May Showers of Fun!

We enjoy good company. One of our favorite families are the Fakatous, a family that we have known since before they were one! They are a Tongan/Palangi family and so are we, we have 3 girls, and now so do they! We went and met their new little one, played and of course... ate!

Pretty Samara.

Full kids = Happy kids

Happy Mother's Day to Me!

I had a PEACEFUL day... and really, there is nothing more I could ask for than that. My great husband cleaned, cooked, bathed kids, and made me feel like a QUEEN! The little ones made me cards, and played nicely with each other, and helped Daddy keep the house clean. Best of all... My hubby had a greater appreciation for what I do in a day, by the end of his day as Mr. Mom.

My budding artist...

She created this all on her own after making "necklaces".

Austin's 4th birthday!

So fun when the Utah girl cousins are around!

Tonu and Tino playing ball... Tino doesn't have to 'let' him win anymore!

Tino gets back to his roots in our own little garden.

So far we have planted watermelon, Beans, Pumpkin, and little baby pepper plants.

She got dirty. This cute little hand was only the beginning, but not having any dirt for my kids to get dirty in, it was a welcome sight to me. Go ahead... play in the mud!

Rock collecting... Provo does not have the best soil... SO MANY ROCKS!

Jackie and her family surprised us one Sunday with a visit. She is such a dear friend and I enjoy being with someone who knows me from youth like she does... it brings out the kid in me. :)

Nani's 1st grade class went to the Hogle Zoo, and I got to chaperone. It was wild... and so were the animals! :)

All 3 girls are enrolled in Siona's dance class, and really enjoy dancing for her. The idea of dancing in front of people is still a bit scary to a few of them though. They will have their first performance in June, so we will see how it goes!

April Antics

Looking back, April was one of my favorite months of the year so far. :) With Conference, Easter, Birthdays, and Family visits it was FULL of some of my favorite things.

Primary Talent Show

We had a primary talent show and Nani practiced her tahitian number from 2009 to perform for the talent show. Every time she practiced, her little sister was right by her side. It was only natural that Samara followed her onto the stage when it was time to perform!

Nani demonstrated 2 talents that day. Tahitian dancing, and being a GREAT big sister. She shared her spotlight, and her pretty headband with Samara without any grownup asking her to. And you can see from the picture that Mela really looks up to her big sis and wants to be just like her.

Conference, Easter, and a visit from Papa, Grammy, and the Olsingchs

Happy Micheal

Everybody loves Papa!

Old roomies reunited... Carrie, Siona and I all lived together when we went to BYUH... fun times!

Cute cousins playing doll house together.

5 dozen eggs + 9 happy children + 7 cups of colorful dye = Good times!

Any dye left for the eggs, Samara?

Dying eggs was not our only artistic adventure of the week... All the children participated in a coloring contest held by Build-a-Bear and came up with some beautiful pictures! Kaela's picture took 1st place in her age group and she won a cool basket full of Candy, and a $25.00 gift certificate! Upon winning her response was... "I will share!" What a sweet little 6 year old!

Easter bubble blowing with a new friend... Briana's little boy Owen.

Tino turns 33!

Tino is such a great man, husband, father, and therapist. It seems, like so many other things, he just gets better with age. All of his girls love him so much!

Tino and I got to go out for his birthday to Sushi Ya... a yummy sushi place here in Utah. He also got to pick out new shoes!

Kea gets cut... twice!

4 stitches for a finger that got caught in the car door....

...and 10 inches of tangly hair! Her sassy new do is very cute on her, and we both love the quick brushing in the morning! No more tears!

March Madness!

March has come and gone, but there are a few things I wanted to record... Tino's Parents received a call and asked if they would 'be ready tomorrow to go serve as acting Mission President for the Majuro mission'. They are such a good example to all of us. They left not 2 days after they received the call. I love the faithful obedience of my 'other' parents.

Here they are in the mission home on the island of Majuro.

Katie hit the big 3-0!

I turned 30, and welcomed becoming a true 'woman.' I think it would have been a hard birthday except I was a girl with a vision. I had set a goal to be back at my marriage weight by my birthday, and I came pretty darn close. I just have 3 more pounds to go, and I am there. I feel great and have decided that it really doesn't matter how old you get, as long as you are growing better while you grow older. :)

For my birthday Tino and I went to yummy Tucanos, and then to the Park City Outlets where I got to try on clothes (in a lot smaller size then they use to be), and buy a new dress. Tino NEVER complained but happily walked with me, offered his compliments, and carried bags... for a few hours! Lovingly shopping with your wife...Now if that is not love, what is?!

That Sunday was my official birthday and we met Chris and his family at the temple, and then enjoyed a yummy treat together.

Me and my pretty new dress, and much improved body!

A few of the cuties at the temple grounds...

Sherelda and I met with all of the younger kids at a bounce house... fun times!

'Utah boy'Tyler and his socks... :)

Spencer was a hard guy to take a picture of... could hardly hold still for a second!

Aubree, the little lady in charge.

Big boy Josh... what a stud!

Silly Nani and Ryan

Sherelda, Aubree, and Tyler

Me and my three...