Aloha Ami and Poppi!

As mentioned earlier Ami and Poppi (my parents) are leaving for an eighteen month mission for our church early October to the Suava, Fiji mission. We are going to miss them like crazy but at the same time we are so excited for this next adventure in their lives. Birch and I are hoping the stars align and somehow we are able to make it over for a little visit.

My parent's just came up to stay with the kids while Birch and I went away to St. Louis for a week. The night they arrived we greeted them with a luau (inspired by our Ditto family reunion).
Our dinner was DELICIOUS!!! We had homemade kalua pork, sticky rice, fruit salad, homemade sweet braided challah bread, stir fry sugar pods, and Mango-Peach juice. Emily made a really tasty pina colada cake to top off dinner.

The Challah bread was a real hit. It was my first time making it but it certainly will not be the last.

Nate was such a handsome Hawaiian boy!

After dinner the kids all presented Ami and Poppi with a homemade candy lei and flower lei. They each shared something that they love about Ami and Poppi. It was pretty special!

Alex
Tyler
Alysee
Nate

Coop --hum, not sure why we don't have a picture of him--he was probably eating the lei.

Chloe
Mila and Sage

Then I threw together this quick video of all of us doing our Hawaiian dances at the Ditto Reunion in honor of Ami and Poppi. It was a neat evening filled with the Aloha spirit!!


If you are unable to view the video you can use the following link: http://youtu.be/bG_hB_xzYZY

I feel so blessed to have been born to such godly and goodly parents! I just know that they are going to be able to be of such wonderful service to the people of Fiji.

Love you Forever!!!

Lots of Ditto Lovin'

A family that plays together stays together -- this must be the Ditto motto because we sure have a lot of fun together. We had the most wonderful extended family Ditto reunion! I think there were 76 of us in attendance--which is no small accomplishment when everyone is spread out. We joined together at Bear Paw Camp in Newport, WA which twice now has proven to be a great spot for a family reunion.

The kids had a blast together and Alex and Tyler really enjoyed getting to know some second cousins that were close to their age.
Saturday morning the sister-in-laws planned a morning of crafts. The kids had fun making these water bottle rockets--unfortunately, they weren't as cool as the directions said and only blast off a whole three feet. Oh well, Nate and cousin Malia had fun anyways.
Tyler had a great time playing tennis with his second cousins.

The swimming pool was the center of most of the action. It didn't matter the age--everyone was having a ball.

Coop had no fear with his life jacket on -- he was a fish!
Check out all these cousin boys -- we seriously had no idea where they all were most of the time. Thankfully they never got into trouble (at least that I know of) or got hurt. They loved their independence!
The adults just a cool as their kids!
Alysee could be found wherever all the other little girls were hanging out -- these girls are glued at the hips.
Aunti Blayre and Chloe had a nice little canoe ride.
The good lookin' daddy with Chloe and Coop.
The couple we honor!! Grandpa had a stroke about two years ago and Grandma has been such a sweet caregiver. It was such a treat being around both of them.
The kids and G&G Ditto
Saturday evening was the highlight of the reunion-- it started with the most delicious luau dinner and then we split up to learn some Hawaiian dances and have a sing-a-long.

The boys doing their scary Maui dance.
The whole Hawaiian night just made me happy -- I loved the food, the Hawaiian music, the dancing, and pigeon talk--everything. If only I could transport myself their once a month and then have my darn plumeria tree actually bring forth some blossoms I would have a smile every day on my face.

Family is Eternal and Fun!!!