Nat's Family...

Hi All-
I was asked to do a spotlight on my family for our ward newsletter, and thought I would just include the info. here, in case any of you are dying to know what we're up to! We hope you are all doing well!

XOXO, Nat



We moved from North Salt Lake, into our new home about a year ago, and absolutely love it here! Natalie's Mom (Jer Call), and sister and brother-in-law (Troy & Madi Leyba), live in the ward too, which just add to the reasons why we hope to never move!

Travis works as an RN at the University of Utah Hospital in the Medical Rehabilitation Clinic. He loves working there because it's M-F 9-5, which isn't a typical shift for nurses, plus it's affiliated with his favorite thing in the world...The University of Utah! Travis loves the Utes and is excited for football season to start soon! When Travis isn't working, or watching football, you can find him playing video games, 4-wheeling in his Jeep, or camping.

Natalie works part time as an Administrative Assistant for two busy Real Estate agents, and full time for two busy toddlers! She loves spending time with her family, and friends. Natalie loves to bake, and try out new recipes - because eating treats is always fun! She also likes to read and blog - when she gets the chance.

Addison is three years old. She is full of energy and loves to be the center of attention. Addison acquired the nickname "Addi-tude" when she was really young, and it has stuck with her because it fits her so well. Addi loves to color, make up songs, dance, and ride her bike. She loves to read stories, and learn, and is excited for preschool.

Hailey is ten months old. She is a happy, sweet baby. Hailey loves her momma, playing with her big sister, and eating anything she can get her hands on. It's rare to find Hailey without a smile on her face!

As a family, we like to travel and have been on many fun vacations. We most recently spent some time on the Oregon coast (which is where our family picture was taken), but our favorite travel spot is to visit Natalie's Dad's vacation home in San Diego. We also enjoy weekend camping trips up in the Uintas.

We're all about having fun! We love board games, X-Box Kinect games, movies, eating out, and get-together.

Question to the cousins....

A few years ago we were in Utah for Christmas and one of you wonderful cousins brought Grandma Bagley's English Toffee to the party.  I realize it is July and a silly time to be thinking about Christmas candy but I'm pregnant so give me a break!  If you were the cousin or know who it was I would LOVE the recipe!  Love you all!!  Alyssa

What's Up with Jon's Family???

Kaden is 13 years old and loves karate with Te and Jade, football and girls.

Mason is 11 years old and is very uninhibited.  He is starting a musical theatre workshop next week and is enjoying playing outside as much as he can.

Jaycie is 6 years old and has lost two teeth since this picture was taken.  She is a happy girl who loves everything about being a girl . . . fingernail polish, makeup, pretty hair.  She "gets ready" with grandma almost every day.

What's Up With Janelle and her Family???

Tim: Currently an engineer at L-3, working towards his master's degree, learning how to fly fish, fixing up our house in east Layton, mourning the end of NASA's shuttle launches, researching a hunting dog/pet for the family, continually making Janelle laugh, taking piano lessons, and getting into trouble whenever possible.

Janelle: Currently finishing up my final year as a pre-kindergarten teacher at St. Olaf's Catholic School, painting lots of canvas to fill our house with color, making pottery, preparing for upcoming markets/festivals and art exhibitions (check out my blog for upcoming events: potluckpots.blogspot.com), attempting to grow a garden, and trying to eat less cheese.

What's Up With Kathie and her Family???

Mark enjoys biking, hiking, repelling, playing with his boys and working with the 12-year-old scouts in our ward.  He is a project manager for Qwest (soon to be Centurylink.)

Kathie enjoys all kinds of crafts, home improvement projects, working in the yard, running and lifting weights.  She is the Young Women music and sports director.

Weston is 12 and going to be in Junior High in the fall.  He lives, eats and breathes baseball.  He enjoys scouts, camping, swimming, climbing trees, and hanging with his friends.

Max is 10 and going to be in 5th grade in the fall.  Max loves learning about science and animals.  He enjoys playing with things you can build or take apart, and playing with his friends.  He has a wonderful imagination.

Braden is 6 and going to be in 1st grade in the fall.  He loves pretty much any sport, but especially baseball.  He enjoys reading, jumping on the trampoline, swinging, riding his scooter, playing with stuffed animals and playing with his friends.

What's Up With Te and His Family???

Nicole.

To be brief in updating what Nicole is up to is difficult. . . On top of being the worlds greatest Mom to three crazy kids, she's also... Working for her Dad's concrete business, running her own business (www.littlestlucy.com), writing for a few different parenting blogs, constantly re-designing and adorning our home, and putting up with Te's antics.  Phew, that was a mouth full.  Nic's my Hero -Te

Te.

Last year Te left his marketing job after 8 great years.  Te is now running a Karate School full time with Jade and absolutely loving it.  In addition to running the school, he still does some online marketing independently, and is also involved in a few other start ups.  

London kekua Kalei.

Ah London... Well, he finally kicked his smoking habit, which was a relief to Mom and Dad.  He found chewing gum to be the answer.  He's currently obsessed with Trains (Choo-choos), Robots (Bo-bots), and action figures (Guys).  He also refers to himself and his twin brother as 'Nani'.  Not sure why, but Cashus does it too.  We love our little Londy Pants.  He's so smart and mischievous.  

Cashus Kapono Keiki kapu'u Wai.

Cashus is our little lover.  He's always willing to give you a monster hug or a nice big smoochie.  He too loves his bo-bots, choo-choos, and guys. ...It's as if he and London shared toys, eh?  As mentioned above, Cashus refers to himself and London as 'Nani', and Lucy as 'Baby'.  He's so sweet to Lucy, with the exception of when he forgets she's a baby and starts practicing his 'Haiya' punches on her.  Cashus is also a very politically involved democrat and rally's almost monthly for the re-election of the first afro-hawaiian president, Barak Obama.

Lucy Nalani.

Little Lu-Lu is our sanity.  Amongst the craziness of London and Cash, we have our sweet, and patient Lucy.  I don't think we heard her cry until her first tooth started coming in.  Lucy is about to turn 1 next month, and is such a girly girl...Sweet as cookies but don't cross her or there will be Hell to pay. ;)  She's also always dressed with the latest in toddler fashion, thanks to Nicole.  The Lawrence family would be dim without the light that shines from our little Lucy Lu.

Mahalo,

-Te

Showering Tess With Our Love

Here are some pictures of our cute Tess.  Who is so excited to see her baby?  I am!!!  The shower was fun.  Tess got some adorable baby clothes and the food at the shower was amazing-stuff-your-cheeks-full-good.  Are we surprised? 

Advice for Mothers

Our quiet, but funny Gram is our boss lady. We should listen to all that she says and try to follow it. Today as I sat with her she glared at me and said, "wipe your face you have a spot on your cheek!" When Gram says "jump", you say "how high". I wiped my cheek and it still didn't come off. "Wipe it again..." she insisted. At this point Gram got a tissue and began to help me, but to no avail! I finally got up and looked in the mirror... The spot on my check turned out to be one of my many freckles... We both laughed. Gram I love you and will do anything for you. I will even wipe off my freckles for you.


Gram knows that she is the origin of all of us. She is in charge! Here is some advice for her daughters and granddaughters regarding being mothers:

"Be the best of what you are and stay close to your children. The most important people in your life are your children. Not only are they your children, but your best friends".
---Donna Rae Carlson

Happy Mother's Day! Love Janelle

Did you know that Grandma doesn't like animated movies? We brought her to our home and,since she was a captive audience, watched "Tangled" with her. Guess what--She loved it!

More pictures from the party!