We Love Cousins!

I just had to post these pictures from when the Maui cousins were over.

Here they are...Na'u, Myla, and Kailea sporting the pigtails. I know, I know...you just have to look very closely to see Na'u's. Myla has TONS of hair that beat both Na'u and sister Kailea...put together!
HELLO??!!!

Wassup, Dude!

I just have to share....
One night, Clarke and Lia went on a date. A date wouldn't be a date if all the kids went along so, I stepped in to watch the keikis. Kayla and Teija were content with watching the Disney station so I pretty much had to keep an eye on Na'u and Kailea (Myla got to go with mommy and daddy). If you know Kailea, she takes a while to warm up to most people. My mission when ever I see her is to break that little shell. I guess now that she's a little older, it's a little easier but I still have to do some work. Well, this particular night, Kailea was fine with mommy and daddy gone and was actually talking my ear off. I loved it. I don't think I've heard her talk so much.

We were playing and talking and then all of a sudden Kailea says, "My mommy and daddy came home." I then tell her, "Quick! Hide!"

She quickly gets up and finds the best hiding spot....under the rocking chair.

Someone (Na'ulei) sees the action going on and wants to join in the fun. She then proceeds to squeeze through the small opening to be with cousin.

Na'u's thoughts, "It's a little tight but, we can fit! Hmmmm, this is actually quite comfy."

Kailea's thoughts..."Well, false alarm. Mommy and Daddy wasn't home yet so we came out. That was fun though!"

I love my cousin!

This was so funny!
We definitely can't wait to see the Maui Tui's again! Never a dull moment!

Clarke, Lia, I hope watching the kids for a little bit was something in your book :). I know it wasn't an over night thing like good Aunty Megan but it has to count for something.

Thoughts on My Mind

Due to some recent events, I (Lohi) have been doing ALOT of thinking.

First off, I am so grateful for EVERYTHING and EVERYONE that is in my life. I have a wonderful husband who takes care of our little family. We are the best of friends and we have fun wherever we are. There is no one else I'd rather be with :). We've been blessed with a beautiful daughter who definitely keeps us on our toes. She is almost 11 months and is already Miss Independant. We live for those hugs and kisses, smiles, laughter, and pretty eyes. We love Na'u soooo much and couldn't see our lives without her. I come from a wonderful family with loving parents. It's so much fun to have 6 siblings because dull moments are rare. We are constantly laughing and having a great time. We have tons of friends that we know we can count on if we ever need anything. I'm grateful to have the true gospel apart of my life. I have been raised in the church and I know that we have a Heavenly Father and Savior. They LOVE us so much and only want whats best for us.

So far, life has been wonderful. We've been married for 3 years now and I am very happy of where we are in life. We aren't perfect but we are trying to improve as a family everyday. Being idle isn't going to make the cut. Our ultimate goal is to live with our Heaveny Father and to inherit all that he has to offer.

I remember a while back, our family had the missionaries over. Their lesson was about fortifying your castle walls. If you do what you're suppose to be doing (reading scriptures, prayer, FHE, attending church etc.), you are building up your defenses for when opposition comes your way. This lesson has always stuck with me. With all the things in this world and choices that we are faced with, it can be difficult to stand strong and steadfast. It can seem so easy to take the easy way out and do what we want but, will it be worth it in the long run?

We are all faced with trials. In the 1995 Conference Report I found a quote. "Trials, disappointments, sadness, and heartache come to us from two basically different sources. Those who transgress the laws of God will always have those challenges. The other reason for adversity is to accomplish the Lord's own purposes in our life that we may receive the refinement that comes from testing. ...[Some trials] are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more." Heavenly Father gives us trials that He knows we can overcome. We will never be left alone. In Alma 36:3 it says, "...I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day." I'm grateful that I have endured the trials that I have faced thus far and hope to endure things that will come our way.

Since being a Temple Prep and Relief Society teacher, I have touched on a certain topic a few times...our Savior. Jesus Christ is ALWAYS constant. He will ALWAYS be there for us. Are we willing to come unto Him? Most of the time, it is our actions/feelings that keep us from reaching out to Him. We are the part of the equation that changes. Sometimes I feel ashamed and unworthy to come to Him. Sometimes I forget that He knows exactly what I'm going through. He paid the ultimate price for me. Tonight I read a scripture in 2 Nephi 9:21, "And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam." I hope that I can always remember His sacrifice for me and always keep my end of the bargin.

This is my favorite picture of Christ.

Sorry for sounding like a sacrament meeting talk (not that anything is wrong with that) but I just wanted to share with you what I'm feeling right now. I hope we can all stand with Heavenly Father and Savior when the time comes.

Carving Pumpkins

Halloween wouldn't be complete without carving a big 'ol pumpkin.

We've been pretty good about doing it every year since before we were married up in Utah. With our lawn covered in snow, we always had a tropical theme to remind us of home. We carved a flower, coconut tree, and ALOHA. This year we wanted to be different. We got together with the Del Toro's and DC Tuitele's.

It did take a while before we (the men) came up with the ideas.

...brainstorming...

...and it was on.

THEME: University of Hawaii

Most of the time I (Lohi) will gut the pumkin. Cameron is the one to draw the design because I don't have a creative (drawing) bone in me. I always think...."I can carve while following the outline on the pumkin. There's nothing to it." So...I ask Cameron for a turn. He gives the tool to me and I dig right in...and of course he's watching me the entire time. A few minutes later he says, "I got it babe" while taking the tool away. No fair! I want to contribute to the carving too!

This was my contribution...making some parts of the design deeper without going all the way through. What can I say...I'll take what I can get :).

Although I didn't help much with the carving...Cameron did do a great job!

Here's the finished projects.

GO WARRIORS!

Ours...

and the Del Toro's.

We didn't leave Na'u out.

She got to play with the guts!

Did it

taste good Na'u?

I know what you're thinking and NO...I didn't feed her the pumpkin. I was actually taking it out of her mouth :).

Thank you to our friends for carving with us. We hope we can do this every year!

Channy, did you carve your's yet?

Water and Ice

Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park

We are so lucky! We went to the water park 2 fridays in a row. First time around, we went with my (Lohi) family for Ka'ohu's 10th birthday and Keola's last chance at the H2O park before leaving on his mission. The second trip was made because the Maui Tuitele's and Akinaka's were visiting Oahu for their ward temple trip. Na'u had a blast...she LOVES the water. Thank you to both families for watching baby Na'u for a bit while Cameron and I rode some rides. We had so much fun!

These two spouts in the kiddy pool were Na'u's favorites. She couldn't get enough of them.

There were two water spouts coming up from the ground. Na'u kept on walking back and forth playing with each one. Thank you spouts for keeping her entertained.

She even went down this little slide with both mommy, daddy, and papa Ipo. She was scared on some of the runs....which explains her expression in the above photo.

Here is Kailea and Myla posing for a picture while Ka'ohu and Ava slide down the yellow slide.

Kayla and Teija enjoyed sliding down the giant green slide. Click on Teija's picture to check out her expression :).



We rode everything that was open but this was the first time we went on a new ride...the Tornado. It's a huge, red, funnel shaped ride. It's kind of like the Shaka but with 4 people. FYI-I think the Shaka is scarier :).

Ice Palace

To keep the kiddies entertained, the Maui Tui's and Akinaka's planned to go to the Ice Palace. Both Cameron and I haven't skated in years. This was the perfect chance for us to prove that we still got it. We didn't even fall once :).

Too bad Cameron and I had to skate in shifts. One would hold Na'u while the other played on the ice. We could only squeeze in one lap together.

Ava stayed with us so that she could go too. She was hesitant at first but got the hang of it pretty fast.

She did fall a few times and we just happen to catch this one. She caught the wall on the way down :).


Here the little kids are watching a movie on the side. Three of them were too small to skate.

We had sooo much fun. Even though we live here on Oahu where all these attractions are open and available to us...we end up doing things only when family and friends are in town. We love spending time with all of you so you have to visit us more often. It's the only way to get us out of the house :).

Pink Clothes, Pink Toys, Pink Eye

Whenever I go shopping for Na'ulei, I always get the items in pink. I love pink. I also want to emphasize that she is indeed a girl even though some people don't get the hint. Well, yesterday we got a dose of pink in a way we CAN live without. Na'u woke up with a more than normal maka pia pia (crusty) eye. At first I thought it was just a cold in her eye but when I looked closer, it was a little smaller and all pink. We went to the doctor and yes, my little girl has pink eye. I don't know where or how she got it. Her little right eye looks so sad. The doctor checked her out and Na'u doesn't have a fever or ear infection that can associate with pink eye so thats a plus. We got some antibiotic drops to help clear it up. Hope this episode doesn't last long.

This picture was take today (9.12.08) but Na'u's pink eye started yesterday. It's starting to look better already...Yay!

We Love Vacation!...continued

Whenever we're home we have to go to our favorite beach.

Aunty Ava had this tube which was perfect. Her little butt fit perfectly in the puka (hole). As you can see, Na'u was just kickin back with legs crossed, completely content with licking the salt water from her face.

We always take goofy pictures. I think it's funnier to look at these than the serious ones. Ava didn't know what to do though.

My dad put an opihi shell over his eye and Na'u was very interested in it. She kept trying to grab it.

I love going home because I get to relax. We were at home for 8 days, and of those days, I think I gave Na'u 2 baths. Papa Ipo would make her water, bathe her and let her play until she was done. Sometimes she would even get extra play time in the middle of the day.


Here Na'u is trying to put this shoe on. She walked over there on her own (with the help of Aunty Ena) and kept trying to put her foot in. At least we can see that she knows where it goes.

We found these little clips and put her hair up in pig tails. She was born with an old man head so now that her hair is growing out, only the hair on either side of her head is long enough to do this to. I think she looks more like a girl so hopefully people won't mistake her for a boy anymore.

Na'u learned a lot of things while we were home. Now when SHE wants to go walking (on her own two feet with assistance) she'll crawl over to someone, grab their fingers and scream, demanding you stand up. She then proceeds to walk (pretty fast considering her age) holding on to your fingers. Na'u has a head of her own cause she knows exactly where she wants to go. If you try to derail her direction, she twists her little body and whines until she gets what she wants.

Here is another thing that she picked up. Enjoy!

We had so much fun going home. Our next trip will be in a few weeks for my brother's farewell. Keola was called to serve the people of Denver, Colorado and reports to the MTC on October 8. We are so excited for him yet sad that he'll be gone. He sure does makes us laugh and is always so generous. Good luck and we love you Uncle Ola!

Avaʻs Baptism

We are so lucky that we get to visit family on Molokaʻi.  We try to find any excuse we can to come.  We went home this time because the last of the Albino tribe was baptized.  Ava turned 8 and was baptized on her birthday, August 21.   We canʻt believe how fast time has passed.

Ava girl was baptized by Keola and confirmed by Kana.

We were the only ones that got to go.  We wish daddy was here with us but he had to work.

This is the Albino Tribe with one missing, Kiki.  There are 3 girls and 4 boys. 

Uncle Kaohu loves the baby!

Here are the Albino men at their best.

We are so proud of Ava for making the decision to be baptized.  Her baptism was very special filled with family and friends and a day that sheʻll never forget.  We know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are very pleased with her.  We love you Ava!

To Have, or Not to Have....that is the Question

"Hey Cameron..." said Jay.

"Whats up, Jay?" replied Cameron.

"The cows called....they want their calves back!"

A very obvious physical feature Cameron shares with his brothers is the size of his calves. They are noticeably big! We've always worried that if we had a girl, she would inherit the TUITELE calves! Well, Na'ulei came along, and we are STILL worrying. Will she take after Lohi, or will she take after Cameron? She is starting to slim down (sort of), yet her legs remain the same size! We hope that over time, the calves start to slim down as well.

Here she is working out her calves! I guess we better keep things within her reach from now on!