Tonga

Brett, Joel, Scott, Dave Bird, Emerson Lake, Zach Davis, Ben Counihan, and Dave Gordon went on a dental mission to Tonga for 10 days and had the time of their lives.

In Brett's words:
Tonga is the most amazing place and the people are awesome. The people are so friendly and welcomed us with open arms. They were truly grateful for all the time we put in to taking care of their dental needs. The island is so beautiful. The beaches are great and don't bear the mark of much tourism. Tonga seems to still be somewhat untouched by outside influences, especially north american influence. That was one of the reasons it felt so different from any other tropical region that I've been to. We saw real poverty and content, happy people who value family and culture. I felt like I was on my mission and felt at home there. We were able to work in the clinic there for four days and treated as many people as we could accomodate. All of us gained some awesome experience with the work we did. One of my favorite experiences was when we all piled onto a local fisherman's tiny boat and ploughed out acros the open ocean to a tiny island called Nuku island. It was surreal, like somewhere out of a tropical destination travel brochure. We snorkeled around the island, relaxed on the white sand, swam in the crystal clear blue water and cracked open some coconuts and dranks the water inside (one of my favorite things). It was also awesome to live a block away from the Temple. Attending church on sunday was incredible. We were all uplifted by the strong testimonies of the members and especially the youth. I will never forget the the sound of Tongan men and women singing the hymns of the church in their own unique and beautiful harmony. I hope to return someday with my family. It was an absolutely unforgetable trip.

Summer Fun

Going back to Canada for our Summer holidays for a month, was such a nice break for us. We did so many fun things with family and friends. I'm really grateful that our kids could be with and play with cousins and could make many memories with their grandparents. We are so blessed to have such close family.

I love Family, Friends and SUMMER

Power 90

Brett and I started and finished Power 90.....It's a exercise program that is 90 days and you can do it right in your home. We started March 1oth and finished June 7th, right before summer holidays. Brett and I had been talking for a while about starting some type of exercise (like going to the gym) and so when Brett heard about it from Dave and Mindi Gordon our friends here from dental school, he was sold on it and bought the DVD's the next day. We loved seeing the results from it....Brett lost about 15 pounds and I lost about 5 pounds(but I gained muscle too). We first tried to exercise together at night right after we put the kids to bed, but I found that I was too tired so I started doing it during nap time. We really have enjoyed this work out and recommend it to anyone. We took the DVD's home to Canada during our holidays and we got my Dad, my sisters Miken, and Janelle and Scott doing it too.

Brett left his weights out one day and we found Nate our chubby man trying them out.

Go Nate Go!

One day while we were trying to attempt to do our half hour workout while the kids were awake Ki start to do the stretches with us. It was pretty cute the way he was copying Brett. I had to stop and video it and I have tried to post the video but haven't been able to load it on here because it takes so long. Is there a trick to it?

Five years....

June is usually a crazy time of year with our anniversary, Ki's birthday and summer holidays so close together but we were able to sneak away and have a nice dinner together on our anniversary at Ruth's Chris Steak House. I just can't believe it's been 5 years. Time really does go by fast. I love you Brett and am excited to celebrate another 55+ years with you by my side. I'm so grateful we are married for all eternity so I can be with you forever and ever.

Happy 3rd Birthday Ki

We celebrated Ki's birthday early for two reason's: 1. Because our summer holiday's start the day after his birthday (June 10th) and I didn't want to clean up the birthday mess plus have to pack. 2. My sister Janelle, Scott and there two girls Mia and Ava surprised us (well surprise me, I was the only one that didn't know about them coming....) and flew out to visit us and help us celebrate Ki's 3rd birthday. So on the morning of his pretend birthday, Janelle and I hung streamers down his door so he could get all excited for his big day. He and Janelle's girls loved running back and forth through them. (Thanks Shalyse for the idea)

Ki is in LOVE with T-Rex so I thought a dinosaur theme would be perfect for him.

Happy 3rd Birthday Ki. We love you!! Love Dad, Mom and Nate

We love surprise visits...

The Neilson's came to visit us (surprise me) and tour around San Francisco area for a week. Scott served his mission in San Jose and they've been talking about visiting California before we finished with school. Juli (ZoBell) Miller husband got into school here and had an empty apartment that was available for Janelle, Scott, Mia, and Ava to stay while they visited us. We did a lot of things in the amount of time that they were here, but enjoyed every minute with them. Here are some of the things that we did; We feed the ducks and walked around the Palace of Fine Arts, went to the Exploratorium, drove across the Golden Gate Bridge (they walked half way across it on Sunday), went down to Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39, and Ghirardelli Square a few times, went to Baker Beach, they went on the Alcatraz cruise/tour, drove down to Monterey Bay and went to the aquarium then went across to San Jose and surrounding towns to visit Scott's mission area, we to the Gilroy shopping outlets by San Jose, went to the Oakland temple, and many more fun and exciting things but I just can't think of them right now.

Ki and Mia having a break from chasing the ducks and birds at the
Palace of Fine Arts

The Neilson's on the Alcatraz cruise/tour

Fun in the sun and sand (it was freezing but the kids didn't care one bit)

On our way to Monterey Bay Aquarium

Thanks for the fun surprise visit and helping me with Ki's b-day party, and packing for our summer holiday's in Canada. Ki and Nate had a blast seeing Mia and Ava everyday. We love you guys.