Well...at least SOMETHING'S sinking in!

Jamon: "MOOOOOOOOM! Trevor just spit in my hair!"

Mom: "Trevor, what happened?"

Trevor: "It was just my saliva coming down."

Mom: "Do you remember the story we just read last night about how when we do things to others, it's like doing it to Jesus?"

Trevor: "Yeah,"

Mom: "Well, what do you think you would have done if it had been Jesus in your room. Do you think you would have spit on Jesus?"

Trevor: Pausing for a moment of reflection. "Well, I would if I were an Israelite."

"The Gathering Place" Cultural Celebration for Laie Temple Rededication

After two years of renovations, the Laie, Hawaii temple was rededicated Sunday, November 21st. Aedan and I got to attend a dedication session in the temple, and Aedan participated in the Island-wide cultural celebration the night before. The youth practiced up to twice a week in preparation and it was spectacular. You can catch live snippets of the event on youtube.

Early Hawaiians. Oahu means "The Gathering Place"

An ancient Hawaiian "Heiau" (temple) was a place of refuge in Laie. Those who made it over the walls were forgiven of any crime.

Chinese sugar cane plantation workers

Welcoming Joseph F. Smith to the islands in friendship

Construction of the temple (Aedan's Group). There was a miracle that occurred in the building of the Laie temple. After construction had begun, they ran out of lumber. Having few resources to obtain more, the members joined in fasting and prayer. Off the coast of Laie, a ship wrecked. To salvage his ship, the captain asked the locals for help unloading his ship. As payment, he offered them a portion of his cargo...lumber. They had just enough to finish.

WWII in Hawaii and the military presence here.

Other Pacific Islanders gathered...Tahiti

New Zealand

Fiji

Gathering at the Temple

Youth sang the Armies of Helaman

Aedan and her friend, Analise

We can't wait to go back to the temple!

Kindergarten Field Trip to Farm

Trevor's 5th Birthday

Go Colts!

Pink Panthers' New Setter

Jamon's Arrow of Light

It's Official: A TEEN Lives Here!

Thirteen Things About Aedan

1. She pulls her hair up under a cap when she mows the lawn to be mistaken as a boy.

2. She loves to bake...primarily sweets.

3. She no longer has a gap in her front teeth. We miss it. :(

4. She loves volleyball.

5. She has been mistaken for Taylor Swift twice.

6. Taylor Swift is her idol.

7. She wants to play the guitar.

8. She would like to learn Spanish.

9. She is the Krispy Kreme Kween.

10. She is a shopaholic.

11. She eats sardines like licorice.

12. She plays the piano...and one day will share it with the world!
13. So far, she is a PLEASURE at age 13...Even though her birthday fell on Fast Sunday!

Now the countdown has shifted to how many years till she gets her driver's license...

Volcanoes National Park, May 2010

Jeff had a conference on the Big Island (Hawaii), so of course we had to join him. We were fortunate to see the current lava flow. It was impressive to see it covering the street where Jeff's colleagues had driven only a couple of days before. We could feel the warmth still radiating and heard it crackling as it cooled. We were able to hike across a volcanic crater "lake." It is such an amazing island--earth in its raw form. Sit back...it's a long one. :)

Happy 11th Birthday, Jamon!

Jamon is...
Cheerful
Affectionate
Smart
Easy to please
Responsible
Loving
Helpful
A great big brother
Witty
Musical
Thoughtful
A Bookworm
Clever
Sweet

And.......BIG! Because God needs BIG guys to do BIG things. We are happy you were born, Jaymo!

Where to Begin?

Between blogging atrophy, fatigue by 8:30 p.m., and a willfully noncompliant computer, the months have rolled by... Here are some highlights...in partial order and/or disarray. Eesh.

JULY: SOCCER, SOCCER, and more SOCCER!

This summer, all three kids played soccer with the league on base. Trevor has been looking forward to this for a couple of years now. Primarily for the after-game snacks. His enthusiasm translated into more scrap than skill as he played more like a boxer or linebacker. But by the end of the season, he actually cleaned up his act. Go Tiger Sharks!

Jamon returned to a team with his coach from last year and two good friends. Fullback.

Aedan's team went undefeated and they took 2nd place in the tournament.

Aedan and Jamon both wanted to play the Kailua league in the fall, which made for a bit of crazy scheduling overlap for about a month. Glad that's over and we're down to one league! But get a load of these views on their new soccer fields. Gorgeous way to spend a morning. How can you not want to stay here forever?

Jamon's field at Waimanalo District Park I LOVE the Ko'olau Mountains

Aedan's field: Maunawili Park Mount Olomana in background

MAY: Memorial Day Weekend with Grandma and Grandpa Jex

We loved having the grandparents out for a visit, quick though it was. They took the kids so Jeff and I could attend a couples retreat at the Sheraton in Waikiki sponsored by the military chaplains office. There is something to be said for eating really good food, staying in a place that cleans itself, and having uninterrupted time together. We actually had full-length conversations! We were sure fortunate to have this opportunity.

JUNE:

Farewell to Friends

Aedan said an emotional goodbye to her BFF, who moved to Idaho. She bemoaned that going back to middle school without Sierra (zebra suit) would be too painful to bear, images of their past memorialized in every corridor. Finding it hard to concentrate towards the end of the school year, she even suggested the "H" word as an educational alternative! Fortunately, her attitude quickly changed once she saw the many fine back to school supplies offered at Office Max the week before school began. Whew! I'm so proud of how well she has adjusted to life without her favorite gal. It's hard to part with close friends. Good thing keeping in touch is a little easier these days.

Trevor graduated from Kailua Baptist Preschool.

By the skin of his teeth.

JULY:

Smith Family Reunion

We met my family at Newport Beach for our annual summer get-together. Another fun trip, complete with chilly boogie boarding (for us beach snobs), tandem bike riding, and good noshing in the "smoky den." Jeff wasn't able to make it this year. He was studying for his oral board exam coming up in July. (He passed! No more tests for 10 years) Wish we were better at keeping in touch throughout the year, but it's always good to get together when we can.