A Little Hello Treat!

So today on Facebook I saw that Suzanne, Marks sister, had posted a video of our 3 week old nephew, Trent. And it was pretty darn cute. But then this afternoon, come to find out, she also sent Mark and I are own person message from this little man! It began cute, and then, well you'll just have to watch to find out... 

Trent, we know you didn't mean it and that you still think we are the coolest =). 

Needless to say, we can't wait to hold this little guy in 6 weeks! AHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Love you Suzy-Q and thanks for the video... Made my day! 

Love,

Aunt Brittany

Farm Fresh Produce & Fun Families!

Monday was a day full of hitting up the last souvinier shops, packing, and spending time together. But before the day was over, one of my students, Joseph, and his parents, Ricia and Joseph, invited us out to their family farm, Lifoifoi Farms... Not only do they have fresh fruits and veggies, but pigs of all sizes.... It was a great afternoon learning about the different locals fruits and veggies, along with seeing was a small process farm looks like and runs like... And it was beautiful! The Lifoifoi Family! Me, Mark, Little Joseph, Ricia and baby (due in aug.) and Joseph.

mmmmm fresh Pineapple!
"I Like Banana's, I know that Mango's are sweet, I like Papaya! But nothing can beat, the sweet love of God!"

My Dad and Joseph in the pig barn!

Wilbur...

Sound asleep, and cuddely!
By the time we made it back to the car, Joesph's family had piled ton of papaya,green peppers, tomatoes, egg plant, string bean, onions... time to get cookin!

Thanks Lifoifoi Family! If ever need a work, call up on Mark, he'd love to come play!

"The Hills are Alive, with the Sound of Music!"

He has Risen! He has Risen Indeed!

What a blessed day to spend time with your closest friends and family, on a tropical island, on the highest point, with the sun rising in the distance, and singing praises to Christ! Why? Because HE LIVES!

Easter Sunday was a beautiful day! Mom, Dad, Mark and I woke up early to join in the Easter Sunrise service on Mt. Topachau at 6am, the highest point on the island... Our church family was joined by many other church families, and it was a beautiful sight to see. Pastor Greg gave a wonderful sermon, the sun rose up through the clouds off in the distance, and we sang beautiful praises! Needless to say, Dad didn't get off scotch free, it was his first Easter Sunday off in probably 40 years (ahhh the life of a pastor), but Pastor Greg was great at getting him included and having him pray for our service.... it was great seeing dad up there, praying on our island! It was a perfect way the thank Jesus and remind ourselves of what he did for us!
After the sunrise service, Mark and I drove Mom and Dad up the rest of the mountain to enjoy the view... being that mom is a little skeptical around heights she stayed near the bottom of stairway, but Mark, Dad and I climbed up the rest of the way and enjoyed the view... Dad was pretty much speechless. =). This part of the island you can see all side of it, north, south, east and west... not a bad sight.

Opposite Attractions... for men & woman.

While Mom and Dad were visiting, we took a day where the men went and did what they wanted and the ladies went all out!

Mom and I hit up one of my favorite places to relax and unwind, the Mariana's Resort, Home of Mandi Asian Spa... We arrived at the spa around 3pm and immediatly mom checked in and got an hour long facial.... while she was being pampered i hung around the pool. Soon after mom walked out with her glowing face we spent the rest of the afternoon and part of the evening drinking fresh smoothies and pineapple juice and playing in the various pools... It was an awesome day.... Thanks Momma, for doing the spa with me and ditching the boys (even though I didnt have you pull your leg. =). )

This is the Hot pool, even though it is not very hot. However it does have an incredible view... the ocean....

Plumeria flowers overtook the flower bath, and it was beautiful... smelled delicious too...

The Hot pool, pictured above is great place to be sitting as the sun sets... this is what we saw that evening... a little cloudy, but still beautiful.

Mom and I lounging around in the Hot Bath...

Mandi at night.... Oh i just love this place!

Needless to say, while we were out pampering ourselves and enjoying some sun, water, and relaxation, the guys did anything but relax. Mark took dad on a true jungle "Boonie Stompin' " experience. I have hiked to both of these places and knew that dad would truely enjoy it, and that he did. Except for the few comments made to mark... "Mark you didnt bring me out here to get rid of me and get allllll my money, did you?" "Mark, you do know how to get out of here, right?"

The first stop for the guys was the "Bat Caves" Dun na na nananananannananana, BATMAN! And yes a few bats flew past their heads... hence the reason I dont go all the way in... But, these caves are pretty awesome, with many old WWII relics...

Next stop, was an old Japanese Shinto Shrine... Yes Mark did take Dad in the wrong direction, but they did end up finding it and dad was pretty amazed... It truely is a beautiful place... I am glad you had fun dad, and that Mark did know how to get you two home. =)

Before they hit the jungle...

Papa at the Shinto Shrine..

Mark trying to show off his tarzan monkey boy skillz......

Dad in the bat cave!

Stay tooned for more fun posts coming your way! We did drop mom and dad off at the airport this morning, and they should be arriving in Spokane in about 8 hours, however, I am just getting caught up! So don't stay away too long! =)

Craft It Forward...

Craft it Forward.

My very artistic and talented sister-inlaw Angela had a little challenge on her blog today, and i feel that I too am up for the challenge, but in order to do this, I need your help...

The first three people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2- What I create will be just for you.
3- It’ll be done this year.
4- You have no clue what it’s going to be.
5- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 3 people who do the same on your blog. The first 3 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!

I'm In! Are you???



Craft it forward idea from Kiwi

Managaha Squared...

On Wednesday we took Mom and Dad to one of our favorite places, Managaha Island. This island is perfect for relaxing, soaking up the sun, and seeing beautiful fish... Mom and dad thought they had see every kind of fish, and then we took them here.. and they soon realized they were wrong... It was a great day to escape and relax...

Needless to say though, one day wasnt enough. So Yesterday (Saturday) we went back and spent another wonderful day out on Managaha....

Dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe' with some Local Entertainment...

So today after we spent the day on the beaches, we hit up Mark's and my, well one of our favorite places to eat... and not because of the food, but because of the entertainment... John, Betty, can you guess?

Well if you guess the Hard Rock Cafe', you are right! We took Mom and Dad there, and Jake & Jackie joined us too!

Our favorite part of this dinner is Jerry, an amazing guitarist, and awesome singer, and once again he was there! Now this is where it gets fun, everytime we have been there, Jerry always tries to get Mark to get up on stage, play the guitar and give the resturant a quick show, and Mark always says no... but tonight he did it! He was a little timid, couldnt remember all the words to the songs he was playing, but he did great! My honey got a little but of star-dom! Hopefully soon i can get a quick video up of his musical debut... (technical difficulties are occuring at this time.)

Of course after he got off stage he began to remember all the words to the songs and thought of other songs he could play... but next time Jerry said... =).

I am so proud of you Marko! You did awesome, and who knows, maybe it will be both you and Jerry together up there, singing away to the Russian, Japanese, Korean and American tourists!

Looking mighty fine, i must say.... <3

Tomorrow is Managaha Island..... stay tuned...

Warm Beaches & Family...

We certainly have been busy since mom and dad arrived on Saipan, but we are completely enjoying every second of it!

On Mondaywe slept in a little later... and then the boys went fishing. Dad and Mark found a kayak on the school grounds and have certainly put it to use since yesterday =). While they did that, Mom and I enjoyed some girl time, getting some coffee at the local coffee shop, "Java Joes" and getting some nice and relaxing pedicures...
My toes on the beach...


After we had some "Men" and "Ladies" time, we met back up for lunch at Trongs, a Vietnamese resturant right down the road from our house and one of Mark's favorites. Also, SUZ's fav. while she lived on Saipan, 3 years ago... here is small video clip for you Suz. And sorry about the grouchy Brittany part... Mark wouldnt quit harrassing me with the camera that day, and I was alittle tired of it, hence the video... =(.


After lunch, we headed to the east side of the island and took mom and dad to Marine beach for some more shell collecting, and also the Forbidden Island lookout... It amazes me how much I forget, that we live here, on this beaut of an island.... ahhhh...

Today, was simply a beach day. Today, we visited two beaches, Ladder beach, and Obyan... at Obyan, we did some snorkeling and saw some beautiful fish....

After a long day of beaches, we came home cleaned up, and hit one of our favorite dinning places... check out the next post for some fun pics and news from dinner!

Mom and Dad, Spring Break, What could be better?

On Thursday Morning, at 1:20 a.m. Mark and I made a quick little drive to the Saipan International Airport and waiting for us (because they came in early) were my mom and dad! After saying hello after 8 months we got them tucked away into their cooled down air conditioned room and we all went to sleep.

On Thursday and Friday, Mom and Dad got the opportunity to join both Mark and I in our classrooms, meet our kiddo's, and see what we do everyday. My third graders really enjoyed having them in our classroom... they loved them! Also, on Thursday evening, we also introduced them to the Thursday Night Street Market.... So good grub can be found there!

Friday Night We spent the evening at two of our favorite places, the Hyatt Hotel for Happy hour at sunset on the beach, and the Thai house for dinner... plans have been made to repeat this evening next Friday night! =).

Saturday we spent the morning at a local produce market, lunch at Saigon, a Vietnamese restaurant, learning about Saipan's history with WWII, seeing Suicide Cliff and then ending the afternoon with snorkeling at Pau Pau beach.... It was a great day!

Today, we headed to church in the a.m., lunch with some of our church family at a Chinese Restaurant called Poons, and the afternoon at Lau Lau bay, where dad and Mark snorkeled, and Tank Beach, where we did sea shell collecting.

It has been a busy 4 days, but we still have 1 week, so lots more to do!

I can't believe my parents are finally here. It has been so good to see them! And to think, we will be landing in Seattle in a month and a half! Time is going to fly!

Keep your eye's out for more fun time's of the Sawyers & Oliver's on Saipan!

Welcome the the Family!

On March 28, our family welcomed in a new little one; Trent Daniel Holling. He was born in Spokane, Washington to Mark's sister Suzanne and her husband Jake! We are so excited to have another nephew! We are dying to meet him and Mya (Mya was born 2 day's after we moved to Saipan) this summer! Our family is growing, which means alot more spoiling to do, and as an aunt and uncle, we can handle that!

WELCOME THE FAMILY TRENT! We love you!
CONGRATULATIONS SUZY-Q and JAKE!

Trent Daniel Holling. So handsome already!
The Hollings...

All the Sawyer Cousins: Sadie (8), Trent (1 day), Grant (3), Mya (8 months), Allison (6).