quite the busy bee . . .

Malia has had a busy month of January. Here are some of the highlights. . .

Malia had her very first dentist appointment this month. They took xrays of her mouth and looked at her teeth with that little mirror on a stick thingy. Malia screamed the whole time BUT she has good teeth and no cavities so I look at it as a success:). . . PLUS they gave her this cool balloon flower on the way out. Hopefully, she'll remember that and not the screaming part when it's time to go back.

Malia's new favorite thing to do is rummage through her drawers, pick out clothes and put them all on at the same time. It's so ironic to me because she usually puts on a huge fuss to just put on ONE outfit and here she is putting on several and loving it. Go figure. While it makes for a lot of extra folding on my part, it's still funny to see her walk around the house in her fashion creations.

I feel so lucky to have friends that have kids Malias age!! Malia has had fun at several playdates this month. Favorite hangouts? The Orem Library storytime and the University Malls new playground.

On Jan. 20, Malia watched history in the making when Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States. Obama fan or not - it was an amazing moment to see our first black president speak. . . very inspiring.

Malia had her very first bubble bath this month. She tried to eat the bubbles and couldn't understand why they didn't come off her hands when she wiggled them around. Final decision? Bubble baths are good.

Malia had fun visiting Aunty Tali at her studio at BYU. We also stopped by the MOA and saw their way cool new exhibit. Every piece is made out of common household objects - they are amazing. Malia liked the big balloon blob the best

She was quite the busy bee!!.

fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuti

We LOVE watching BYU volleyball. The team is very good this year and their star player is our good family friend, Futi Tavana. With his huge blocks and big spikes he makes it very fun to watch.

At the last game we decided to go all out and make signs to cheer him on. Kina and I made a big blue banner that said "the FUTI FAN CLUB" and Wayne made a sign that said "Futi is Tongan". Apparently, the sign sent off a lot of confused questions of Futi's ethnicity. Wayne and his sign were on TV and the announcers had a conversation on-air about Futi being Tongan. Since they knew his parents were Samoan they concluded he must be adopted.

To set the record straight - Futi is SAMOAN. Full 100% Samoan. lol. So THERE, Wayne!

Adios Elder Alisa!!

Michael entered the MTC today!!!

I was so sad to say goodbye. I will miss him, but there isn't anywhere else I'd rather him be than the MTC. Since Michael is the baby of the family I think we all feel a special parental type bond with him. He's always been more mature and cool than any of us at his age - I think maybe because he was always hanging around with people older than himself. When we were in highschool and he was in grade school, we would often go out to the movies and other social outings together with or without my friends. It didn't seem odd at all - he was there, so he came. Some of my favorite memories of Michael are just hanging out late and talking. I remember after we had all moved out and it was just him at home I asked him how it was. He said, "Mary, it's so lonely". lol. It's been so fun watching him grow up (I remember the day he was born like it was YESTERDAY - Kahuku Hospital. . .yes, I know what you're thinking. . . but he seems healthy, right? lol) and supporting him in his different activities. I think he'll always be our baby.

ANYWAYS, we all got to the MTC to see him go in. My dad had stayed since Christmas so he could be there too. It was nice to all be together. I hadn't been in there since I left like. . . well, maybe I won't say how long ago. lol. Besides our family Aunty Ireen, Aunty Leah, Tiare, and Zack Williams were there. Wayne came late after he finished his class. I was fine until that ONE part in the video where they say goodbye and of course, I started to cry. Michael didn't cry at all, though. I think he was just excited to see what was next. After our goodbye's we all watched him walk to the door where the missionaries leave and he didn't turn back. Good. I think he's going to be a great missionary!

We love you Elder Alisa! Buenos suertes!!

Swimming in December?

Our family has recently gotten into swimming at the Orem Rec Center. Malia takes swimming lessons there with Wayne's mom, Vai. They go three times a week and she loves it. Last Saturday we went together with Sili, Nia, Ita and Vai for a little water fun. It was so nice. . . And best of all, Malia knocked out as soon as we got in the car. Ahh. I can't wait for summer!

happy new years!

Last year we fell asleep before the countdown and the SAME thing happened this year . . .we must be getting old. lol. EVEN though we didn't countdown the seconds before the new year began doesn't mean we didn't celebrate the ending of 2008.

We started our celebrating at Provo Towne Centre's First Night. It was alright. I mean, it was fun. . .for about 5 minutes and then we were all complaining and yelling at Wayne who made us go. The target age of First Night is like 3 - 9 years old. If you aren't in this age bracket I wouldn't recommend it cause it is boooooring!. Still, we made do. Here are some of the highlights of the night . . .

the craft corner. fun stuff to make like these cute burger king crowns.


these balloons. sili and I waited like, 40 minutes in line to get these balloons. was it worth it? not really. Malia popped hers in about 5 minutes.


posing with Star War's characters. The scary thing is I think these people really dress like this on other days besides New Year's Eve.


The amazing show with amazing performers doing amazing things with hula hoops


Candy powder tubes and the eating contest where Wayne beat out all the 8 year olds for a lollipop. I was so proud.

The REAL HIGHLIGHT of course, was being able to kick it with the family. That made it all worth it.. . well, ALMOST worth it. lol.


After our downer trip to First Night we wizened up and decided to play Rockband the rest of the night. Love the game. Love the talented musicians we had with us.

Futi on the drums


Tina on guitar. Kalo, Megan and Kina cheered everyone on.


ME on vocals until SILI tried to steal the mike away. For some reason, they didn't want me singing anymore. I didn't get it. Go figure.


Sili and Wayne seranading Malia

,
Tali and Malia



We cut the night short early cause we were tired and were in bed by 10:30. lol.
Oh well. . .
Happy New YEARS!!