Aloha Hintons...

our friends, the Hinton's, are moving back to the mainland.

I knew this day was coming, but didn't really want to think about it.

Autumn and I both served on the RS Presidency at the same time.  They lived

close to us and used to walk over for visits.  Not only did we share a love for

Anthropologie colored bowls, Le Creuset and Kate Spade...but she shared

by love of Downton Abbey!

Brad could talk to Terry about cars since they also have an Audi and a BUS!

The kids, Avery, Baker and Hazel are such sweet spirits.  Hazel will actually go

up to Uncle Terry now.

there had been a pot luck beach bbq planned yesterday, but right at the time it was supposed 

to start, it started raining like crazy (flash flood kind).  They moved to Waialua Bandstand,

but that was also crazy, since the rain was blowing sideways.  As a last resort, we moved

to the church.

They set up the portable bbq outside, grilled hot dogs and burgers and the kids ran wild.  It was the best indoor picnic

ever!

a hui hou Hinton Ohana, I'll miss you terribly!

Day of Service...

Saturday was the day of service for Mormon Helping Hands...

even when I was in Hilo I saw a group working down by the water and

there was an article in the newspaper about the group working early to

get the Civic spruced up before the craft fairs for Merrie Monarch.

our ward did a clean up at Kaiaka Beach Park

I love the rainbow in the background.

(Mormon Helping Hands-Hawaii photos)

there were 96 service projects going on all over the state of Hawaii...

painting at a hospital, cleaning up schools, painting fences and cleaning a Chinese

Cemetery.

We should be doing service on a regular basis, but having 1 day across the

whole world makes a huge difference.

Aloha Brown Family...

some friends of ours from church are moving back to the mainland this week.

There were two "good-bye" parties for them.  On Saturday afternoon people

got together for pizza and other potluck food at Ali'i Beach Park.  It was a nice

evening and the kids got to run around like crazy.

since I'd been in town that morning for hula, I had stopped at 

Liliha Bakery and brought cocopuffs.

On Sunday evening there was a potluck dinner at another friends house.

I love Samoan food, especially chop suey!

I'd been in Laie side that afternoon for the blessing so I went to Hauula and got

garlic chicken from Papa Oles.

Aloha Brown ohana, a hui hou.

Kasanita's Blessing

On Sunday I went over to Laie to Maafu and Kirsten Latu's new, sweet baby

girl, Kasanita receive a father's blessing.

It was such a moving experience…Maafu actually spoke the blessing in Tongan,

and I didn't know what he was saving but I could feel it.

When their youngest son, Trevor, was born was when Maafu was working towards

getting his GED and I was his tutor. We had quite the system with me holding

the baby while he typed or he held Trevor while he dictated to me.  

Now Maafu is at BYUH working towards his degree and working at PCC.

I couldn't be more proud of this sweet family.

After church they hosted a luncheon at one of  the fales in TVA.

I loved all of the Tongan food!

I'm so happy that I got to share this special event with such a sweet, special family.

Congratulations Dr. Rogers...

 friend of mine just received her doctorate in Civil Engineering.

I was thinking about this the other day...huge accomplishment.

Not only is she a wife, a mother to an active little boy, Primary

President, but also a student in doctorate program.

  Amazing to say the least.

(Rogers family photos)

Congratulations Maile on fulfilling your dream!

Called to Serve...

we have three kids from our ward that are leaving this next week

to go on missions.

Two of them, their last Sunday was this week.

Nati to Kansas City

Stefanie to Australia 

and Dodge leaves later and is going to Mexico City.

Sunday afternoon, Nati's family had a luncheon

at WES.

There was so much Samoan food!!!!

I think the mean had been cooking for days!

there was a film crew there filming Nati and his family and lots of friends

the Elders enjoying another meal

this cute couple and her sweet grandma

Stefanie 

Dillon and Nati

 Nati and Tala

Kansas City ...

with this smile and personality

you'll love him!

Onward Ever Onward...

Happy Pioneer Day!

Day of Service...

Saturday was the "day of service" for Hawaii and California.

In Hawaii members showed up to clean and repair schools, beaches,

and beach parks.  Repairing rock walls, weeding and clearing

storm debris were some of the jobs.

Waialua Ward filled over 100 trash bags at Kaiaka Beach Park.

"unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives." President Monson

Year In Review, 2012 edition...

January started the year off with the beautiful Waikiki

wedding of dear Colleen  & Drew

February we were on the mainland and got to see 

Grey score a few goals

March was another Grandparents Day
at Our Saviors for this Grammy to enjoy classwork pride

April found Traci & I traveling to beautiful Utah

for Women's Conference

May came with lots of hits coming from this
baseball lover

June celebrated a double-digit 10 girl,

a smiling 7 year old,

and a surfing 5 year old

July found my sweet RS sisters on a North Shore
night under the stars

August again brought Na Hula and all that goes with it,

and a visit from these two that included

some Waikiki surfing for Lauren

September saw Miss Emerson turing 2

and a breathtaking sight for hubby & I

October found both girls at the gym and loving it

and another Tsunami scare without the hubby

November finally came and we got
to see Honolulu welcome Wicked

December ended this crazy year that was filled with employment
upheaval, a long journey to home ownership, some tears, plenty of laughs,
some head-shaking, and thankfulness but through it all we still had our
health, each other and our beloved family.