Girls Just Wanna Have FUN.....ALIAS Style

It's another typical Friday night...NOT! Friday our cute friend Kamille Thayne invited us to be a part of her birthday celebration...ALIAS style. Kandace and I joined in the crazy fun. This is our team "Sydney" picture. We had 8 teams competing for the coveted trophies. All we had to do is complete each mission task and recieve the most points.

Here is Kandace and I at the begining of the party. I know you would never recognize us out on the streets in our amazing undercover costumes.These are all the undercover agents for the Draper Area. We were all competing against the undercover agents of the Murray Area.

We set out on our first mission, a CHINESE FIRE DRILL on State Street. Check, mission completed. We then head to sample Gelato, from any resturant to make sure the public would not be compromised. (tough job but someone had to do it.) We then had to break into an opposing team members home and steal a family picture. Check..Mission completed.
Our next mission was detonating our "BOMB" in a public place...No problem for team Sydney, and no one was injured or left with evidence in the process.

Our next mission lead us to Sandy City Hall to crack the code. RED,YELLOW,BLUE GREEN...Bingo, we completed the task.

On to the next mission, Order a small "Limeade" from Sonic, and don't let the enemy catch you. Again, victory for team Sydney.

Head queaters sent us on our next mission. Kidnap "Tony". As a team we were able to remove "TONY" quietly and place him in our getaway car.

Can you tell "Tony" is scared to death of team Sydney. It happened alot to us that night, the weird looks that is.

As we were trying to find a location to stash our victim we decided to complete another task..."Find a MAKEOUT location" Luckily we were in a secluded neighborhood with a river running through the backyards. One of our top agents spotted a hammock near the river, and we snapped a picture for head quarters approval.

Our kidnap victim decided he needed to be part of the action. I think TONY was enjoying his situation. It was time to dump TONY in a safe hiding place. We knew team MURRAY would have a tough time finding him. He said they didn't find him for 2-hours. sorry Tony!

Little did we know that we had a mole leaking all our information to the enemy. She was a great MOLEEE NICOLEEE!

This is the Birthday Girl KAMILLE in the middle...she was amazing to plan such a detailed ALIAS party for all of us to enjoy. We love you Kamille!

Our source or "Mole" gave us the exact location of the car that we needed to tag for surveillance. Another mission completed!

Our agents placing surveilance tags on our enemies vechicle.

Headquaters give us instructions to open our next mission at 1818, the mission was to head to 6651 State Street and find undercover agent "Terry Smith" with instructions for our next mission. Luck for us, we were next door to the location. a Gun Club. We were instructed that each agent needed to fire three shots to the target before we could complete this task and move on. No problem...kinda. Some of us had never held a revolver, let alone shot one. Kandace was a pro, she would like to do this again soon.

Me on the other hand, did the mission, but prefers not to shot a gun.

On to the next mission. Crash a wedding and take a picture with the Bride in the background. The Bride noticed our agents, and we had to quickly snap our picture and head out before they called security. Again...mission accomplished.

Oh, the wedding cake was Beautiful too!

Our next task from headquarters was to break into agent "Thaynes" and download top secret files. Our agents were PRO'S breaking into the building. (Thanks Kamille for the hints)

Downloading the top secret file. Another mission completed.

Next task, find a speedometer clock and clock our agents running. We chose our top running agents to complete this task. (Dang, I had to sit this one out with my bad knee). Again, team Sydney completed a mission. We were about to head back to headquarters and claim victory when our source informed us that we needed to retrieve our kidnapped victim.

Luckily Agent Lisa was at the wheel and speed to IKEA for the pick-up. Our team kidnap victim was delighted to see team Sydney there to rescue him from the ads of IKEA.

Although, in the end we did not win the competion, Team Murray stole it away. We walked away a stronger, more confident team . Team Sydney had achieved things that one can only image. Thank you to the Birthday Gals, they really know how to throw a party!

Nicolee....The Moleee....she won the black OPS award for the most memorable shooting range experience. Lets just say she almost had to change her clothes after shooting a revolver for the first time. Man, next Friday will be a let down after this party! :)

Casey's new BBQ

Casey got a bonus at work about a month ago and decided he needed a new grill. He wanted us to come over and BBQ, so we decided to get together this past Sunday, while Courtney was on Spring Break. Here he is....cooking us some burgers...not just any burger mind you, but one of Cameron's specialty ONION JAM BURGERS! Here is Casey enjoying his juicy Onion Jam Burger. Can you say "Ummmm"

So why Casey was slaving away at the BBQ the girls played Guitar Hero. Another family favorite past time. I know Colby is totally enjoying himself, can you tell?

Courtney and Lexi are totally rockin out! Go "Lexi Spears"!

It was such a nice sunny day that Steve even rode his motorcycle over to Casey's. Courtney insisted on riding both ways with him, since it totally kills my knee to fling over the seat, I didn't put up to big of a fight. Thanks Casey and Tineke for letting us come over and take over your house for the BBQ. We had a good time, but really missed Cameron hanging out with us.

Oh, and doesn't Courtney look so "HOT" in her helmet and glasses? Next bike ride, I am on the back, and I better not have anyone trying to take me down! Big Daddy will take care of me!

Adventures in the Philippines...

Cameron sent some more pictures today. He is making the best of every minute he is there. He said he is already dying of heat and the humidity. That is hard to even believe since we just had a snow storm on Saturday. So this first picture, since he didn't tell me what it is, looks like he is standing in layered field. That cow in the background must be trained to do stairs! Anyway, Cameron look like he is having fun. This picture he wondered if he was in the right country when he saw it. Much different than the San Francisco that we visited last year. Don't you just love his little parasol to keep the sun off his delicate skin. I hope he brings me one of these home.

Here Elder Leavitt is out tracking with his companion. No sidewalks or paved roads. And where did his parasol go?

Okay, these next few pictures are not for the squamish. This is a Cameron eating chicken intestines. Makes me want to throw up in my mouth a little just thinking about it. But then he ate...

A chicken foot. OOOO...what have they done to my son? I hope he isn't expecting to come home and make us try this. No Thanks!!

Okay, this next picture he didn't tell me what this was about. This just looks like he was having way too much fun getting his face dirty.

Yesterday was Elder Leavitt's 5-month day. Another month and he will be on his "Bump", and offically be out 6-months. He said that he knows he has a long time left, but if the time goes as quickly as the first few months, then his mission will go by too fast. He is growing accustom to his surroundings and loves the people he is serving. He thanks everyone that has written for all thier support, and keep those letters coming!

Nothing says "I Love You" more than....

For all you lovers out there that may have missed Valentines, the big day was last Sunday. Our home was filled with so much love, that we shared with others. Those of you that know me, know that for the past 1 1/2 months I have been working 60-70 hours a week. So last Saturday when I got off work, I just wanted to go home and relax. No chance of this. Courtney was home for the weekend and had big plans. She invited friends, and Kandace invited friends to come over and celebrate Valentines with their version of a "Love" party. Courtney made homemade pizza for everyone, then gave the group a package of paper and scissors to cut out hearts to go give people they love "Heart Attacks" Courtney made homemade cookies while everyone else cut out and decorated hearts. Luckily for me, my true love called to see what was going on, and came home early with a bouquet of flowers and took me to dinner. We all had a wonderful Valentines. Here is just one of the houses that the group gave a "Heart Attack" to. Many homes were treated to their "Heart Attacks" and a plate of fresh made cookies.

Most of the kids spent the night, and Sunday morning before they all left Courtney and Bridget made "Heart" panacakes for everyone.

This is Bridget cuting out the panacakes into hearts. Courtney say's it was the best Valentines ever! Although I was very tired, it was fun to see all the kids having such a good time. Loved having all the fun at our house. Thanks Court, Love you!

Oh, and while I was downloading pictures I came across this one from my birthday. Yep...I turned 29 again. As soon as my kids can beat me in a race, I will turn 30....so I really will be 29 forever! :)

More from the Philippines

Cameron sent us some more pictures this week. We really enjoy being able to see where he is and what he is up to. This is him at a baptism in his last area before he was transfered. What a great group.Elder Leavitt always has the goofy face. This is an inactive family that he is teaching.
Elder Leavitt with his mission president and his companion, his mission president came to the baptism to support them.

On his P-Day he went for a hike with the other Elders. Again...a goofy face. We can see that he has lost some weight in this "King of the Hill" picture.

The group of missionaries that took the hike. We love that Cameron is the one always being a goof ball. Hope he never changes!

Here is Elder Leavitt standing out in the middle of a rice field.

And here he is trying to walk his new pet Caribo. He looks worried, but the Caribo looks even more concerned. Hope they were able to make friends!

Cameron was transfered a couple of weeks ago to another area, he said the area that he is now in, is alot more rural. We just sent him a CARE package with alot of his favorite snacks and new shoes, belt and seasonings for his rice. He was very happy to get his package. He is having a great adventure, and is learning more of the language each day. He said he still struggles alot to understand the language, but everyday learns something new. Keep those pictures and letters coming Elder Leavitt! You are loved and supported by your family and friends!

Pictures From the Philippines!

Cameron finally sent us his first pictures from his mission. We were all so excited to see a glimpse of where he has been and currently is living. These first two pictures are of him in the Taiwan Airport after his LONG flight from LAX. He told us that since he has traveled alot, the missionaries were all coming to him to ask questions on what to expect. I guess his 10+years of flying around the world finally paid off, and he is the PRO Traveler in the group.

Here he is enjoying a bite to eat before he gets on his plane to Manilla.

When he saw this gate all decked out in "Hello Kitty" he had to take a picture. Funny, but this ended up being his gate that he left out of to go to Manilla.

And here is his first apartment. He told us when he first got there that the beds were not stacked as bunkbeds. There was no room to move around, so he helped stack them. His bed is the top bunk,

Nice clean room, Notice the air conditioner in the window. I am sure that will come in handy. He said that even though it is only in the 70's, because of the humidity if there is not a fan blowing he is dying from sweat. And it is only January!

Here is his lovely kitchen. Yes, that is a propane tank for cooking his rice.

He warned us not to freak out about the bathroom. This is considered one of the nicest apartments in the mission. At least he has a flushing toilet and notice the toilet paper on the back of the toilet. This is a luxury that is not always available. He has a shower, but no hot water. So they fill the tub of water with the cold water and wash off in it. At least no more 20-minute steam showers for the next two years.

Here he is with his companion and a family that was recently baptized.

This is the chalkboard at the baptism. I think it was the sister missionaries that took care of this, unless Cameron has flourished in his art skills since he left.

This is their church building. We were surprised how nice it was considering all the hurricanes that hit there.

Okay, we're not to sure of what this is all about. But at least he is the same Ole Cameron, always a jokester.

Here he is helping to dig a trench. He borrowed some clothes to pitch in and help. I guess he had his companion take this picture.

This is a picture of Elder Leavitt and his companion. I can't remember his name and I would probably spell it wrong anyway. Cameron told us he will be transfered next week. We are sad because his companion has been soo good to him. I am sure he will love his new companion just as much.

And this is my favorite scenic picture that he sent. It is now our desktop picture. We don't know where this was taken, but how beautiful is that sunset? Cameron is doing great. I will try my hardest to get a few of his amazing letters posted for you to read. If you have a minute to email his email address is: storminmormon47@myldsmail.net. He would also love a letter in the real mail. He said to send his letters to his mission office, international stamps are 97 cents and it will take 2-3 weeks for him to receive it. Here is that address:

Elder Cameron W. Leavitt

Philippines Angeles Mission

1827 Gumain St. Redwood Villas

Clark Field, Angeles City

2009 Pampanga

Philippines

We should hear from him tomorrow and will keep everyone posted on what he is up to. God Speed Elder Leavitt!