It's so hard to say goodbye...

This June we had to say goodbye to The Naiata family as they decided to move back home to Tonga. We had a small gathering, ate a lot, and skipped rope, (so we could eat more without feeling guilty!) We are happy for them...but sad for ourselves...we miss them all! Keauhea is Tino's older sister, and just a bunch of fun to be around. She is also the mom of the only other Utah girl cousins (except baby Aubree), so my 3 are now surrounded by boys! We wish the best to them all.

This is half of Pita and Lani Hopoate's children... Keauhea and her family, Sondra and her family, Hunter and his-self, Louis and his family, and Tino and his family.
I started reminiscing about the years we got to share here together, and found a few pictures to remember them by...(no 04-05 though...we didn't have digital yet!)

A trip to the Farm with Gramma, Sondra, and Keauhea... is she shooting that horse?!? 'You can take the girl from the island...but not the island from the girl!' That horse could feed the whole island kingdom!

Baby Keandra's blessing. We were lucky to have family from both sidesthere, as well as are good friends Malu, and BJ and Anuhea Fieeiki.

This is 2005, with Peter, Tonu, Latricia, Clayton, Nani, and baby Kea.

Tricia and Nani, just a couple of bathing beauties!

This was a family home evening with everyone, including Papa and Gramma visiting from Guam. That is Dallin and Nani riding Drason and Tonu. Crazy how fast they grow!

The complete Hopoate clan back in 2004.

Little Nani and Tricia on Papa's back, and that is Lofty riding Clayton

Another of Tricia and Nani... Keauhea and her family had just moved into their new home, and the park wasn't even officially open, but we decided to try it out anyway.

Peter was the first baby born here in Utah, he is now a spunky almost 5 year old!

Keauhea was a great sister-in-law, always willing to host a party, or babysit our children. They all love their Auntie.

Ricky's high school graduation, Louis, Keauhea, Stamis, Tino, Hunter, and...some cousins I guess? were all there to support him.

A year later we sent Ricky off on his mission.

boys blowing bubbles... too cute!

The diva...Mina, Keauhea's youngest

I believe this is July 4th 2007, a special day for American's AND Tongan's...we celebrate our independence, and they celebrated the King's birthday!

Clayton, Drason, Tonu, and Peter happy they found some boy toys at our house. We dont have too much of that stuff lying around...

Tricia and Nani all ready for sledding in the New year 2008.

The Hopoate family loves our outings to Chuck-a-rama or Golden Corral for an all-you-can-eat feast...the best part? They give us a banquet room, so the kids can be a little crazy, and we can still stay long to talk...and yes, eat some more!

One of our outings to Golden Corral, also pictured is Papa Pita's older brother and his family.

Cousin-love!

Yet ANOTHER picture of Nani and Tricia...what are we going to do without Tricia!!!

The Utah cousins with their Hand-some Grandpa!

Keauhea with Peter, Mina, and Tricia.

Peter looks like he will be working at the PCC as a fire dancer!

Welcoming Baby Dustin Havea!

The proud big brothers and cousins all want to see!

umm...I told you we like to go to Buffets!

All the Hopoate girls...(except Lani).

A bigger goodbye picture...

Family fun at Keauhea's home.

After Christmas Dinner

Smile!

Tricia and Nani... not so little anymore!

Mina, Saane, and me...looking our best!

An adorable picture of the Naiata girls... (yes...we are at a buffet again!)

Playing at the mall... something you do in Utah when the snow falls!

Sondra and Dex at our farewell party.

Skipping rope after dinner. The grown-ups taught the little ones how it was done in Tonga..."1,2,3..."

Kea and Mina. Kea is older than Mina by 5 months, but has always been smaller. Mina will make a great middle-blocker!

We will miss you... :(

Highlights of May...now that it is almost July!

The Family Garden

We have always enjoyed planting a small garden... but after moving into our condo space got a little too tight. I did plant a bit last year, but got a scolding from the HOA president :) So this year we combined with Tino's sister and planted a great big family garden in her backyard.

It really does feel so good to work outside in the dirt. I'm sure those of you with yards wish for a break...but for us with no yard, it was great fun. I am excited for the kids to work along side us and reap the bounty (I hope) that is already growing. Thanks Sondra for sharing your yard!

Our California May Get-away!

A tuckered out Zach and Samara share a horsey ride on Balboa Island.


We Never miss a chance to ride the Balboa Island Ferry, it is part of our family history, and just a fun slow ride.

A sister picture... minus one. Carrie, Amelia, and me.

The girls getting up close with a sea lion on the beach. The extra child?... That is Luana Eliaba, We got to see Jolene on this trip as well!

A better view of Nani, Kea, Luana, and Samara's head.

May Birthdays...

A Birthday Party for Austin at the house that we use to live and work at, the Alpine House.

Nothing makes a kid smile like cake and icecream!

Kea's new closed mouth smile...

And we had a birthday girl of our own! Samara is now a big 2 year old. She is s much fun, and just makes us smile with her words and ways...Nothing like a 2 year old!

April Antics

Always a fun month, April brought us warmth, Nani's dance recital, Easter Holiday fun, and family time with the Havea's and Grammy.

We bought the girl's matching hawaiian dresses on our trip and they looked so adorable I wanted to take a picture... 13 shots later, and literally CHASING the girls around the house, I threw them on the floor and captured some of the sweetest, sincere smiles ever. Love it!

NANI'S TAHITIAN DANCE RECITAL

Nani joined a Tahitian dance class led by my friend from BYUH, Gaylene, a sweet and talented woman. They held their recital on the Saturday befor Easter, and they did so well. The girls are ages 5-11, and are some of the prettiest girls I have ever seen!

The little ones... Pisila, Lupe, and Nani.

It was real fun as a mom to see my little girl dressed up so beautifully. As a BYUH alumni, I could just see the future... my little girl dancing at the PCC and such...

Pisila and Nani, buddies from preschool 07-08.

Nani girl! (Nani means beautiful in hawaiian) We were especially proud of Nani this day, as she overcame her fear of performing infront of people, and actually did it happily!

Nani, Kea, and Mela following Nani's performance.

Everyone wants to be like Nani now!

EASTER TIME!!!

An all-time favorite, dying eggs! I did let Samara in on the fun as well... she colored one egg, spilled the yellow dye, crumbled up three hard-boiled eggs, and declared herself DONE.

Cup stacking with cousin Dallin after the easter egg hunt.

FARM TRIP WITH HAVEA COUSINS

Dallin was very brave about feeding the goats... but wasn't too keen on goat drool.

Cow-girl Kea.

Tino, Drason, Samara, Nani, and Dallin

Samara on the pony with her handsome helper.

Nani always likes the biggest horse on the carousel.

It took him a bit, but Drason got to feed the goats as well, with a little coaching from Nani!

Dallin's horse looks a bit tired hmm?

Haha... this one just makes me laugh.

Drason was fun to watch... you could sense he was a bit scared about riding the horses... but he wouldn't let on to it. He sat there telling himself and others that he wasn't scared, and was real excited about it. I was impressed, I wish I could coach myself through my fears like he could!

This is just a personal addition... look familiar to any of you?!?!

Mom came at the end of April for Women's Conference at BYU. I got to go with her, and was really rejuvinated by the spirit, girl-time, and the uplifting talks. The girl's love their Grammy,and enjoyed the time they had with her. Samara loves her Grammy too, but cracks me up as each time she sees her she says "Where Papa?"