tali and inoke's wedding

Tali and Inoke are married! The wedding was on Wednesday and I swear, it was the snowiest day of the year. A huge storm came over Utah and the weather and roads were terrible - but nothing could dampen our high spirits or the beauty of the day. It's so fun to attend a wedding that involves two such awesome and prepared people. It was a day of celebration!

Tali and Inoke were married in the Oquirrh Mountain temple. It's the newest temple in Utah and it was beautiful.

Miki, Harm, Sarah, Titi, me
I love these girls!! Tali didn't have a line but if she did these girls would have been it. Miki, Titi and Harm came up from Hawaii for the wedding. Poor things! After the cold weather I don't think they will EVER move to Utah. ha ha

Inoke's side of the family

Tali and our Mom and Dad

BFF's since hana butta days!! lol

So it was kiiinda cold while we were taking pics, but I refused to let Tali wear the crimz winter cloak that the temple provided. You know the one - long, white, hood lined with fur. Yeah, she sacrificed her warmth, but I thought this green scarf looked better. Seriously.

Later that evening we met again at our stake center for a reception in their honor. There was lots of people, lots of food and it was lots of fun.

The happy couple

The reception

Me and the girls dancing Mele Ohana. We danced it at my wedding, Miki's wedding, and Lani's wedding - you could say it's kinda a tradition. . . and once again I couldn't hold back the tears.

The bouquet throwing. So funny!

We made it an Alisa-Toelupe reunion for a Samoan siva.

One of my most favorite parts of the program. My dad and Tali danced to "Darcie's Lullaby" by Island Rythms. It's the one that starts "Hush my baby girl. . . " Can anyone say TEAR JERKER?

Harm and Tal - love this pic

Tali dancing her tauoluga - she did a Tongan one, then a Samoan one. Oish! Represent!! lol

I'm so happy for Inoke and Tali. I'm so happy that Inoke is part of our family AND that Tali is married! . . . we can do like, married things now. ha ha Love you two!! Congrats!!

tali and inoke's wedding dance

Tonight was Tali and Inoke's wedding dance in Salt Lake. The place was very small, but it was packed with family and friends to celebrate the upcoming wedding. The couple decided to do most of the cultural stuff at the dance so it was fun to see all the quilt presentations and tauolunga's (one of my FAVORITE Tongan traditions). Through the tauolunga's, the family was able to raise money for the new couple - so nice. I love dances like this because it offers a chance for everyone to see everyone else and have one more event to celebrate.

I loved their traditional wear. Inoke's aunties dressed Tali and her puletasi and mat looked so pretty - one of the prettiest ones I've ever seen.

Malia danced from the moment we arrived till the moment she was taken home. By the end of the night, she was exhausted. Thank you Kika!

Miki and Kienna, Tali and me - my highlight of the night was to see all the family and friends that had come into town. It was so nice to visit with everyone.

Congrats to Tali and Inoke! We're excited for the wedding!

merry christmas!!

Merry Christmas everybody!! We had a wonderfully busy day (as all families with both sets of in-laws in town can attest to) and we loved it! Since money was kinda low this year we didn't have to0 many "presents" per say, but we felt we received sooo many gifts this year and are truly blessed. My highlights of the day -

• Waking up with my little family and seeing Malia open her present. We got her a Hello Kitty CD player. I think she's gonna love having music in her room.
• Being with Dad Latu and Wayne's sisters to eat breakfast (Leo's yummy waffles!) and open presents at their house.
• Talking with Michael. . . I mean, Elder Alisa (who is serving in the Puerto Rico mission) on the phone. He sounds GREAT!
• Eating lunch (tongan food - yummm!) with Vai and Ti and opening presents at their house.
• Taking NAPS!! (much needed and much appreciated! ha ha)
• Eating dinner with my parents and siblings at my moms house. First time I ever had fried turkey - LOVE it!
  
• Ending the day with some VOLLEYBALL! woohoo!
• and lastly, the amazingly AWESOME care package from the Inouye family. Just picture a LOT of coupon stuff from the coupon queen herself. Thank you Ula!!!
  

It was a busy, busy day but SO much fun. Malia and Kina had a blast opening the gifts from their aunties and uncles and grandparents and we had a blast spending time with everybody. Thank you! All of you!! Merry Christmas everybody!!

tali's bridals

Today was Tali's bridals! I went early to Tali's house to help with her hair, then we went with my mom to the Provo library where we met Maka, her photographer. First, I gotta say - she looked GORGEOUS!! Seriously, I don't know if I've ever seen a more beautiful bride. We had so much fun posing her and seeing the different things Maka did. I took a lot of pics on my camera, but they're all downloaded on Tali's laptop so I'll have to add some later. Until then, here are some that Maka took.


I love that she went kinda daring on her dress and simple with her hair and makeup. I always think of a wedding as ONE day to truly dress up. Tali is definitely doing it well. COngrats seester!

thanks mom and dad!

for the NEW TIRES!!!

It snowed last week and only when the ice appeared on the roads did I realize how bad my tires were. I knew I needed new ones but I also knew I couldn't afford them. Luckily, Christmas came early this year! he he. Thank you MOM and DAD!! I looove my new tires! I feel invincible! ha ha

ps. If any of you are in the market for new tires I totally recommend Discount Tires. We went to Big O first and was totally disappointed with the price quote and service. I really feel Discount gives you the most tire for your buck. Now is that a commercial or what?! lol

pizza pizza

Four years ago, I recieved a Bosch mixer as a wedding present (from the Greenwoods. Love them!) I'd use it every now and then, but in these last two weeks since my mom has been in town I think I've used it more than the whole four years put together. We've made bread, rolls, chicken rolls, pizza and breadsticks. Ah! I love it. My favorite recipe (aka easiest and fastest) is homemade pizza. Seriously, the dough calls for 5 ingredients and the whole thing takes about 15 minutes from beginning to end - add that to the fact that it's yummy and the kiddies gobble it up . . . and we got a winner! (If you want the recipe, let me know!:))

Yesterday, Malia and Kina wanted to help. Actually, I should correct that - Malia wanted to help. Kina just wanted to eat the toppings. ha ha

Bon Apetit!!

tali and inoke's big day

12 days and COUNTING!!

Oh! The family and friends in town, the dancing, the food, the parties, the excitement! . . .

I caaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan't wait!!!

orem 8 GNO

Love these girls!
Fun! Fun! Fun!

bon voyage hermana latu!

We had a busy weekend!! Friday was our ward party and Saturday was Nia, Sili and Keni's missionary farewell dance. Nia is going to San Diego, California Spanish speaking, Sili is going to Indianapolis, Indiana and Keni is going to Texas! Their dance was probably one of the funnest farewell dances I've ever been to - the decorations were the bomb, the food was delicious and the music was off the hook (lol. I couldn't think of another adjective other than "bomb"). Malia and Kina danced the WHOLE time - it was so fun to watch. I'm so happy for these three young women. They are truly beautiful inside and out and will be such awesome missionaries.


Wayne sidebusting on the three missionaries

Me and Ula a.k.a "the clubber" lol

Kina and Malia - This is Malia's new picture pose. I say, "Say Cheese!" and she does this. Hmmm. . . I wonder where she gets it from. . .

Oooh. . .Okay

Crichton and Travis - the BOMB DJ's - kept the party going and going and going ha ha

After an awesome farewell talk on Sunday and other last-week preparations it was time for Nia to enter the MTC today. Aww! I'm so excited for her - she's going to be great!

The family saying goodbye OUTSIDE of the MTC - yeah, it's a new thing

Hermana Latu - Called to Serve!

imelda marcos wannabe

I need to point out a couple things. One, these are JUST the shoes in the closet. He keeps several cleats in his car just "in case". Two, these are only his "sports" shoes - his Sunday and everyday shoes are kept in the rack. And now, that being said, who in the heck needs this many shoes????

lol. Love you Wayne!

oh dear

Let me preface this story by saying I used to pride myself in the infrequency I fed my children fast food. Yes, now and then I'd pick up some nuggets on the way somewhere if they were absolutely starving, but more often than not I'd try to feed them something slightly more nutritious at home. Since I put forth some effort in this, I used to think my kids didn't really know what a fast-food restaurant was and definitely wouldn't expect anything if I pulled up to one. Yeah, all that pride went right out the window yesterday.

Yesterday, Malia, Kina and I picked Wayne up from school and we all drove home together. On the way home Wayne said he didn't feel good and wanted a strawberry milkshake. I kinda hesitated a little since it was such a random unplanned-in-the-budget request, but ultimately I gave in. We pulled into McDonald's and straight into the drive-thru line. Suddenly, from the back seat we hear Malia's happy voice, "THANK YOU MOMMY!!"

Oh dear.

santa claus is coming to town

Today we went to the mall with Grandpa to see Santa Claus. Malia took a long time telling him exactly what she wanted. . . of course, neither of us (me OR Santa) could understand what she said, but at least she got the drift. She was surprisingly happy and comfortable with the somewhat scary older man and was even happier when he gave her a lollipop afterward.

After we saw Santa we went to the Build-a-Bear Workshop! It was our first time there and Malia LOVED it.

After choosing her bear, she picked a "sound" (Brahms Lullaby), filled it with fluff and put a heart inside.

Then she gave it a bath! She was very thorough.

Malia and her Papa

I know we're probably the last ones to hear about this place, but if you haven't gone yet - it's pretty fun. Plus, it's not too pricey - the cheapest bear is $10 (which is what we picked and is very cute) and the most expensive is $20. The whole thing lasts about 10 minutes, but I think going through the whole process makes the stuffed animal more dear to kids. Malia hugged it tightly till we left and at this moment she is hugging it in her sleep. It's definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Thanks Papa!

pcc comes to provo!

Yesterday, we had a big treat - the PCC promo team came to Provo Towne Center to promote the new night show. Some of my old coworkers are still dancing and singing so we all got to talk, laugh and catch up on old times. It was so nice to see everyone - Talagu, Sia, Milton, Travis, Ricky, Terina, Roland and the Magalei's all came down. It was also nice to see everyone that came to support them - I think almost every Polynesian in Provo was there. ha ha. The show was great and Malia and Kina loved it.

One of my favorite parts was the intermission show. Sia asked for some volunteers to do some audience participation. A bunch of kids went up and Malia followed them! It was her first time dancing on a stage in front of people. I think she did pretty well! ha ha

It's so nice to catch up with good friends. I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to work with such special people at such a special place. Ah! Good memories!!

my mom is here!

My mom came down early for my sister's upcoming wedding. I think I've forgotten what it feels like to live in the same town as my mom. I love it!!


Kina, Mom, Line, Spencer, Maddox, Shan and Malia eating OUT at the mall - just one of the perks of having Gramma in town. ha ha

every missionary's dream

Oh! I'm so excited, I just have to share this! I received an email last week from Erick Peraza, a young father I met while serving as a missionary in El Salvador. Here is a small excerpt. . .

Hermana ya soy una bendicion, y el compartirla con ud. El 11 de octubre fui llamado como obispo de barrio el trebol, le estaremos agradecidos de por vida por habernos dado lo mas lindo el evangelio de jesucristo.

Hermano Erick

***(Sister, I am now a blessing and I share it with you. On October 11, I was called as Bishop of the Trebol Ward. We will be [forever grateful for receiving] the most amazing thing - the gospel of Jesus Christ.)

Me with the Familia Peraza on their baptism day - May 2004

This family - Erick and Beatriz Peraza and their daughter Maria Jose - was one of those "golden families". We found them proselyting (the most "ineffective way of finding" ha ha) and they'd never heard of the church (they were Catholic from a long line of Catholics) but when they heard the gospel for the first time they knew they had to learn more. Hermano Erick began attending church alone at first because Hermana Beatriz worked as a nurse on Sundays. I remember him coming with his blue Book of Mormon in tow. He asked a lot of questions and did his research. I remember his excitement when he would show us something he'd read or tell us a spiritual experience he'd had. After a while, they started coming together. Their ward, the El Trebol ward, did an amazing job fellow-shipping them and welcoming them into the fold. It was awesome to watch. They were baptized together at the end of my mission and we've kept in touch ever since. In 2005, I returned to El Salvador for their sealing in the Guatemala temple - it was a beautiful experience. Over the years, they've served in several callings. With each one they learned new things and grew in their knowledge and testimony. And like his email says, last month he was called as bishop of their ward. My goodness! I'm just so in awe of this amazing family. They are so faithful, so diligent. They are such examples to me - they are first generation members of the church and they have completely dedicated their lives to the Lord. He says he wants his daughter (who is now 7) to come to BYU and serve a mission for the church. I love it!! I know any missionary could have taught them the gospel - they were just ready, but I'm so grateful to my Heavenly Father for giving me the chance to meet them - they are family and I love them dearly. They inspire me to be a better person.

first snow of the year!

christmas came a little early this year. . .

Last week, our friends Mata and Travis Uale invited us over to a Friday night dinner at their house. They are young, newlyweds who have no kids yet (and thus, have a life still) AND they are way fun, so we were a little surprised they would want to spend their FRIDAY night with an old boring couple like us, but VERY excited!

Friday came, we prepared a small salad, got the kids ready and headed over for our 5:30 dinner. After we arrived and said our hellos, we sat down and started talking, but we could tell something was up. Quickly, Mata took out a white envelope and gave it to us. Inside the envelope was a Tucanos gift certificate (for the reservations she made for us at 6), two movie tickets to "Blindside" (for 7:30) and extra money ("for dessert and popcorn"). She showed us the three Disney movies she had rented to watch with the girls and the macaroni and cheese she would feed them for dinner and then told us we'd better hurry or we'd miss our reservation.

I started crying.

We just sat their stunned for a moment and then fumbled a "thank you" and "uh, are you sure?" as they pushed us towards the door. I think we were both kinda in shock. This kind of thing doesn't happen to us every day . . . or ever. I couldn't hold back my tears on the way out the door . . . or on the way to the restaurant. . . or at any other time during the night when I thought about Mata and Travis. The whole night Wayne and I sounded like broken records as we continually exclaimed, "Oh my Gosh!", "I just can't believe it" and "They are SO awesome!" I swear, we were like two little giddy kids on Christmas. We had a wonderful time on our date - the restaurant was perfect and the movie was awesome (you should go see it!!) and when we got back the girls were fed, bathed and ready for bed . . . and I started crying again! ha ha



This was easily one of the sweetest things anyone has ever done for us. I was so touched. I am so touched. I know they don't want any recognition (and I hope they don't mind me naming them), but it has left such an impression on me I wanted to write about it. Mata and Travis inspire me - they are completely unselfish, thoughtful and generous. I'm embarrassed to say that as newlyweds it never once crossed my mind to stay at home on a Friday night and pay for someone to go enjoy a nice dinner and movie while I watch their two young children. Their actions are proof to me that Heavenly Father shows his love to his children through the service of others. This Christmas season I want to follow Mata and Travis's example and serve. I'm forever grateful to them for this - and I'll never ever forget it. Thank you Mata and Travis!! We love you!! Thank you!

i heart soup night

If you've happened to see me on a Monday night in the past 3 months you've probably noticed a big smile on my face. That is because every Monday night is SOUP NIGHT! Soup night is a night I don't have to cook dinner, but instead get to enjoy a soup meal from a fabulous cook. Her name is Kimberly and she is a dear, dear friend . . . and one of the most generous people I've ever met. Every Monday night she makes pots and pots of soup for friends and family. She texts everyone in the day to notify what kind of soup she will be making (ie. tomato, corn chowder, chicken noodle, cream of broccoli) then gives a pick up time of when to go and get your soup. She has these little one serving mini pots that you bring back every time to get filled (we have four even though Malia and Kina usually don't eat a whole serving. . . Wayne and I make up the difference ha ha). Along with the soup, she'll usually prepare a bread, a salad and a dessert. Is that not just amazing? To make it even better, everything is from scratch and EVERYTHING is delicious.

Why does she do this, one might ask. I can honestly say it is from the goodness of her heart. She just loves to serve and make people happy. God has given her the talent to cook and she blesses his children with that talent. She truly amazes and inspires me - she is such a great example of unselfish service, sacrifice and love. Thinking about the gigantic task she takes on once a week honestly makes me think twice when I want to complain about feeding my family of four. I love her so much - she makes the world a better place . . . one bowl of soup at a time.

a bad week for latu teeth

What is it with teeth this week? In the beginning of the week, Wayne broke one of his teeth and will have to replace it. Five days later, Kina fell and chipped her front tooth. So, let's see. . .

1 adult tooth for Wayne
+ 1/2 a baby tooth for Kina
= BIG BILL FOR LATUS

Sheesh!

called to serve!

Sili is going on a mission!!! We are so sooo excited for her. We gathered late Wednesday night so she could open her call and she is going to the . . .

INDIANA INDIANAPOLIS MISSION!!!

My camera ran out of battery after I took this picture of Sili jumping up and down reading her call, so I don't have any other pics to post, but I think this one says it all. She is super pumped to go and serve the Lord and she is going to be one AWESOME missionary!!!

CONGRATULATIONS SILI!!

thankful friday - LATU FAMILY

So, it's supposed to be "thankful THURSDAY", but I had a busy day yesterday and didn't make it to blogging, soooo here we are today:)

This week (and for the last four years) I am very thankful for my in-laws, the Latu Family. I still remember when I first heard about the Latu's. In 2005, I came down for a semester at BYU and my very first night in Utah my cousin told me about the Latu family (. . . AND she tried to set me up with Wayne, but we'll talk about THAT later). She told me about an amazing Tongan family of talented musicians and scholars, but the coolest thing about them was they were also totally friendly, fun and sweet. The thing that caught my attention was the fact that there were 7 GIRLS and only one boy - I'd never seen a family like that! I immediately wanted to meet them. My second day in Utah, I got hired at the Student Honor's Association. I think I only got hired because the director is my moms friend, but that job literally changed my life ( . . . it's where I met Wayne!). I didn't know it when I got the job, but the Latu family had all either worked there or was working there - and that is how I first met and became friends with the Latu's! I liked them immediately. I was initially impressed with their beauty - they are all GORGEOUS! - but the thing even more impressive about them is their beauty on the inside. I observed as they served, befriended, included and loved so many people in need. It really was, and now is, inspiring to watch. They are such great examples of Christ.

Fast forward a few years to the present time and this family still doesn't cease to amaze me. Over the years, they have been there to help and support in every big event in our marriage - including our wedding, moving (four times), baby births, parties etc. Malia and Kina LOVE their aunties (Malia greets each of them by name whenever she's sees any of them) and they are absolute BLESSINGS in my life. They have this funny way of making it seem like I'm doing them a favor by letting them watch the girls. I so appreciate their love for Malia and Kina and their ever willingness to sacrifice their time in helping me. I love my sisters! I know I'm very blessed and lucky.

My parents-in-law are also especially awesome. Malia and Kina LOVE them. My father-in-law spends his only day off in the week with his granddaughters. Every Friday he plans an activity for them to do and does it with them. I feel the girls get so many rich experiences that they wouldn't otherwise get because of him. My mother-in-law is always available and excited to see her grand-kids. She takes joy in cooking for them, playing with them and just being with them. I know anytime they are at her house they will always come home fed and happy - it's such a comfort as a mother. I love to see my girls interact with their Papa and their Gramma and am so grateful to have such a strong support system. They also do that funny thing and make it seem like I've done them a wonderful favor because I let them watch the girls. Oh, the pampered life I live, huh. :)

Okay, I've written more than I was planning to, but I still haven't scratched the surface in describing all ways the Latu family has blessed my life. I'm so grateful to have married into such a great family. So . . . Dad, Kalo, Leo, Melba, Kina, Nia, Sili, Kika, Vai and Ti - Thank you! I love you all soooo much.

happy birthday wayne!!

Today is Wayne's birthday! Yup, the big 2 - 6. In honor of his completion of 26 years of life, I will write 26 things I love about my husband (I guess I'll have to narrow it down ha ha). In no particular order, I love Wayne because . . .

1. He loves me!
   
2. He's Tongan but raised in the mainland. I feel like we have a lot in common.
3. He plays the piano beautifully - love to hear him play
   
4. He is the only boy in his family and is close to his sisters.
5. He makes me laugh
6. He expresses his love everywhere, all the time no matter what. No shame (. . . I got a lot of embarrassing stories about this one, but, uh, . . . just take my word for it)
   
7. He's good at every sport he tries
   
8. When he enters a room, he brings in an energy with him - I call it waynergy! lol.
   
9. We can communicate in our "secret" language - Spanish (ha ha too bad everyone in Utah speaks it too!)
   
10. He's an AWESOME daddy and Malia and Kina ADoRE him
    
11. He's smart - at hard things like Chemistry
    
12. He puts up with all my mood swings, explosions, melt downs and faults. God bless him.
13. He's superbuff - just last week he benched 400 LBS for the first time ever! I don't really know what that means, but I'm still very proud ha ha
    
14. If he's home, he always gets up first in the morning to get the girls their breakfast, just so I can sleep a little longer.
15. He's a returned missionary and an eagle scout woot! woot!
    
16. He's a leader
17. He has goals and the potential to fulfill every one of them. I believe in him.
    
18. He's serviceable - I remember before we had kids he would take me to this nursing home every week where he played piano for the old people - I thought it was so cute.
    
19. He's handsome and always looks clean cut
20. He'll eat my cooking and say, "It's delicious!" even when I know it's not.
21. He knows when I've had a bad day and will try to make things better. . .even when he's had an even harder day.
22. Even when I look like a train wreck, he thinks I'm beautiful (or at least he makes me believe that he does ha ha)
23. Whenever we fight he's usually the first to say sorry
    
24. He doesn't spend money on clothes, cologne or shoes etc. (just on sushi he he)
25. He expresses his appreciation freely and often And lastly and most important. . .
    
26. He has a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ

I love Wayne! Sure, we've had our ups and downs and will probably have a lot more of them, but we love each other and that will never change. I'm so grateful we found each other - I really feel he is the mate of my SOUL. he he. I'm excited to share many more birthdays together. Happy birthday honey!!

a great day for a rugby game

Actually, it really wasn't a great day for a rugby game - it was FREEEEZING!! When I left the house I almost didn't wear a long sleeved shirt because I was so hot, but as soon as we got to the field the temperature dropped. It dropped so much, in fact, that Tali and Shan were too weak to tough it out and left soon after it started ha ha. We were all there to watch Wayne. He ran with the Provo Steelers and made a try AND they won the game!! Unfortunately, I still don't understand rugby completely, but I still cheered very loud whenever he got the ball. It was a great day for a rugby game!



I had to add this one. Malia's face is cracking me up!! lol