Elijah, Duong, and the kids

A lot has happened since we last spoke with any of you and we thought it time to give you all an update. About two years ago we decided to move to Washington DC where we had an adventure and enjoyed the company of Brenn and Kim Bouwhuis and their beautiful little girl, Elle (sp?). Although we were far away from all of you it was incredibly comforting to have Brenn and Kim so close and it gave us a new appreciation for our family. We have a pretty amazing family and we hope all of you take advantage of the ability you have to meet together often.

Last June we moved to Bangkok, Thailand for Elijah's work and fell in love almost immediately with the food, the fruit, and the genuine goodness of the Thai people. Frequently, when Duong is walking somewhere with the kids and needs to cross the street (which is insane as anyone who has ever been to Bangkok knows), some random person will drop whatever they are doing and go and help her cross.

We also had the privilege of experiencing the worst flooding Thailand has experienced in the last sixty or so years. Although tragic, it was incredible to see how the Thai people worked together to make it through that hardship. It was also a good reminder of the need for food storage, 72 hour kits, potable water, and flashlights.

Already we are lamenting the day we will have to leave this wonderful country.

Now for a brief update on what we're doing:

Duong -

Duong is spending her limited free time learning to speak Thai, cooking new foods, and creating fun activities for the kids. She has become quite fluent in Thai considering she has only be studying for about one year. Taxi drivers and food vendors often mistake her for a Thai. In addition to mastering Korean BBQ (as you can see here), she has also become quite good at making cookies, cakes, and rolls. Some of Duong's most memorable moments of last year were when she was able to go see her favorite Thai soap star, Ann Thongprasong, and being able to meet and shake hands with Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.

Elijah -

Elijah has become reacquainted with his love for the ocean and tries to take the family to the beach often. In his free time he has been helping the Mormon missionaries teach the Gospel. He had the privilege of helping several Buddhist friends learn of and come to accept and love Jesus Christ. One of the great opportunities he has had here has been working with the young men in our Thai ward. Many of them are the only member of the Church in their family, and yet they are faithful in going to church each week. He also enjoys eating everything Duong makes.

Kanani-

Kanani started kindergarten here and has a wonderful Australian teacher and class mates from India, Thailand, Japan, and the UK. Currently, Alex from her class is her boyfriend, but she assures us she is going to marry Ricky. She is learning to swim from a Thai man who said he learned how to teach kids to swim by watching The Dog Whisperer--because, obviously, kids are like dogs. Nevertheless, she has become quite a good little swimmer. While she does enjoy living in Thailand, Kanani often tells us she wants to move back to Utah.

Akeakamai-

Kea is into everything Michael Jackson, robots, punching his brother, and swimming. Kea misses his sister when she is at school and often tells Duong to go bring Nani home so they can play. Kea does not enjoy church here and tells us almost weekly that he wants to go to the Jesus church in the Utah world where he can understand what people are saying. Kea loved taking karate from his uncles in Utah and we're debating whether to get him into Muay Thai lessons here. Duong fears that what is now only punches to Asa will turn into knees and elbows. As Elijah has not been able to watch UFC here in Thailand, he is all for it.

Asa -

Asa loves Bob Marley and starts shaking his hips whenever we turn it on. Miraculously, Asa has been going poopy in the toilet since he was one, but he still won't go potty in the toilet. Asa enjoys eating rice, rice, and rice. For some reason he won't eat very much meat, and he is picky when it comes to sandwiches, but he loves fruit. Since Thailand has such a wide variety of fruit, he is in heaven here. Elijah wants Asa to grow his hair out, but since we have been getting comments on what a cute girl we have, it may be time to chop it off. Asa is a sweet little boy but he has started to have temper tantrums, and has learned how to express his anger in a scream.

Other than being far away from you all, life is beautiful. We'll be heading back to Utah for a couple of weeks in the next few months and hope that we will be able to break bread with each of you. If any of you are thinking of a trip to South East Asia, know that we have an extra room waiting for you.

Much love,

Elijah, Duong, Nani, Kea, and Asa

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