It's official... Summer's here!

Woohoo! It's Summertime!!!!!

Whether it is a lake, a pool, or a puddle, these kids LOVE the water. Our neighbors got a blow-up pool that has been a lot of fun for everyone.

These three were just so darn cute... and although I was unable to capture 'happy face cute' this picture sure has character! We enjoyed a picnic lunch with the Crippen grandparents and the Crippen family.

We had a ward Luau with great food and dances... including our girls doing the Hukilau. Sadly, Only Nani and Samara were able to perform because Kea got hurt right before going on to dance. I didn't get to watch or take pictures either because I was comforting Kea. They sure looked cute though. In my next post there will be more on their dancing.

Camping with the Crippens and the Manti Pageant

Year after year we talk about going to the Manti Pageant with the Crippen family... and year after year time passes and before we know it, it's over. Not this year! We booked a spot at the same campground I went to as a child, and watched the Manti pageant that night.

We played,

We swam,

We sat,

We splashed,

We smiled,

We waited,

We watched,

(Then walked the 12 minutes back to camp each of us carrying a tired child in our homemade blanket slings... later on we wondered why we were sore, and then recalled the LONG walk back. My props to the Mormon pioneers!)

We Hiked,

We Viewed,

And of course... We ate.

Tino and Katie's 8th Wedding Anniversary

After our fun camping trip, Chris' family loaded up our 3 girl's in their monster van(bringing their kid count to 10), and Tino and I began our anniversary date. We walked main street Manti for a bit, checked out a Sanpete County art exhibit, and then drove the 'scenic route' home, with no kids in tow. We got beautiful and headed out to remember those things we loved when it was just the 2 of us in Hawaii.

Here we are! Young, happy, and in love.

Favorites? Kua'aina burger, Shark's cove, Walking Waikiki and watching the local artists, playing games at Dave and Busters, Matsumoto's shave ice, going to the beach, bodyboarding, Old Spaghetti factory, Cruising the island, shopping (well, at least I always enjoyed that), and just being together.

Here we are now, kind-of Young, mostly happy, and more in love then ever.

Our little Hula girls...

Poor thing was so tired that she knocked out right before her performance, but Samara was a 'true showman' and pulled herself together for her show at 'the old-folks home'.

They were all so brave, and for what they missed step wise, they made up for in cuteness...

Posing afterward in their Tahitian costume.

I have tried to teach the girls that they can use their talents for the benefit of others. What a perfect example as they brought smiles to the faces of all who watched their dancing. Thanks Siona, for sharing your talent with my girls!

I also got the opportunity to watch all the Crippen kids for a night and a day. What a sweet and helpful family they are. I think they enjoyed having extra girls in the house and even allowed for beauty makeovers! What troopers! It was fun to be Aunty Katie, and Aubree really took a liking to me. I'll do it again... anyday. :)

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!