Never Get Tired of Family

We have noted that more people have come to visit us here than anywhere else we have lived, and we will only live for 6 month. But, it is for sure the coolest place we have ever lived. In fact just yesterday I made reservations for us to return to the mainland (July 31st). I almost felt sick about it. Even though it will be the right time for us to go, the thought of leaving this incredible place makes me a bit sad. We have been so evidently blessed by this experience. It had changed us. But instead of already being sad, we will make the most of our last two months here. Some people don't even get that. So off we go.

Here are some pictures of our family. I have to laugh because I was going to take pictures of Micah, Rachel and Kaylyn, and then Jake joined in, just like he was their little son. The funniest part is that as soon as we wanted him to be in the picture, he didn't want to join us.

Here we all are!

Oh wait, now Eric and Nakita made it to the picture. Now- here we all are!

Baby Kaylyn had the most fans this week. It's always so fun to have a baby around. The kids just loved her. Her little strawberry blond hair reminds me of my babies.

Here she is giving Ellie the straight arm. High-yah!

Jake was also obsessed with Kaylyn.

Here he is trying to kiss her. She's not so sure.

Still trying.

Now the headlock kiss, there is no escaping. He's got her by the face!

Such a fun age at 8 months. She loved the challenge of sitting on the step.                   

I snapped this one of Miss Sassy Pants. I love the texture of the palm tree. She is really such a love.

And this is what you would call an albino Hawaiian cockroach. Very distinctive and rare, but can be found scooting down the side walks of Hawaii. Just as a warning- they bite!

House BBQ and Hot Pink High Heals

This is my friend Grace and her gorgeous daughter, Tarita. They are our house neighbors, meaning they live in the same house. Like I mentioned before, there are six families that live in our house. Grace and I were talking about having family in town and she said we should have a BBQ and that we could have the whole house come. So we did. It was awesome. David, her husband, BBQ for us and Grace made 5 different salads. It was quite unfair that they did all the work and it was our family coming. But that is the kind of people they are. They are so kind. The fun part it that all the families showed up. Mibi, Lee, and Savannah, Mike and Katrina Johansen's plus kids, David and Grace plus kids, and us. I feel dumb that I didn't take a picture of the whole group. Bummer, but I guess we'll have to have another one. So we had lots of kids, fun, and the most beautiful location at Castle Beach.

Here are Seth and Micah, just hanging out and enjoying the shade.

The other awesome thing that happened because we knew David and Grace was that Eric wanted to go spear fishing and David and his cousins took he and Micah- AT NIGHT. Too scary for me, but we watched from the shore as they fished with lights and their spear guns. The waves were rough that night and the current strong, so it was a lot of work. They got a squid and some fish. Two of the fish are what Micah and Eric holding below. David, in the background, wanted them to have the full experience, so they got to clean and cook their fish the next day. We're so lucky to have such awesome neighbor. I told Grace that we feel like their "groupies," we follow David around to the fire knife competitions, spear fishing, and BBQing. We need to get our own lives. But we have so much fun being apart of theirs. Thanks Galeai family.

Jake always does what we call "kissy face." Here we were showing him "fishy face." He didn't want to kiss it.

BBQ.

Eric helped Jakers climb a tree. Jake wasn't sure he really like it. As wild as he is, he is very aware of danger. He doesn't really like to be throw in the air or held upside down, he likes to be in control of his wildness.

 So after they had stood on the lower branch for a bit, Eric put him up high. He sat there for a minute and asked him if he liked it. He nodded yes. Then I asked him if he was scared and his little face scrunched into a frown and he started to cry and he said yes. Eric handed him down and we reassured him he was so brave and that he was like a monkey. He loved that idea and told everyone how "big high" he was in the tree. Silly boy.

Jayne was up for a bit of cheerleading on Eric shoulders.  

Here's Jayne in her swim suit and her "new" hot pink high heals. Aunt Rachel had found them in a free box outside a second hand store. Jayne thought it was the best present ever! She walked around with them on for hours.

They don't quite fit, but they look good!

Jayne's Salon and Tongan Drummers

Jayne has opened her own salon. See does hair, accessorizes, and give fire stick messages. Here she is working her magic on me. Note the two flowers in the hair and the bracelet as well. 

This was the final product. I look so modern. I needed a good style change.

Rachel was the second victim, I mean client. Note she is holding the water cups and she has mandatory flowers on her eyes and a towel behind her. The fire knife massage was done on the bed. It consisted of  rolling a fire stick up and down Rachel's back. She said it actually felt quite good. Jayne was so pleased.

 Here's Sam holding his little cousin.

 Now it was Kaylyn's turn. She didn't have much hair, but plenty for Jayne. She looked a bit like the mother cat had given her a bath after Jayne slicked down her hair. 

 Again the final product. BEAUTIFUL!

 Eric and Nakita hadn't been to the PCC, so we joined them for just a bit. The kids went on an outrigger with them. It was Jake's first time, and I am sure he loved it.

 Sam made a friend showing off his fire knife skills.

Jake made a friends at the Tongan drum show.

Sam- Spinning Fire

Fire Knife

Sam's new passion. Sam was invited by our back door neighbor, Dave Galeai, World Fire Knife Champion and PCC Night Show Performer, to come to fire knife class at the PCC. Sam went and loved it. But last night when David handed him is first lit fire knife, everything changed. All day he has been on the Internet researching fire knife. He knows how much they cost ($300 plus) and where to get them. He is researching how to make them for himself. The rest of the day he is outside practicing. He just came in my room at 10:30 p.m. and said he couldn't sleep. I asked him what was wrong and he said he couldn't stop thinking about fire knifes. Funny kid. He says he can't wait for the next father/son camp out. 

That is a happy and slightly nervous face on the boy.

 I guess I better brush up on my night time photography. 

 Spinning and pretty fast too. He did really well for his first time. He didn't even drop it. Watch out world (and fire fighters), Sam is catching fire!

Highlights of the Week

After a great Memorial Day at Waimae, we had to return to life here. Sometimes we get a little bored. I know you are all saying, bored? Your in Hawaii. But some down time is good for all of us. Sam and Ellie got a little bored and wah-la:

Jake turns into a "creative" lion. He is saying,"Roar." Who knew the potty seat could double as a costume?

 Our means of travel isn't quite as conventional as it use to be. Here we are on our way home from picking up our fruit box. We joined a group that sells local fruit. We get the fruit boxes twice a month. Here's Ellie pushing Rachel and baby Kaylynn. 

  

Now Rachel pushing Kaylynn, Ellie, Jayne, and the fruit box.

Check out Jayne holding on for dear life. Kaylynn slept through the whole event.

This week we attended two lectures. First was an awesome BYU H devotional and the second was a lecture by none other than...... Seth Christensen. Below was the flier that was posted all over campus. He was the last lecturer of the semester for the Entrepreneur Lecture Series. He lectured on Mergers and Acquisitions- how big companies buy up the little companies. He never ceases to impress me. Not very often do I get to see him with his work hat on, and I barely understand it, but I do know, he knows what's going on when it come to his job. He gave a brief resume to the students and it was interesting to think back, being in their same situation, and to see now where we have landed. Its been a crazy ride! When looking at Seth's career alone, we have seen the many blessings and the guiding hand God in our lives. He did a great job and I could tell the students and our friends and families who came really enjoyed it. Afterward, the Johnsons and the Richardsons took us out to lunch at Turtle Bay. They are great friends and examples to us. We have been grateful for their love and concern.

 On Wednesday, after Micah guest lectured in Seth's class, we met up with Eric and Nikita at the Swap Meet at Aloha Stadium. It was massive and fun to walk around. Here we are eating lunch. Note Jake. He is sitting in the middle of the table and helping himself to whatever looks best to him. Survival is a deep rooted characteristic of the fourth and baby of the family. 

This is Jayne's treasure she bought at the swap meet- a moo-moo for her Barbie. I know you are all jealous.