Imagine our surprise one day when Warren called and asked for a ride to church with Angela and Camillo! They came to church and were introduced to your daughter and her companion, Sister Kim. First Camillo and then Angela agreed to listen to the lessons in our home. That gave us the opportunity to see these two fine missionaries in action - teaching and testifying of the truthfulness and life-changing power of the gospel. Camillo and Angela warmed to them.

The transformation in these three young adults has been astonishing and truly miraculous. They are blossoming under the light of the gospel and with the gift of repentance. Their countenances have lightened and their eyes show joy. Warren received permission from the Bishop and baptized both his friend Camillo and his wife Angela. And Angela has said she wants to be sealed to Warren in the temple!

Your sweet daughter has taught with love and conviction and this is changing the lives of real people. If you could have joined these discussions, I'm sure your heart would be filled with gratitude to be her mother. She has helped steer Warren, Angela and Camillo to a better road and this has lifted not only us but others who love them. She's participated in a modern, real-life version of the story of the prodigal son.

It must not be easy for you to be separated from your daughter. But because you have made that sacrifice, our family has been extremely blessed. We are very grateful to you for sharing your wonderful daughter with us. We hope and pray God will bless your family for what you've done for ours.

And so I think you again and hope that on this Mother's Day, you will know that your very special daughter is blessing the lives of many people as she serves her mission.

Janis & Doug King

Yes - I cried. But they were happy tears.
(except I have a rotten throat infection that caused me
to have ulcers so it was actually a painful, happy cry)

Kayla was transferred from this area yesterday.
I know her heart was full... she knew it was time
to move on, but she loves these people so much!

I am very proud of my missionary!

p.s. After I emailed this to Robert - he told me
"That’s pretty cool, but it made me cry and now I can’t see to grade my papers."
I told him that it's ok... he can just fail them all :)

Frugal Challenge - Month #4

Another month down...

$202.70

Not as many good deals this month.

But we still ate great.

and I'm still having fun!

I have a few friends doing their own

version of a frugal challenge and it's

fun to keep each other motivated!

I have taken our average food budget from over $500

a month to (almost) $200 for the last 4 months.

All so I can take my kids...

Beachcombing early in the morning

Sunset gazing in the evening

Exploring Totem Bight State Park

ONLY 6 MORE WEEKS
UNTIL WE LEAVE!!!

(imagine me doing the happy dance here...)