getaway

I remember a certain commercial that used to play a lot when I was little.  After showing a couple frolicking on the beach, golfing on a huge course and eating in a fancy restaurant, a womans voice would whisper "Get away . . . to Turtle Bay".  Haha  As soon as it played, I would say, "I don't want to get away.  I want to stay!"  And my family would all laugh like it was the funniest thing (You know those family jokes that are only funny to the family?  Yeah, this was one of those things. lol).  But ANYWAY, this post has nothing to do with Turtle Bay. . . but it DOES have to do with getting AWAY. 

So. . . ahem. . .Last weekend, we took a fun weekend getaway with some friends to Wolf Creek in Eden, Utah.  Despite some car trouble we had to handle (Aargh!) we made it there and had a great time.  Tina Reid was the mastermind behind it all and she did an awesome job.  Her family has a timeshare there, so we got to stay in two condo suites.  The three other couples that went also have small children, so it was a very welcome time to spend with just our spouse and friends.  Plus, Tina planned well and divvied out the meals to each couple so everyone brought something so we wouldn't have to spend MONEY!  In our four years of marriage we've never done something like this, but after doing it I think we might try to make it a yearly tradition.  It was good to connect again as a couple.  Even the two hour drive up to the place was a treat to me because we got to talk the whole way.  It was so nice.  

Playing the Newlywed Game with the Reids, Hafokas and Lesa's . . . which we ended up losing.

Thank you Reid Family!  We loved it!

And thank you to Grandma Vai for watching Malia and Kina for the weekend!  We love you!

we are fam-i-ly

So after sweet Lizette saw our sad excuse for a family picture (posted previously), she generously asked if we'd like a family photo shoot.  We were like, Uh, YES PLEASE! haha  She is so good at what she does. She also brought along a talented assistant who was a pro at making the kids smile and the adults crack up.  Haha Thanks Mata!! They did an awesome job and we are so grateful for our new family pics!

Malia

Kina

Tali

Latu Family

Thank you Liz!  We love you!

pumpkinland

 Pumpkinland is exactly what you'd assume it is from it's name - a LAND OF PUMPKINS! haha  It's definitely the most October fun you can get for four bucks in Provo.  It was my first play outing with all three girls without Wayne.  I was a little nervous, but Tali was a trooper and slept the ENTIRE time.  Woohoo!  It gives me confidence that leaving the house with three girls is POSSIBLE.  We enjoyed all there was to see, had a small potluck lunch and then went home for naps.  Some pics. . .

Malia ran the whole corn maze.  Kina kept stopping to look at things

Both girls LOVED the petting zoo - Malia was trying to feed this goat for like, 20 minutes.

I can almost HEAR Kina's laugh when I look at this pic. Ah, I love it!

All the kiddies - lovin' all the fake smiles! Haha

Afterward, each girl got to pick something to take home.  They even found a tiny one for Tali.

LOL! Malia's face in this pic cracks me up . . . I think someone was stealing her pumpkin. lol

Horaay! ONE three-girls-playdate DOWN. . . MANY more to go!! haha

my dad is my hero

I just read a blog post written my dear friend, Leise, who's dad passed away last week in Laie.  It made me cry.  My heart and prayers go out to her and her family.  I love you, Leis!  All at once, I want to giver her a hug and cry with her, call my dad and tell him I love him and then kneel down to thank my Heavenly Father for my dad.

I remember back on Father's Day, I sat down to write something about my dad, but I couldn't.  I hesitated because there's too much to say and I felt I didn't have the adequate words to express the way I feel.  I still don't feel I can do justice to the task, but I'm going to at least attempt.  It's not everything. . . but at least, it's a start. 

My dad is the most talented person I've ever met.  He is a genius when it comes to art.  I've watched him create many things and have seen many things he's created and have and always will be in complete awe.  His hands are so able.  I've watched his hands cut wood, paint murals, fix sink pipes, plant trees, massage my moms shoulders, massage my shoulders, putty walls and make furniture.  Even As a child, I've always known my dad could do anything.  What's more, I always knew he would always teach me anything he could do if I asked to be taught.  I love that about my dad.

My dad has a way with babies and children.  I remember it with my little brothers and other babies around us growing up, and I see it again with him and my children.  Kids just love him.  It's probably because he's so gentle and patient - he's hardly ever in a hurry when it comes to kids. PLUS, he can pretty much draw anything a child could possibly want to see drawn - I always loved that (came in handy when we were young and bored at church haha).

I love how my dad sees the world and I love his history.  He came from a small village in Samoa and was the last of 15 kids.  His father passed away when he was a child and he was raised by his mother and brothers.  He's come so far from that beginning.  I'm so proud of everything he's been able to accomplish. I think he is so kind and wise because of everything he's gone through, because of everything he's seen. I love that and respect him for it.

My dad is not a man of many words (and I always chide him for not writing me on my mission or calling me now), but I'm grateful for the words we do exchange.  He knows I love him and I know he loves me.  He has a funny sense of humor (not even our family really "gets" it haha) and a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and his gospel.  Though he doesn't talk a lot, he's taught me so much.  I'm so grateful he is my dad. 

Dad and Malia at Tali and Inokes wedding 12/30/09

I know you don't read this but maybe Mom will show it to you. Haha

I love you, Dad!

barnyard boooo

Yesterday, Wayne and I took the girls to Barnyard Boo at Thanksgiving Points' Farm Country.  There were all the usual farm things they have all year long - petting zoo, pigs, cows, sheep, a pony ride, a hay ride etc. - but since it's October they also had some Halloween activities for the kiddies to enjoy.  It was a gorgeous day and the girls had fun.  A word, though, to any parents who might want to go - the lines were SO long.  If I did it again, I would definitely go on a weekday.  Each activity was fun. . . but not fun enough to warrant a 15 minute wait in line.  Afterward, we stopped at a little burger place on the way home.  It was such a nice morning together as a family.  I can already feel the excitement of the holidays!

Malia LOVED riding the horses

We used the "ride the pony" bribe for days.  Kina loved it.

The girls making their witches.  They also made green slime, went pumpkin bowling, pinned the wart on the witch and got their faces painted.

When we were still at home and getting ready to leave to Thanksgiving Point, Malia grabbed a roll from the kitchen to "feed the cow".  She held on to it all morning and the whole car ride there.  While waiting in line I asked her to give it to me and after a while I thought she forgot about it so I threw it away.  Bad idea.  The SECOND she saw this one she turned to me and asked me for "the bread for the cow".  Oops!  My bad.

After making Halloween cookies they got to watch a Halloween movie.

Happy Halloween!  (I love the stink eye, Kina)

sweet dreams

baby tali

amalani ta'aloga hafoka

Remember how I threatened Tali about not going into labor before the baby shower?  Well, I never knew I had such pull with her. haha  A couple hours after the shower, Tali was in the hospital because her water broke.  I arrived there a few hours later and after a long labor (and one whole hour of pushing!) Tali gave birth to her beautiful baby girl at 5:45 am.  Watching my only sister in labor was very emotional for me.  It's so hard seeing someone you love in so much pain and not being able to do anything about it.  Also, I've never before witnessed a live birth and I have to say - it truly is a MIRACLE!  I was amazed.  I'm so grateful I was able to be there with them.  Inoke was such a great coach and Tali was so strong.  It was a truly beautiful experience!  She's named after Inoke's grandma and mine and Tali's aunty.  She has a ton of black hair and her looks kinda pull the Hafoka side.  She's absolutely precious.

BEFORE her epidural all Tali could muster up was a shaka.  AFTER she was able to relax. 

 

 

I love this picture - it's so awesome seeing my sister as a mom.

Amalani was 7 lbs. 2 oz and 19 in. long. Here she is with Baby Tali - it's amazing how much they grow in two months!

Malia and Kina meeting their cousin.  Kina calls her "Baby Nani".

Tali and me and our babies - I'm so excited to experience motherhood together.

 CONGRATS INOKE AND TALI!

tali's baby shower

Tali went to the doctor's on Tuesday and found out she was effaced 80% and dilated to a three.  All week, I was worried that she would go in to labor before the shower today.  THANKFULLY, she made it  - uncomfortable and swollen - but she made it! haha  After the shower she said she wanted to jog home since it was now safe to have her baby (I think she took my threats about going into labor early seriously lol).

The shower was open house style - I'm not a big "shower games" person - and it was fun to mingle with everyone.  Instead of games we gave away hawaii treats as door prizes.  We had mom's chicken rolls, fruit, veggies and LOTS of sweets (can you tell me and Tali planned the menu?).  Thank you to everyone who helped set up (Melba and Amber), cook (MOM) and came to celebrate! (I apologize for the pics - I didn't really take any till the end)

Line (unconsciously) modeling our cute sign. Thanks Line!

Tali opening gifts - this baby is gonna be dressed to impress!

Some of our cousins that came - thank you Stone/Toelupe family!

It was so fun to see all our PCC/Laie peeps - Ni'i, Mary Ahmu  (she JUST moved here from Hawaii and we're so excited she's here!), Crystal, Shan, Tali, Line, Lani, Juaul and me.  Love these ladies!

I think showers are such great excuses to get together - and they're always fun because something so wonderful is being celebrated.  I'm so grateful for our family and friends who are helping Tali and Inoke prepare for this exciting time.  I can't wait to meet my little neice!

can't get enough of this face

Yes. I think I've turned into that mother . . . the mother that just likes to look at pictures of her baby over and over and over again. haha

first family pic

We've finally taken our first picture as a family of FIVE!  As you can tell by our ugly clothes and my messy hair, we weren't planning on taking pictures this day (we were just taking a family drive), but since we were all together at the Mt. Timp temple I thought we should take advantage.  It's a special place for us because this is where we took our very FIRST family picture more than four years ago on our wedding day.  I'm glad I actually had my hair did for those pictures! haha I love my family!

Latu Family

i heart conference

October 2 and 3 was LDS General Conference.  This year we opted to stay home and listen to it on the radio (since we don't have TV) instead of driving to Salt Lake.  It was sooo relaxing - the kids played and colored while Wayne and I sat on the couch . . . we were all in our jammies, I think. lol I really enjoyed it!

I loved President Monson's talk about charity.  He talked about having charity, or the pure love of Christ.  Instead of talking about the giving and service kind of charity, he talked about the kind of charity that we show when we are tolerant, forgiving and patient with others.  His words make me want to be MORE sympathetic, compassionate and kind and LESS critical and judgmental.  I also loved Elder Uchtdor's talk from the Saturday morning session (found at this link).  He talked about simplifying our life to the important things.  Being busy isn't always the best thing to be.  It made me want to focus on the things that matter most - I know these things will strengthen my family and my testimony in Jesus Christ.  I truly felt the love and guidance from all our leaders.  I want to be a better mom, a better daughter, sister and woman - I love the feeling of motivation that conference gives!

Since I have no fun pictures from this conference to spruce up this post, here is one of my favorite memories from last conference in April (hehe) . . . . 

May 2010 Ensign

LOVE my family and LOVE conference weekend!

whatchya lookin' at?