February Family Fun!!!

My oh my has it been a while :) how are you Dream??? I can't believe it's almost March already!!! 2011 is sure flying by!!!
I actually read a book beginning of this month called "The 12th Week Year" & it was such an excellent book to start off the year with. It was basically saying instead of looking @ the year as 12 months, let's look at it as a 12 week period.And then start all over again. Because we all know, that when January 1st hits, we have a myriad of Goals & Resolutions for the new year. Well, how many of us are procrastinators? I myself is guilty of this. We always seem to push things aside, & say "Oh I will do it next week or next weekend, I've been sooo busy!" and before we know it, November rolls around & we are rushing around like maniacs trying to meet our goals we set 11 months ago or maybe even just starting it!!! The 12th Week Year helps you plan out your day according to your priorities & helps you game plan your day to day basis, that lets you take a glance at your year (12 weeks) & execute your plans you've made!!! Its an amazing read & Im currently reading it again to fully understand the book & read things that I may have skipped the first time!!! I don't why I shared that with you, but I just did :)
February was a a fun, bitter-sweet, making new memories kinda month for our family.  Let's re-cap shall we??
So here goes :)

MELESIA UNGA'S BRIDAL SHOWER: The day before on Saturday was my 1st cousin's Melesia Unga's Bridal Shower held @ the Hillsdale Chapel.It was such a cute intimate bridal shower. She received many useful cute gifts for their new place! It was great to see family as well :) Downstairs in the primary room, our 2nd cousin was having her bridal shower as well, Helena Kula. It was kind of hard for the family & ward to attend both, so some made it to both, or some did half & half. So it was kind of hard to juggle the 2 showers that were going on. But I was glad to be there for my sis Melesia. I got to see my Sandra Dee & her adorably cute son Misi. It was great to catch up on life & once again we set to have a date so we can have a real catch up session over food of course ;) Here are some snapshots from the cute & simple shower:

MARK TUPOUATA'S FAREWELL EATING: That same day was also Mark's Farewell Eating at Hometown Buffet in Newark. Right after the shower, I headed over to Ryder's Park where my Hubby's nephew, (Damien Tau's son's, Alex) was celebrating his 1st birthday there. Leka went to help  BBQ the food, & the kids were there playing & having a great time while I got to attend the shower. It was good to see my HUbby's family. And I got to have a good chat with Alex's Mom, Maso. Then soon afterwards, we all drove home & we left the children with my Mother in law, while Leka & I made our way to Newark for the eating. I felt really bad going since I was going to be a waste of money since I had eaten a ton over at the shower. But I still wanted to be around the family. We were probably the last ones to make it to Hometown. We made our rounds in & greeted my family & then over to the private room & said my Hello's to Mark's family & friends. Then I made a salad & sat outisde since the private room was kind of stuffy & it was all his Dad's family, ( Ididn't wanna feel like a sidebuster) so I sat outside with Sia & her siblings, along with my sisters & HUbby. I was saddened we missed Mark's speech (along with many others) I didn't even notice anything was going on 'til after :(  But soon made up by taking a ton of pictures with the soon to be Elder ;) Here are some snapshots from the eating:

GEORGE KAHO'S BAPTISM CELEBRATION: Then just when we thought the day was done, we still had a long night ahead of us ;) But for a great cause of course! My cousin, Tricia, her son, George was getting baptized the next morning. So, she asked if my Dad's house could help her in the dessert area. So of course we were thrilled to help, we a;ll know how stressful these events can be. So we were happy to lighten her burdens. So Ane was in charge of cake pops (red velvets & rich decedent chocolate!) that were delicious! And she also made oreo bars. Then my sisters & I were in charge of the chocolate cheese cupcakes & the cake batter cookies with white chocolate chips. We were all up until maybe 3 in the morning. But luckily we had eachother to stay awake & keep eachother great company. The next day was the baptism held @ the Burlingame Rec. Center. The time that was called to start was 10am. So, we were probably there right @ 10am. But as soon as we pull up everyone was outside. And in my head I'm like, oh my gosh, Sione's church is hecka packed!!! Then we came to learn that  everyone was waiting for someone to open the doors. After the baptism, we took some pictures, we talked, laughed. Then slowly one by one everyone started to disappear & head over to the eating that was held at Tricia's apartment in their  clubhouse. Of course, my Hubby & I were the last to leave, he was talking away with some of Sione's family & friends he hadn't seen a while. So, soon after we headed home & got our kids ready so we can head over to the eating. The kids were happy that they were gonna see their cousins & spend time with them. Before we arrived, we wanted to make sure if Tricia still neede anything, so we pulled over to Smart & Final & called her. But she refused & said that they have everything & thanked us & to hurry & come over. So, we were headed to their apartment's clubhouse ;) And I forgot to add what a BEAUTIFUL DAY in the Bay it was! Yes Indeed!!! And boy were we thrilled to see Mr. Sun!!! We can hear the music as we pull in to find a parking near the play structure area. Everyone was eating appetizers when we arrived. It was good to see Sione's family & friends & of course  our family & dear friends! We did what we do best & grubbed & just enjoy the pleasure of everyone's company! It was also Super Bowl Sunday, so the clubhouse had a flat screen TV so everyone that was eating & lounging in the clubhouse was able to wath the game! The food was super yummy & the dessert table was a HIT! And had made cute darling labels that just added the perfect touch to the cake pops & the dessert decor! And boy, everything was GONE soooo quick!!! We took plenty of pictures, played with the kids on the play structure, laugh &  just emjoy eachother's company! We were there pretty late & helped with the cleanup crew! My little Family  of Five was just super greatful that we were able to take some part in celebrating our Dear George's Baptism! We Love You Georgie!!!
Here are some snapshots from that memroable day:

Valentine's Day Frenzy: When Leka & I were dating, I used to look forward to special days like this. Including bdays, anniversaries & so forth. I was eager to see how "creative" he would be & how much thought he would take upon his gifts. And just getting free gifts as well :) I think for me, as years gone by, Im older & hopefully wiser & now that we have 3 amazing young boys, I don't really honestly care for it anymore. I guess because I see things in another perspective & there's more important things to worry other than "myself" or anticipating what did he get for me this time??? Don't get me wrong, I'm very grateful for all the wonderful gifts he's gotten me over the past 10 years. But honestly, I like getting things or surprise gifts "just because." That's my favorite holiday... When he does random acts of kindness for me that just make me fall in love w him all over again:) Like leaving me a dozen of roses in my car & totally being surprised by it or even a short handwritten card of "Thank You for all that you do for our Family" is even worth it. Just to name a few. We've come a long way, but this ride was totally worth it!!! I'm totally a blessed Wifey & Mommy :)
     This VDay was was a memorable one for sure, not only as a couple but for our kiddies as well ;) My Sisters & I planned to throw our kids a VDay party...truth be told, I was'nt part of the planning, I was just told what to bring IF that counts as planning! LOL SO of course I was down!!! Anything for these spoiled I tell ya!! I was assigned a tray of brownies. WHich was nothing compared to everyone. But we all came together to throw our kids a fun memorable VDAY party!
      Earlier that day, I had plans w my Honey Boo to have an early dinner at Kingfish! I was craving their yummy skirt steaks!! Sooooo ifo!!! I was so glad to spend some QT w my Lover Boy & just enjoy eachother's company! After dinner, we were headed to my house to prep for the kid's Vday Party! Here are snapshots of that eventful fun night!!!!:

Mr. & Mrs. William Schumkel's Wedding Weekend: My 1st cousin Melesia Huia Unga has finally made the ultimate decision to marry her high school sweetheart William for all time & eternity in the Oakland Temple Feb. 26th. They had a wedding dance the night before held @ the San Bruno Gym. Their dance was like  a  mini Unga Reunion. It was great to see family that we hadn't seen in years ! Even it was for just the 2 days! It still was a blessing! Her decor for the dance was super cute as well! it was basically just blown up pictures of the couple at different times in their relationship, with borders, cricut lettering, & balloons. it was just so simple, cute & sentimental. We took tons of pictures & danced the night away! Here are some snapshots from the dance:

The next day was their wedding ceremony @ the Oakland Temple then followed by the reception held @ the Sneathlane Cultural Hall. My oldest, Isaiah was asked to be in her wedding party part of the little boys. And boy was my son THRILLED BEYOND THRILLED!!! I told him a while back & ever since then, he would ask me on a daily basis, Mom, is it the wedding time yet? He was just the cutest thing everrr!!! So, he has been waiting for the day to finally wear the tux that we had to rent! He was ALL smiles as soon as I got him ready to head to the temple with my sisters since they were headed up there to take pictures! My sister Lani was asked by Sia to take their wedding pictures for the whole weekend. She did such an amazing job for her first time shooting an actual event!!! Good job Sister Boo!!! Here are some snapshots of that morning:

My Hubby & I attended the wedding reception w my  Jonah while Isaiah was riding w his cousin Leon from the temple. I left Micah w my SIL knowing that it was gonna be crazy packed & i didn't want to run after him. I wanted to actually sit & enjoy my cousin's wedding. The cultural hall was packed & had standing room only! She looked so beautiful. She was just glowing ALL DAY!!  It's still a trip that she's actually married.  I still can't believe all us girils (our generation 1985 babies) are all married w the kids! it's sooo crazy! I am just sooo happy & grateful that she made the ultimate step to marry in the temple to her Eternal Companion. She has set one of the greatest examples for me, hoping that one day soon, I am able to take part of that beautiful covenant that us members are destined to do on this Earth. Thank You Melesia for being who you are & for making that step for your family & your future family to come!I