OOMPA LOOMPAS

All through October, I asked Na'u what she wanted to be for Halloween and most every response was "treak-or-treat". I was expecting that maybe she'd say tinker bell or little mermaid but she didn't. I don't think she quite gets the whole Halloween concept of dressing up as something/anything, say one little phrase, and get loads of candy in return. Since Na'u wasn't very passionate in what she wanted to be, Cam and I decided that they would be....
Oompa Loompas from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.







Na'u loved her orange face and green hair. It was a hastle to put Iwi's look on, but I am very happy how everything turned out :). Although, I wish I had decided what they were going to be a little earlier so that I wasn't stressing but that's just how it goes.

We joined my brother's ward for trunk-or-treating. On our way over, I had the following conversation with Na'u.

Me: Na'u, what do you say to people so that they give you candy?
Na'u: Can I have candy, please?
Me: No, you just have to say, trick-or-treat. What do you say?
Na'u: Can I have candy, please? Trick-or-treat.
Me: (lol) No...just trick-or-treat. You don't have to say, Can I have candy please. So what do you say....
Na'u: Can I trick-or-treat.

I just LOVE it! We have drilled the "Can I please" phrase into her so much that she carried it over to Halloween. What a little cutie! By the time we actually went out, she said trick-or-treat a couple of times. Then she decided that she didn't want to say anything but hold out her bucket for people to put candy in. This method was still very effective :).

Alot of people had games for the kiddies to play.


We ran into our cousin Ashley there with her cute Tigger. As you can see, I did dress up but no one knew who I was. I'm suppose to be Vironica Salt trying to stay with the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory theme but I guess this character wasn't a very known character like Violet. Oh well, I tried :). I should have just worn a santa hat and been Mrs. Claus.


The Oompas with Uncle Keola and Uncle Kana.


They feel asleep on our drive over to Kaneohe to visit their cousins. Notice the green from their hair ALL over their carseats? I didn't think about that little detail:).


The Oompas LOVE spending time with their Kaneohe cousins! They had the cutest costumes ever! La'iku was a lobster in a pot, Chan was the customer, Chris and Sina were chefs, Ka'ehu the lobster catcher, and Sarai the waitress. Such a cute idea! Channy and her grandma made all of their costumes....so talented!






Halloween day Evan and Paigy came over. We decided to go trick-or-treating right around our neighborhood.


You can see Cameron's costume here. He is a member of A Touch of Gold. He came straight from a show and made it just in time to go door-to-door collecting the goods.


A Hello Kitty pumpkin


Every year, this particular house in our neighborhood makes a huge sculpture in their front yard based on a movie that came out earlier in the year. In the past, they have done Kong Fu Panda and Pirates of the Carribean. This year was Avatar. Definately COOL!


We hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween just as we did!


With all that sweets, don't forget to brush your teeth :).

Unlimited Messaging....A Great Feature

(Cameron's Post)
So, like most American Families, I work during the day. I guess it's my duty as Father to be the breadwinner for the family. Anyway, working a 9 hour shift as a policeman can vary. Sometimes its fun and exciting, and other times is long and boring. We'll, I'm grateful that I have a GREAT message plan with my cell phone company.

Now, I've always been kind of a tech savvy person. So, getting the new iphone was never a doubt in my mind. However, I was excited when my wife told me that she too wanted the iphone. It didn't take long before Lohi was learning all the tricks to the phone. I decided to get an unlimited messaging plan (unlimited text, picture, and video messaging), since we text each other now and then (plus I use a lot of texting for work).


Well, like I mentioned before, sometimes work can be long and boring. So of course, I call Lohi and chat with her and the kids. But talking can get repetitive. So Lohi started sending me pictures. One day, she sent me 4 pictures within a half hour time period. IT MADE MY DAY! I was able to see what my kids were doing, and put a smile on my face throughout the day.

Since then, Lohi has been great at sending me pictures everyday. She sure is taking advantage of having an unlimited message plan. Whether it be a picture of the kids swimming in the pool, a fresh injury from falling, or even some bananas growing in our backyard, the pictures make me feel like I'm with the kids all day. Thank you Lohi for taking the time to do this.


Now, she sends me videos once in a while. And with the new iphone, we can even Facetime (video chat) from time to time. Technology is great!

So for all of you who have similar message plans, take advantage of it. Send your wife/husband a random picture, or even a short video. An unexpected picture from a loved one will put a smile on any one's face.

Aloha Week Parade

Last weedend we went to the Aloha Week Parade. I'm pretty sure that every island has this and different festivities through out this time of year. But I know for sure they have it on Moloka'i. I grew up going to the parade and the ho'olaule'a, but this was the first time that I went here on Oahu.

Here we are on the median waiting for the parade to start.

I was a bit sad that Na'u didn't get to see all of this because she was on Moloka'i again. I knew she would have loved it all. Maybe next year.

For these Aloha Week festivities, they have a royal court that attends all the different events.


...and for the parade, they have pa'u riders that represent each island. There is a princess and her court. These riders (and horses) are dressed in their island color. They are soooo beautiful. Secretly I've always wanted to be one :). They look so graceful guiding their horse to either side of the street, smiling and bowing to everyone. I figure I can ride a horse and smile, should be nothing to it :). Here is....

Moloka'i


Ni'ihau


Oahu


Maui


Lana'i
This is one of my hula sisters from Ka Pa Hula O Ka Lei Lehua. She did awesome!


Here is a close-up of Lana'i's horse's adornments. BEAUTIFUL! Alot of work goes into preparation starting weeks in advance.


And here's our friend Mandy who was singing and playing ukulele behind Lana'i's pa'u riders.


Kaho'olawe


Kaua'i


Big Island


There were many bands that participated. Here is Cameron's high school Marching Band. He said he marched in this parade when he was a freshman. It was "super hot, and super long." In fact, they're wearing the same uniform.


There were floats that came by all beautifully decorated with native flowers. Some even had hula dancers like this one.


We had so much fun. Can't wait til next year!

FYI-All pictures and videos were taken with our iphones :).

Ipod...Not just for pleasure

We were all at my Aunty Nei's house practicing songs for her funeral and papa Ipo was taking care of Iwi boy. It was late and I think he just wanted to be in his own bed. I could hear him fussing for a while. When we were finished, I came back upstairs and found my son like this. He wasn't responding to the carrying and rocking and I'm pretty sure that my dad was getting tired too. My dad plugged Iwi's ears, played some music and my son was out like that. Thank you IPOD (and papa :)!

Our Sad Story with Some Cute Stuff Too

I've always admired those of you who are consistent with your blogs. My intentions are there and I go through little spurts of wanting to up keep this thing but always fall into those non-posting slumps. I would like to change that.

This sudden change came on because of what happened to our computer a few weeks ago. It DIED. All of our information...gone. The computer wouldn't even turn on. The most important things on there was ALL of our pictures and videos from the past two years. Cameron was on a mission to retrieve whatever we could. He hopped on craigslist and found a guy out in Laie. As soon as he was off from work he headed out there. This guy worked on it for a few hours with no success. Cam found another guy out in Kapolei and went straight there. Cam left the computer with him and after a few hours, he was able to get our pictures from 2009. This guy said that the longer the computer ran, the more corrupt the system became. Since it took so long, he got a new part (I don't know what it's called), reinstalled everything, and gave us back the old hard drive. I was happy to know that all of Iwi's birth and the first half of his life was saved and that MAYBE someone else could get the rest of the pictures and videos. Through "police business" Cameron met this other computer wiz who offered to help. I was so hopeful. This computer guy tried but the old computer went COMPLETELY dead. I'm so SUPER sad even til this day. I don't think that I'll ever get over it but I'm looking forward to taking even more pictures then before.

Although this is such a sad story, I have definitely learned my lesson. We always meant to back up our files but never got around to doing it. Please learn from us. Don't wait till tomorrow. Just do it. I'm also kicking myself because if I had kept up with this blog, then I would have had most of my pictures...at least the more important ones anyways.

So with all of that being said, I'm starting this thing up....again :).

A few days ago, I mentioned to Cameron how one of these days (maybe when Na'u is older), I'm not going to be around to fix her hair and that he would have to do it. Right then he went to it. He pulled her hair back into a lower ponytail and tied it. Not to bad from the front.


Here's the back.

If you look a little closer, daddy didn't use a rubberband. He used a twist tie from the bread. My poor girl will be going to school with her hair all made up with a TWIST TIE :). I better coach him now so that when the time does come, Cameron will be able to use a rubberband and maybe even do some fancy hairdos like braid. But for now, we'll stick to the basics :).

And for your viewing pleasure, some brotherly/sisterly love.
These two make me smile. Even though they occasionally fight, I can tell that they love eachother.


I can't believe how big they both are getting. Too fast!

I am a proud mommy!

PS-If you haven't already, go and back up all your important files NOW!

Happy Easter!

The kids woke up Easter morning and found their Easter baskets. Na'u was sooo excited. She said, "WOOOOOW mom! What is that?" But poor little thing had to pose with her basket when all she wanted to do was take everything out and play.


Iwi was very curious about the contents.


After our Easter lunch, the kids had an egg hunt. Every year we have a huge hunt that includes all the grown-ups but since it was raining and we didn't have that many adults, the kids (a total of 4) did an indoor hunt. Uncle David was giving them the hunt instructions. Each kid had their own color egg to look for so that everyone could find the same amount of eggs.


Na'u looked for the orange eggs.


Here great-grandma Julia is helping Na'u with an egg behind the picture. I thought it was so sweet.


Iwi looked for the green eggs. Na'u was such a good big sister in helping to find the oma'oma'o ones.


I was really bummed that we didn't have the BIG egg hunt. Monica (cousin-in-law) and I kept on bugging Uncle David to hide the golden egg again after the kids were finished with their hunt. He gave in when Cameron, Anthony, and Nickoma came over. When he gave the "ok" we all were running around the living rooms like we were kids again. We were crawling on all 4's, lifting heavy objects, and even digging in odd places. I'm happy to report that I found the golden egg. Uncle David was giving us hot and cold hints and it came down to Cameron and I. It was stuffed in a pack of unopened toilet paper, in the center of one of the rolls. I am going down in the egg hunt archives as the 2010 golden egg finder. They really do have a list of all the past winners that goes back to when Cameron was a little boy. I thought that that was really neat.

Yes...Na'u is playing "lip tick" with the candy she just found.


For dessert, I made this Easter cake.

It turned out a little different from what I originally thought but I like it. The eggs, flowers, and bunny are decorated sugar cookies. I wanted to refresh my decorating skills and this is what I came up with. I give so much credit to all those professional cake people for their artistic eye, intricate skills, and PATIENCE. Decorating a cake takes a long time...well for me anyways because I'm just a newbie but hopefully I can get more experience under my belt.

Although eggs and treats are fun, it is not the reason for this season. We are so grateful for our Savior and his Atonement. Without His love and sacrifice, we wouldn't have the chance to return home.
We hope everyone had a wonderful Easter with lots of food, family, and fun!

A Party Fit for a Princess

Last Saturday, Na'u was invited to go to her cousin Sarai's princess birthday party. Although we were planning to go a week or so in advance, I didn't tell Na'u until the day of. If she knows that she is going to do something fun she'll keep on asking again, and again, and again. She was SUPER excited to go.

Here is Princess Na'u and the Birthday Princess Sarai.


The living area was transformed to fit royalty. I just have to share this little story of the birthday girl. Chan...hope its okay. My sister-in-law wrote this and I thought it was the cutest thing. "My grandma had the kids while I set up for the party the night before...when Sarai came home and saw all her decorations and everything set out, she was SUPER excited. She was screaming and saying how I'm the best mommy and how she loves me soooooo much and she couldn't stop kissing me and hugging me." I know we live for those moments.

There were little stations set up all around where the princesses could play. I think Na'u was among the younger ones there. She saw all the big girls doing things themselves and wanted to do the same. I couldn't tell her "NO" so this is what I got.

Here's the nail polish area where Na'u insisted on using purple.


The make-up was a hit. She knows that eye shadow goes on your eye lids so that is where she put it while she closed both eyes...at the same time :).


The girls could also decorate cupcakes. There was purple and pink frosting and sprinkles. The sprinkles was Na'u's favorite part.

I have to confess...Chan, it was Na'u who accidentally put frosting ALL over the sprinkle container. Sorry!

Look at the birthday girl....pure happiness!


All the princesses who attended the festivities.


Aunty Ava was visiting for spring break and was the BIGGEST help with Iwi Boy. Na'u needed CONSTANT supervision.


Sarai...Hope you had a wonderful birthday! We love you so much! Thanks for having us at your party. Na'u cannot wait to see you again.

Chinese Celebration and Punahou Carnival

2010 is the year of the Tiger. This year, Chinese New Year was on Valentines Day but Chinatown celebrated the weekend before. I think it is so neat that Hawaii is so diverse. We are full of many cultures that we have adopted so many different customs.

This celebration downtown is like one giant block party. All the streets in Chinatown were shut down and lined with vendors and tons of people.


In the top left picture we were lucky to see those 3 dragons dancing in front of this store with VERY LOUD firecrackers going off. I heard that businesses will pay big bucks for them to come in for good luck in the coming year.

We were so happy that we got to spend some time with our friends Tau, Sarah and their cute son Noa in Chinatown. They were visiting from Utah. I think the last time we seen them was back in those pre-kid days and it was so much fun catching up.

The parade was the highlight of celebrating Chinese New Years. We saw tons of colorful dragons. Both Na'u and Noa fed the dragon their dollar. We are expecting good luck coming our way :). Maybe we should have been a little more generous but oh well.


Sarah (& Tau)...I just had to steal this picture from you. It was soooo CUTE! If you're wondering why we are holding the kids hands like this, let me tell you. Have you ever gone to a parade where they give out candy? The parade people only give candy to little kids and not adults so we figure...put the the kids to work :). Who could refuse giving these faces a little candy? Even my little teethless Iwi boy got some (YESSSS). After a while, the kids did it all by themselves. We taught them good.


After Chinatown, we went with our friends and saw the night show at PCC. The kids LOVED it! Thanks for spending time with us. Can't wait to see you next time!
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On February 5th, we went to the Punahou Carnival. We've been going every year since we moved back to Hawaii since it's so close to our house. This was also the first year that Na'u actually knew what was going on. She was too young last year to enjoy it so it was fun watching her get excited about everything that was happening.

Our biggest motivation for going is FOOD. Yes, they have rides and prizes and other carnival things but we LOVE the food. While we were there we had corn on the cob, saimin, fried saimin, teri burgers, cotton candy, and a gyro. We are not total slobs :)...we did share most of the food.


It was kind of hard to ride the rides because we didn't have any babysitters. If we did ride, we'd have to go alone while the other one watched the kids. It's NO FUN riding alone. Both Cameron and I have been on many rollercoasters and love the rush you get but lately, (I don't know if its because we're getting older) we get sick. Sad but true. Na'u on the other hand LOVED the merry-go-round. If you'd ask me, I think riding the rides was so expensive. It was $3 per person. Every "little" person needed an accompanying adult which had to pay full price too. I think the adults should pay less but thats just my opinion. Na'u went on with daddy but was so sad when it stopped. It didn't last very long. We paid $6 to stay on that thing for maybe 1 1/2 minutes. Of course she wanted to go again. We said no at first but who could say no to such a sweet face and a simple request. We gave in and I went around with her. She actually wanted to hold on all by herself.


The carnival had lots of other things including a plant sale. Cameron just couldn't resist buying a Samoan Dwarf Coconut Tree. I'm pretty sure that he bought it because it had "Samoan" in its' name but he says it's because it will stay close to the ground. It won't grow super high like regular coconut trees. Anyways, I hope it doesn't die. We're not very green thumby.


We had so much fun! We can't wait til next year.

My Mischievous Girl

Ah...my Na'ulei. Sometimes my sweet little girl can drive me BANANAS. Just by looking at alot of her pictures you would never guess the kind of things that she gets into. Sometimes I get mad but other times I just have to laugh. She definitely keeps me on my toes. Whoever made up the name "terrible twos", wasn't kidding. For those of you who don't have children yet or if your little one is still young, remember this...if you don't SEE them AND don't HEAR them, THEY ARE DOING SOMETHING THEY'RE NOT SUPPOSE TO BE DOING. Time and time again this statement is proved correct.

This one time I was watching tv and Na'u left the room. I heard her playing right outside my door, happily entertaining herself. After a few minutes, I realized that she had become quiet. I quickly ran outside to find her painting her nails with PINK NAIL POLISH. But with her only being 2, she also painted her potty, the carpet, and the bathroom door.

Here are some other things that she did. She tried to paint her nails with her GREEN PEN.

This made me laugh.


Here she is with one of my tips from my cake class. She discovered that there was frosting in it. I have a hard time practicing at home when both Na'ulei and Cameron eat my homework.


She knows exactly what she's NOT suppose to do but I think that she just can't resist. It's like this uncontrollable force that takes a hold of her. To try and limit these incidents, I always say, "Na'u, ONLY mommy makes it." This refers to things like nail polish or lotion or my lip stick. These are things that she LOVES. Lately she'll bring the item to me and say, "only mommy make it" and give it to me expecting me to give her some.

Na'u can drive me up the wall but I LOVE her SOOOO MUCH!

I LOVE both my monkeys!


They make me smile and warm my heart!