Baptism

The day after Harley's birthday on June 13th Harley was baptized. It was a great event and we felt so loved to have so much support from our branch family and our family from far away. Harley is such a special girl and we are so proud of her.




Before church that Sunday

So thankful that her Dad was able to baptise her and confirm her.

After the baptism she was all smiles. She was a double dunker!

(I'd like to put up a copy of her program but am not sure how to yet, I'll keep trying though)

Celebrating 8

Harley turned 8. EIGHT can you believe that? I can't it just sounds so I don't know close to 10 which sounds real close to 12 which mean she will be in Young Womens which means well that she is growing up. Harley is an amazing daughter and we have said many times that we don't really deserve her as parents because she is just truly great girl. SO for turning 8 we figured she needed a great party and I would like to think we accomplished that goal.

The Invitation! Jeb made them, I thought he did a really good job!

Birthday morning I'm afraid there was not alot of presents to open mostly because we bought most of her turning 8 gifts on our trip to the states. So most of her gifts she already had (special dress, pierced ears, lots of earrings) But we did give her a first set of scriptures. She was really excited. She has hated being the only one in her church class without them. Everyone else has already turned 8 she was the last.

Harley talking to Mama's and Grapa via skype. Showing them her scriptures and getting ready to open her presents from them. They gave her a beautiful CTR ring and a few other special gifts.

The activity day girls group had a surprise for Harley that I think helped make her special day. They picked her up early and took her out for a breakfast donut! She is so happy to be finally going to activity days with her friends.

Getting ready for the party!

Whats all the fuss about Gena wonders????

We rented this in hopes for a great party..... I think it did its job.

The girls enjoying a couple of hours with the jumper all to themselves before all the guests arrived

Time to start the party

Woohoo Harley is flying and this is Lien, who Harley has told me is her BFF..... I don't even know where she learned that

All the kids... From the right in the back Noah, Addy, Shelby, Keefer, Jacob, Jackson (in between the jumper), Dakota, Harley Lien, Sarah, Chelsey, Bottom: Chloe, Jacob, Eli, Peter, Pono, Niyah, Chloe, Brinkly, Narissa, Nathia, and Jadyn.

Presents

Water guns kept them from melting in the heat

Jeb supervised the chaos with a water house. :)

The Cake... I was happy with it because well I know nothing about decorating cakes so I was impressed with myself. I made the hearts with a fondant marshmallow recipe.

One happy 8 year old = one great party!

We love you Harley!

Back

OK I have been away from blogging for way to long. It makes me sad because I do enjoy blogging and use it as a family record, so I regret that I have last the last while go by. So what have we been up to since our last post?

March was Niyah's birthday. She turned 6 and had a great party with a Kitty theme. All the girls were able to "adopt" a stuffed kitten to take home. To bad we don't have any pictures to show from it as our computer crashed!

April we were able to go on our visit back to the states to visit family! It was a great visit and we were so thankful for all the people who put up with us. We had a great time. We were so busy that we really didn't even take that many pictures. Some of the things we did:
Ate out way to much
enjoyed Eater with all the family
Jeb built a deck
went shooting Jebs new gun
Visited our dearest friends the Jensens (love you guys so much!)
attended a cousins baptism, two baby blessings
spoke at my parents branch
attended conference
shopped
shopped
and shopped some more

and just hung out and had fun!!!
Here are some picture recaps

The girls on the way out to girls day to celebrate Harley turning 8 soon. We shopped, ate at spaghetti factory, had Harley pick out her special turning 8 dress, and Harley got her ears pierced!

Having fun!

Easter!

shooting the new gun, Jebs only real purpose for the trip. :)

Eating Smores with Grapa

Then we came BACK home to Japan mid April. A light layover in in Seattle let us see Grandpa Tom and made us wish strongly for a farm.

Jeb playing farmer

Since then we have just been BACK here doing our normal routine. We got back into our school lessons and the poor girls have been doing extra to make up for all the time off. The girls had a ballet recital and both did great

That pretty much brings us up to date on activities. We are all well and happy. The girls are amazing and smart. We hope to have Harley done with 3rd grade by the end of the summer and Niyah done with 1st. Genevieve is hitting her two's a bit early and is constantly shouting NO NO NO at anyone who crosses her.

Look for more posts as I am realizing it is to soon that we truly go "back" to the states as we are on our count down here. I want to post everything I love about Japan, so watch for those!