A Farewell/Birthday Celebration

The Sunday before David left our family got together to celebrate with of course, great food. We were also celebrating all of the birthdays within our families (the ones geographically close: Mata, Hayes, Yount, and Hanselmann Families). Britt made an army cake at the request of the Hayes boys and it was appropriate for David's upcoming departure as well. We had a good time and it will be great to get together with all of the family at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The fun Army Cake (checkerboard inside):



Here are some of those celebrating birthdays recently (July, August, September): Row 1- Johnathan Hayes, Andrew Hayes, Row 2- Alex Hayes, Adam Hayes, David Mata, Row 3- Marianne Yount (my mom), Deanne Hayes (my aunt) holding Nora Hanselmann, Row 4- Eric Hayes (Deanne's husband- they are the parents of all those Hayes kids!)



We realized afterward that Malia, Nathan, and Chris were also August birthdays. Oops! In addition, David and Adam have February birthdays! We should have just taken a picture of everyone just to be sure. Oh, well. Happy belated birthday to all!

Hold back, Amanda! Two days of consecutive posting? Settle down! Here are some pictures of when David swore into the National Guard/Army back in September. The day all the fun began! I think I mentioned this before but David signed up through a program called "Active First". The way it works is that he is Active Duty with the Army for the next four years. After those four years, he can either go with the National Guard for four more years or he can continue in the Army. It all just depends on how well he and we like Army life. So far he is liking it. He does wish all the young punks would just learn to shut up and do as they are told! It's been interesting having our communication limited to letters. He is supposed to get to call on Sunday mornings but that is one of the privileges that can be taken away if his platoon doesn't behave. Not to mention the time set aside to call is also the time he can go to church. As much as I want to talk to him, I also want him to be able to go to church. It's been 10 days since we got to talk on the phone to each other. Hopefully soon. I do get letters from him, which is great. I love hearing how hard he is working and that he misses us so much. I must admit that I do get frustrated sometimes doing the parenting thing solo (I know, it's just the beginning!) However, I realize how fortunate I am to have the opportunity to be with Mali every day. David misses her something fierce and I do my best to keep him up to date on her. David loves getting mail so if anyone wants his address just let me know. He'd love to hear from you. It's great to hear the support of those that realize what he is doing is a great thing. You wouldn't believe some of the negative reactions we get. People can be so dumb. Regardless, I am grateful I have a husband who is so willing to serve his country and will do my best to support him.

Here is David getting sworn in...



Here is Malia supporting the National Guard...



Here is David and his recruiter, Klimack...

Seeing Sparks a Decade Later

Hello friends! I am slowly getting things together and that means pulling all the pictures off of my camera. In the middle of August I took my cousin down to Provo. Alyssa is studying at the Paul Mitchell Hair Academy and what better place to reside than Sparks II: Townhouses for Men and Women? It dawned on me as I was helping her unpack that I started my Sparks adventure exactly a DECADE prior!! Where does the time go??? I lived on campus my freshman year at BYU and spent that following spring semester in some apartments just south of campus (for the life of me I can't remember the name of them!). I started my sophomore year at Sparks and stayed there until I graduated. Good times!They've done a lot of updates to the place and I am sure that Aly will have a blast. Hopefully not too much fun... you need to study and work girly! By the way, Apartment #19 now has a reduced rate to compensate for the decreased square footage! The injustice! Aly is in apartment 20. It was great to visit and reminded me of all the great times I had there. Not to mention all of the great people I met! So there you go, a shout out to Sparks.




First is Malia terrorizing in the living room. Note the new couches and carpet.

Next is beautiful Aly putting her groceries away in the remodeled kitchen. Nice cabinets, huh?