Sivai and Austin, P.O.V.

We bought a small digital camera for Sivai and Austin to use while we were in Samoa. They had a fun time taking pictures and video with it. I have a bunch of pictures but I think their pictures really tell a story.
Above: Sivai's birth Grandmother, in the green, birth sister, in the red. She makes Siapo, or tapa. It was such an emotionally rewarding and draining experience for all of us.

Below: Afaesi, Sivai's foster brother for a year. They were best of friends while we were there.

Leufito, this was Sivai's foster Dad, he is married to Tulelei. He can hardly speak English but Sivai loved being with him while we were there.

I wish Sivai would have gotten a little better picture, but this is Tulelei, some of her kids and some of her nieces and nephews.

"Umu," outdoor oven. Leufitu and family made a wonderful feast, the black things on the pig are hot lava rocks, the white is taro and banana. After all the rocks are added they cover with banana leaves and cook for several hours. Sivai and Austin were fascinated with the process, we watched the whole butchering.

Sunset at Manase beach fales.

Austin wanted a picture of us with the ocean.

Sivai's birth Uncles. I don't know what but this is the pose most Samoans give in every picture you take of them, Sivai caught on quick.

Grandpa Dotson pulling a face for the Camera.

Tulelei and my Mom, they got a long well but it killed my mom not being able to help out. It's custom there that the guest are served first and waited on. No helping out allowed.

Ready of Not

Here we come.

Scientist

Austin and a his friends found a litter of cotton tails out in a field. They didn't even have their eyes open and he was insistent on bringing one home and keeping it. He loves loves loves any living thing and tries to collect them, eventually all the bunnies ended up back in their home, but you can probably guess their fate after being handled by little kids all day.

I had to take a picture of his heartbroken little face.

Anna

My sister Anna lived with us for 3 1/2 months. She left the middle of April and this is one of only two pictures I have with her here. I don't know why I don't take pictures, I need to be better. It was so nice to have her here. She not only helped out a ton around the house and with the kids but became a good friend to me. She is #6 in our family and I am #2. When I left home at 18 she was only 9 so we didn't do a lot of growing up together. It was awesome to get to know her and have those months together. All of the kids still talk about her and ask when she's coming back, but I'm sure she's happy to be back to her college life at BYU-Idaho where she's studying to become an RN. We love you and miss you Anna.
And sorry I didn't have a better picture :)

Great to be Eight, and Five

Austin is loving Kindergarten and just the other day he learned how to ride a bike with no training wheels. He's out riding now at 7:30am, and doesn't stop until its time for school. He loves spelling and now talks that way. He came up to me this evening and said, "I space L I K E space Y O U."

We are so excited to go to Samoa. We plan of baptizing Sivai there and visiting friends and relatives. He celebrated his birthday with a party the Saturday before and then on his birthday we requested to eat out at Chinese buffet. He got a Swiss army knife and carries if everywhere, prepared for anything that comes his way.

If you're wondering who that skinny guy is in the picture with Austin, it's Patrick. He's lost 30 lbs.!!! Doesn't he look smokin' hot?

Digging a hole to China

Happy Girl!
She's crawling all of the place and already starting to pull herself up to her knees.

Sivai has been gold mining in the backyard with Lily and Austin, and all the neighbor kids. So far they haven't struck it rich, but I'm crossing my fingers. He headed out there this evening dressed to impress. Six shooters, Indiana Jones hat, and backpack full of supplies; I had to get a picture. Spring is wonderful.

Officially an Aggie

Patrick got accepted into the master's program! He will be getting his Master's in Social Work through Utah State University (the extension here in Vernal). He has spent so much time working on his application and getting ready to apply and all his hard work paid off. It's going to be a huge commitment but it will all be worth it. With his degree he will be able to get his LCSW and be a counselor.

I don't know whether to be excited or scared for this new chapter, but I'm incredibly proud of Patrick for all he does for our family.