The Future Mr. & Mrs. Mack Bakker

Congratulations to Mack and Breana for coming out of your "engagement closet" and announcing to both sides of your families your engagement.  Some fun facts about Mack and Bre: They've been dating since December 2007 and planing to tie the knot in Hawaii in December 2008.  Mack's in Texas for the summer selling pest control, Breana is working at the office of the Advancement Vice President that is in charge of the devotionals, sports, alumni etc...  They both have a keen sense of fashion which is persuading me rig secret Santa's this year.  Last but mostly the reason I put these facts in, Mack went to Russia on his mission where he was a victim of a hit and run.  He said the man in the car actually saw him and sped up.  Isn't that crazy!!  I still think I have her beat.  I went on a date with a guy who had just gotten off his mission, I don't think he was released yet.  His family went to Brazil to pick him up and I think his dad was his companion, and they got lost while sight seeing and ended up in a bad part of town and he and his dad were shot like three times each.  SWEET! Not because of what happened but because I found an article.  Look here.  I'll look for an article about Mack but anyways I just wanted to say congratulations to the two of you.  We're so happy for you guys and we can't wait till Mack officially becomes a part of our family.

Seminary Graduation

I have to say congratulations to my sister Cherie (sure-ree) not Sherry, it's French look it up, for graduating from seminary.  For all of those people who had seminary tact on to your school schedule you had it made!  In Hawaii we have what we call "early morning seminary."  High school students have to wake up at a 5:30 am, earlier depending how sane you are and what school you go to, to get to seminary by 6:00 am.  It's really not the easiest thing in the world.  All my sister's did a much better job at attending seminary than I did.  I barely graduated and I was the class president.  I had to do 116 make up worksheets for all the day's I missed.  You did it the smart way Cherie and you got through it.  Can you believe it?  Sleep now, shhhh, rest that noggin' because you've sure lacked in the beauty department!  Ha!  Anything but!  Congrats again Cherie, we love you!

Happy Birthday Gabriella!

Saturday May 17th the Stimmel's, Wynes', Boyd's, and us went to the zoo for Ella's 2nd birthday.  As you can see on Ella's face she and everybody else had a blast!

L-R: Mike, Shane, and Taylor had eachother's kids, L-R: Seth, Adi, and Brylie, on their necks.  Scoot each kid to our right and they would be on the right dad.

Galapagos Tortoise

If you have not heard the Adi and the Koi pond story read here first.

So she was doing pretty good with the water surrounding her like this.

And then she saw the man eating Koi fish and freaked out.  Can you blame her?  Traumatized I tell you!  Traumatized...

We had a ton of fun that entire Saturday!  We hope you have a happy birthday Ella Bean!

Bruises To Beaches

Brody, trying to put on Drew's sunglasses.

We were supposed to take family picture Wednesday May 14th.  Brody had had a nice blue bruise on his forehead for the past week and it cleared up just in time for pictures.  That morning Brody hit his forehead... twice in the same exact spot!  Needless to say we've postponed family pictures.  Check out Mark Holladay Photography!  

Natasha Kai, a forward who's on the United States women's national soccer team and daughter of Uncle Benny from Drew's school, came to school today.  Uncle Benny's the one on the far left and Natasha's the one on the far right.  I'm the creepy stalker type not the outright no-shame type so I took a picture of her from far away rather than asking her to take a picture with me and getting an autograph like I wanted.  You may not have guessed but I'm actually a fan of soccer.  I could watch it for hours.  I cannot wait for the Beijing Olympics.

This picture is funky because my camera is messed up.  It was bright pink before I made some changes.  Anyways Kurt's been spearfishing the past three days.  Our house smells sick nasty!  This is a preview of Kurt's blog.  Check it out here.

After school and after spearfishing we went to Hukilau with the Stimmel's and Boyd's.  Here is Ella sporting of her pink sunglasses, Old Navy swimsuit, a little off-the-shoulder action and her matching hat. 

Next we have Jacob with the short's-on-the-head, court jester look, and a green binky to match.

Look at that smile!

Brody trying to make it out to the Iosepa.

Drew and Seth did this all on their own.

Look at this attitude.