FIRST WORD!!

"MAMA"

Today was a momentous day in the Latu house - Malia said "mama"! The first time it happened was in the morning while I was getting her dressed for the day . . . then, I think because of the positive, enthusiastic response she received, it happened a few more times throughout the day. She's been so VERY vocal lately - always trying to make some new noise with her mouth and tongue. She's been loving saying "ga" and "ba" for the past week, but she was saved the "ma" for today. :) Now, do I think she really knows that the meaning of those two syllables put together is a name for her dear mother. . .no, not really. But, it still made my heart swell a leetle bit to hear her say it.

Grad Parties Galore

I love graduation time! Yes, because it's a new beginning of the rest of these young peoples lives and yes, because it's a meaningful cultural rite of passage signifying teenagers becoming adults. . .but mostly I love graduation time because of the PARTIES!! . . . and I mostly love the parties because of the FOOD!! :)
We were lucky enough to go to two grad parties last weekend. Congratulations go to Victor Unga and Kahala Anae on graduating from high school - their families and friends threw fabulous parties with fun programs, yummy polynesian food (don't worry mom - Malia didn't eat anything!) and dances afterward (even Malia got her groove on!). Even though I was full by the time we got to the second one, I still ate!!It was so fun to see our friends Wendy Anae and Ashley Moeai who we haven't seen FOREVER. Girls, your guys dance was the BOMB!

FLASHBACK FRIDAY - our WEDDING!!

So, I saw this idea on Harms page and I liked it so much I think I'll make it a mainstay here.

Wayne and I were married on April 28, 2006. We had been engaged for over 8 months, so the day was a long time coming - but it was well worth the wait. I had been in Hawaii during the whole engagement so when I came to Utah for the wedding I stayed at my friend, Kimberly Roys house. I woke up WAY early. I couldn't sleep anyway after the dance the night before. I woke Sarah up too, and she started on my hair and makeup. She did a great job - as usual :). Wayne picked me up and we headed to the temple. We were so excited on the ride over. I remember noticing all the tulips were in bloom on the temple grounds and it looked very colorful. We were sealed in the Mount Timponogas Temple by President Samuelson. It was a beautiful ceremony. I remember feeling very calm and very happy. The room was filled with our family and friends. Titi Vimahi, Miki Akoi, Harmony Kahaialii, Sarah Lindo, Lono Hanohano, Megan Mullins, Corinne Wudel and Stephanie Allen had come from Hawaii and the mainland for the wedding. Our grandparents, Uncles, Aunties and cousins flew in as well. It was so nice to have them there.

Our reception was held at the Provo Library. The colors were white and green. Our wedding planner and friend, Kimberly, did an AMAZING job on the room. There were flowers everywhere - it looked very fresh and very elegant. Nia made a way cute guest book and took a picture of everyone as they were walking in to put under their words later. We had a short reception line while our friend Jacosa sang and played the piano - she has a Beautiful voice. We then had a small program, emceed by Leo and David, where the girls and I danced a hula (taught to us by Kei Akoi and Pewa Delarosa), Kika did a tauolunga, Kalo performed a piano piece, Leo played the cello and Wayne played and sang a song on the piano. Lastly, they showed a slideshow of me and Wayne that was made by Kina and Leli. The night was ended with a dance. It was perfect - and I'm not biased at all! :)

I'm so grateful to everyone, but especially to our families for all they did in preparation of the day. My parents and grandparents and family and Waynes parents and family helped out a TON. It wouldn't have been a success without all the support we had. Again, I LOVE OUR FAMILY!!

I love remembering that day because of the feeling of the day. I felt beautiful and peaceful and sooo happy to be getting married to Wayne. It's was a once-in-a-lifetime day where all our family and friends were there to enjoy and celebrate one of the most wonderful experiences of our life.

THANKFUL THURSDAY - I'm grateful for FAMILY!

I got this idea from some other blog and I thought having some kind of schedule would help me stay on top of this. . .just knowing me. . . So, every Thursday I will write about something I am grateful for. Of course, at the top on my list is my FAMILY!!

As you can probably guess, with 7 sisters on Wayne's side and 4 siblings on my side, and no other grandkids yet, Malia has a lot of great aunties and uncles. I am SO GRATEFUL for this. We feel so blessed and lucky to have a daughter who is loved by so many. Thank you family!! We love you too. (Unfortunately, I couldn't find a picture of EVERYONE. . . but you get the idea:))

Malia Lately

Can you tell who makes her laugh the most? :)

Yes, I took a small break, but after a phone call from Hazel I'm ready to jump back on the wagon.

Here are some recent pics of Malia with her parents. We are so amazed at how much she has grown in the past few months. We can't keep her still. She is the most curious little girl I've ever seen - crawling and climbing everywhere and always pulling down everything. Her favorite game is to pull the CD's and books down from the entertainment system one by one. Gotta love it!

We've gotten mixed reviews on who everyone thinks she looks like, so I stole this idea from Harm to settle the matter. Apparently, it's WAYNE. What do you think?

playdate with Corinne

Corinne and her 2 kids were passing through town so we got to kick it for a bit. It's been forever! It was so fun to reminisce about the old times and catch up on the new times. I gotta say - she's super mom.

Got Leis?

Woohoo! Michael and Kika graduated from Timpview and Orem High School this weekend. Grandma Peggy and Dad came into town for the celebration. They have both had very successful senior years and will be attending BYU next year. We are so proud of them!!Mary, Wayne, David, Shan, Dad and Malia, Grandma Peggy, Michael, Mom, Joseph, Gioeycousin, cousin, Kina, Me, Melba, Kika, Kenny, Tia, cousin, cousin, Kalo and Malia, cousin
Leo, Auntie Isa, Nia

Outside. . .FINALLY!!

The weather is finally being beautiful for us and we are loving it. We went out for a picnic at Freedom Park with Danny and Vika Filimoeatu and Rocky and Candace Kalamafoni. We like hanging out with them because compared to theirs, our last name is a cinch.
Us girls spent the day eating chicken and egg sandwiches and trying to get a tan. . .yes, I already know I am in desperate need of one. . . the babies played in the grass and the boys threw the rugby ball. They got it stuck up in a tree and then spent the next hour trying to get it down. They said that was the most fun they had the whole day. Go figure. . . .


This is Malia and her future boyfriend, Malik. Don't you see the chemistry already?

Welcome to our BLOG!!

I swear, I used to be so strong and able to withstand peer pressure. . . but when it came to blogging I finally just threw up my hands and gave in. This blog is to stay up-to-date with our friends and family and to ease my guilt from not keeping a journal in this crucial first year of Malias life. Please comment - it makes me feel validated.

Since it has taken me a while to start this and Malia is nearly 9 months old now. . . I thought it might be helpful to add a few photos of our life thus far. . . Just to catch everyone up to this point.
Wayne and I met at BYU in the Spring of 2005 while working at the Student Honor Association. I was friends first with Wayne sisters and then I became friends with Wayne. We dated through the spring and summer and Wayne proposed to me in August 2005 before I went back home to Hawaii to finish school. We were engaged for 8 months while Wayne attended BYU and I attended BYUH.We were married April 28, 2006 in the Mount Timpanogos Temple by President Samuelson. It was the happiest day of my life.
Our little girl was born August 25, 2007. It was the new happiest day of my life. We named her Malia.

We are now enjoying life in Provo with our little family while Wayne finishes school at BYU. We will see where our road leads from there.

Whew! Do you feel caught up? lol.