In January we celebrated our 10 year anniversary.  It just so happens that Matt’s cousin also got married on the same day, so they also celebrated their 10 year anniversary.  We had planned a couple of years ago to do something together to celebrate.  We originally planned to go to Europe and visit Germany (where Laura served her mission).  But instead we got this job opportunity to be in the Philippines, so we invited them to come stay with us (where Nate served his mission).  We don’t get to see Nate’s family often, but we love hanging out with them and our kids get along really well.

The 11 days that they were with us were jammed pack spending time in Manila, Bohol, Coron, Cebu…that is 4 flights and one ferry ride for the 9 of us!

This is our first time to be in the Philippines during Holy Week, and we were not quite sure what to expect.  Apparently everything is closed, so there really isn’t traffic in Manila.  However that means that restaurants and malls are closed as well.  But, we managed by eating at some hotel buffets like Circles at the Shangri-la and Taal Vista Hotel.  We drove around Old Manila which is normally super crowded, but was actually a pleasant drive since there was no traffic.  We also made use of the swimming pool at our condo.  Nate and Laura were coming from a state where it was still snowing, so they all were enjoying the sun and being able to swim.  We also had them experience a massage where the massage therapist comes to your home…yes we are spoiled and so are our guests!

First meal in Manila was a Circle’s Buffet at the Shangri-La…this photo doesn’t even show the whole buffet area!

Everyone got to ride a horse up to Taal Volcano…and this place was SUPER busy on Good Friday.

It took us 3 canoes, but we all made it to Pagsanjan Falls. And all of us went under the main falls by being pulled by a bamboo raft

We took them to a dampa seafood place. You buy the food that want cooked and take it to a nearby restaurant for them to cook it how you want

We tried watching the fireworks at The Mall of Asia, but they didn’t have any because of the holiday weekend

Shopping at Greenhill is always fun. Buying purses, shoes, sunglasses, clothes, etc for a fraction of the price

Souvenir shopping at Balikbayan where there are amazing wood carvings, paintings, jewelry, etc.

We took advantage of having a nanny and went out for dinner with just the 4 of us.  Happy 10 year anniversary to us!

The Filipinos know how to throw a party!  I am assuming that the 1st year birthday is a big deal in the Philippines like it is in Hawaii because of tradition.  Years ago children did not live to see their first birthday, so this is a major milestone.  We were invited by a couple that both husband and wife are co-workers of Matt to attend their son’s first birthday.  Of course we went to see how the Filipinos throw a party…and we weren’t disappointed!

Welcome to the birthday party!  All of the boys got an eye patch, bandanna, sword & spying scope.

The set-up was amazing and you still can’t see everything that they had in this photo. We were told that this was an “average” party for a 1 year old!

Party Favors for each child who attended

Prize Table – There were various games that the kids played and after each game they got a prize

Cake Table – Each child got a cupcake that was individually decorated

At the end of the party program there was a pinata

There was a hair stylist available who put fun colors in your hair

Super cool face painting was available for anyone

Photo booth and props were available for all.

And some additional fun things that I didn’t get a photo of that were present at the party were:  MC guy who put on a party program for the kids, random photographers who took pictures of the guests and then you could buy each photo for about $1, a small play ground in the corner to use, a sticker booth where you could get your name placed on a Disney character sticker, a candy bar, an adult buffet, a kids buffet, hot dogs, popcorn and popsicles.

It was a really fun party.  I am glad that our kids got to experience it since I don’t ever plan to throw a party for them like this!  It is true what they say, “It’s More Fun In The Philippines!”

Happy 4th Birthday!  Here are a few facts and photos of Mason.

Cute, fun, sensitive, loving, destructive little boy

He learned how to swim without flotation devices and is now a “fish” in water

He got mad and threw a control at our TV and we had to get it replaced

He got mad and threw the iPad on the ground and we had to get it fixed

He has more countries stamped in his passport (added Philippines, Cambodia & Thailand)

We love having Mason in our family

4 Facts about Mason

-He still loves dinosaurs

-He loves being around babies

-He loves to cuddle

-He loves to play Lego Video games…as well as Skylander

Back in March Kalani turned 9 years old.

Our beautiful little girl is growing up

She loves to help take care of babies and can’t wait to babysit in a few years

This is the first year for her to NOT be homeschooled

Her classmates on “International Day”

9 Fun Facts About Kalani:

-She is following her father’s footsteps and is pretty good on the computer

-She normally wears flip flops everyday…but recently started to wear tennis shoes so she can play soccer at recess

-She now attends an International school and has 22 classmates

-She rides a super nice bus to school

-She has been to 10 different countries…and more are planned

-In Texas she would wake up between 8-9am…in the Philippines she wakes up by 6am

-She likes to make people laugh

-She loves meat

-She is honest, truthful and obedient

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has one of the oldest and largest women’s organization in the world.  Every March there is a celebration for the anniversary (March 17, 1842) of this women’s organization within the church.  And in the Philippines there was also a celebration, but it was a bit different from what I have done in the past.  The stake/area that I reside in decided to celebrate “Women of Asia” for this anniversary celebration.  The 6-8 wards/groups were asked to represent a different country by doing a dance and and singing the country’s national anthem.

Our ward was assigned the Philippines.  So we learned the Filipino National Anthem, did a traditional (ifugao) dance and provided traditional food.  Our whole performance was only about 5 minutes, but other groups where 10-15 minutes.  Another difference in how things are done in the Philippines compared to the states is that these Relief Society activities are for the women of the church ages 18 and above.  So, in the states only the women attend.  However, for this celebration in the Philippines whole families came to support and watch the show.  So, Matt and the kids came to watch me and the other members of our ward perform.

Our relief society sisters who sang and performed

Another group of relief society sisters that performed…I think this was China

These women represented Saudi Arabia

Doing our dance…yep I’m front row