Our Philippine Trip Part 1

We just got back from our amazing trip to the Philippines. We were so lucky to have been able to travel there and visit Sam's mission. The Filipino people are the nicest people I have ever met and there was not any place that we went where people did not say, "Barbie!" or "Sir, you want?" Everyone stared at us everywhere we went and they all wanted to know our names and be our friends. So here is a not so brief synopsis of our trip....
We started our trip in Manila. We got in to Manila at 1:00 am but could not leave the airport until 5:00am because the money changer wasn't there so we had no way of getting anywhere without paying in pesos. Anyway...we finally left the airport and started our day in the capital of the Philippines. Mabuhay! Here are shome shots from Manila...

This is Rizal park in Manila.

One of our first rides in a jeepney...

We had a chance to do a session at the Manila temple which was awesome!

We ran into some people Sam knew from Cabanatuan while at the temple...

Riding in a tricycle to Angeles was interesting... Trikes are so small and with our huge backpacks on our laps we were so squished! Everybody would laugh at us when they would see us with our huge backpacks on. Here is Angeles...




We got the chance to visit some of Sam's friends in Tarlac. Tarlac was Marielle's favorite place because it was so neat to meet so many people who Sam knew while serving his mission. Here is the Garcia family...

All along the side of the road you see these little places called Tindahans. They sell snacks, crackers, candy, soap, and soda that comes in plastic bags. I love this photo of the girl in the Tindahan...


This is the Mendoza family. Sister Mendoza was so surprised to see Sam! She invited us into her home and she brought out a framed picture that she had of Sam, her husband and her when Sam lived in Tarlac. It was really cool to see that and they were such a sweet family.

One of the most touching times during our trip was in Tarlac. We were walking through the street when we heard someone yell, "Elder Hayes! Elder Hayes!" We looked up and people started pouring out of their homes, each of them laughing, yelling "Elder Hayes," hugging Sam, hugging me, crying and hugging eachother. They were soooo happy and excited to see Sam that I started crying! They all remembered him and it was so cool for me to see how seven years later they still remembered him. Here are our Tarlac friends who greeted us so warmly...


These kids were so excited that I had a camera and they all wanted to pose for me!

Here is the huge mass of people who all came out to see Sam

On our way to Baguio

In Baguio I was introduced to the greatest fruit every-guiobano. Absolutley delicious!

Here are the oh-so-famous jeepneys you see everywhere in the Philippines

This is scenic Mines View in Baguio. We just happened to have those matching outfits and hats with us! So convenient!

Beautiful botanical gardens in Baguio.

Annual Fish Lake Labor Day Trip!

Welcome to our blog about our fantastic Labor Day Trip to Fish Lake. This year everyone was able to go except for Heather (we missed you, Heather!) We had a great time together making memories. Here are a lot of the fun things we did while we were there! Every year the Hayes family gets together at their cabin in Fish Lake, Utah. It's a small cabin set amidst aspen trees and a gorgeous little lake. This place is special to us because this is where we got engaged! It's so much fun to get together as a family and play cards, go fishing, go off-roading and to spend time together in the gorgeous outdoors! Here are some highlights from our trip this year.


Levi is such a cute kid. He liked posing for the camera! He is getting to be so big!

The Fish Lake Tradition...Eating a great breakfast of Richfield milk sausage and french toast while looking out to the lake.

Here are a few cool photos I took while we were off-roading. The scenery is so amazing here!


I like this photo of us.


Perhaps the world's cheeziest photo ever taken.






Scott caught a fish too! Yay!

We had a great time fishing. Sam caught the most fish and here is everyone looking at the great fish!

Our annual tradition of hitting golf balls off the mountain. Sam has great form!

Here is us on Mytoge Mountain where we got engaged three years ago! It is such a beautiful sight to look over the lake!

Us celebrating Phil's Birthday dinner at the Lodge. Happy Birthday, Phil!!!

This is obviously where someone with the same initials as us carved in a tree. Ok it was us.


Here are the Hayes men who showed their fishing skills while at Fish Lake...

We had the chance to see the home where the Hayes' ancestor Henry Nephi Hayes lived in Richfield. The woman who lives there now has found numerous items in the home that belonged to Henry, such as old checks, notes, poems and photographs. It was really neat to be there together as a family and see a part of the families history. Here we all are in front of the house! The only person missing is Heather!

Great America Adventure

Marielle almost puked on the INVERTIGO! I love Great America ever since I first spat off of the Revolution....

A trip to Washington D.C. for ME!