A GRANDIOSE POST!

During my little blogging hiatus a lot of stuff happened and I regret not documenting it with pictures. So the following is meant to be that documentation and...really to humor me. However, please feel free to scan on through and I apologize if it's a bit boring. FYI: the following things haven taken place from August to current.

Mike "graduated"! He is officially done this December but back in August he went through the whole walking ceremony! We are so proud of him! This is a picture of Mike and I with Gale--she was one of our employers at BYU and we love her!


This is Mike and one of his Athletic Training professors, Ty Hopkins.


The extended family! Thanks for all the support!


The little family!


My extraordinarily handsome and dashing younger brother left on his mission to Seattle, Washington. He has now been out for about four months and we miss him terribly but I know he is a fantastic missionary. I have never known anyone so well prepared for this step. What an example!!!

This is my other handsome and dashing brother, Steve, with Alan. Yes ladies...he is single! :-)


My Papa...he is a great guy!


Oh! How did that get in here? Me and Aaron, just being ourselves!


The missionary man himself...doesn't he look dapper?


ANDREW! Just some fun, typical Andrew things:

One day Mike and I were in the bedroom putting away laundry and we noticed that Andrew had gotten really quiet. Any parent knows this is usually a bad thing. So we went to the living room to investigate. And this is what we saw: Andrew just finishing a whole plate of brownies that our neighbor had brought over!


Well, since he ate so much junk we decided to give him some healthy tomato soup. But...


It got pretty messy so we let him finish it in the shower. :-)


Andrew is a DADDY's boy no question about it! He will often snuggle with Mike, but heaven forbid if mom comes near. :-)




Andrew loves his duck blanket. He has this routine in the morning where he MUST wrap it around his shoulders and run around. This particular morning he decided to suck on daddy's toothbrush holder too. So much fun!




Andrew playing soccer outside. Once we went out, it was a lot colder than we realized so Mike grabbed one of his work shirts (since he happened to have it in his hands) and put it on Andrew. This lovely ensemble was the result. I think it should be the new wave in soccer uniforms, don't you?


Photo-op! I sure do like these soccer playin' boys!


Dialing on the cell phone--CHECK, Wearing comfy slippers---CHECK. It looks like there is a mini-Mike in our house. :-)


Andrew loves to go swimming. We are so sad the kiddie pool is closed!


Our little professor...pehaps he will follow in his grandpa Moody's footsteps. He sure looks the part!


We had a lot of fun with our garden this year! IT took a lot of work to get it going, but our harvest was fantastic. Here are a few photos from that:

Ahhh...the finished product!


Andrew helping to harvest our cucmbers and beans!


Here is a bag full of vegetable goodies!


I was trying to get a picture of Andrew holding some of our spoils but this was the best I could get. Notice his hand position...he just threw a tomato on the ground where it splattered to bits!


During conference weekend we picked my grandpa's grapes so we could can some yummy grape juice. Andrew was a big help! He picked up all the grapes that dropped to the ground and put them in the bucket


What better way to end a day of harvest than running around...the boy doesn't stop!


There were a few weeks here when the weather got super cold and, yes, even snowy. During that time we tried to do lots of thing to get us out of the basement (I go crazy not being able to go for walks!) So the following are some of our adventures:

Mike was on an indoor soccer team. Andrew and I like to go when we can (sometimes the games are super late). On this particular day, one of the kids that Mike coaches (also named Mike) was there and stayed to watch the game. Andrew loved to follow him around and feel a little more like a "big" boy. Here they are pointing at the action.


One of the main reasons I have loved going to Mike's soccer games is because I get to meet up with friends! Here is Chelsea and Truman Jones, Me and Andrew, & Andrea and Jocelyn Egbert. I sure love visiting these ladies...just wish we could get together more often!


After this particular game, the Egbert's were able to come visit. I think Andrew might have a crush on their little girl, Jocelyn.


There is a pretty great restaurant called,Pirate Island, in Orem by the mall. We decided to check it out one day and it was a huge success! Not only was the food good, but the whole place is decked out in fantastic pirate decorations! However, the best part was probably the indoor playground and arcade! It's perfect for kids...especially squirmy ones. Andrew loved being able to play while we waited for our food! I highly recommend it!

They gave Andrew a pirate hat. He decided that's not what he wanted to be because this was the closest we could get him to wearing it.


Riding a zebra on the carousel


Abandon ship!


Harrrrr, Matey's!


And FINALLY...here is what we have been up to the last few weeks. My gandpa (Papa) went to see family in Idaho and was gone for the weekend so we made sure to take extra good care of his dog, Liza. Andrew especially loved taking her for walks.






We didn't really dress up for Halloween this year. Mike had to work most of the day and Andrew is still a bit young for trick-or-treating. So...my mom and I took him to HeeHaw farms and had a blast!!! Andrew was so funny...he spent most of our time there in awe of the animals and hay bales! We definitely need to go again!

What do you think? Yep...being a farmer suits him!


Grandma Moody and Andrew looking at the fluffy chicken. This chicken was hilarious and I think my mom had some special bond with it. Every time she would cluck at it, it would cluck right on back....hmmm,who knew my mom was the chicken whisperer!?


Potato-sack Slide! WHOO-HOOOOOOO...


HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO....!!!!


Fun times on the Tractor ride!


Ha, ha...remember the one time on, The Office, when Jim suggests that for a party they should have a two-way petting zoo...you know, where you pet the animals and the animals pet you back. These photos sort of remind of that. :-)




Swinging on the horse swing


Thanks for so much fun, HeeHaw's!!!


Well, I believe this ends my huge post! If you read all of this, then WOW! Thanks for hanging in there...if not, phew...I don't blame you. :-)

WHOOT-WHOOT!

Just a quick shout out to my awesome husband! He just found out today that he got a scholarship! He is one in only five out of a class of approximately 50 to get it. We are thrilled...things are really started to shape up nicely! Man, we are feeling blessed these days! :-)

That was quick!

FYI: My visa came today!!! We are all good! :-)

A CLOSE SHAVE

Today I had an extremely close call...too close. After I got the unexpected phone call I had such a surge of pot-luck emotions that I literally cried (and I'm not the kind to normally cry over things like this) for about a 1/2 hour. After I explained to Mike what had happened (in between hiccups and bursts of sobs) he felt relief...and a little frustrated, too. As I said, it took me a little time, but I composed myself and got the necessary things taken care of. I got some needed help from my mother, went to the bank, wrote a letter, faxed some forms and my close shave should now be on the road to go-ville.

So...what was this all about?

Immigration.

Shudder, sick feeling in the pit of my stomach just writing that word!

Since Mike and I got married three years ago we have had our fare share of...we'll say 'exposure'...to the immigration process. Thankfully Mike has always been fastidious in his paper work, so although it is a pain and somewhat expensive, it hasn't been that bad.

Well, with the whole move to Scotland planned in two months, it's been my turn to experience it. Again, thankfully, we have tried to be fastidious about the required paperwork and we have started very early to ensure we don't run into any last minute problems. SO...about 6 weeks ago I sent in my paperwork applying for a Settlement VISA which should allow me to stay in the UK with my family for a number of years.

This sounds much more simple than it has actually been...but I will spare you the incredibly inane details. Suffice it to say that this Settlement Visa is my second attempt to get it right, their website it NOT (NOT, NOT) as "self- explanatory" for people in funky situations like ours, and it has cost us A LOT of time and MONEY! OH...and I do need to say that before I sent this one off, I called a supposed, "helpful" hotline, which costs $3 a minute, and I spoke to a woman with a very thick Indian accent who assured me (twice, in two separate phone calls) that I had filled out the correct VISA and included the correct information.

So...I sent it....

6 weeks later I get this phone call:

ME: Hello?
BRITISH WOMAN: Hello, this is "so-n-so" from the British Consulate General in LA. I have some questions about your VISA application.

ME:OK, great, we've been curious about that.
BRITISH WOMAN: I don't understand this...is your husband in the US or the UK?

ME: He's in the U.S. but he is a british citi...
BRITISH WOMAN (cutting me off): Emily, listen, stop...I know he is a citizen, you sent me that information, I need to know if he is in the UK.

ME: Uh..NO...I...
BRITISH WOMAN: Is he in the UK?

ME: NO! He is here in the US with me.
BRITISH WOMAN: SLIGHT PAUSE Why did you fill out a settlement visa?

ME: Because I tried the "other" one (I'll spare you the details of the "other one") and I spoke to someone who told me this was the only...
BRITISH WOMAN: You can't apply for this VISA if your husband isn't in the UK.

ME: That is exactly the opposite of what I was told...I called TWICE to confirm...
BRITISH WOMAN: Emily, stop, listen...it doesn't matter. Look, I would normally have denied this VISA right away and...if I had, then you wouldn't be able to reapply for a new one for two years. But I thought I should call you first, because your application was confusing.

Right then my emotions changed from severe annoyance at her constant usage of my name (especially when I was talking perfectly calm and being completely cooperative) to complete shock and immense gratitude. I also felt sick to my stomach...I still kind of do.

ME: I'm sorry it is confusing, I assure I would have not sent it to you if I didn't think it was in order.
BRITISH WOMAN: (Tone getting friendlier)I think I see where the confusion came. Look, if you can fax me X,Y,Z in the next hour then I can use what you sent and I'll get your Visa processed.

ME: Really? Thank you so much.
BRITISH WOMAN: It's ok...

She then proceeded to explain what I needed to do and re-emphasize certain laws and then she gave me the clincher, sending me into an emotional spin of realizing the bullet we just dodged:

BRITISH WOMAN: Oh...and could you fax a copy of your sons British Passport? I see here that he's still little and that's what actually made me decide to call you. I don't like to separate families.

I about started sobbing on the phone as the realization of what could have happened smacked me across the head like a ton of bricks.

After I got everything in order and faxed those precious forms, Mike and I proceeded to talk about how terribly wrong that could have gone. If she hadn't called, I could not live in Scotland for two years! That would mean Mike would have to got to school somewhere else. Not too bad, really, but we have SO MUCH invested in this already, not to mention that this school is exactly where Mike wanted to go...his number 1 choice. So then other options...I could live here, with my parents, while he went to school and I would have to take Andrew and travel back and forth under the restriction of my passport. (Only allows you to stay in three month increments).

Anyway, there are multiple other options, but you get the idea of how close we came to a big disaster! I'm not going to lie, my first feelings were pure frustration, I was feeling extremely loathsome to our "friends" across the pond and wondered why on earth we have been planning this incredibly stressful, practically unknown MOVE over there?! WHY?!

And then I felt the peace...I know that we were extremely blessed today. I know that Heavenly Father was watching out for our little family...we were simply too close to have made it without His help. Maybe now I'm supposed to say that after this "I know" this where Heavenly Father wants us to go. BUT...to be honest I can't say that, I don't know if that's how it works every time. However, I can tell you what I do know, and it's that He IS always there. He certainly was today. I feel sick thinking about what we would now be facing if she hadn't called, or if she would have automatically denied my Visa, like she normally would. OR what if I hadn't heard the phone ring, or my cell phone dropped the call like it often does?

Perhaps there is a 'greater' purpose for our move but I like to think that it's more a confirmation that we made a good decisions for our family, and that--as in all things--Heavenly Father was there to help us follow through after everything in our power still ended up short. There are still some hurdles to go through and I'm sure I haven't seen the last of our immigration woes but it's been a good lesson...a good reminder. I am feeling so very grateful today.

P.S. I am also so much more sympathetic to immigrants, legal or otherwise...I feel your pain!!! I never thought I would be here either! Keep going!! :-)

Alright...we are back!

Hi! So, it is always so hard to find time to do everything you want in a day. Right?! For the last month or so I have been trying to organize and write out important experiences in my journal which is why I took some time off the blogging. See, it seemed like whenever I took the time to write a post, it took away from the time I should have used for keeping a journal hence....the blog break. However, now that I am "caught up" (as caught up as I hope to be anyway)I have decided to try an combine the journal with the blogging. I know, it sounds so cliche (I read 'seriously so blessed' too) but I have a friend who informed me of a website that can digitally create a scrapbook/memory journal using blog posts so...I believe that would be the answer to my time crunch problems. So...that means (and a really do apologize for those who will think think boring)that I will try to post more little things about our everyday life...to keep it for the "journal". Again, sorry if it's boring but hey, you don't have to read it, right?!

Anyway, so now that I've stated my intentions I wanted to give a brief update on the Scotland happenings. It's getting closer and closer! Just a little over two months away from the big move! Mike's parents were kind enough to spend a weekend in Aberdeen to scope out the area for us...give us an idea of where it's best to locate housing, etc. They wrote an email about their visit a few weeks ago and it made me so excited I wanted to share a little excerpt from my kind father-in-law:

Hi Mike & Emily

We have returned from our journey of discovery. Being totally unfamiliar with Scotland, we were somewhat surprised by it. We expected the area below Edinburgh to be the same as Northumberland, but thought that by the time we reached Aberdeen, 200 miles north of us, we would be into hills and mountains and glens and lochs. Shows you how much we know! The Highlands are on the west coast, Aberdeen and area could be anywhere in England!

It's known as the granite city, for that is what it's built of. Happily there are lots of trees and open spaces to relieve the grey of the buildings. It's a very compact city which means it doesn't take you long to get places. There isn't the suburban sprawl you get with most cities. The countryside stops, the city begins and nowhere are you far from the former or from water. The city sits between two large rivers,the Don and the Dee, with the sea forming a third side. However they apparently have a problem with water shortage, which means building is restricted and hence I suppose the high cost of property.

We liked the city and think you will too, particularly since there seems to be an exceptional amount of sporting facilities. The university obviously has a sports centre, but then there's another one almost next door and a dry ski slope opposite, with a cycle track converted from an old railway line behind, a skating rink on the sea front and football and rugby pitches everywhere, as well as other sports centres. There's a long sandy beach with a large fun fair - a bit like an overlarge Newquay.

Robert Gordon University, or at least the bit you will be at, is about 6 years old, beautifully situated on the banks of the River Dee. There's the sports centre, classrooms for medical related subjects, a business school and art college, library and book shop, a doctor's surgery and a very nice nursery. Next door is a small shopping centre with Boots, Sainsbury's, Comet, etc.

We stayed on the outskirts of the city in a very old part of what used to be a fishing village. The single storey fishing cottages with their narrow lanes are still there and they still fish for lobster and crabs. The coast at that point is very rocky and the water apparently deep as I stood and watched some young lads tombstoning, egged on by their dad.

(From Dad):

I love the way he writes! So, it sounds like a great place and I'm really excited to discover it for ourselves! BUT we do want to make sure everyone knows...we would love to have visitors! (Hint, hint, nudge, nudge) So if anyone is looking for a great vacation, we will have a place to stay in Scotland (that is if we are able to find housing first...but I'm sure that will be a post for another time.)

I'll explain the bloggin absence...

Hi! I just wanted to write a quick post to stay I apologize to those of you who actually ready this about our major lack of posting recently. The things is that I have given myself a little blogging hiatus so that I can concentrate on a few other things I have desperately needed to get done. Those said this are nearly finished so I plan to begin blogging again in another weeks or so. I meant to mention this earlier so sorry that it's late! Anyway, we are all doing great although we have lots of catching up to do. We hope everyone is well!

We'll be bloggin again soon! :-)

An Idea Whose Time Has Come

I was talking with a friend the other day who mentioned that in light of the recent recession two out of the four security guards at her work are going to be laid off soon. This concerned her for several reasons, the main one being that she works at a home for troubled youth and, as you can imagine, she oftentimes encounters some umm...fishy problems where the help of a robust security guard comes in quite handy. However, now she and the staff will be working for eight hours, out of the 24-hour day, where no security guard will be available. They will be left to their own defenses which, no offense Mels, will most likely consist of the classic scream-and-point and, in desperate times, hair pulling. Probably not the most...effective way to subdue a springy, wayward youth.

Anyway, this news concerned me and made me feel for my friend. I mean, I work at the Utah County Health Department and although it's not really that risky I still frequently encounter my own "troubled youth" and drug rehabilitates. Once two of my smoker kids almost got into a fight when I was eight months pregnant and I pulled them apart using my massive belly. Just think if I hadn't had that belly I would have called the security guard who, while readily watching TV, would have jumped at my helpless call for aid. So at some level I understand my friends plea...it's just nice to have someone THERE, to protect you from evil and defend your honor. And that's when it came to me...not only the perfect solution to my friends problems, but also for anyone who is feeling a little scared, for those who would like a little extra security in such a troubled world. I flashed a mental image of the group that would be up for the task, they stand for vigilance and fight against the evils of our world. That's right! These able-bodied folk fight for truth and freedom from snively, rebellious tweens. So...who can I be thinking of? Well, isn't it obvious? I am referring to the stalwart members of the Sword and Quill club. I truly believe that here, my friends, lie the keys to solving our local and possibly, national, problems of security!

Many people have seen these hearty lads practicing outside the Wilkinson Center on BYU campus adorned in their traditional garb--vinyl pants, bed-sheet-cloaks accented with bits of pillow cases and towel. Sometimes the lady folk can be seen at the gatherings playing a lute and strumming the guitar, but the main event are the fearsome warriors--the men, not unlike William Wallace--who spend their valuable time practicing the art of combat for times such as this. I mean, they really are the prefect solution, and here are a few more reasons why.

One, words like "budget cuts" have no effect on them. They don't fight for the money, they fight for the honor of the Queen and will defend Scotland at all costs. Getting paid for this duty is a mockery of their very souls.

Two, they are well-equipped with finely crafted daggers made from old press board and glue. Not to mention their grand plastic swords and duct taped reinforced light sabers.I dare you...

Three, these people have been trained in the art of hand-to-hand combat for the last 800 years, I would say that is more than enough time to be sufficiently skilled.

Four, their keen whit and ability to scent out any potential problems can only be magnified by their fluency in Elvish. AND if, heaven forbid, something were to happen to their lance or cross bow, they could always cast a confundus charm with their wand.

Five, although they are more fighter than lover, they can still negotiate peace with a swig of ginger ale and a hey-nonny-no after a merry turn in traditional dance.

Yes! It makes so much sense to me and it's a wonder no one has thought of this before now. I can see the scenario so perfectly. My friend, Mel, walking the long corridor of a stenchy detention center hall when all of a sudden, a troubled youth comes ambling his 15-year old body directly at her flashlight. She hold up her hands awaiting the struggle when suddenly, "Ah-ha!" The teen is peacefully struck down with the Vulcon death grip as our hero leans against the wall and re-adjusts his cross bow. "Thought you might need some help," sweat dripping from his beard as he brushes the hair his from his eyes. "Fancy some pork at the local Discoteca?"
"Sure..." Mel bats her eyes and strides off in the sunset, arm in arm with our modern day warrior.

So, what do you think? All in favor say "AYE"!

Siapan, oh how I miss thee...

Okay, we have been home now for about a week and I am so very relieved to be home. But now that I am back into my normal routines I find myself day dreaming of the beautiful paradise I can hardly believe I was just visiting...and I can't help but wish I could take a little break from dishes to wander down to the beach.

I know...I know...it's indulgent. We certainly had a LONG stay there and, truly, I know how friggin' lucky we were to have such an opportunity. Really, no reason to feel bad, but nonetheless I sheepishly still miss that place and long to feel the salty breeze and warm sun as I laze about the sandy beach. *Sigh*

Anyway, so to keep things a little fresher in my mind, I decided to post the rest of our pictures that depict our whole Saipan experience.

Botanical gardens:
The resort we stayed at had beautiful trails where visitors could tour around admiring the native plants and fruit trees. This was one of my favorite things, it was beyond beautiful.

Me attempting to eat a Blimbine (I think that's what it was called). When I actually tried it, it was the worst sour taste I have EVER experienced...think expired milk and un-ripe lime. GROSS!



I think this was called a "Mountain Apple", it didn't taste bad...if you ever need something to keep you regular though...


Mike holding a star fruit. There was a whole little grove of these. Very cool!














Making news friends and going on adventures
One of the best things about this vacation was the ward there. We were there for two Sundays and it just felt like we belonged. Everyone more than welcomed us with open arms. I mean even though we were just visitors we were invited to all the activities and even a baptism. The baptism was wonderful and I got to become friends with the woman, Christina, who is not much older than myself and we had a lot in common. It was sincerely a touching experience to be a part of that special moment in her life.

We also met a really great couple in a situation very similar to ours. Their names are Jari and Chantelle (pronounced Yadi and Shantaya). They have two little children, their oldest being a few months older than Andrew. Jari is from Finland and he met Chantelle while at BYU-Hawaii, Chantella is a Saipan native so after they got married, they came back and that's when we met them. We became quite good friends and were able to do a lot of things together. One of the funnest things was when we went on a hike to a place called Forbidden Island and when we rented scooters to get a better look at the historical sights and other scenery. We wouldn't have been able to experience these fantastic things if we hadn't had their help and knowledge...So, thanks Jari and Chantelle for such a fantastic aspect of this vacation...who knew we would end up making such great friends?!?

This is from our hike to forbidden island. After you go through the actual hike you end up here, at a beautiful little swim hole completely full of tropical fish.


Here is Mike doing some free diving in the swim hole.




Mike jumped in...


Steve flipped in...


My brother, Steve, on the left and then our new friends Jari and Chantelle.


After we swam in the pool, we went exploring a nearby cave which was seriously a little scary but SOOOO cool. Here is Chantelle at the mouth, right before we went in.


Mike and Steve walking in


Once we were in the cave, we got to climb through this little hole to get out and see some more views.


One of those views


The next few photos were taken on our hike back to the car. SIGH, isn't spectacular?! Too bad pictures just don't do it complete justice.






Snorkeling and Scuba Diving:
Mike did the scuba diving and I did the snorkeling. It was amazing to see all the fish we saw, it's almost like and alien planet when you get to see everything that lives just below the surface of salt water.

Andrew and I decided to go for a ride on a water bike.


The tide got really low because of the eclipse...this is about 25 feet out into the ocean and we are STANDING. The water barely made it up to my ankles.


The next few pictures show some of the fish we saw, shells (usually occupied by a crustaceaus friends)and some wreckage. The wreckage pictures are of tanks and landing crafts that were sunk during WWII.














Beach Combing:
This is a favorite pastime of mine. We spent a lot of time on our beach by the resort but we also took several trips around the island to check out some others. My two favorites were called Tank Beach and Hidden Beach.

These first few pictures were taken at Tank Beach. It was sort of sad because a lot of garbage washes up here, BUT it was still fantastic!! And what makes it okay is that a TON of shells wash up with the garbage so it's fun to find pretty sea shells.


Sometimes you have to be careful because the shells are occupied. We found little fellas like this EVERYWHERE!




Mommy and Andrew loved the beach by our resort. Mainly because it is encircled by a reef so there are no dangerous waves or an unertow. It was Andrews most favorite thing ever to simply dig all day in the sand and then splach in the water.




The rest of these pictures are from Hidden Beach. When my brother Alan came over in February he and my dad found it. It was really remarkable, it had some black sand and white sand. The thing that I liked best about this was that it was surrounded by those really craggy volcanic rocks.

This next picture explains why it's called hidden beach. First you have to find the trail that takes you there then you have to walk through a bunch of jungle to reach it. When we got close we could see it peeking through the leaves.


Here my dad is getting splashed by a wave while walking along those craggy rocks!





The People
The dynamic there was so fascinating! I know I mentioned a little about this stuff in my previous post, but the natives there are so relaxed (sometimes a little too relaxed) but were some of the kindest, most generous folk I think I will ever meet.

I mean, first there is Russ, the man behind the curtain in this fairy tale. He is the one who got my dad to go over in the first place and who allowed us all to be flown over. Then, as I mentioned, the ward members...but I really grew to LOVE the workers and other tenants of the resort. Because this was their slow season and we stayed for so long, we got to know most everyone who lived or worked there. They were mainly either Chummaro, Japanese or Phillipino and the cultural diversity was thrilling to me. I wish all of them the best and hope to see them again some day!

My dad and Russ, Russ is on the Right.


Seeing my dad in action
My dear dad was the reason we were all able to go and have a vacation. BUT he was there to work, so it was a lot of fun to go down and see him do star shows and fix telescopes and create presentations, etc. One of the coolest things was that we got to be there during an eclipse (not a full one, but close enough) and it was great having my dad right on hand to let us know what was happening and showing everyone views through the telescope. I pretty much think my dad walks on water (see the picture right below)! Thanks Dad for that once in a lifetime experience!

Yep, that's my dad in the distance, walking on water... :-)


I know this doesn't look like much but if you look closely you will see all the little shadows on the ground are in the shape of a crescent moon. This is also due to the eclipse...see, because the moon is blocking the sun, the sun can only cast rays with the part that isn't covered (since this wasn't a full eclipse) the result is that small shadows looked like little crescent moons.


This was during the eclipse. The picture on the screen shows what it looked like in space, my dad was able to hook up the image of the telescope to the screen so everyone could see.


Spending Time With the Moody Family
I was a good time just having the option to sit around and do nothing but play games. Although not everyone was there the whole time, we did have a week where we all overlapped, it was a lot of fun! Some of our favorite memories: when Mike took my dad to forbidden island, playing lots of rook, snorkeling, and watching weird Al videos. :-)

Japan
This was always a goal of mine...to actually SEE Japan! Both my dad and brother, Steve, served their missions there and I have heard so many great things about this place. Well, as luck would have it on our flight back to the states, we had a 7 hour layover in Narita (right outside of Tokyo)and we decided to go see it while we waited for our flight. We had a plan that we thought was foolproof...see, my brother Steve had already left Saipan and was staying in Japan for a few weeks with a friend of his. Well, turns out they would be near Narita when we had our layover so he said he would meet us at the airport and take us on a little tour. PERFECT, because, let's be honest...the whole different language thing freaked me out so Steve was the perfect answer! Well, when we got there we ended up waiting for about two hours and Steve never showed! Yes, we were worried, but Steve and I made an agreement before hand that if either of us were two hours late then we should assume something came up and to stop waiting.So, maybe it was the fact that we were already super sleep deprived and feeling a little loopy, but Mike and I decided to figure it out on our own and we went to see Narita. When we left the airport I got super nervous but we still managed to catch a train. It was nerve wracking...but THANKFULLY a lot of people there speak some English so with a lot of hand gesturing and pointing to signs we made it safely onto a train, walked around the city and saw a beautiful Buddhist temple (in the distance) and even ate some Japanese food from a bakery. We were quite proud of ourselves when we did all that and made it safely back to the airport.

But I still wondered what happened to Steve.

Well...just as we were walking into the re-entry gates we see Steve standing around talking frantically to a worker. I called out his name and he came rushing over. Apparently he had gotten his days mixed up (totally understandable considering all the times zones we had been traveling through) and he thought he still had a day before we came in. He realized his mistake about an hour after we landed and frantically got a train to Narita to try and find us. He had been at the airport for about 20 minutes when we ran into him. So...I was sad we didn't get to spend more time with him but in the end it all worked out! :-)

A couple things though: 1) We didn't take any pictures because our camera was broken--this was a huge TRAGEDY because who knows if I'll ever go back to Japan so sorry I have nothing to show for it! 2) We did get to see a "movie star" while we waited in the airport.

When we walked out to the lobby we saw a horde of little Japanese tweens scrunched together, and roped off, in the area where we walk out from the terminals into the waiting lobby. They held signs saying things like, "please sign me" we noticed that a lot of them were holding Harry Potter pictures (including the cast).Well, after about an hour we heard all this screaming and so we frantically looked up to see this bright blond head bopping along...turns out Malfoy came to Japan and the girls were SOOOO, OMG, excited!!! He ended up walking right past Mike which was fun. So...that I guess is our Japan experienced all wrapped up. GOOD TIMES!



All in all, this truly was an amazing, once in a lifetime experience and we are very grateful to have had it. If anyone ever needs a good vacation, well..by golly...get on over to Saipan, it's worth it! :-)