Monday, March 29, 2010

My favorite nephew...and his baptism. Ü

I still can't believe that my nephew Hadyn has turned 8 years old! When my sister finally gave me the date for my nephews baptism...I knew we couldn't miss it. We booked our flight back to Long Beach near the end of December to make sure we would be there for his baptism on March 6th. Although my hubby wasn't able to make the trip with us (with his new job and our recent move to Utah) we were still excited to be heading back home. Ü Hadyn Lorenzo Magalei was born on February 11, 2002 at Downey Regional Hospital in Downey, Ca. He is the son of my sister Chrystel and her husband Lorenzo (Sherman) Magalei. I remember being in the delivery room the day he was born and he did not want to make his entrance lol. For many of you who know my nephew today...he's still that stubborn! LOL ;) I've watched Hadyn grown up into the boy he is today and it's amazing looking back at how fast he's grown! I've shared so many experiences with him and I love being around him. Let me tell you though...my nephew is spoiled, rowdy, he doesn't listen at times, he's a picky eater, he gets into trouble a lot, he throws tantrums still lol and he likes to argue with his older cousin Sariah...but for some reason, he is SOOO good when he's with me! LOL I'm either the aunty that he loves or the aunty that he's afraid to be naughty around! Hehe Either way....I love taking him places with us. I love having him around because he's so funny and he really is a sweet and loving little boy. :) I'm so glad I was there to witness his baptism. I could feel the spirit as we sat there in the baptismal room and it was hard for me to hold back tears as I watched his father proceed with his baptism. I love this little boy more than I could express and I would do anything for him (except buy him all the toys he always asks for when we go shopping lol). We love you Hadyn!

Lupeamanu Family Sealing & Elder Hunt

This past weekend has been one of tears, joy, laughter, memories and happiness. On Saturday, my cousin Lynne and her family entered the Jordan River Temple to be sealed together as a family for eternity. I've known Lynne and her family (before she was married) for a large part of my life and for as long as I can remember. The Hunt family lived next door to us in Long Beach and we've always been close. As I write this post...memories of sleepovers, fights, walks home from school, getting into trouble, talking over the wall, camp, sadness, fun times and laughter engross my thoughts. With a time-line of events such as these I knew that this was one I could not miss. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to witness this family's sealing. I was overwhelmed with the spirit as I watched their sealing progress. Seeing their children walk into the room brought a remembrance of my own family's sealing and of the love and joy that I felt that day. I consider Lynne to be one of my favorite cousins but in actuality she is more like a sister to me. I love her to pieces! Ü Henry and Lynne are a wonderful couple and together they have created a beautiful family. I'm so proud of them for the steps they have taken to become closer to our Father in Heaven...and I don't say that as someone who is perfect, but as someone who is on that same path. Ü










Oh...and I can't forget to mention Lynne's younger brother Erwin! On Sunday we were able to attend Erwin's mission farewell. Erwin was called to serve in the Veracruz, Mexico mission. It's hard to think that this same young man was the same little boy who use to walk to our house in the morning for cereal and then walk back home...and by himself! LOL (It's okay...we lived next door to each other, remember?! lol) I still remember him as a scraggly and goofy little boy with big gums and a big smile! LOL
Elder Hunt has grown to be the young man that I know his father would be proud of. :) He has a wonderful mother, Emmie and awesome older siblings who have helped shape him into the person he is today :) I know that my mom, who has been his seminary teacher for most of his high school years, has grown to love this young man and is proud of the person he has become as well. I am thankful again that I was able to be here for his farewell...not to mention all the yummy food we had afterward! :) Fred was proud of Elder Hunt as well and was eager to give him advice and to share his mission experiences with him (Fred served in the Tampico, Mexico mission which is right next to the area Erwin will be serving in...how cool!). I know that Elder Hunt will be a great missionary and will serve the people of Veracruz with all of his might, mind and strength. See you in two years
Elder Hunt! Ü We love you.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving is always one of our favorite holidays...yes, because of all the yummy food and of course because it's a wonderful family holiday. :) It's always been our family tradition to spend Thanksgiving at our grandmother's place in Utah, but for the past few Thanksgiving's everyone has headed over to my Aunt Amy's house in Moreno Valley...which is where we spent Thanksgiving this year. Everyone knows that my mom and my aunt Amy are the most AWESOME cooks ever and we always look forward to the dishes they prepare. We had such a great time just eating, hanging out, laughing and eating more!