One busy week

The week of June 13th was one busy week. Kimberlee, Lance and Big Griffin flew in on Monday. So happy to have them stay with us. We had a full house. We still had Fernando and Mattia here. So Mattia slept in the den. One thing about Griffin is that he loves to eat. Weston got his 4 wisdom teeth taken out on Tuesday and Griffin ate more food that Weston did for days. Weston was eating baby food along with Griffin.

They gave Weston laughing gas when they put him under. When he got in the car to come home, he would giggle and giggle. We got him home and all he did was laugh. Here is a picture of his face all swollen.

Then on Wednesday, Mattia left for Italy. He left at 5 am. That was a miracle for Mattia to get up early. He was packed for days, trying to get everything in and rearranging all the pants he bought. The last night we had a big dinner for Mattia and he tried to burn the house down trying to cook rice. I forgot to take pictures of everyone. Mattia stayed with us for 10 months. He said that "Linda put a pistol to his head and got him to do many things." I figure that if you pay that kind of money to come here, you better make the most of it. Mattia played the part of the Friar in Romeo and Juliet, editor for the Westwood paper and made many friends here.

So long Mattia you will do good wherever you go. Go make the most of life! and as Mattia would say "Have a good life"

Friday we had our last dinner with Fernando. Then Saturday was one busy day of saying good-byes. Kim, Lance and Griffin left for California for the Jennings Family Reunion. Than I got home just in time to go to Chad Heywood's wedding at the temple. Hurry home and take Fernando to the airport to go home to Brazil. Both boys were sad to leave, but happy to go home to their families. I know that their mothers were elated to have them come home.

One busy week. Too many goodbyes!!! Thanks Mattia and Fernando for being such good host sons! Sunday nights are not the same without both of you. No one to play rook with. We hope the best for both of you. You both hold a special place in our hearts.

Now we have 2 places to go and visit - Italy and Brazil. If only I could convince Ross to travel.

Fernando Lima Farewell

Weston had his wisdom teeth taken out 4 days prior to Fernando leaving. I am glad that Weston got his strength back because Fernando's bags weighed 70 pounds a piece and I knew that I would not be any help in lifting that much weight. Ross was in Flagstaff doing some repair at Walmart.

Here are the boys trying to throw Fernando back to Brazil. I don't think it will work. Fernando was a big tease, so they loved getting him back.

Here is Fernando, Weston, Linda and Ross. I wish we had a picture taken of Mattia before he left.

At Chad Heywood's Wedding dinner we toke this picture. This was Fernando's last meal with all the family.

We have had a good experience with our Exchange Students.

Family Reunion June Day 2

Red Neck Pinata -Family Reunion Day 2
I think the bigger kids had more fun than the little ones. Weston and Mattia are hard at work searching for the candy in the wood chips. Mattia sat down and put the chips between his legs and then would search for the candy. Fernando would not get in the chips and get any on him. But Ross made sure that Fernando got right in the middle and got dirty. Fun, Fun, Fun!!!
Fernando after Ross put him in the middle of the pile.
After the pinata we divided into groups and played games. Here they are stacking the cups.

This game was where they had to eat a cracker and then see who could whistle. Ben won.
Keith chilling after driving the bobcat carrying the wood up to the cabin to be chopped. Keith celebrated his 29th Birthday at the cabin.
Marie making sure that the boys do the dishes. Mattia washed with Ross rinsing and Fernando drying the dishes. If Mattia did not get them clean, Fernando was happy to hand them back to be properly cleaned. Thanks boys for helping.

Here is another game we played where they were pulling out tissues to see who could do it the fastest. We had tissues flying everywhere.
Fun Family Reunion Day 2 - Too bad it has to end! Thanks Grandma Jean

Family Reunion June Day 1

Mattia, Fernando, Tyler, Hunter and Weston all eating ice cream cones and look how packed the car is. We had every inch stuffed with food. We had 51 people at the June 2011 reunion. Fun times
Here is the car all loaded with food

Rachael, Curt, Ashley, Weston, Ben and Lincoln all visiting.
Mattia from Italy and Fernando from Brazil playing a game of cards with Jesse and Terra
Tyler and Clark sticking their faces through the railing
Here is more of the food packed in the back of the excursion. When we opened the back it spilled over. No one went away hungry!
Great Grandma Jean with her Great Grandchildren. My favorite picture. Priceless
Here is a picture taken from the balcony at lunch time.
Dale, Cindy, Mattia and Nancy fixing their breakfast of eggs in a plastic bag or the mush bar. Nancy had anything you could imagine to put in the hot mush. YUMMY!
Grandma Jean planning the next reunion in July.

For our work project we cut wood and had all the children stack wood. What hard workers
I just love how well all the grandchildren got along and played and worked together. We truly have a great heritage.
Even the big boys worked hard. Look at Mattia. He helped us cut wood so next Thanksgiving we can stay warm and we will think of him. Mattia told Ross that he could fly him over for Thanksgiving again.
All the girls doing what girls do best - CRAFTS
Mattia wanted me take a picture of him using a chain saw for the first time in his life. He especially wanted his brothers to see him do this.


Weston throwing Stella Mae in the air. She loved it. Weston is her new boyfriend, along with Fernando and Mattia. In fact she loves all teenage boys.

Fernando, Lucy and Stella
What a fun first day. Thanks to Grandma Jean we have this great cabin to go to and build memories. We love Grandma Jean and Grandpa Stan.

Priest Activity

Weston jumping off cliff at Fossil Springs while attending Priest Activity. Dad toke picture of Weston. Fernando also attended and won 3rd place in Skeet Shooting. The boys came home with a bow they made and lots of fun memories. Dad had a good time and ate real good with Rick Martinsen as the cook.