Julie's Engaged

In case you haven't heard Julie got engaged to Nathan Haws on Halloween night. We are so excited for her and also to have Nathan in the family. They are planning on March so be there to support Julie. We have been waiting for this day forever!

Peanut Butter and Julie

While I was in Arizona Julie came over to make organic peanut butter cookies for Nathan. She got the kids really involved. I'm too much of a germ freak to let the kids REALLY help but Julie had them doing everything.

Here she is about to sprinkle Austin with sugar.
He did NOT appreciate it.
Julie looks like shes making out with Austin but she's just trying to get the sugar off his face.

He might hold a grudge forever...

Manchester, England

Hey everyone it's Celeste here updating the family on Blake. He left last thursday morning Aug. 28th and entered the MTC in England on Friday morning. We are so proud of him and can't wait to hear about the great work he'll be doing out there for the next two years. Here's a few pics

Sandra's Funeral

Brent spoke about all of Sandra's qualities and read the following verse which really struck me:

Moroni 7:45
And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

This verse describes Sandra so well. How many of us could say that? Sandra taught us quietly how to be Christlike.

We will miss...












a loving...



















wife...
daughter...




















































sister...







aunt...

...and mother.

Nicholas Sapore College/Mission Fund

Thank you to all of our friends and family who have been so supportive during this time while we are mourning the loss of Sandra. Sandra left behind her 12 year old son Nicholas. Many of you have asked if you could contribute to a fund for Nick in lieu of flowers. We have set up the Nicholas Sapore College/Mission Fund for him at Wells Fargo. If you have an account with Wells Fargo you can contribute to Nick by going online to http://www.wellsfargo.com/ , log in to your account, click on the "Transfers" tab and then the "To Another Customer" tab. The savings account # in his name is 9015530927. If you are not a Wells Fargo Customer then your next option is to go into a local Wells Fargo branch and make a donation using the same account # above. Unfortunately making a donation over the phone is not possible. The last way to make a donation is to mail a check to Nicholas Sapore at 715 N. 25th Street, Mesa, AZ 85213 and it will be deposited for you.

Sandra's Funeral

Sandra passed away Friday morning, June 27th from a blood clot in her lungs. We have lost a wonderful wife, mother, sister, and daughter. Sandra would love if you could be there.

Sandra Larson Sapore's funeral
The funeral is at 10:00 am on Wednesday July 2nd at the lds church.
1100 Cooper Road
Gilbert, AZ

The viewing will be held from 6-8 pm on Tuesday July 1st at Bunker's Garden Chapel.
Bunker's Garden Chapel
33 N. Centennial Way
Mesa, AZ

Loot

Lance has always been inventing something or searching for treasure. He even hid mom's wedding ring in a hole somewhere in our backyard in Tucson, AZ.

A couple of years ago Lance told the family that he was headed off on a trip to the Philippines and Austria in search of buried treasure that two World War Veterans had told him they had hid over 60 years ago. A documentary a was made about his journey and it's in the L.A. film festival called "Loot". I was glad to see this since I've heard many stories about the trip and now Lance has proof that he wasn't actually on the beaches of Hawaii getting a tan when all this took place. Here's a link to the trailer:

http://www.lafilmfest.com/tixSYS/2008/filmguide/trailer.php?EventNumber=6693

P.S. I think your next treasure hunt should be to find mom's ring.

Blake's Mission Call

I stole this picture from Celeste's blog. Blake got his mission call. He's going to...

Manchester, England

Mom's 70th Birthday Trip

We started off our trip with a dinner at the famous Mandarin. So good. We then had cake and ice cream for Julie's 32nd birthday at Shelly's house.

Women's conference was chaotic but we were able to see John Bytheway speak and most importantly President Monson.

We stayed in the Mariott that night (thanks Shelly) and gave mom her mother's ring and shared some memories.

We all met for Aimee's shower at Macaroni Grill. We can't wait to see that baby girl!

Happy 70th Birthday Mom!

Wasn't mom the cutest little girl!

All of you that know mom know that she's pretty close to a saint. She's one of the most selfless people I know. If you say you like something of hers she says, "Here...you have it." Like at a restaurant if you say, "Mom, that steak looks good," next thing you know half of it is literally being tossed on your plate. John once told her he like beef jerky and every since then when we visit mom has bags of it for him to eat. She knows I love butterscotch squares from Sees and when we visit there's always a box of them next to our bed. John always jokes that we should tell her we really like money!!

Having 10 kids she was pregnant for over 7 1/2 years! Let's not even talk about how many years she nursed. Mom, you've given us much more than your womb. Thanks for making us all feel like we were the most important child to you. Thanks for always taking the time to take interest in our lives when we call. You've been a great example of living the gospel and that's one of the most important things you could have done for us. We love you!

We wish we could be with you on your birthday but I can't wait to see you in a couple of weeks for our birthday bash with just the girls!

Happy Birthday to Corinne too. We are thinking about you!

Happy Birthday Dad!

All of us kids wanted to wish you a happy birthday. You are a such a loving dad. You've shown us how to work hard and play hard. There's no way you are 74! You look so good! We love you,

The kids