Fakarava, French Polynesia vacation. Picture taken by my friend Vahinerii.

"Our Oasis in the desert is our family."

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

NOTE:

All pictures of Tahiti & her islands (posted on slide.com) were taken by Ty or myself during our last trip. Since we had updated our digital camera at that time, we went crazy taking so many pictures that we ended up filling about 6 to 7 CD's (downloaded).
Going through so many pictures was hard. I had a difficult time selecting which ones to post...We wanted to document our trip to the best of our ability since we never know when we'll return...We also wanted our children to be able to look back and see how fortunate they were to see and be with their Tahitian family (heritage) and the beauty of the islands. Hopefully some day they'll be able to take their children and tell them the stories and legends of their ancestors.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Saturday, April 26, 2008

There is no place like home.

I've decided to add a few more pictures from our last trip to Tahiti and her islands. People often ask me or wonder how was it growing up there. May be these pictures can tell the story of life in the islands...enjoy the journey.

Moorea island.

Natural beauty...

Tour de Tahiti...

Monday, April 21, 2008

Papa Murphy's Pizza is here!

I know I'm pregnant but that's NOT why I'm informing you of this.
I'm sharing one of our "Family Food Favorites" (F.F.F) just in case you wanted to try something new or were looking for this particular chain... We discovered Papa Murphy's - Take 'N' Bake Pizzas when we lived in Utah and loved it!
Our favorite is the Gourmet Chicken Garlic pizza.

Anyway, you can find Papa Murphy's pizza here in Tucson
@ 7250 N. LaCholla, unit 186
(at Ina & LaCholla, in the Albertson's Shopping Center).
Open Daily 11-9.
Phone# 797-4242.

2007 - 5th year in a row BEST PIZZA CHAIN in America!
So check it out! We want Papa Murphy's Pizza chain to stay!

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Kids say...

04/14/08
Setting:
Family night, Tia's sitting near her Dad.

"Dad you have lots of grey hair! You are getting old. You aren't going to be strong anymore and then you're going to have lots of cramps!"

Happy 34th!

Wow, I don't know where to begin!
It was my birthday Tuesday but it seems like I've been celebrating all week. It all started on Sunday (13), my dear sister (with my husband's assistance) threw me a surprise birthday. Since Ty's in the bishopric, it was just the kids and I that came home only to find some surprise guests inside our home when we opened the door - the Stogdill family! There was no car parked in our driveway, very sneaky...Anyway, my front room floor was covered in balloons and my house smelled like food. My lovely sister had made us a Sunday dinner so I didn't need to do a thing! On the menu: Mexican food - salsa & chips, chicken taco salads, chicken or cheese quesadillas, punch, tropical fruit and of course a nice chocolate cake. What a treat!

Tuesday (15) my official b-day also Tax day...I was showered with snail mail, emails, phone calls and presents from various friends and family. Ty and the kids made me a nice coconut cake, decorated man/kid style with candles and several Cinderella princesses on top?? Very cute. Tia made me a thoughtful present: a nice LARGE decorated t-shirt, perfect for when I get bigger. It was yellow and she had ironed on some lovely butterflies and a dragonfly...I will wear it proudly! To go along with the pregnant theme, just for laughs Ty & Jonathan gave me a mini portable personal fan...which might come in handy this summer!

On Wednesday (16), I had another prenatal check up. A good friend offered to watch the kids while I went to my appointment. She told me to take my time, not to hurry back because she and the kids were going to fix me lunch. That was very nice of her. I ran a few errands after my doctor's apt. and then returned to have lunch with her only to find out that some "special guests" were coming...another surprise party! Wow, I felt special!

My heart is full - full of gratitude for family and friends who made my birthday a special one! THANK YOU people!

Our Birthday Boy!

"April Fool's" is a special day in our family...

Seriously... April 1st is and was Jonathan's 3rd b-day. He wanted a train cake so I challenged myself and made one. See pictures...it's loaded with candy and everything sweet!
Because he also loves fire trucks, Ty called a firefighter friend and asked if they did tours or would let us see a real fire truck for Jonathan's b-day. He said, "of course"...
So after picking up Tia from school we all (Jonathan and some friends) headed off to the fire station for "the tour". We were very impressed that our local fire station took more than an hour to give us a tour of the station, the various trucks and equipment...a few demonstrations and let us even take pictures. They really made our birthday boy feel special! Jonathan got to sit in the fire trucks captain seat and even got to wear a real fire fighter's helmet... They were very cordial and the kids had a blast! Jonathan was speechless!
Anyway, a big "THANK YOU" to our Tucson Northwest Fire station!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JONATHAN!
We love you SO much and are delighted that you are part of our family.
Love, Dad, Mom, Tia and your future brother...

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Friday, April 11, 2008

Family in Tahiti

The last time we were in Tahiti was Dec.2005-Jan.2006. It was time to show off in person our latest addition: Jonathan. But most of all it was time to see and be with family. We spent Christmas and New Year's "island style"-a first. We usually go to Tahiti mid June-July for the Heiva festivities and cooler weather...plus it's vacation time and it's nice to get away from the Arizona desert heat!
During our stay my goal was to take a family picture but everyone was busy with work, activities, their holiday preparations and what not that we were never able to get everyone together. It was only the night we left (Faaa Airport) that a friend was able to catch this shot of us all.
Present: Mom & Dad, Me (Jonathan, Tia and Ty Hampton), Judith and her 3 boys and spouse (Pedron), Debra and her son, daughter & spouse (Ariipeu), Andrew (in brown), Mahana (in pink), J.P (in white), Michael (in black, in the middle of Mahana & Jonathan).
Absent: Lois (in Mesa, Arizona with family) and Ruben (BYU Hawaii).

Thursday, April 10, 2008

I know, I know it was about time that we caught up with all our "techy" family & friends.
Now everyone will be on the same page, no more lengthy emails with several attachments clogging up your email box.
Must go...