see Kina walk!

Today marks ONE MONTH that Kina has been walking! The first couple of weeks were pretty wobbly - all the bruises and scabs on her face made her look like quite the scrapper - but she's slowly getting the hang of it. I think she likes walking mostly cause it helps her keep up with her big sister, Malia and makes her feel like a big girl too. Goodness, she's growing up so fast!

Yay for Kina!!

general conference

Last weekend was General Conference. We debated for days whether to travel up to Temple Square or stay home to watch it, but in the end we went up both days. I'm so glad we did! - it was a wonderful conference. My favorite talk of all sessions was Elder Bednar's "More Diligent and Concerned at Home" - I'm excited to study it as a family for FHE. Sunday drizzled a bit, but the rain just made for more fun for Malia in between sessions - she can say "umbrella" now and she used it a LOT that day. And of course, it was so fun to eat with family and friends during the break. It was a very special weekend.

Sili and Malia, me and Kina, Tali and Inoke - I love this pool

If you're wondering if she could see where she was going, the answer in no. Add that to the fact that no one could see HER and you got a pretty funny picture.

Kina walking with Inoke and Tali - I don't think she could see where she was going either.

Our lunch table - Crichton was walking into this room and passed an older haole woman coming out. He overheard her friend ask her, "What's going on in there?" "It's a Polynesian FEAST" she says. LOL!

It's such a blessing for me to be able to hear and attend conference. I was humbled meeting several people who had traveled thousands of miles just to be there to hear our prophets voice. It is something I am grateful for and never want to take for granted. I have a testimony the gospel is true! We loved conference!

play ball!

KICKBALL that is! ha ha.

Wayne and I are playing on an intramural kickball team with some friends (I know, who knew they considered kickball a sport, right?) Even though the last time I played this game was in the fourth grade, one kick brought it all back to me. We only play once a week so it serves as a little exercise and a little diversion - we love it! The guys on our team are all athletes so they can get pretty competitive - it's hilarious.

BR - Wayne, Manti, Jay, Bernard, Travis, Mikey, Tana,
FR-Crystal, Kalo, me, Kika and Mata
Missing - Steve St. Pierre


Go TEAM!!

rides, rides, rides

For our papa date last week we went to a funland for the girls. The place had big rides, small rides, games and food. You know the kind of place - lot's of lights, noise and action at all times. It's heaven for kids and a headache for adults ha ha. Nah, it was okay because the girls had a blast.

The merry-go-round - always a favorite

When Malia says "boat" she like, extra pronounces the "t" so it ends up sounding like "bow-TAH". Pretty funny.

As always, Kina was braver than Malia and went on more rides. I think it'll even out one day.

The girls enjoyed a fun papa date and I got a big surprise - the very next day my friend, Juaul, had her kids' birthday party at the exact same place! I didn't realize it until we pulled up. So, I had TWO days of loud fun. ha ha. All for the kiddies, right? Right:)

papa date to the state fair

Last Friday, Wayne's dad and I took the girls to the Utah State Fair. We got there in the morning before the crowds arrived so we were first in line for every ride. We saw aaallll the animals and enjoyed some rides. The place was huge! There were so many things to see and experience. There were tons of booths everywhere with random goods, kinda like the swap meet, and I commented to Limhi, "If I didn't have kids I would totally spend like, a few hours just browsing" ha ha. The good ol' days of browsing ay? lol. Anyways, it was a fun day at the fair.

I wish there was something else in that pigs pen to have a point of reference, but take my word for it - that hog was HUGE!!! . . . we also enjoyed the cute little sweaters on the the sheep, the big cows and trying to touch the lucky rabbits foot.

Our favorite rides were the choo choo train and the ferris wheel. LEAST favorite ride? That would have to be the Dinosaur Dizzy Spinner- pretty self explanatory.

The girls were completely exhausted near the end so I thought they would fall asleep quickly. About ten minutes after we got in the car Kina was knocked out but Malia was still fidgety. I kept telling her to got to sleep, but she continued to whimper and squirm. Suddenly, she threw up EVERYWHERE. Poor little thing. We pulled over and she threw up some more on the side of the highway. There was vomit all over her carseat, all over the car and all over her. I got her and everything cleaned up, put some dry clothes on, gave her a drink of water and a little piece of candy and she was out in the next five minutes. Ahh! The adventures of motherhood. :)

the propsal for date night

Last night Wayne and I went on a date! Alone. Without the girls. It was SO fun! I feel like it's been a long time. We went to see "The Proposal" at Movies 8. I LOVED it!!! It's your typical chick flick which is right up my alley. I really liked Ryan Reynolds humor and Sandra Bullock's wardrobe. Sandra Bullock is a lot older than I remember her, but she looked amazing. I hope I can look like her at 40!


If you haven't seen it yet, you should. I give it two thumbs up!

a visit from papa mat

My dad came up to Utah for a quick weekend visit. Having him here makes me wish we lived in the same state. . . maybe someday. Anyways, we got a small park playdate in.


Kina trying to fit her head through the bars . . .

Malia swinging with Papa

Kina getting her model on

Malia's favorite thing at any playground - the jungle gym stairs

Love their Papa!

5k for abuse prevention

Last Saturday, Nia, Kina and I ran a 5k at BYU. I ran a 37:30. . . yup, 3 MINUTES off my last 5k. WOOHOO!!!! Fitness, Here I come!!!

purses!

The latest fad at the Latu house? Purses! Everywhere they go, they have them in tow. I totally expect it from Malia, but the fact that KINA does it is HILARIOUS to me. I love my cute little girls!

help

I've been trying to wean Kina from breastfeeding since the end of August (the 21st to be exact - her 1st birthday) and I can't do it. I went down to one feeding for a while, but I'm back up to three. Aargh! I'm weak and give in to her too easily. Any advice?

peekaboo!

Early yesterday morning, BEFORE the girls got dressed and BEFORE I got to clean the house, Malia and Kina played a little game of peekaboo.

malia and kina's birthday party!

Last Saturday we had a small birthday party for Malia and Kina. We wanted to go low budget (ie not a polynesian luau with all the fixin's) so we decided to make it a carnival - you know, for the kiddies! ha ha. There were hot dogs and hamburgers, a face painting booth, a fishing pond, a beanbag toss and balloon animals. It was SO much fun, and our awesome, talented and beautiful sister Sili took some pics for us to remember it by. Thanks Sili!!

Beautiful sign by Inoke and Tali


Crichton and Melba treated the kiddies to a MAGIC SHOW!! It was awesome. (Melba's face paint was the amazing artwork of Leli Fotu - loved it!)

Besides bringing the magic, Crichton also brought the MUSIC! Seriously, he is above and beyond. Thanks Crichton!

The following are my favorites of Malia and Kina. Two words for Sili - You HIT it Sis!!!

This last one is my favorite! LOL!

Thanks to everyone who helped out and everyone who came. It was a special day for two special little girls.