Happy 3rd Year to US!

Time sure flies! On July 30, we celebrated our 3rd anniversary. Between the two of us we have challenging callings (ward sunday school and relief society teachers), two college degrees, great jobs (police and motherhood), and a beautiful daughter. We are so happy and thankful for all the blessings that we share.

Our previous anniversaries were flops :(. For our 1st anniversary, we were on Moloka'i. We didn't get a chance to do much because our friends had just gotten married. We had booked a hotel room there but didn't realize what time the front desk would close. We went down around 3 or 4 in the afternoon but they had closed at noon. So....we checked in the next day. Our 2nd anniversary ended with me going to sleep while Cameron on the computer. No...it's not what you think. Cameron had reason to be on the computer. He had to finish this video for an up and coming business :) but we celebrated a few days later.

We made sure that this, our 3rd anniversary, didn't follow the past two. First off, our little Na'u went to Moloka'i. She has gone once before without us...for about 8 hours, but this was the first time she'd be away overnight. Yes, Na'u......with no MOMMY! She was there for a total of 3 days and 2 nights, visiting her Mama Dino and Papa Ipo. I had to be a big girl and let my baby go. It's just that I've never been away from her for so long. It was harder than I thought.

Even though we couldn't go away on a vacation, we had a little much needed getaway. We went a whole 10 minutes away from our house to stay at the Queen Kapiolani Hotel (thanks tony).

We pretty much slept the entire first day. This was some much needed rest. I guess you don't realize how tired you are when you are constantly after an 8 month old. Sleep is sooo good. Later that evening, we walked around Waikiki and found ourselves in line to watch the Magic of Polynesia.

This is a magic/lu'au show and fun to watch. I can never grow tired of watching polynesian dancing. Probably half way through the show, I recognized one of the dancers. It turned out to be Tiff Iremia. What a coincidence. After the show, we ate at good ol Liliha Bakery with our friends, Gabby and Aho. If you haven't eaten there, we recommend it or at least try their coco puffs. They have the best ones around.

The next day, we hiked Diamond Head. The .8 mile trail included walking through a tunnel

and up almost 200 steps.

There is an amazing view when you get to the top.

If you're thinking about doing this, take water. It's super hot.

Later we went to the temple. This was the highlight of our getaway.

There's no greater way to get closer to your significant other than when you both draw nearer to our Heavenly Father.

When we got back to Waikiki, we ate at the Cheesecake Factory. The food was sooo yummy! Lucky for us, we got cheesecakes for $1.50 each because they were celebrating their 30th anniversary. What a coincidence, the same anniversary as us!

The next day, we just walked around Waikiki. I couldn't wait to see my girl again. It seemed like she was gone for an eternity. I think I was pretty good though. I only cried the first day.

Who wouldn't miss that face?

All-in-all, we had a fun 3rd. This 3 day, 2 night getaway was much needed and made up for our previous flops. Happy 3rd Anniversary to us!

Family Pictures

We finally got around to taking some family pictures. Our goal was to take them before the 2007 year was through...but that didn't work. We were too busy. Then, we actually got dressed when she was 5 months...but it was way to hot and voggy. Cameron and Na'u were sweating as we stepped out the front door. Then, 7 months rolled around and luckily our friend Megan was here to take the pictures. Thanks Meg!

The Bumbo Chair, One size fits all?

This past sunday Uncle Kana bought Na'ulei a new chair. It's called a Bumbo, and is supposedly praised among baby critics. There are many great reviews about the product. Some of the positive features this chair offers are:

-portability

-stability

-lightweight
-great baby support (baby won't fall out, and gives baby good posture)

-no straps needed

-made of comfortable nontoxic foam

The Bumbo came to us at a perfect time, because Na'ulei has been eating baby food for the past month. We've been struggling with holding her down and feeding her at the same time. So we looked forward to the Bumbo. However, when we opened the box, we were a little worried about its size. By now, everyone is aware of Na'ulei's larger than normal thighs. We weren't sure if her legs would fit in the leg slots.



We attempted to put her in, and to our surprise...Na'ulei fit!!! The chair is perfect, or at least we THOUGHT it was perfect. Watch and you'll see.

Too bad they don't make Bumbo in Polynesian sizes.

It's Official!...Birthday Boy!

Since our last post, this Tuitele family has been through alot. Let's start with Cameron. Cameron graduated from the police academy last thursday, May 29. I got to pin his badge on.

After all the recruits got pinned, they all shouted "159 Mana'opa'a" (which was their class number and name). Just then, Na'u started to cry...really loud. She got startled while grandpa Timmy was holding her and everyone in the audience started to laugh. When Cameron went back to work the following day, everyone was talking about it and knew that it was Tui's baby crying.

Officer Tuitele is in the top row, fifth one in from the right, next to the bald haole guy.

Thank you to family and friends who came out to support Officer Tuitele.

Some of the little supporters...Teija and Kayla.

Some of the bigger supporters...Anthony, Aho, and Loa.

Congratulations Daddy! We love you!

Although Cameron graduated from the academy, he still has alot more training to go through before being out on his own. We'll keep you posted.

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This past monday, June 2nd, we celebrated Cameron's 27th birthday. We didn't get to do much because of work and going to the big family home evening but we had fun. We got to sing happy birthday and eat yummy chantily cake.

Happy Birthday!

Rice Cereal

So, today Na'u turned 5 months and was able to eat rice cereal. Of course, we had to record this special moment. Eating from a spoon seemed like no surprise to Na'u. She must have learned from watching her daddy eat, and never sharing. Finally she got a spoon of her own!

Here are a couple candids from the feeding. After the first few spoon fulls, Na'u started to enjoy it.

At the end...Kanak attack!!!

Multi-tasking

Preparing for the Future

Guess what Na'ulei is doing.

So...we were able to catch Na'ulei watching TV! Usually she glances at the screen, then quickly loses interest. Well, something special was broadcasted on TV for the past 3 nights. If you look closely at the screen, you'll see a beautiful hula dancer. The Merrie Monarch hula competition is something Lohi (and apparently Na'ulei) have been waiting for all year. Na'ulei seems to have the same interest as her mommy, dancing! The sound of the oli (chant) and the graceful moving of the hands and feet kept Na'ulei's attention for hours. Who knows, maybe one day Na'u will become Miss Aloha Hula.

Fun, Fun, Fun!

Two weeks ago, Mama Dino, Uncle Ohu, and Aunty Ava visited us for a week. We live in the middle of town and it's kind of dangerous with the fast cars and random people. The kids are used to going out the front door and entertaining themselves (on Moloka'i that is) so it was kind of different for them not being able to. We had to find different ways to entertain them. We had a blast. Here is what we did.

We went to the zoo.

...saw some elephants....

...pelicans and antelopes...

...african safari animals...
...and this cute timon (from the Lion King).

We then continued on to the Keiki Zoo where you could actually touch the animals.

We took pictures with the pigs...

...the goats...

...and this cute lama. I think he thinks that we're interesting creatures.

Did you notice in this lama picture that Na'ulei only has one sock? If you were wondering, no, the lama didn't bite it off....it was the GOAT. Look closely in the goat picture and you'll notice that I am holding the sock in my hand. I was trying to get close enough to have a nice picture with the goat and then all of a sudden...BAM...it bit off Na'ulei's sock in one swift motion. It tried to eat it fast but I was faster. I snatched the sock out of his mouth. With one more bite, I think we could have kissed that sock goodbye.

On another day we went to the Hawai'i Chilren's Discovery Center. I'd recommend going there if you have kids. It's a neat place where kids can learn and play at the same time.

Here the kids are learning about the body.

The kids can learn about people in wheelchairs. There was a small obstacle course behind and it's actually harder than you'd think.

There was a small town with a grocery store...

...a fire station...

...a police station (just like daddy)...

...a news cast room...

...and a garage.

Another floor showcased homes from different countries. You could even play dress-up.

Here we are in Japan...

...and the Philippines (these two pictures are for you Kiki).

This is what they ride in the Philipines.

All in all, it was so much fun. If you go...hope you have a good time.