another good bye

Every year we say goodbye to so many good friends. I need to start taking pictures of all of them. 

We said goodbye to my sweet friend, Jonette this summer. Her husband is starting a job in the foreign service with their first assignment in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in Africa. I am so excited for them. They will be so good at this. 

But I'm sad to lose her and her family. Singapore won't be the same.

The darling Vaughan girls - Alice, Greta and Mary Esther.

Gage turns 6

 

We gathered Gage's buddies together before school was out to celebrate Gage's birthday! Six year old boys are so much fun. Especially this one. 

 

Gage was so excited for his Ninjago party. Dave made the perfect Sensei Wu and did a ninja training camp for the boys to earn their ninja belts - obstacle course, throwing stars, Sensei says. They had a blast.

 

Jungwoon

 

 Adam 

 

  Binh and Matthew

It was definitely a challenge to keep this group of 6 year old boys contained.

 

They mostly looked just like this. A big blur of happy.  The entire time.

 

In line for the pinata. 

Happy Birthday to Gage!

Noah's birthday party

 

Noah was so excited for his birthday party. And he knew exactly what he wanted to do. He wanted a Ninjago pool party, with brownies instead of cupcakes and he wanted to play his version of capture the flag. 

You got it buddy. 

We did all that and threw in some surprises as well. They had so much fun. 

 

 

Ninja balloons

Ninja brownies

 

 

Dave showed up as Sensei Wu (handsome isn't he?) and led the kids to play Noah's capture the flag. 

Ninja goodie bags

Riku, Ume and Adele

Nikhail and Ume

 

Matthew, Noah and Nikhail

 

a big day for Noah

Our Noah turned 8 years old this week. And on Sunday he was baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 

A very special day!

June 2, 2013

Dave and I both felt so lucky to be his parents as we helped him prepare for this decision. Noah is one amazing kid. He has a sharp sense for what is right and we hope it stays that way.   

The baptism was held at our church in Singapore. 

We felt so much love from our Singapore Family and couldn't have pulled it off without them. We missed those who couldn't join and are so grateful to those who came. I know Noah could feel the love.

Furners, Vaughans, Lindsay Hancock, Phillips, Larsens, Kristy and Emmy Braun, Nelsons, Badgers, Mechams, Daynes, Lessers, Garners, Oddoz-Mazets, Gordhammers, Coombs, Dalbys, Claytons, Gaughners, Zufelts and Bishop Quinton - We love you all!

While we were setting up, Noah went around taking pictures. So cute to see it from his perspective.

Baby Sybil in her purple dress was sick and fell asleep on Sarah's shoulder. 

I loved the program thanks to my amazing friend, Malia. She painted this darling watercolor and shared her program template. Thanks Malia! 

Noah and Gage practiced "When I am Baptized" for days and sang like angels (I'm guessing most 5 year old angels would sing upside down, right? He didn't miss a word). And Noah was lucky enough to have both his grandparents make a video and share a few words at his baptism. 

I hope Noah will remember how we talked about when we are baptized we take Christ's name upon ourselves. We become part of his family. We become Christians. I hope he'll remember that his dad baptized him. I hope he'll remember all his family and friends who sent love and support. And mostly I hope he'll remember how special he felt. 

Because it really was a very special day. 

Super Strong

What happens when you put on 5 pairs of pajama shorts? and 5 pajama tops?

You get super strong! 

Its true. 

tissues and pjs

She has been sick for a week. She caught the mycoplasma like everyone does in Singapore. A fever that won't go away and a horrible cough. Poor baby. 

But that means cozy pjs and extra cuddles for this Daddy's girl. 

And those are the best. 

ward beach party