feliz anniversario!

Today was our THIRD ANNIVERSARY!! It's been a fun three years full of ups and downs and laughs and tears. Wayne is my best friend and we're still learning so much about marriage and parenthood and love. I'm glad we can learn together.

PS. Just for posterity's sake - for our anniversary Wayne took me out to dinner at Macaroni grill, just the TWO of us. It was soo fun to just talk grown-up talk and not worry about Malia spilling food all over the table or Kina squirming to the floor. We just TALKED. Ahh, it was so nice. Oh, and he bought me this purse. . .

I love it!! Thank you Wayne! Love you!!

taiana's birthday party

Malia went to Taiana's birthday party yesterday. Her mom, Sarana, my good friend and coworker, should get an award for most creative kid party. The theme was Dora the Explorer and the kids did exactly what Dora does - they followed a map and explored!! I was very impressed by her ingenuity. They made each room in their house a different part of the map, had little backpacks to collect all the souveniers they found on the way and in the end discovered keys that opened up the box that held the sweetest birthday cake I've ever seen! Seriously, such a cute party.
Malia struggled a little at first to get what was going on. . . but she caught on in the end.

After they got their trusty flashlights they had to crawl through the twisted tunnel to find the keys to open the lock. Mommy really likes the flashlight for her purse now. he he

I know what you're thinking - who's getting married? lol. No, that is the birthday cake. See, I told you it was the sweetest cake ever.

Thanks for a sweet party, Sarana. Someday I'll be as creative as you. . . :)

pomp and circumstance

BYU Class of '09

Yesterday, Wayne participated in BYU's Graduation Ceremonies. It was a joyous occasion commemorating an ending of one chapter and a new beginning of another. . . lol K, I stole that line from one of the speeches we had to listen to. he he. It really was a nice day though - very inspiring and very happy.

We recieved some BEEEAUTIFUL leis from Wayne's mom, Wayne's auntie and my mom (who are both in Hawaii) so we really got to celebrate. THANKYOU Vai, Auntie and Mom!!

Here are some of my favorite pics of the day. . .

Daddy's girls

Wayne's dad and Wayne's dads look-alike


Wayne's mom, Vai

Malia played with this plastic lei box for like, 10 minutes. She was making faces at Travis.

the kirls

HALLELUJAH! Wayne with Mark Miyamoto

Look, Kina is trying to look pretty like Mata! lit'l copy cat:)

Wayne loves his little sisters! And they love him too. . . right? Right, guys? RIGHT?? he he.

I love this pic

There was this huge line in front of the cougar that we had to wait in just to take a pic. Once we got up there we were so excited we just went a little crazy.

Trying, trying, trying to take a family picture with both kids smiling. . . maybe next time.

You know, I never got to walk in my own graduation(I had already moved from Hawaii to Utah and didn't want to buy a ticket home), so I kind of felt I got to live vicariously through Wayne yesterday and enjoy the whole graduation experience:) It was nice.


Grrrrrrr!

I'm so proud of Wayne for his accomplishments. He's worked hard and followed his dream. Like most of you know, Wayne wants to become a doctor one day so we have a LOT more school ahead of us:) I know it will be challenging, but I know he can do it. Way to go Wayne! I love you honey! (cause I know you're reading this lol)

many hands make light work

we love maddox!

My little nephew, Maddox is the most mobile little boy I have EVER seen. Seriously, he has the coordination, energy and curiosity of a 2 year old! He can crawl, stand up with furniture, and climb up stairs and he is only 6 MONTHS OLD!!!! He is so active you get tired just watching him. Not only is he super talented with his physical skills but he is super duper cute too. He has a very sweet personality and I can already tell he's gonna be a bomb athlete and totally handsome guy. We love you little Maddox!

Kina's like, "I want to learn how to do that. . ."

Maddox with his mom, Shan and little Kina

read to me please

Soo, sometimes Wayne and I lie in bed and talk about what Malia and Kina are going to be when they grow up. Wayne wants them to ballroom dance and run track. I want them to play volleyball and dance hula. We both agree that they will play piano. We often wonder if they'll become great doctors or good teachers or professional ballroom dancers. . . he he. I guess more than anything I want them to know they can do and be anything they want. . . and I want them to love what they do.

Tonight I discovered one occupation option for Malia. I was cracking up watching her show off her book to nobody so I grabbed my camera to secretly film it (unfortunately, she quickly stops anything she's doing as soon as she sees a camera on) and tell Wayne what she was doing. Anyways, she's obviously been taking notes at storytime. I think she has the whole read and show down.

Three things - Why does my voice sound like a 50 year old man who just woke up? That is Wayne's music we're listening to. and I wonder how much the library pays for their storytellers?

malia's sick!

Malia has had a fever since MONDAY! Kalofae huh. This morning she woke up with a rash all over her torso so we finally took her to the doctor. He said it was a virus called Roseola that causes a high fever for several days and then a fine red rash for a few days. When the rash goes away the illness is gone. Whew! at least we know what it is, right? he he. He also told us she has an ear infection. Kalofae Malia. What's with my kids and ear infections? They must get it from their mother:) No worries, though. She's taking medicine and is on the mend!:) Here's hoping for a great next week!

sigue adelante ELDER ALISA

My baby brother, ELDER ALISA has now been in Puerto Rico for about a month and is doing so good. His trainer/companion is gringo and an Assistant to the President so Michael gets to go on a lot of splits with other elders in the mission. I love reading his letters - they remind me of the experiences I had in El Salvador on my mission and his words inspire me to work harder at building my testimony. Here's a little excerpt from his last letter. . .

My new companion for the day was Elder Huete from Honduras. It was so fun because he didn't speak a lick of English and I was forced to speak Spanish all day. We went out to a few houses together and a few times I couldn't help but laugh out loud because we would be in someone's house talking and I was the only person in the room that spoke English and hardly any Spanish. Those moments when you realize that you never pictured yourself in this situation.

Ponce is out in the country too and on our way to a certain destination we had to cross this beautiful field. There literally wasn't a trace of civilization in sight. It was beautiful. I was tired, burning hot under that Puerto Rican sun, dirty from sweat and dirt, and starving- but again I just laughed because it was so sweet to me. I absolutely loved it!

This is hard work. And I love it! Every night, after we say our prayers, I lay down exhausted and happy. Not happy because I'm finally in bed but happy because I spent almost the entirety of my day thinking about, planning for, worrying about and serving other people. We LIVE for other people. I've never done that. Never in my life have I been so devoted to the well being of others. That's why I go to sleep happy every night.

isn't that fun? he he. I think cause he's the baby of our family we all love Michael the best. lol. I hope he continues to work and study hard and learn to share the gospel effectively with the Puerto Rican people. Con ANIMO Elder Alisa!!

bubbles!

Malia and Kina love bubbles! Here's Tali blowing some for Kina. Do you like how I tried to get all photographical with my dinky little camera? Oh well. . .someday. . . lol

post easter playdate

Sooo we decided to have another Easter egg hunt AFTER Easter...kinda felt like a Filipino who keeps up the Christmas lights AFTER Christmas. he he. Anyways, it seemed like a no-brainer since we all had eggs, candy and sugar-filled kids who needed to get out of the house.

THE KIDS - Keiti, Elise, Rachel, Vili, Tau, Spencer and Malia


All the other kids looked for eggs while Malia sat down and ate the candy from the first egg she found. Nice.


THE MOMS - Tina, me Lani, Krista, Jill, Lene, Line, Amy and Rina and our KIDS

It was a beautiful sunny day outside . . .I never thought I'd say this, but it was almost TOO sunny. I LOVE the sun, don't get me wrong, but I guess we just weren't prepared for how sunny it would be. It was so hot! We got home and Malia slept for a few hours and then woke up with a fever. I think she may have gotten sunstroke. Nice, huh. Oh well. It really was a beautiful day. I can't wait for summer. . . and I already have my umbrella/sunscreen/portable fan/cooler with cold drinks PACKED and ready to go!

fuuuuuuui is ENGAGED!

Today we went to Tema Hunkins house for an Easter dinner. Well, that is what was TOLD to everyone. The real reason for the get together was for Fui Vakapuna to propose to his girlfriend, Leonne Hunkin. WOoHOO!! The long awaited day has finally come!! he he

Fui, Wayne and little pimpin' Fui

To start off we had introductions, said a prayer and Melba shared a spiritual Easter message. Then, Fui stood up and did his THING. Leonne was so surprised! They have been dating forever and she wasn't expecting ANYTHING.

Afterwards, Leonne was like, "I was wondering why you wanted me to put my shoes on and why everyone had their cameras out" he he. They were so cute.


The GIRLS - Arda, Kesa, Adi, Kenny, Kika, Melba, me, Sili, Kina, Nia, Fui and Leonne, Aunty Hina and Tema


THE BOYS - Will, Fui, Shiloh, Sione, Wayne and Moe


THE RING - it's a floating diamond with
a row of diamonds on the band in white gold.
Very beautiful and very Leonne.


Fui and Leonne with the whole Latu clan

Fui and Leonne have been our special family friends for a long time. We love them! Wayne and Fui entered the BYU football program together waay back when and have been brothers ever since and Leonne is like a sister to all the girls. We were SO happy to be a part of this special occasion. We LOVE you Fui and Leonne. We wish you all the best!

**A little story about Fui and Leonne - just this last Monday Wayne and I decided to walk around the mall for Family Home Evening. We were walking around and ran into Fui and Leonne. We talked for a while and Wayne made a joke that we were walking the mall because we didn't have any money to do something else. Later, I went to the bathroom and on the way out Fui was waiting there and was like, "Hey Mary. Come here" I thought he wanted to tell me something so I got closer and the bugah stuffed a twenty dollar bill in my hand and then ran into the boys bathroom!!! Leonne wouldn't let us give it back to them either. Bums. Honestly, though, we were so touched by their gift. It was such a generous and thoughtful thing to do. So, for FHE we had ice cream on them! he he.

happy easter!

This year Easter was especially fun because Malia has kinda sorta started to understand the concept of the egg hunt. For our Papa date on Friday had an Easter Egg Hunt! Melba and Kina got all the eggs ready and hid them in the back yard. Our cute family friends, Nancy and Emily, joined in the fun.

At first, she had NO idea what to do. It helped her to see the bigger kids putting eggs in their baskets. After a few seconds though, she got the hang of it and was walking around and snatching up eggs all by herself.

Kina (with Kalo) enjoyed the eggs from the sidelines.
Next year she'll be able to join in:)

Papa helping Malia get the tougher ones in the trees.

Nancy, Kalo and Kina, Emily, Malia and McKenna
The kids with their loot

After our Papa date egg hunt we went to an Easter Party at our friends, Saia and Line's home. We started off with an Easter Egg Hunt for the kiddies, had a yummy dinner of appetizers and finished off the night with games.

Spencer, Tau, Lotoa and Malia

Our last hunt was held at the Hunkins house with Vai and Ita. By the time of this hunt Malia understood that there was CANDY in each egg. She was less eager to fill her basket with eggs and more eager to sit down, open the egg and EAT the candy. Needless to say, it took a looong time to get all the eggs finally picked up. he he.

It was a fun Easter. We love this holiday because it's a wonderful time to get together with family and friends and remember our Savior Jesus Christ. It's also the beginning of Spring and a sign of New Beginnings. Happy Easter!

leo's bridal shower

Saturday was Leo's bridal shower. She is getting married to Kawika Hafoka on May 16. Nia threw the shower and did a great job. We ate (and ate and ate) and then opened presents. It was very nice.

The pretty green decorations made
by Nia and Kina

Eating!

The coveted pink bag that every bride wants to see. he he.

eeeeeeverybody

it's sunny outside!

. . . and Kina is LOVING it!

Malia, Kina, Ita and Vai

spring?

When I woke up this morning I heard BIRDS chirping outside my window! It feels like forever since I've heard that welcome sound. I think spring may finally be here!!!!

General Conference - past and present

Saturday and Sunday was General Conference! I loved it!

Since we've been married, Wayne and I have made it a tradition to go to Temple Square in Salt Lake City to listen to conference with Waynes family. We've never actually been inside the conference center for conference - we've always just watched it from the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and we like it that way. We usually bring some food to eat at halftime (as Wayne calls it) and make it a day event. It gives me a peaceful feeling to walk the grounds, see the temple and just be there. Sometimes, when I watch from home I get just a leetle too comfortable on the couch in my pajamas with my blanket and pillow. Lots of people can do it, I'm just not one of them.:) I end up studying the back of my eyelids. lol. Going to Temple Square makes us feel a part of it all. We come home exhausted but spiritually uplifted. When it was just the two of us it was simple and we'd go up both days, all four sessions. Since Malia and Kina have joined our family we go up just once, either Saturday or Sunday. Still, it makes conference for us! We love this tradition and hope to keep it up for as long as we are living close enough to drive there.:)

Since I had so much fun walking down the luau memory lane, I thought I'd go for gold and take a trip down the general conference memory lane too. It's a pretty long lane so be prepared. lol.

October 2006

• first conference together as a married couple
• David Bednar gave his famous "Nothing Shall Offend Them" talk. Love that talk.

I get the plugging of ears and covering the mouth so
they won't hear or speak evil. . . but shouldn't Sili be closing
her eyes instead of making glasses that help you see BETTER?

This conference was extra special because Titi came up
from Hawaii. It was so nice to have her here.
Me, Sili, Nia, Kalo, Titi, Leo, Tali, Sarah

Love my husband

lol. I just HAD to put this one on here.
Our claim to fame. he he

April 2007

• We were pregnant with Malia
• There were 12,868,606 members and 124 temples in operation
• The Salt Lake Tabernacle was rededicated and a session was held there
  

Nia, Sili, me and Tali

DEEEE-Ner!Hey, we needed our energy
for the second session okay? lol

Wayne and the guys

us

October 2007

• We were brand new parents!
• President Faust had recently passed away. We loved him.
  
• Sister Julie Beck gave an amazing talk entitled "Mother's Who Know"
  

Nia, Sili, Kika, Kina and me. I love this pic.

Nick, Sione, Wayne, Matt, Sete, Mark, Jason, Junior.

What is Wayne looking at?

April 2008

• Our beloved prophet, President Gordon B. Hinkley, had passed away
• President Thomas S. Monson was sustained as our new prophet. He's been one of my favorite speakers for as long as I can remember.
  

We sat outside for the second session and loved it. They
play the audio on loud speakers so you can hear everything.
It was Sweeet!

Can you believe how small Malia is!?!
They grow so fast.

Kika, Nia, Aaron Atiig, Wayne, Sili, Kina.
These pictures were the beginning of a long tradition of JUMPING pictures.

October 2008

• Kina was born!
• My favorite talk was "Joy in the Journey" from President Monson.
  

Feeding the masses. . .

Everybody Jump! Jump!

April 2009

• Total members is 13,508,509 and there are 128 temples in operation
• Elder Neal Anderson was called as an Apostle
• Loved the talks! I feel inspired to be better.
  

This year Kina made musubi, Nia brought homemade bread
and Kalo brought a TON of Costco goodies. YUM!!

Malia pointed at this tiny statue of Brigham Young
and said "BABY". Then she gave him a kiss:)

Tali and Malia, Sili and Kina - it was SUCH a pretty day!

Sam, Tali, Nia, Kina, Wayne and Kika
Gotta love the jumping pictures. he he.

Whew! See, I told you it would be a long trip. lol. Truly, I have thouroughly enjoyed the experiences we've had at general conference. Best of all, we get to listen to the prophets voice and strenghten our testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Chirst. We are so grateful for Conference!!!!