TRAFFIC

Manila is known for it's horrible traffic,

it really is

as bad as they say.

Between the crazy traffic and no rules it makes 

 for some entertaining travel time....won't really miss that.

But I will kind of miss the funny things that I see along the 

way, a truck full of pigs, a car full of Filipinos that 

find a way to sleep in what/where ever position.

the excitement of the streets, markets

and things like this....

I am sure this notary is totally legal.
These kind of things always make me laugh and wonder?

I am so thankful for our drivers that are willing to deal with the crazy Manila traffic..all of them:)

FROYO

Frutti Froyo (frozen yogurt)

will definitley make our list for good memories in the Philippines.

This place is almost as good as the- old 

Yogurt Parlor in American Fork.

The clerks know our kids by name (for better or worse:)

Cheers to FROYO!

DELIVERY (everything).

If you can think of something you want delivered,

the sky is the limit.

Our kids have become addicted to 

Happy meal delivery along with Pizza Hut, Yellow Cab,
And anything else you can dream up.
Thanks delivery people of the Philippines!

POTPOURRI

I had a friend warn me before we moved here that I better bring

plenty of wrapping paper because my options would be "limited."

It's true,  the wrapping selection is lame. Small sheets, not  a huge variety and most of it looks used.

Which left Tate's birthday looking pretty hodge podge this year.  I had a little bit of

everything and a whole lot of nothing. Good that four year old's don't seem to mind.

A Philippine memory for sure.

CADDY SHACK

This is dedicated to my good friend Sina, who can appreciate what it must be 

like for some one to have to be my caddy.  I will miss some one 

handing me the right club at the right time.  For all the nice little tips

and pointers that seem to make absolutely no difference in how I play. 

A round of golf here is super cheap plus a caddy is required (poor ladies).

Luckily, I don't have to pick....

I will sure miss them but not playing golf in this HEAT.

MAUWE

MAUWE

I am happy to know Mauwe and crew because

they always serve us with a smile, a BIG smile.

Even if we really don't need gas in our ride it is worth stopping by for a Mauwe cheese!

VIEW

I LOVE ....

Looking out our bedroom window and seeing sunshine, blue skies,

and palm trees.

HOT

I will never forget the night we arrived. This place gives a new

meaning to HOT! 

Syd and Tate checking out there new stomping grounds (hotel view).

 

Time to Go....

It pains me to even begin this post....(sniffle, sniffle)

BUT the Vanillas in Manila are closing a chapter and beginning a new. I am

not sure how life can get better then the past year. Truly, it has been the best year of my 

life. I would say the same for Trent, but I am certain the best year of his life, was the year

he found me. Waka, waka. Okay, but for real.... 

I am pretty sure that living here is at the top of his list too.

We have had such an awesome experience and I am not sure much in life will come close to our time in Manila. Living here has been like seeing life in color for the first time. A night has not passed since we have been here that I have not thanked my Heavenly Father for this opportunity. I love the people, the very laid back culture, and that every day brings an adventure. The best part has been sharing it with Trent and the kids.

It has not been a year with out it's bumps but when you see how most of this country lives on a 

daily basis it sure makes those bumps not seem so bad.

Trent mentioned how he will not miss the smell of a public bathroom in South East Asia. Seriously, somethings will be burned into our senses forever. Uugh.  And I will so embrace life with air conditioning.  But as a whole we have have loved being here. 

Trent got a job offer with Ebay in Salt Lake City.

While we are sad to be leaving the Philippines, we are pumped  about getting back to our roots.

So, in honor of our stay here in the Phils (Philippines) , I have decided to post some of our simple and  favorite things about our time as the Vanillas in Manila!

 

Happy Day!

Trent treated me to a Mommas day out (pre mothers day celebration).

We went to this amazing restaurant called Antonio's.

 We spent our morning looking for furniture, one 

of my favorite hobbies here.

And for lunch, we

came across this very quaint and classy (yes, even in the Philippines) 

place to eat. The restaurant is nestled in a beautiful garden, 

it has a nice Spanish flare, the food was beautiful to the eye

and pleasing to the palate. (Do I sound like a food critic?)

Trent, with his custom ordered drink. 

They even made my Coke Light look lovely.

(The truth is, it does not matter how they serve 

a coke light when it is 90 degrees + same humidity level.)

Dashing...

Three things that make me happy:

Good food,

great company

and if we can bring home

 some Filipino treasures it makes

my day complete. (Temporal happiness of course).

We are trying to have this table made, with a few alterations.

Too cute for me... Too heavy for Trent.

Will have to see.

Thanks Babe!

Tatay Fred

Who stayed up until all hours of night assembling Tates new ride?

Who spent the next day teaching the Dude how to master the new ride?

 FRED

The same Fred that makes Tate feel like he really is Spider Man,

The same Fred that pretty much rigged all the fun Filipino games for our cool Easter day events.
The same Fred that takes out the trash, does the dishes (when Jeane is not around),
 mops our floor and waters the garden...religiously.

Even though Tate is clearly the favored child around here with

the guards, the girls  don't seem to mind.

And,

they can usually sweet talk them into just about anything.

The kids call Fred, Tatay, which means father...they have picked up their limited tagalog
from hearing Jeane talk. 

Filipinos have ways that they greet each other out of respect. 

The kids have picked up on Tatay, Kuya (brother) and Ate (sister). 

So, here's to you-
 Tatay Fred!

Month O' May!

Happy Birthday to my month of May birthday friends!

I have said it a million times and I will say it a million more....

I love having these guys around and will miss them something crazy!

Fred (our security guard) and Jeane had birthdays this month.

They have made are stay awesome. Jeane told me that this was her

 second birthday cake she has ever had (hard to believe a life with out birthday cakes).

The cutest Jeane EVER.  34yrs!

53 years but he tells every one 29.

Yes, this is the same clown that had the monkey mesmerized. He has

also come to work with some pretty classic hair coloring going on.

check this out....

You don't believe me....

Wow, so handsome! Jeane and I told him that 

we would help out next time.

This is my friend, strapping his cake to the back of his motorcycle to take

home to share with his family. I am not sure why, but it just struck me funny.

Thanks to Fred and Jeane they both do so much for us. Fred keeps things entertaining and

Jeane is a heaven sent angel.  No one knows it more than me. She has become my closest and dearest friend in the Philippines. I have never met anyone that has such an amazing out look on life. She is the hardest worker I have ever met, the most patient and probably the kindest. I am thankful for the life lessons that she has taught me. When I grow up...

I hope I can be like Jeane.

Tate's 4th

TATE

Loves:

Sydney

Chocolate milk

Oreos

Blue blanket (aka stinky)

Trucks/Tractors

Legos

Primary

Bed time

Teacher Jelly

Changing his clothes 3-5 times daily

Playing in dirt

We took cupcakes to Tate and Em's preschool in honor of Tate's big day.
The teachers were so cute to make him a dump truck theme party. We love the Palms Preschool!
This is Tates favorite teacher,
"Jelly" (Angelica)...

We love you Tatey!

Ode to the Super Hot Mama!

Dearest Jamie,

I love you and hope you have a very Happy Mother's Day.  We are all so grateful for all you do and don't know what we'd do with out you.  Thanks for being so vibrant, fun, and willing to 

do anything at the last minute!

We love your energy and how you make us all feel so special.  I especially appreciate your complete loving kindness you provide to me and the family.  This ode goes to you w/all of our love.

We love you, the three little Bandits (Syd, Tate and Emmy) and yours truly.

My Mom

Moma Lama. 

I love this lady.

She is probably the kindest woman I know

and 

for sure the most patient.

My Mom is my number one cheerleader

and I know that no matter what,

she will always be there for me.

She has taught me how to 

treat others, when to laugh but 

lets me cry.  

She is also a super fun Grandma.

This is the longest time I have been with out 

seeing my Mom, only a couple of more months and we will 

get some good Grandma time. 

Thanks for all you do and have done for me Mom!

I send my love from the Philippines and 

can not wait for our Summer.

Love: Bumble Bee! 

(That's what my mom calls me... she is cute like that:)

I Love to See The Temple....

Manila, Philippines Temple 

April 2011

Official

We are officially scuba certified! 

Trent and James (dive instructor) after the written test exam.

(Utah Lake here we come)