Springtime fun

Much to the girls delight... cousin Ame came home from her mission and stayed with us for a few months.  She is the sweetest, and the girls just LOVE her.  They play, laugh, dance, cuddle, and just be plain silly at times. 

Our family participated in the Ward Talent Show this year.  Tino played the uke, Ame sang and the 3 girls and I danced a little dance.  It was a lot of fun... and they were 'oh so cute'.

I turned 31 this year and celebrated with a 'mini-party' at home.  We had cake, and played games I remembered playing at parties when I grew up (pin the tail on the donkey, freeze dance, and dropping clothes pins into a jar)  The girls LOVED it and I learned that you don't have to spend a lot of money to have a good time.  :)  Ame, Nani, Kea, and Samara also picked out and dressed a build a bear for me named Katie-bear.  It was a fun day.  

Easter was a lot of fun this year.  The girls participated in the coloring contest at build-a-bear, and although there were no big wins, we had a lot of fun doing our best.

We went to the petting zoo held at the park and enjoyed all of the little critters.  If my children inherited anything from me, it is my love of animals. 

Kea's preschool held an Easter fair for the children complete with food, games, bouncy houses and prizes... all for free!

It's not easter until the eggs are colored!!!

Easter Sunday, and the girls were all pretty in their dresses. (Samara was being a little bugga and was actually crying up to the second before this pic... hence the grimace-smile) 

IT'S A....

A flashy camera, wedding, and vegas trip

The New Year came in a Flash... or is that with a flash, as Ricky got engaged and asked me to do the photography.  His wedding sparked a return of "Katie the Photographer" as I bought a DSLR after my poor Nikon N90 became obsolete in this new digital age.  While happy to be shooting again, I feel like a small fish in a BIG ocean.  So much to learn!  Fun to have a connection to the 'old me' though.

Ricky and Langi were sealed in Los Angeles, California... so we got to have a family trip! All of Tino's Utah siblings were able to attend, as well as his parent's who are currently serving as Temple President in Tonga.  It was very fun to be together on that big day.

The Hopoate clan, mostly siblings with a few cousins.

On our way home we decided to take a break in Vegas and stayed at a nice condo (thanks to Louis and his in-laws).We swam, ate, and watched the water show at the Bellagio.  Ity was very relaxing after the responsibilities and protocols of the wedding.

A clogged Blog...

Blogger and I haven't been getting along... but thanks to my sister's help, I am back in the game. I noticed how nice it was to look back through the years and see pictures and small notes about the family, visits, and traditions... I don't want to stop blogging now! I also don't want to leave anything out... so here is a brief photo-journal of the past year multi-post style. :).

Still ridin' the wave...

June 26th, 2002

Laie, Hawaii

For Time and All Eternity

9 years ago today Tino and I were married in the Laie Hawaii Temple for time and all eternity surrounded by our families. I remember smiling 'like a fool' over the altar and looking into Tino's eyes wondering what the future held for us. And now here we are... Living in Utah, raising 3 beautiful, spunky, sweet little girls. When we were dating Tino told me about the tide... and quoting a line from "Cast Away" said "You never know what the tide will bring in..." He was right. Sometimes life is calm like the ocean on a flat day, and other times the waves seem unbearably huge. But like the sea... life is always beautiful. I am glad the tide brought me my 'island boy'. :)

Hopoate Family Reunion

This past Summer we were lucky enough to have 2 brothers come home from missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints. Tino's youngest brother, Ricky returned home in August from serving in the California Los Angeles mission. His parents were able to come from Tonga to greet him.

Neices, Nephews, brothers, and sister-in-laws were all there to greet him. There were about 7 other groups of people waiting for their missionaries as well! We must live in Utah. :)

Mom and her baby boy... back together again.

Here is Gramma Lani with Samara so excited to see Ricky again.

Uma!

Uma!

Stamis came from Hawaii with his family to welcome Ricky home.

Austin giving a lei to his Uncle.

One of our many family gatherings at Sondra's house

Utah can be a cold place when you are visiting from the islands!

Aevah with her Gramma

Poor Samara had stitches on her forehead from another fall on the windowsill of our bedroom... she might need bangs when she gets older. :)

Everybody enjoys a fire... hot dogs, hot cocoa, and marshmallows help out too.

Papa Pita keeps Minna and Nani cozy.

Summer Fun in Utah

This is one of the first years that we have really enjoyed summer in Utah... It is a wonderful place with a lot to see and do.

The girls and their dad had Daddy-Daughter time up at Bridal Veil Falls in the Provo Canyon. They love to go up there and throw pebbles in the water, climb on rocks, and splash in the shallow but cold water.

We spent most of our Saturdays at Utah Lake with Kalea, the new Hawaiian Outrigger canoe club. My friend from college, Siona and her in-laws purchased an outrigger canoe, fixed it up, and a club was formed! I was so excited to be part of the team... it was a dream realized as I always wanted to join a team when we lived in Kaimuki. We would all meet, potluck, and play the day away!

Just a typical Saturday afternoon at the lake... if I squinted I felt like we were back in the islands!

The kids would all patiently wait their turn to get a ride around the Harbor...

Here is the team in action! Tino is in the #2 spot. It takes a lot of team work as well as individual strength to paddle. It is a lot of fun.

Eew! I know! But they sure had a good time!

Uncle Mike (Siona's father-in-law) would bring a tiny paddle and an old surfboard for the kids to play with. Future Kalea canoe paddlers in the making!

Tino and I would actually get to go out together since their were so many 'uncles and aunties' around! Gotta love the Hawaiian way! I was often in the 1st postion, which is the person who sets and keeps the pace. Best part about it??? The view. :)

Samara being cute...

Daddy and Daughters after a good ride.

We also enjoyed getting together and playing together and of course, eating together. :)

The keikis at uncle Lincoln's house.

Cousins make great couch buddies! Kea and Aubree really enjoy each other.

This is my neighbor Nancy... a very talented friend. Our kids spent the summer playing together for the 3rd summer in a row. Nancy and I decided to make a quilt for our other neighbor who recently had a baby.

With Siona as their teacher; Nani, Kea and Samara learned dances from the islands. They all looked so cute in their costumes it didn't matter if they forgot some of their steps. :) On July 4th they did a performance at the freedom festival in Provo.

It was a great summer!