More May Madness!

Samara's birthday!

It is true... our 'baby' is 3! Samara is such a little sweetie. She loves to be silly, loves animals (as long as they don't come too close!), enjoys reading, playing Starfall, painting, dressing up,the color pink, dancing, swimming, and playing with her big sisters. She makes us laugh a lot and is a favorite in our ward as she is such a social little bug. She is very sweet to babies and older folks, and still loves to cuddle. We love her and hope she always stays so sweet.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELA!

Birthday lunch at McDonald's with Ona!

Her best friends Nicky and Elian came and brought her a special present!

She loves them, and her gift!

With each birthday we allow the children to choose their favorite place to go. When we asked Samara where she wanted to go she said "California." We couldn't go California, so we brought California to her!

First we went to the farm where we fed animals and rode ponies, a Samara favorite.

We then headed to the Lehi Legacy Center where they have a VERY cool indoor pool.

And then on to In-n-Out

From the look on her face I would say the day was a success!

Every birthday I get so excited about creating an adorable cake. We always play too much on the day and it doesn't happen. This year I was ready... and then the power went out. So once again, the cake is an afterthought, this time a 3-pack of colorful $1.99 cupcakes. Guess what, she loved it. I love that about children, they enjoy the simple things in life.

Nani's last day of 1st grade!

She performed a pretty dance with the entire 1st grade class. She says, "There were more than 500 kids there, and there were 6th graders! It was so embarrassing." :)

Nani was surprised by the entire Crippen Family and Grammy and Papa!

We enjoyed picnics, outings, mom's smoothies, and SWIMMING 3 Days in a row thanks to Papa's hotel room.

Mom and I spent alone time together and pampered ourselves with hair cuts, head massages, and coloring! This is the first I have colored my hair... and I like it. It also makes me realize I used to have highlights, natural ones. I need to get out in the sun a bit more!

Looking good Mom!

The finished product! Mom loves Utah. Everyone in my ward thought we were sisters!

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!