Wedding Cake for Sierra and Jordan

The Bast Missionaries

Alec is now in Grants, New Mexico. His companion is Elder Pahulu a Tongan from Florida. He has already given 2 blessings in the hospital and met many people. He is loving being a missionary.
Elder Jon Alexander Bast
226 Monroe
Grants NM 87020

Sean is in Northern Sacramento right now but will soon be moving to Stockton. He had to translate Sacrament meeting into Lao and is really enjoying the Laotion food. I don't have an address for Sean yet except his mission address.
Elder Sean Christopher Bast
California Sacramento Mission
8267 Deseret Ave.
Fair Oaks, CA 95628

Thanksgiving With Andrea and Tra'

Rich and I have had so much fun being with Tra' and Andrea for Thanksgiving this year.



We made way to much food but it was sooooo good! Lots of left overs!

Goodbye Alec!

It has been almost a week since Alec left for his mission. I would have posted sooner, but we stayed in Queen Creek with Michael and Sarah until Sunday. We left for the airport at about 5:00 am on Wed. Nov. 10th. His flight was at 7:40. He was so excited. You can see how happy he looks. Rich and I held it together until he was gone, but I have to say it is really tough to send your last child out into the world. I wouldn't have it any other way. He and Sean are exactly where they are supposed to be right now and we are so proud of both of them for preparing for this time. I can't wait to hear about Sean and Alec's reunion as Sean is still at the MTC. I know it will be wonderful as they are so close. Sean has been there since Sept. 15th and is doing really well learning the Laotion language. He says that they speak entirely Laotion in their classroom now and he is giving lessons in Laotion. It is amazing how they can learn a language so quickly.

Today was Alec's farewell. He got to share the meeting with the Primary Sacrament Meeting program. I didn't take a picture of him, but he looked so handsome and so much like a missionary thanks to sweet Kirsten who cut his hair for him last night. His talk was short and sweet. Alec has such a happy disposition and a very touching testimony. I know he will be a wonderful missionary, very hard working and obedient. We really appreciate all the family who came to hear him speak. Afterwards, we went to Grandma's and Grandpa's house for a dinner of Cafe Rio sweet pork. That is Alec's favorite. It was so fun to visit with everyone and we especially enjoyed having Fred and Robyn spend the night with us. Fred was such a good sport and watched a movie out on the front lawn with Alec and Rich. They have a projector that puts the movie up on a big screen(a sheet stretched across the front porch). They have to bundle up in blankets and they light tiki lamps behind them. Robyn and I had a wonderful visit and she helped me prepare food for the lunch today. I really appreciated Christine helping me with the dinner. She made the rice and beans that made the dinner. I am so lucky to have such a great family.
Yesterday, I made a birthday cake for the son of my employer. It was his 18th birthday and they wanted a treasure chest, so this is what I came up with.

Quick Invitation

Alec is going to have his mission farewell this coming Sunday. We invite anyone who would like to come. Our meeting time is 9:00 am at the Stake Center.

Taking Sean to the MTC

This week has been a very bitter/sweet one. We left Monday morning for Utah to take Sean up to the MTC. He has been called to the Sacramento, California Mission speaking Laotian. He will be in Utah for a couple of months learning the language before he goes to California.
Tuesday morning we had to find another suit for Sean. We went to a store called Missionary Mall. It was just what we needed. He got a very nice black suit and some wonderfully comfortable shoes. He also found a perfect backpack. After shopping, we changed and loaded into the car for a trip to the Salt Lake Temple. It was so wonderful being in the Temple with the boys again. After the session, we sat in the Temple and just enjoyed the spirit there. While we were on Temple Square, we took a tour of the Conference Center. The boys hadn't ever seen it. It is an amazing building. The evening ended with a wonderful dinner at Olive Garden and then a quick trip to Walmart for some last minute shopping. Wednesday morning was a little sober. We were all both excited for Sean and also very emotional about our separation. It happens so fast. We drove into the parking lot where we were told to go. As we pull up to the curve where we were directed, we all got out, got his luggage out and had only enough time to give him a final hug. They whisked him right off. All of us were left with tears. I am so proud of Sean and his desire to serve the Lord. I am going to miss him something terrible but there is no other place I want him to be. We have Alec home for a few more weeks and then we will make this trip again.
Best friends

Leaving home for two years.

At the hotel the last night we were there.

Sitting on the Salt Lake City Temple grounds.

The east door of the Salt Lake Temple

On Tuesday afternoon, we drove to Salt Lake City and we went through a session in the Salt Lake Temple. The boys have always wanted to go inside that temple. It was a very special experience for all of us. Sean said it helped to feel less nervous about going on his mission.

We ate lunch just before we took him to the MTC.

About 15 minutes before Sean was dropped off.

Sean's Farewell was last Sunday and I was so busy, I didn't take any pictures. We really enjoyed having Kirk and Kathi come from Mesa and Fred and Robyn, Anthony and Amy and their girls, Mimi and Dan and their girls come from Phoenix. Thank you so much for coming.

Alec and Sean at the Temple

Today was a wonderful day! Sean and Alec received their Endowments at the Snowflake Temple. It was such a special experience. I am so grateful for these two awesome sons. They were both so excited about today and they are so ready to serve as missionaries. I love these two so much! Thank you Grandma for being at the temple with us today.

Alec Has His Call Too!!

What a blessing to have another mission call. Alec has been so anxious to get his call. He will be serving in the New Mexico, Farmington Mission. Not very far from home!

He opened his call at Grandpa and Grandma's home and we had three phone on speaker in front of him so that Michael & his family, Lauren, Tra' and Andrea could all be a part of it. We all guessed where he would go and no one said New Mexico. He is very excited and will be leaving for the MTC on November 10th. I am so grateful for such a good son. He will be a wonderful missionary because he has so much love in his heart. Boy is life going to change for our family. But it is all good!

Sean Has His Mission Call!

Sean recieved his mission call today! Rich, Alec and I were with him as he opened it along with Grandma, Aunt Christine, Karen, & Spencer. Also if you look at the picture, in front of Sean are 3 phones put on speaker so that Lauren in Rexburg, Andrea and Tra' in Oklahoma and Michael, Sarah, Caden, Weston and Hannah in Queen Creek could be a part of it. We all put in a guess as to where he was going and Weston with his guess of Disneyland was actually the closest. Sean will be going to the Sacramento, California mission and he will be speaking Laotian. He is just thrilled about it! He will be leaving on Sept. 15. Only 2 Months!

Lots Happening This Weekend!

Craigs Wedding!

Dad and all his daughters.

Craig and his sisters and mom.
Mom and her daughters.

Craig and Janette's Wedding Cake We loved having Robyn and Fred come to the boy's graduation.

After everyone received their diplomas, the spray each other with crazy string.

Sean and Alec ready for Honor Day. They were both honored for being Big Brothers, also for participating in the Spring Musical "Les Mis". Sean recieved an award for Choir participation and Alec received the Advanced Auto Mechanics award. Alec marched with Kelsey Crosby Sean march in with Eevanna Brown.

Seminary Graduation and Cowboy Birthday Cake

Sean and Alec both graduated from Seminary last Sunday. They are wearing their new Missionary suits that Uncle Carroll and Aunt Christine got for them. Last Saturday was a birthday party for Larry Sherwood. He turned 90 years old. Kathleen asked me to make a cake. It was one of the most fun cakes I have done. I took a pattern from
Alec's hat to make the brim out of fondant. The top was cake I carved except for the ridges at the top. I used Twinkies there. The spurs are out of gum paste. I made a pattern from a pair of old spurs we had. Then the rope is a roll of fondant. I needed to make enough cake for 80 people so I made the bottom cake to look like a corral with barbed wire fence. It was really exciting as it came together and the family really liked it.

Don't You Just Love Spring!

Sean is smelling the Lilacs.

PROM !