Dajabón

Hi dad!!

The girls and I drove to Anchorage last weekend and we got to see my dad, see a long lost sister and her family and catch up on family history...it was so fun! Here's some pics of our visit. Can you tell I was excited??

My New Ride...Meet "Sweet"

I've been looking for a smaller car as it's not necessary to drive a big SUV anymore. I had things narrowed down between a 2010 or 2011 Subaru Outback and a 2009 Toyota Venza. I was really worried about the '09 Venza as it was a first year car on the market. So, I was leaning towards the Outback. THEN, I drove the 2010 Venza and fell in love with it! It's my favorite color (white) and is really sweet to ride. It's really close to the Outback in dimensions but is a lot more luxurious. I wasn't really going for the lux, but it was really difficult not to like it! It'll be an adjustment not having the rugged SUV security, but change is good...so, we'll see how it goes over the next few years. Besides, we're looking at getting a new "teen" mobile and a used Outback might be what we're in the market for. I totally forgot about having to have a trailer hitch for our bike rack and an Outback would come in handy for that and be a lot safer for the kids.

Happy 4th of July everyone!! I love the freedoms of our country!! We are so blessed and fortunate!!

ELDER DIXON update!

Ian has finally left the MTC in Dominican Republic. We got a letter from him a few days ago and it was his first day in the field...obviously a P day. He said he was the lucky one to get the best trainer in the mission and he said he also scored with his first place to live! He says he has plumbing AND electricity most of the time! He was told in the Provo MTC by others who had served there that it was basically a two year camping trip! Most places the missionaries stay have no plumbing and little electricity in that it comes and goes. When you have electricity you hurry and charge phones and do whatever else you need. It's a pretty good thing that Ian decided to leave the electric shaver home! He said he's got a nick name by one of the native elders in DR who calls him "papa noel" because his beard grows so danged fast! He says he shaves in the am and within a few hours it's grown out. I guess his shaving with a little disposable doesn't work as well...I don't know. Anyway, he's loving the mission and is excited to be there and doing this important work! I don't have a snail mail address and have just been using "dearelder". I don't know if that still works as well with him out in the field. Once I get an update as far as what we should do with mail...I'll pass the info along. For now, go ahead and use "dearelder". He's in the Dominican Republic Santiago Mission.

Hawaii Bliss

This was the view right outside our door...for two weeks! It was beautiful and couldn't have been more relaxing! The house pic is the house we rented over on Laie side and that too was tucked away from any hustle and bustle! We can't wait to go back!

Up Next?

Well...Ian is in the MTC in Provo for just one more week before he heads off to the Dominican Republic. As sad as it it to say good-bye to one of your children...especially for two full years...it's an awesome thing to see them progress and so willing to do what is good and right. So, what are we doing next? Hawaii!!!

We have a house on the beach...almost...the house and beach are separated by a lush green park and we've got family portraits planned and the Polynesian Cultural Center...Haunauma Bay and snorkeling, hiking and sunning on the beach! We can hardly wait! All the grand-babies will be there and I'm just thinking it's going to be pretty close to being in heaven! Aloha!!