Sevark Sakura Sushi Lunch

 Ever since we took Kami out for Sakura Sushi, she's been wanting to go back.  So this week she asked if anyone would want to join her and Tim (since time has been doing a lot of traveling).  We said we would go and so did Porter & Amy (& Scarlette), Garrett & Bailey (& Oliver), Caleb & Hays and Bentley & Cal...although we missed Maizey who had other plans, Noah & Mel who live in UT and Jonah who was busy doing yard work on his home.  We had been trying to find a time to get together with Bentley & Cal for Bentley's birthday a few weeks ago, so this worked perfect...especially since it is Hay's birthday this week and Porter's birthday next week.  We had a great lunch together as a big Sevark clan which I really enjoy when we all get together like this.  It was a really nice time...

Welcoming Oliver James to our Growing Sevark Family!

Its been a really exciting couple of day for us -- but exhausting days for Garrett & Bailey! On Friday, Garrett texted me that Bailey's contractions were getting closer and closer together and that they were hoping it would be that day!  We kept waiting and waiting to hear they were going to the hospital...but nothing.  Then finally late Friday night came and Garrett texted the news they were finally heading to the hospital!  Since it was late, I set my phone to alert me for any of Garrett's texts, but only a couple hours later, we were disappointed when Garrett texted they were being sent home since Bailey wasn't far enough along.  But then surprised 2 hours later, around 4am when he said they were heading back!  Luckily she was far enough along that they admitted her, but what we didn't know that Oliver was taking him sweet time! Again hours went by -- poor Bailey -- Garrett kept us updated -- then around noon came the great news, Oliver was finally here!  We got to go visit him not long after and he is so precious!  What a rough couple-day roller coaster right for Bailey & Garrett (especially Bailey), but no better reward then to welcome this little guy into the world and family!  Oliver takes the #9 grandchild slot in our big family -- we love you Oliver!

Welcoming Little Miss Scarlette Cindy Severtson

Amy gave us quite the wonderful surprise this Sunday...we had just seen Amy, Porter & the kids on Saturday evening where Amy said she thought little miss Scarlette would be arriving in a few more days or for sure by the following week, so it caught me off-guard when during the closing prayer of Elders Quorum at 12:30pm I felt my phone vibrating that I was receiving a phone call.  I figured it was just a telemarketer or some other annoying unsolicited call, but as soon as Amen was said, I pulled it from my pocket to see it was Porter calling.  I answered it and it was Porter saying that Amy thought it was time and he was running her to the hospital.  I asked if there was anything we could do, to which he answered there wasn't, that he was dropping the kids off at Amy's parents which was on the way.  This was exciting news, but got even more exciting while I was sitting in ward council meeting barely one hour later when Porter texted the very first pictures of our precious little Scarlette Cindy.  From what I understand, just after I hung up with Porter, Scarlette decided she was coming, so rather than dropping off the kids, Amy's parents met them at the hospital while Amy & Porter went into the delivery room and Scarlette came moments later!

Scarlette Cindy marks our #8 grandchild and she has a very special place in my heard with her middle name meaning so much to me.  We already love this little girl to death and can't get enough of her...I already can't wait to hold her again! Welcome to our big crazy family Scarlette Cindy...we love you!

Lexine 50th Trip!

One of us turns 50 this year and it's not me!  :-) We celebrated Lexine's 50th with a trip to Tokyo, so she could get one more Disneyland crossed off her list!  We had a great time...I've always loved visiting Japan and this was Lexine's first time, which made it all the more fun!  We arrived Sunday evening and took it easy on Monday, visiting the emperors palace and grounds and that evening we visited the Harry Potter studio.  On Tuesday we went to Disneyland Tokyo and had a great time even though this was the most crowded Disneyland we've ever seen.  I think we were only able to go on like 4 ride the entire day, but just being there together was amazing.  Wednesday we did some more sight seeing and in the evening we visited the Tokyo Tower and did a temple session for a wonderful Valentine's Day.  Thursday it was over to Disney Sea which was also crazy crowded and we were only able to ride 2 rides -- which one took us 3 hours to get on and then all other rides were 4 hours or more, so we just walked around and enjoyed the sights.  We purposely avoided Disney parks on Valentine's Day because we thought they would be even more crowded, but turns out that would have been the least busy day to go -- who would have figured!  :-) Thursday we visited the other Tokyo tower and one of their temples, then in the evening to the famous 5-way Shibuya crosswalk where all directions cross at the same time.  Friday we went to one of the preservation's in Tokyo which is also the home of another very peaceful temple area where we did a lot of walking, before heading back to the airport and returning home.  It was a super fun trip and I would definitely visit Tokyo again someday.  I love traveling and seeing this world with my Lexine...

Happy Birthday Jonah!

This evening we took Jonah out for his birthday dinner -- he chose PF Changs and we enjoyed a very nice dinner visiting with him!  This is one awesome guy who will someday soon (hopefully) be a great catch for a young lady!  :-) He's picked up the Carpentry trade has quite the talent and skills for it...which will come in handy one day when he owns his own home.  Afterwards it was back to our house for cake!  Happy birthday Jonah...we sure love you!