you should see the other guy

Unfortunately, the "other guy" in this case was a stinkin' mosquito.  Poor Kina.  It's been three days of Benadryl, cold packs and elevation. . . and the swelling is finally going down.  

One reason I'm happy that winter is right around the corner? NO bugs!

pic of the week

This pic was on the cover AND the inside of today's paper.

It was taken AFTER Michael ran into the end zone on the muffed punt play and BEFORE he got buried under the huge dog pile of his teammates.
Love it!

Gooooo Michael!

it was a good day to be a cougar

It was just a good day all around.  First, we got to have lunch at Tucano's with Gramma Peggy and my family and THEN, we got to watch BYU's awesome game against UCF (we won 24-17).  It was such a fun day - the fans were so happy and fired up.  I think after a game like last weeks, we needed something like this to raise our spirits. And that's exactly what it did!  

Michael didn't play too much in the first half because the team trainers were worried about a small concussion he had in the first play of the game, but after he passed his tests during half time he was back in during the second half.  He didn't get much playing time in his position as running back, but he did a wonderful job on special teams.  The highlight of the game for me was Michael's run into the endzone on a fumbled punt - even though they didn't count the touchdown (because of some rule about a "muffed punt"?), it got me and the rest of the stadium totally fired up and excited.  I was jumping up and down so much, I broke my slippers!  It was awesome.  

It's so fun having Mom and Gramma Peggy in town - both came to Utah to watch Michael play!

It was a wonderful day to be a cougar! Gooo BYU!

* Something I want to remember - During the game, after Michael had made a tackle, I heard a random stranger behind me talking to his neighbor about #42.  He was saying, "That number forty-two, Michael Alisa, he's seriously the nicest guy. Seriously. He's like, the nicest guy you'll ever meet." Haha! I didn't say anything, but just giggled in my seat. I agree with you buddy!

things that make me smile

On our way to the airport a few weeks ago, we were running a little late (as always) and Wayne was speeding.  When we saw the flashing lights behind us, we both froze in horror.  Wayne pulled over and we waited while the cop walked to our car.  I noticed he was kinda brown but wasn't sure of his ethnicity.

"Do you know how fast you were going?"

"Umm. . . no."

"68 in a 45"

"Oh."

(Wayne gives his license to the cop. Cop reads it)

"Latu, huh?"

"Yes"

(Cop looks at me. Looks back at Wayne)

"Well. . . since we all Polynesian here. . . have a nice day."

(Cop hands back the license, walks back to his car and drives away.)

***

A card made by one of Wayne's piano students

***

We went to Waikiki one of the days we were in Hawaii and we stopped by Ala Moana - it's a big shopping mall full of very high end designer stores.  It's a mall where the majority of the shoppers are Japanese tourists because everything is so expensive.  Anyway, we were driving around the parking lot trying to find a place and had to stop because a car had broken down a couple cars in front of us.  It was an old, old station wagon - rusty, peeling paint and . . . and really old looking.  The driver had jumped out and was pushing and steering it at the same time, trying to get out of the middle of the intersection.  Exactly two seconds after I saw him, two people ran to help him.  They came from extremely nice cars - one a shiny black Lexus looking car and the other a white Escalade with rims.  The pretty woman from the Escalade was wearing skinny jeans, a black tank top, sun glasses and stilettos.  The man from the smaller car was wearing an expensive looking suit and leather shoes.  Both left their cars, ran over and just started pushing. I was so impressed and so touched.  Another reason why I LOVE Hawaii.

***

And of course, looking at this cute little face of my niece, Madison (David and Shan's daughter). Love her!

new duds

Aunty Savani brought over three beautiful dresses that she made for the girls yesterday.  

Don't they look CUTE?

Thank you Savani!! The girls LOVE them!

And speaking of new duds. . .

My mom got Wayne his birthday present early this year

He said it's EXACTLY what he wanted (and that's a direct quote! haha)

Thank you Mom!

the utah/byu game

 It was the first home game! And we were so excited. We had the whole evening planned out - we'd drop the girls off at Vai's house, hit the Fua's tailgate party, then watch the Cougars beat the Ute's at LaVell Edwards stadium.  Yup. That was the plan.  Unfortunately, all didn't go according to plan.

Of course, the party was the bomb.  When Wayne said we were going to a tailgate party, I assumed we'd be eating hot dogs and hamburgers out of the back of someones truck.  The first thing I saw when we arrived was the pigs, two of them, turning on the spit in the parking lot . . . and I knew we were gonna have a feast.  There was a huge white tent with sofas set up and two ginormous flat screen TV's tuned to ESPN for those outside the stadium.  Then there were the million trays and coolers of food - it was pretty incredible.  Anyway, the food was deeelicious and the music and company was wonderful.  We totally enjoyed the party and laughed and smiled the whole time.

And then the party was over.  We entered the stadium and witnessed the worst, most terrible game I've ever seen.  The Cougars were demolished by Utah (54-10) and to add more salt to the wound, my little brother Michael wasn't given the opportunity to shine in his position and the players that were in made several mistakes that led to opponent scoring.  Aargh! It was quite frustrating - we were totally bummed and we didn't smile or laugh at all . . .

Except when we saw Inoke. 

We still love BYU.

Goooo Cougars!

my brother is my hero

. . . because he PASSED THE BAR!

That's right guys. My big brother, Joseph, has officially PASSED the bar.  I'm amazed. I'm so happy. I'm so excited for him and his family.  

Honestly, I get a little emotional thinking about it all.  Joseph has gone through so much to get to where he is right now.  Looking at where he was five, ten years ago it's truly inspiring to see what he's done today.  Though he was always very smart, Joseph took his time during his college years - accepting different jobs in different states - thus, prolonging his undergraduate degree. When he married my sister-in-law Gioey, though, I feel like he kinda buckled down and his bright intelligence and great work ethic was able to shine.  After he graduated from UVU and aced the LSAT (and was accepted to several prestigious law schools) he choose to attend BYU.  After finishing in April, he locked himself away in the library to study for the upcoming bar.  And after much hard work, sweat, hours away from his family, and sacrifice all around - he has PASSED!  Woohoo!  He's such an example to me that anything is possible if you want it and are willing to work for it. I am so proud of him.

Seriously, Joseph, you're my hero! 

Congratulations! We love you!

hawaii highlights

We're home from Hawaii!  We had a wonderful week hanging out with my parents.  The girls had so much fun - when I told them we were going home, Malia said she's really going to "miss Hawaii".  They love it there.  Here are some of the highlights from our trip - 

The girls got to attend a day of Kamehameha preschool at the Queen Liliokalani Children's Center in Punaluu. They opened with hawaiian songs and language, then went to different stations of arts and crafts and other games, then closed with lunch.  They loved it!

I went to a GNO at Hazel's house with Keaka, Sarah and Miki (who was visiting from the Big Island).  We talked, laughed, ate (a lot) and played Dance Central (I have video I'm saving if I ever need to black mail anyone).  I love these girls!

Papa taught Tali how to sweep! Yes!

And lastly, the three little banana keikis in the backyard were officially named after Malia, Kina and Tali.

Most of all, the biggest highlight of the trip was just hanging out with my mom and dad.  Since my dad is now  RETIRED (woohoo!) we got to spend a lot of quality time with him.  The girls loved it.  It was a wonderful short trip.  As a huge bonus, I got to fly home on the same flight as my mom (who came to Utah to attend a few of Michael's games).  I totally lucked out and got bulkhead seats right next to her.  Each girl had their own seat and each girl slept the whole way home.  Ah! It was lovely.

Aloha oe, Hawaii!

things we did at the beach with papa

learned how to boogie board

dug holes

found crabs

played chasing masters
(I remember doing this with my dad when I was a little girl. Only difference is, he let Malia and Kina actually catch him)

built a "fort"

played basketball

got a sand shower
(from Papa, of course)

and last, but not least. . .

Papa made Baby Tali in the sand

We had sooo much fun with Dad at the beach today. The girls were busy and happy the whole time.  When I was little, I used to love going to the beach with my dad.  You don't need shovels or buckets to have fun when my dad's around - he makes random things into the funnest games.  I'm so grateful we can make these memories with the girls and their Papa.  I love you, Dad!

we teach 'em young

Today at the Vera Bradley store @ Ala Moana

lovin' the beach

We're in Hawaii!  Last Friday there was like, 50 open seats so we jumped on and we're having a blast. I love being in Hawaii.  I'm so grateful for my parents for always welcoming us in their home.  I know going from being alone to having three kids in the house is a big jump - but they are always so awesome. 

One of the biggest milestones on this trip is the girls LOVING the beach.  Last time (or the time before) we came to Hawaii, they had a little scary experience with the ocean - they were almost pounded.  Since then, they were slightly cautious about the water.  They'd play for days in the sand, but be timid to play in the waves.  Well, I'm happy to say, they are timid no more!  We went to Temple beach early in the morning (because the waves are small there and because the girls were up at 5 AM) and the girls had a blast.  My mom and I watched the girls for about two hours just running in and out of the water giggling and squealing the whole time.  It was awesome. 

We love Hawaii and we LOVE the beach!

what we did this morning