A Tag for the kids - Elijah's

This is Elijah down by the bay in Olympia being a statue of a ninja.

1. What is something mom always says to you?
I love you.

2. What makes mom happy?
To make her something to eat.

3. What makes mom sad?
somebody teases you

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
you tickle me but nothing, because i stop the laugh with The Force(Star Wars)

5. What was your mom like as a child?
like princess peach

6. How old is your mom?
26

7. How tall is your mom?
100 pounds ... umm .. no no ... 26

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
these are hard questions

9. What does your mom do when you are not around?
play games

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
dancing

11. What is your mom really good at?
your good at Halo, just kidding your bad at that. Ummm ... Zelda

12. What is your mom not so good at?
Halo

13. What does your mom do for her job?
going to school .. i mean do your homework

14. What is your mom’s favorite food?
ham and pineapple pizza

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
you gave us a baby

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Betty Boop

17. What do you and your mom do together?
play games and do school stuff

18. How are you and your mom the same?
we go to school

19. How are you and your mom different?
You are a girl and I am a boy.

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
She says nice things to me.

This is the latest picture Eli took of me. He really does a good job whether it is by accident or on purpose. This was fun, but I don't know who to tag. Someone can tell me who hasn't been tagged yet. We should do the kid's tags more often.

Goodbyes

This was saying goodbye to the Stimmel family. It was a difficult week. I was still not over saying goodbye to the Lowe's. At the Lowe's goodbye we all got up and dressed fairly early in the day. We busted out the pancake mix and skillet and the boys cooked breakfast while the ladies played with the kids. I had so much composure as I said goodbye to James and Erin. It was almost as if it wasn't a reality that we were all moving. It was the moment Erin turned around with James's arm wrapped around her that I burst into tears. I watched them walk away around the corner of D building and I realized that moving away from life long friends was no longer in the future. It was happening at that very moment. The next friends we said goodbye too were Kurtis, Noelle, Drew, and Brody. That didn't get any easier. When we said goodbye it was fun filled with laughter. A cute story about Drew and how funny Elijah is: When we first met Drew, Elijah kept calling her Rosie. I kept having to explain how Drew looks similar to Rosie, but they are two different people. Well, just three days ago my niece Rosie says to me, "Auntie? Your son, he won't say I'm Rosie." I talked to Eli and asked him what her name was and he says to me, "Drew." I again has to correct him a year later. He then said to me, "I can't even say it right because I don't get to see Drew anymore. She shouldn't even move to Korea. She should move to Olympia, WA." Cute story, I know. When we said our goodbyes, we embraced, then we got into the vehicle we were borrowing. As Shane pulled away I looked out my window and had to wipe the tears under my eyes that were now dripping off my cheeks and landing on my lap. Shane was chuckling at me and said that we would be keeping in touch and to stop my crying. Needless to say, that didn't make me stop blubbering.

The next goodbye was to Taylor, Leah, Adi, Ella, and Paysen. That goodbye wasn't exactly heart wrenching. I said goodbye and see you next week. Since then we have had a great time together on the 4th of July, spending time in Disneyworld together, and we will see them again in two weeks. It is a bummer that we won't live near each other though. At this goodbye Elijah was soo funny. Eli said, "I'm not even going to miss Adi and Ella, you know?" I said, "Eli?!? That's not very nice. Why not?" He had a very obvious and logical response when he said, "They are moving to Washington State and we will see them." I didn't realize that he connected that so well.

I love this picture with Shanae saying goodbye to Adi and Ella while Taylor is saying goodbye to Kali. It was so adorable. The next goodbye I think about is when we were leaving the island. We were saying goodbye to Mike, Angie, Brylie, and Tyken and I couldn't help but think about how much I enjoy their company. I think about how much I will miss relaxing in my room listening to the guitar being played from my window. I think about how amazingly talented they are: Musically and Artistically. I would miss Brylie's conversations. Boy do I miss the things she says. I miss Tyken's baby babble and squealing along with his amazing smile. I wish we had more time to get to know you guys because you really are amazing people. We'll give you good reasons to visit Seattle, and you can give us good reasons to visit Calgary. Thanks for posting pictures and music because when I have a chance I love reading and checking out your blog. We also said goodbye to Rob and Janna. I couldn't believe we missed out on getting to know those two wonderful people better. It was through your charity and love, that we were able to get so many things done before leaving. All of the service that the two of you gave made a huge impact on our stress levels and our lives. Thank you again.

The final goodbye happened before leaving TVA and at the airport. The Jones family. That was so difficult. Aaron, you have been the 'real giant' to the massive guy next door to Aaron Jones the biggest white dude we've seen in real life to a dear friend. Shane does not keep in touch with anyone he cares about, so don't use that as a judge of his feelings towards you. He misses you. Kali and Krew the children bred for the Olympics. Kali has been off and on with Seth from the beginning. We just need to make sure that Kali and Seth can be Pablo and then they can get along. Shanae, saying goodbye to you at the airport was rough but I know that in the future we'll be able to get our families together to hang out in the future. I just remember as you drove away and I was crying once again Seth and Elijah insisted that when we get to Washington and they make me a peanut butter sandwich that I will feel better. It's true, my boys did make me feel better.

The Last Stimmel/Boyd BBQ in Hawaii

This was a fun day for us. It was nice to get away from all the packing and moving for even just the day. I loved my time at this BBQ because we were at the beach away from anyone else and we were on government owned military property. I know that sounds weird, but I love the military. I love the United States and being a part of it. I feel close to home when I am on any military property. No matter where I am whether it be California, Idaho, Washington, Connecticut, North Carolina, Hawaii, or even Germany; if I am on a military base I feel safe and I will always find a Popeye's Chicken and a donut shop. Anyhow! Back to the fun day. Here is Elijah, Shane, Taylor, and Adi looking out at the ocean together.

This is one of the last times I saw Ella before her haircut. She was singing me a song and about to climb onto a picnic table.

This is Leah's beautiful face right before indulging in a smore. I love the action shot of Great Grandpa Stimmel, Grammy, and Ella.

Here is Papa Stimmel explaining very important safety and smore making instructions to the three year old Adi and Seth.

Graduating College

Okay, so I know this is overdue similar to my entire last year of assignments. Well, not every assignment, but you have to give me a break I did have a baby during my senior year. All that really matters is that I'm done. My loving and supporting family was there by my side through late nights and weekends of homework. They came to every choir performance and every recital. Elijah, Seth , and Jacob were troopers as they were babysat many hours during the week by different babysitters. Shane had to put up with me and my grouchy attitude on days when I was stressed or didn't get enough sleep. I love my boys!! You are all more wonderful than you know. Shane, I love you .... so much. We had so much fun those short years at BYU Hawaii, but we are happy to move on to something new.

I was so excited that my dad was able to make it. It would have been nice to see mom, but I understood why she wasn't able to come. My little brother Jason was also there to represent my large yet non-present family. Thank you mom and dad for giving my family the support we needed throughout the years. We would not have made it this far and been so successful without you. I love you guys. Oh, and a shout out to my good friend Shanae who is behind us to the right. I miss you so much, but I knew we couldn't be neighbors forever. Shanae, you have been an amazing shoulder to cry on in desperate times. I love that you were always willing to talk and be a friend. Thanks for all of the free babysitting you have done for me. Without the help of you and other babysitters, I would have never graduated. Aaron, I miss you and your attitude. I love that you try and act so tough. You can get away with it because your so massive, but I see right through the tough guy attitude. Thanks for not graduating sooner, so we could be blessed with getting to know your family. Now that we're gone, you can graduate and move on. ; )

There is my 9 year old brother Jason. He's to the left of the group in a batman shirt. I love you buddy. Thanks for coming to support me. Leah, Taylor, Kurtis, and Noelle I miss playing with you guys. Leah and Taylor I know I'll be seeing you in a couple weeks but I miss seeing you everyday. Leah, you are an amazing mom, friend, and sister in Zion. I would have never made it through school without your charity. You have always been an answer to my prayers. I could never thank you enough. Taylor, thank you for the P90X Revolution. I am so proud and grateful for being a part of it. Kurtis and Noelle, oh my goodness I miss you. Noelle I love that we both think are husbands are so hot when they get so into playing Rock Band and other nerdy things they do. WE LOVE IT!! Noelle, I miss your sorrys, thank yous, and your smile. Thanks for being such a good friend in every part of the word. You are such a wonderful person. Kurtis, thanks for giving us all something to joke and laugh about .... you. Alright, what I meant was you are so fun to hang out with and you never cease to amaze me. Thanks for coming to hang out even when you hadn't slept in a couple days. My life would have never been the same without all of you.

James and Erin, I miss you guys. Erin, you always would lighten up a room when you walked in with your amazing fashion sense, your beautiful smile, and being light-hearted. You were so good with the primary and Elijah and Seth miss you tons. James, I love your opinionated personality. I love that you love to debate and you actually have logical and substantial complaints. Okay, so I like the illogical parts about you too ..... oh yeah, you only deal with logic. : ) You guys have made graduating easier thanks to your friendship and your amazing babysitting skills. I couldn't have made it without you. You both have lifted my spirits in times that I needed it. Thank you.

Tammy, she is such a doll!!!

They are all having so much fun together. Elijah is a very intense ninja today, so no smiles from him. Rosie is loving her extended family and loves playing with Seth. Jacob and Mary are also enjoying Rosie's company.

Jenn really was helpful last night and earlier today, but she needed a long nap.

Adorable Rosie has been full of smiles and she wanted to say I love you mommy. She told me, "My mommy is Tammy. Is she your sister? You love my mommy too." I agreed with her and told her I missed her mommy too. She said, "Yes."

Mom and I outside watching the rugrats. We didn't have a lot of time to get ready this morning, but we wanted to say hi.

"Hi, Tammy." and then he's back to video games. He was surprised how big Rosie Posie is.