ALOHA FESTIVAL!

On Saturday Alison, Casey, Bekah, and I went to the Aloha Festival Down @ Tempe Town Lakes. It was so much fun! The last time I was there was right when Jonathan got back from his mission from Tahiti. Him and I headed out there to enjoy the polynesians. The best part about this year was tons of Tongans came down from my mission, Oakland to enjoy it. It brought so many wonderful memories back of my mission and how much I love the Tongan People. They fed us well this weekend....and I'm pretty sure I gained about 5 lbs, but it was well worth it;)

I'M SO EXCITED!

I have the most AMaZiNg opportunity to go to NEW YORK with some of my closest friends! There's so many things that we're going to be doing!!! Such as, Seeing PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, The empire state building, stature of liberty, central park, china town, Philidelphia, and MUCH MORE!!!!!!!! I also get to fly on a plane which i don't get to do very often and i'm SO excited!!! I'm leaving in a week! It has come so fast!!! If anyone wants a suvenire let me know! I love you guys :)

I (Jonathan) am thankful for:

1) Maurine
2) Addie
3) Jack (or maybe Grace)
4) Mom and Dad
5) Mary Anne, Jason, Jeffrey, Amy, Aaron, Angela, Alison

Some of the things Dad is Thankful for this Thanksgiving

What I am Thankful for
1. Heavenly Father, Savior, Church, Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Prophet
2. Wife, Family, Children, Mother, Extended family, Ancestors, Friends.
3. Health, My Job, Country, Freedom, Modern advances
4. Sun, Home, Family, Family, water, Food, good music, good times, good memories

Full Stomachs and Full Hearts

"Gratitude is the memory of the heart" ~unkown

I thought it would be fun and beneficial for everyone in the family to record on the family blog 5 things that they are thankful for. Not only is this time of year a time to have full stomachs but also full hearts. When you record it, create a new post instead of leaving it in the comments. Just sign in using your gmail address at the top right and create a 'new post'. If you need help let me know. This way everyone will be able to view the things your grateful for right away. I will start.

1. I am grateful for a Father In Heaven and a Savior who are more aware of me then I ever knew they were before in the past. I love them for watching out for me, protecting me, and loving me. I'm grateful for their unconditional love.

2. I am grateful for a family that loves me, prays for me, and one that makes me happy. I love everyone so much and am grateful for our friendships that I will eternally cherish.

3. I'm grateful for the country that I've been so fortunate to be born and raised in and the people who sacrifice their time, family, and lives for each of us to live the life that we do.

4. I'm grateful for great friends in my life that I have been so fortunate to meet and have. There's nothing like a true, great friend. Ones that are there unconditionally, and ones that I share my laughs, my cries, and my joys with.

5. I'm grateful for the opportunity for me to be educated. Internationally, this is a blessing that many people do not have. We are so fortunate. Because of this, I will do my best to never take it for granted and always continue my education in life. This is a very important, wonderful blessing, and one that will stay with us eternally.

IN-N-OUT BURGER!!!

We finally have an IN-N-OUT in Utah, and let me tell you that building went up Fast! As far as I can see, they are making a killing already! Jeffrey and I went there today and we were amazed by how many people were there @ 10:30 a.m. It felt like I was somewhere else other then Utah...like California, Arizona, or Nevada. What I love about this place is the atmosphere. The sparkling clean atmosphere, nice employees, and their "healthy" food. There were 2,000 people who applied to this location, and they start at $10.00 p/hour. A perk that the employees get, both full time and part time, are BENEFITS, dental and eye. This place is great and I am excited it's here! You guys should go!

I took these pictures recently. Isn't Utah beautiful?

Grandma's House

Aaron's Birthday and other good times!

We went to the Myan Restaraunt with for Aaron's Birthday. We had such a fun time all together laughing, celebrating, and wishing the rest of the family was with us. We missed all of you!!!

I asked Aaron what he wanted for his Birthday and all he said was sandals. Well, needless to say.....that is what he got.

Amy's famous salsa

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Amy and Bekah.....some things have never changed and probably never will.

Congratulations Lena and Sifa!



Nice night out at the temple

Ange and Allison this is for you.

This is from Addie's 2 year old birthday party. Addie's face is so funny when she is falling.

Grandma and Addie

Just thought I would share a cute picture. Hope you are all doing well!

Family Night

Ok so i know this is a really random picture of me but its the only one i could find.....hhahahahaha ...... so anyways Mom wanted me to post my lesson I gave for family night tonight. It was a talk from the Ensign by Elder Tom Perry called ''Let Him Do it With Simplicity''. I really pondered on the first paragraph before the lesson which states " Those of us who have been around a while-and Elder wirthlin and I have been around for a long time-have recognized certain patterns in life's test. There are cycles of good and bad times, ups and downs, periods of joy and sadness, and times of plenty as well as scarcity. When our lives turn in an unanticipated and undesirable direction, sometimes we experience stress and anxiety. One of the challenges of this mortal experience is to not allow the stresses and strains of life to get the better of us- to endure the varied seasons of life while remaining positive, even optimistic. Perhaps when difficulties and challenges strike, we should have these hopeful words of Rober Browning etched in our minds
"THE BEST IS YET TO BE". We can't predict all the struggles and storms in life, not even the ones just around the next corner, but as persons of faith and hope, we know beyond the shadow of any doubt thath the gospel of Jesis Christ is true and the best is yet to come." After I read it I immediatly soked it up as I related it to my life. I thought of all of the cycles that constantly are in my life, the good and the bad times, and how much it is going to help to always know that "the best is yet to be" I love you family and I am so excited to see you in A WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love: Alison :)

Thanks Grandma!

Addie loves her new shirts! You are the best Grandma, thank you for thinking of her. We can't wait to see you all next week.

Hello from Dad

Dear Family,
I wanted to try out this new technology and say hello to everyone. We just finished a regional Stake Conference that covered most of Arizona with a broadcast from S.LC. Bruce Hafen conducted and Boyd K. Packer presided. It was directed to all the members in Arizona. It was nice to hear about the three new temples that are planned and the blessings this will bring to all the Saints here. We are living in difficult times, but as we consecrate our labors to the building up the Kingdom of God, pay our tithing, live the commandments, follow our leaders, and live as directed by the spirit, we will be blessed.
We pray for all our family each day. As we stay united and strengthen each other through our prayers, and building each other through phone calls and communication and this NEW BLOG, we will stay united. I love each of you and leave my blessings with each of you.

Love,
Dad

These are 2 wonderful girls that are in the Twins life and I just love them. The 2 on the right, Jason and Ginette, have started dating now. The 2 on the left, Jeff and Christi, are really good friends. If I had it my way........well I don't so I won't say anything on a Public Blog....but let's just say I love these 2 girls. They have become like sisters.

A Miracle!

Jua and her special friend



There was a wonderful miracle that took place in our lives 2 weeks ago. Jason has been friends with this girl names Hua who is from Vietnam. She has been going to BYU for years now being surrounded by good LDS friends. Jason was one of those friends that she met. They connected right away and have been friends for years now. One night after Jeff and Jason did some entertainment with there ukulele's she came up to Jason and with tears in her eyes, told him she wanted to take the missionary lessons. Jason sat in on each one. She did not have a belief in God, but because of the examples that surrounded her, she was baptized 2 weeks ago. There were many people that were there to support her. She even said a few words at the end which included her testimony. Jeffrey and Jason sang a beautiful musical number, and I had the privelage to accompany them. It was a day never to forget.

Birthday Dinner

Birthday Fun!

It was the Twin's Birthdays on the 10th of this month. It was a very exciting day full of fun and celebration. Also, something that made it extra unique was they celebrated their day with another set of twin girls. Ironically, they share the same Birthday. This Birthday was the last Birthday that they will share together in Provo. Jason moves to Washington D.C. in the winter and they both graduate soon. We celebrated their Birthday all evening. We started by going to an amazing, delicious Italian Restaurant and were serenaded by an Italian singer. Enjoy some of the pictures:)

Family catch up!

The best part for me was to have our Family Catch up. It's always good to spend time together.

Cake and Ice Cream

Jason's Special Friend....if you want to know the status you will have to ask him:)

We had about 4 different Birthday Cakes to choose from. I couldn't stop looking at them.

THEY REAL BIRTHDAY SONG