tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86522888906154132862024-02-18T20:20:06.731-08:00Vaka, Brooke & Jacob Tu'ifuaOur own mixed plate of cultures, thoughts, and happenings...Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13933590557067231243noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8652288890615413286.post-5185937829534491402011-03-20T22:20:00.000-07:002011-03-21T10:22:29.497-07:00Due DateIt's hard to believe that given my history of being overdue, today I should still look like this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmR0L9QK8t1sIgs1qSwVLUUvF9R7e9TRDUqBwVtGzVFksI260GybbcG3JJFlnv8NS9Y7SPg1YlYdNGaTkZE16p2PU4i0n80LZmXnqWAWN2YJp42HVMfPZxNOerRcPH8Zj7milq9qzvQdt/s1600/IMG_0346.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmR0L9QK8t1sIgs1qSwVLUUvF9R7e9TRDUqBwVtGzVFksI260GybbcG3JJFlnv8NS9Y7SPg1YlYdNGaTkZE16p2PU4i0n80LZmXnqWAWN2YJp42HVMfPZxNOerRcPH8Zj7milq9qzvQdt/s320/IMG_0346.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586581709384203778" border="0" /></a><br />Instead, I am lucky to be 25 lbs lighter and get to snuggle my sweet baby from the outside, rather than in.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJe5xIucjewzZaXgq2fr4ymhl1NZdxFRpNQG4YswB6psnGJdGA6aBbd9fl2fU6MT0-EoTq4D-C5UwVcFZrmlhy6BsTi-VEVQ0PaCGSe7tXWwsdZshyv9qoCm1_RYXAuivJPCvMAT8bG6g/s1600/IMG_0583.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJe5xIucjewzZaXgq2fr4ymhl1NZdxFRpNQG4YswB6psnGJdGA6aBbd9fl2fU6MT0-EoTq4D-C5UwVcFZrmlhy6BsTi-VEVQ0PaCGSe7tXWwsdZshyv9qoCm1_RYXAuivJPCvMAT8bG6g/s320/IMG_0583.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586583619453938066" border="0" /></a><br />Today I am more than grateful I am not still pregnant, but I wouldn't mind if my sweet baby were 1 day old again. He is already growing so fast!Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13933590557067231243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8652288890615413286.post-17303047149277922092011-03-14T20:43:00.000-07:002011-03-16T21:25:55.277-07:00Mānoa Benjamin<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fDmtm27Qqt4u9hqz9tWga-WblT6ugszMexob2CVBneWAa82Ha9smk91XU-UsDNtJZ2bQ2mFOgaWVwv8IbOPJpN1g6BCcNpCUtva-MuqKkoOiD53L1VBB5DGzGzl0cckO5ie0R0yrbalE/s1600/IMG_0504.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fDmtm27Qqt4u9hqz9tWga-WblT6ugszMexob2CVBneWAa82Ha9smk91XU-UsDNtJZ2bQ2mFOgaWVwv8IbOPJpN1g6BCcNpCUtva-MuqKkoOiD53L1VBB5DGzGzl0cckO5ie0R0yrbalE/s320/IMG_0504.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584897578302361778" border="0" /></a><br />It's hard to believe a week has passed since we welcomed our sweet baby boy into our family.<span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="messageBody"> Mānoa Benjamin Vakameilalo Tu'ifua</span> arrived at 10:09 a.m. on March 7th, at 8 lbs 6 oz and 20 inches long.</span> I feel so blessed that I was able to carry him to 38 weeks and that we are both healthy and doing well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRam130K_MYIberyzMRTmk4QAgnHhLZCLJJd79SU02y2nHNxAciH9ydFOKy8lVD9Q0CeR_F5BkllIKip6Iryp8oF6VyL_HIK9dScDm3Xcbnf9Wst1zkv3RnNz8sFYDx-FIInJYEaLmj_z/s1600/IMG_0407.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRam130K_MYIberyzMRTmk4QAgnHhLZCLJJd79SU02y2nHNxAciH9ydFOKy8lVD9Q0CeR_F5BkllIKip6Iryp8oF6VyL_HIK9dScDm3Xcbnf9Wst1zkv3RnNz8sFYDx-FIInJYEaLmj_z/s320/IMG_0407.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584891975686690722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYy5QNzwh6bbH8YcTEn_wg4BMH1dJSh2ncDjUeMHKj8nNOyQ8xnlH9Gmb_IqKtnJ_CQQU-DO0VnIQziJ9gf-JkFeXkvAvkzI1Jpzpsb6_B-4d7Gk1EbjbGSoym5ocqwujEwG2OWaMUi6Y/s1600/IMG_0413.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYy5QNzwh6bbH8YcTEn_wg4BMH1dJSh2ncDjUeMHKj8nNOyQ8xnlH9Gmb_IqKtnJ_CQQU-DO0VnIQziJ9gf-JkFeXkvAvkzI1Jpzpsb6_B-4d7Gk1EbjbGSoym5ocqwujEwG2OWaMUi6Y/s320/IMG_0413.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584892441755968930" border="0" /></a><br />My doctor and the nurses and staff at the hospital were SO good to make sure my delivery this time around was easier emotionally and physically than when I had to have an emergency c-section with Jacob. It was a much better experience all around and already I am recovering so much better than before.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fwzKxmbDvQNeIm4oY7UTOnxVJozcA-gaNb85n4tKbhLH5ApFDld4iYhEo9K6RLT41Qgt4hYgHvVmkUmTrUb5xeC4PrUACL1URYrW9AEdPeg9LUdCJ9RsmnMsPRXWLjWxl-FSXAfLIYnS/s1600/IMG_0475.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fwzKxmbDvQNeIm4oY7UTOnxVJozcA-gaNb85n4tKbhLH5ApFDld4iYhEo9K6RLT41Qgt4hYgHvVmkUmTrUb5xeC4PrUACL1URYrW9AEdPeg9LUdCJ9RsmnMsPRXWLjWxl-FSXAfLIYnS/s320/IMG_0475.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584894093952846146" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="messageBody">Mānoa is an angel baby. I don't want to jinx myself, but it appears he will be much calmer and easier than Jacob was. He is already on a schedule, and is a great sleeper at night and only wakes every 3-4 hours to eat. </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="messageBody">Some unique characteristics - he has a small patch of blond hair above his left ear and long fingers and fingernails. Other than that, I feel like I am looking at Jacob as a newborn all over again! </span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNB-13Y5tEvROKT4QurfWfEkb5wl3hLaiSOlLeeJsY9EtUGTk9PIq_9C9fdNgB9m8PTX98Fg3L2ZsSBf8gWd8AHdOyWSdWUJylVm2E6JEVew43bqsaDcvI2gJLmOPJy6yrr6h0-Vl7p8os/s1600/IMG_0494.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNB-13Y5tEvROKT4QurfWfEkb5wl3hLaiSOlLeeJsY9EtUGTk9PIq_9C9fdNgB9m8PTX98Fg3L2ZsSBf8gWd8AHdOyWSdWUJylVm2E6JEVew43bqsaDcvI2gJLmOPJy6yrr6h0-Vl7p8os/s320/IMG_0494.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584898588556316082" border="0" /></a><br />Jacob had a hard time the first day adjusting to his new baby brother, and said several times at the hospital "No baby <span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="messageBody">Mānoa </span></span>." However, by the time we checked out, he actually smiled while holding him. Now that we are home, he has turned into a big helper and pats his head when he cries, helps change his diaper, holds his binky in his mouth and gives him lots of kisses. He does however still have bouts of jealousy where he wants attention - the funniest to me has been that he demands he get HIS diaper changed first. All in all, he's handled the transition great!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWk1qVqB9wTMqDDXEVt9fR3anW55WADGES1lL8O2SD9RO54oIZ1JamHXZbiyJYaaBK9O5J2VEyl8Fn3OIym3krvyg943Spb2y4ydnb0SV2HhtDh20mm3ba_BUjxeUMOtSViXEmh5IspHX/s1600/IMG_0455.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWk1qVqB9wTMqDDXEVt9fR3anW55WADGES1lL8O2SD9RO54oIZ1JamHXZbiyJYaaBK9O5J2VEyl8Fn3OIym3krvyg943Spb2y4ydnb0SV2HhtDh20mm3ba_BUjxeUMOtSViXEmh5IspHX/s320/IMG_0455.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584895782348644242" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHYiHqyLn6VKa8on6qXNtEEuhxngcZSPg6GtFFFrVwjroFOORn_3SZ7mEYmS1dD4UMQIfouL4LL4OH7U-rd7Tm_7yAZYo7M-IlYqQIToGh09tII_QK4vjXxve7OOBZoorEpJ8bcs-qBUf/s1600/IMG_0492.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHYiHqyLn6VKa8on6qXNtEEuhxngcZSPg6GtFFFrVwjroFOORn_3SZ7mEYmS1dD4UMQIfouL4LL4OH7U-rd7Tm_7yAZYo7M-IlYqQIToGh09tII_QK4vjXxve7OOBZoorEpJ8bcs-qBUf/s320/IMG_0492.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584895394178595522" border="0" /></a><br />Having a new baby is a little slice of heaven. I don't know that there is anything better in the world than snuggling my baby in my arms!Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13933590557067231243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8652288890615413286.post-82368254377630119472011-02-22T18:01:00.000-08:002011-02-22T20:21:25.361-08:00New & ImprovedI had been waiting to do anything with Jacob's room until we knew the gender of the baby and would therefore know whether I had to figure out something gender neutral, or could go all out BOY. As soon as I found out Jacob would have a little brother, I knew I wanted to copy the design from <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.com/">this</a> blog. Surprisingly enough, it took me a couple months to get the guts to do it. I was worried the navy would make the room too dark, or that one day the white on the bottom would come back to haunt me, (i.e. imagine what could happen if markers fell into the hands of toddlers if left unattended) but I finally went with it, and I am loving it!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:180%;">BEFORE</span></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZ64Uj8uF23exHXODqIO5BTap5gRoOu0FlzN-p-V5LeDbct9EVpRTgSTpvsTi8qVZagryW9ZnWou3ioK3MKwFX85xOKlqsA9S1A2EHukN8JDhgYBnWY3P2HJOfVfH9mpdXWooLAUv83EV/s1600/March+2010+004.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZ64Uj8uF23exHXODqIO5BTap5gRoOu0FlzN-p-V5LeDbct9EVpRTgSTpvsTi8qVZagryW9ZnWou3ioK3MKwFX85xOKlqsA9S1A2EHukN8JDhgYBnWY3P2HJOfVfH9mpdXWooLAUv83EV/s320/March+2010+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576702507474821682" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:180%;">AFTER</span></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMy0NlySzVlR-cJTkdMjGus4KknMrmWFIrZJ16mQYmkgbv7oK7qzhvb1EDRcBT3vjxLHNV92zERliFkgdEI7d-7CE06ZcrNu30sBcTGsyAMKsI3UQq00xWJ48UL2ZgGDl3r06n9kUKK2oL/s1600/IMG_0372.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMy0NlySzVlR-cJTkdMjGus4KknMrmWFIrZJ16mQYmkgbv7oK7qzhvb1EDRcBT3vjxLHNV92zERliFkgdEI7d-7CE06ZcrNu30sBcTGsyAMKsI3UQq00xWJ48UL2ZgGDl3r06n9kUKK2oL/s320/IMG_0372.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576701060200006626" border="0" /></a><br />It obviously still needs lots of work with accessories, bedding, etc; and it will never look as awesome as the room I got the idea from, but it is amazing how much a bit of paint and trim can transform a room!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgDftxVR6ILKzn8mzIkT6TA0wuCu_SJQMjlj6PvWmuPfguBXfS3jOcuBEiUBLqrfGjijxzzwL1hMtNxscHUo4X775wAHKj6vIm9Umq1YiWW2IdBXcYlzuOxOJNqljZu91y7eNH5cArC34/s1600/IMG_0362.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgDftxVR6ILKzn8mzIkT6TA0wuCu_SJQMjlj6PvWmuPfguBXfS3jOcuBEiUBLqrfGjijxzzwL1hMtNxscHUo4X775wAHKj6vIm9Umq1YiWW2IdBXcYlzuOxOJNqljZu91y7eNH5cArC34/s320/IMG_0362.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576700722740191122" border="0" /></a>I originally had considered using beadboard, but after pricing it, it just wasn't in our budget, and I had heard it can be a pain to install. Instead, the faux board and batten was SO easy and because we already had the white paint left over from finishing the basement, all we had to buy was the blue paint and trim, totaling a mere $114.27.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0KQmDwKakDfFzcNCvqdPZnSQoI9ByWVyfcrBtyJdkoX2-8ROhs7aS0vCv3dxa_LPvhZ_WAtHQAX_8-VvYpQ5V1x1wCcnqjcO1ojRfHD6b283i1LWTlf02-hvWaOt6f-B_uoJkxmNCTM4/s1600/IMG_0366.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0KQmDwKakDfFzcNCvqdPZnSQoI9ByWVyfcrBtyJdkoX2-8ROhs7aS0vCv3dxa_LPvhZ_WAtHQAX_8-VvYpQ5V1x1wCcnqjcO1ojRfHD6b283i1LWTlf02-hvWaOt6f-B_uoJkxmNCTM4/s320/IMG_0366.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576700484847694498" border="0" /></a>And for good measure, a recent picture of the soon-to-be big brother who is loving his new room!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_H2181Nlj5XiV7acsHrQvn5uFkt9y56mJ3jlJ_7kBn-uxLPIPakEjsguoWvpB3BWKbVLLLjC9qcLzFPifLqsaHTuMk5qMKPAIlmXw06rRv7x2x-qa3AGRtp24xAtv6InzFyhtdjd6bD6m/s1600/IMG_0359.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_H2181Nlj5XiV7acsHrQvn5uFkt9y56mJ3jlJ_7kBn-uxLPIPakEjsguoWvpB3BWKbVLLLjC9qcLzFPifLqsaHTuMk5qMKPAIlmXw06rRv7x2x-qa3AGRtp24xAtv6InzFyhtdjd6bD6m/s320/IMG_0359.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576700823063181330" border="0" /></a>Not the best picture as he is sick (crossing my fingers he'll get better quickly and we'll all get at least one full night of sleep before baby arrives!) but as you can see, my little guy is all grown up. I can't wait to see him love on his baby brother!Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13933590557067231243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8652288890615413286.post-3657151818105760382011-02-06T20:54:00.001-08:002011-02-06T21:23:34.210-08:00Life as we now know itFor any of you who still read this blog, don't have a heart attack. Yes, it's true, I am posting! Hopefully it will be a more regular occurrence because it is something I enjoy and that I have missed, but just couldn't warrant the time to keep up with it until now.<br /><br />Many have asked for an update on my pregnancy complications and what exactly I am up to these days... so this may not be the greatest "comeback" post, but hopefully I'll have more interesting posts in the near future!<br /><br />At the beginning of January I went to my 29 week OB appointment and my only worry was that I had put on way too much weight over the holidays. Lucky for me, weight gain was great (only 3 lbs over the past 4 weeks!) but I had elevated blood pressure and traces of protein in my urine sample. So, my doctor ordered a non-stress test and more extensive labwork to test for preeclampsia. Long story short, at that point I wasn't concerned and assumed the results would come back negative. WRONG. I went to my appointment a week later and was officially diagnosed. Unfortunately for me, I have known people who had suffered from worst-case scenario preeclampsia and freaked out. Yet luckily for me, I was at the best-case scenario stage and should I worsen, I was far enough along that hopefully my baby boy would survive without any long-term damage.<br /><br />The month of January was spent trying to finish up at my job, trying to get at least the important things in order should I need to deliver early, undergoing twice-a-week NST's, labwork and doctor appointments, all while trying to "take it easy" so that my blood pressure stayed at a normal level.<br /><br />This past week was my first full week as a real stay-at-home mom, and I have loved it! It was hard to leave work after having been there for 5 1/2 years, but surprisingly the transition has been much easier than I anticipated. It is amazing how much I can get done in one day at home - clean, cook a healthy meal, play with my little monster and still fit in a nap and some "me" time! Aside from the continued twice-a-week tests that can take anywhere from 1-4 hours, life is good!<br /><br />It has been a physically and emotionally past few weeks and I am already exhausted from all the testing, etc. However, the one positive in all of this - because of my condition, they won't let me carry past 38 weeks, so the c-section is scheduled and I know that 4 weeks from now I will officially be DONE being pregnant and have a beautiful new baby boy!Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13933590557067231243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8652288890615413286.post-76174373924655151922010-03-07T12:45:00.000-08:002010-03-07T19:03:42.745-08:00Home Sweet HomeSo apparently my "comeback" took longer for me to make than anticipated. I blame it all on my full-time job as a legal assistant, full-time job as a mother of an energetic 1 year old, full-time job of trying to find my husband a job so I can ditch my full-time job, time consuming new calling at church on top of the usual dishes, cleaning, cooking, exercising... you get the picture.<br /><br />But here they are at long last. The long awaited house pictures. I owe it to my missionary brother who finally got me motivated to take some after he requested them for the tenth time, because, who can say no to a missionary? :)<br /><br />The main reason I've been putting off posting pictures?? Lack of a clean house. These were taken during the five minutes after cleaning that the house actually stays clean. My second reason? Lack of decorating. I still have boxes to unpack, pictures to hang, window treatments to make and rooms to paint. I've finally come to terms with the fact that it will probably always be a work in progress, and that I won't have much time to dedicate to making it mine as long as I have all of the above going on.<br /><br />So, without further adieu...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_4LvsMNof_XdRk0xgPEfoe1RL5M23SSDHvajeJiP-Gtm9k3jlocETSyPdac1oBiEzu2SabkcPghgXU71sh47epRpFkZ1F6koTS9dIt3MvXi0CFyaZDdaAazmPBWyQ2XIruq0oAZN3glV/s1600-h/December+2009+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_4LvsMNof_XdRk0xgPEfoe1RL5M23SSDHvajeJiP-Gtm9k3jlocETSyPdac1oBiEzu2SabkcPghgXU71sh47epRpFkZ1F6koTS9dIt3MvXi0CFyaZDdaAazmPBWyQ2XIruq0oAZN3glV/s320/December+2009+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446087880528839922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Front/side view</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdGJAqHe9uOZneZ70HxwRLiBjvOPfUkYVSgXwC9h2wraKwHdLJhppk4vHUK1ftHe4d1Zwvg2KQWrCHU5yPFJ1-qTwJ0xeyRmaJKu2p0UAp73ZacJD8STPW7K8uDINlA0aQTF8sVyfCDsW/s1600-h/December+2009+002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdGJAqHe9uOZneZ70HxwRLiBjvOPfUkYVSgXwC9h2wraKwHdLJhppk4vHUK1ftHe4d1Zwvg2KQWrCHU5yPFJ1-qTwJ0xeyRmaJKu2p0UAp73ZacJD8STPW7K8uDINlA0aQTF8sVyfCDsW/s320/December+2009+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446087432746918210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Back view</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgNEP5XYzG_XXSvxkSpKlCY5p3rOuGIjR2A_hFm-dlLVy6PoppEbMz7rTN9HE6o-Dk-hzAK3-uqGYRzOFofzjch955jniOZSUeV3SuoO2rvLVjWhJc_N0VeyTmUoSCBBt9Xr_RafK5Vzi/s1600-h/March+2010+002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgNEP5XYzG_XXSvxkSpKlCY5p3rOuGIjR2A_hFm-dlLVy6PoppEbMz7rTN9HE6o-Dk-hzAK3-uqGYRzOFofzjch955jniOZSUeV3SuoO2rvLVjWhJc_N0VeyTmUoSCBBt9Xr_RafK5Vzi/s320/March+2010+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446034921207738210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Family room from front door</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABi-fdIygqh28Jjrfr3P9mhgYcOnFcyx-MVCBbILRTz9HegLPQnsX7I3jEVfVcWEogq530ZwZZQjAYYdKDWWpzdz0ng2AeTiLdg6HS3fBqhSzFXf9ZpJc7Q3q8iNHJqkcZRfgzcgWRg58/s1600-h/March+2010+001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABi-fdIygqh28Jjrfr3P9mhgYcOnFcyx-MVCBbILRTz9HegLPQnsX7I3jEVfVcWEogq530ZwZZQjAYYdKDWWpzdz0ng2AeTiLdg6HS3fBqhSzFXf9ZpJc7Q3q8iNHJqkcZRfgzcgWRg58/s320/March+2010+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446035225208727634" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeKOe0-8jP8ZL1AW1F9bOIAW5UzKVLS-kcZC4X7JgkBDjTotw2fLrs7_xK66N82JsNOYi26rxpw7NeKRDMXQYq55EPQUu_p89UmX2Absjlk3m2aCo4N4mfQ2gppVhs5Qlkjp60v7GkIKH/s1600-h/March+2010+004+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeKOe0-8jP8ZL1AW1F9bOIAW5UzKVLS-kcZC4X7JgkBDjTotw2fLrs7_xK66N82JsNOYi26rxpw7NeKRDMXQYq55EPQUu_p89UmX2Absjlk3m2aCo4N4mfQ2gppVhs5Qlkjp60v7GkIKH/s320/March+2010+004+-+Copy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446034474101247186" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kitchen from front door</span><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfhfkyADTFRLiij7XyTenG19Llk9R0IPLaSFgZjGuw3mHfAsNTck0uF-uthVF22hpFxTPNK2G_AhZkQAC_oMz97FvXtgJxVIrMX0wb43X1xKBm2Mu5tLIYTXBlISqBTaw-ww26ry7NPyF/s1600-h/March+2010+006+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfhfkyADTFRLiij7XyTenG19Llk9R0IPLaSFgZjGuw3mHfAsNTck0uF-uthVF22hpFxTPNK2G_AhZkQAC_oMz97FvXtgJxVIrMX0wb43X1xKBm2Mu5tLIYTXBlISqBTaw-ww26ry7NPyF/s320/March+2010+006+-+Copy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446034236920753122" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTlls5zJNYX9n7JIFOP3itODLoLrBFv7tPnbeUt1RGnRfMOtcn1OOTXEXC9opxcB8PDO-r6Vj4SA36kFuySlBWYa0ujLs76xKgH1n7scFcxQFah-FidbAb0g2GztprJ8enwQDLEBfzR2S/s1600-h/March+2010+002+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTlls5zJNYX9n7JIFOP3itODLoLrBFv7tPnbeUt1RGnRfMOtcn1OOTXEXC9opxcB8PDO-r6Vj4SA36kFuySlBWYa0ujLs76xKgH1n7scFcxQFah-FidbAb0g2GztprJ8enwQDLEBfzR2S/s320/March+2010+002+-+Copy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446089609175824898" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kitchen from laundry/pantry</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7Hrx5hfNuUhoGd09cdneoB-5S-nmlSuWa7kdb_Ontj3o7MhpFmULdYwuwQ31kIquLHeWivqEPM_d8AlV6i4qLT2tzV350EUi6haIEZWhM0tsWLhS0ylObtRooMhBq3ui75IrQHFI1bHm/s1600-h/March+2010+007+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7Hrx5hfNuUhoGd09cdneoB-5S-nmlSuWa7kdb_Ontj3o7MhpFmULdYwuwQ31kIquLHeWivqEPM_d8AlV6i4qLT2tzV350EUi6haIEZWhM0tsWLhS0ylObtRooMhBq3ui75IrQHFI1bHm/s320/March+2010+007+-+Copy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446033565570442658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Laundry/pantry off the kitchen</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(awesome floor to ceiling pantry shelves on opposite side)</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJl9dWsbYy9DfNR8MYio8_6kqTbhg2ZgQPQG8dLk_zyb3CCqvgoweBbqMUGeA8pj9RTIjOhVb0TYzR2so5_8ibS9IK85heqCYcgclyK-hzrxaXtRQgrjhlryYvAMVwnYnMmrJPe37detmE/s1600-h/March+2010+005.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJl9dWsbYy9DfNR8MYio8_6kqTbhg2ZgQPQG8dLk_zyb3CCqvgoweBbqMUGeA8pj9RTIjOhVb0TYzR2so5_8ibS9IK85heqCYcgclyK-hzrxaXtRQgrjhlryYvAMVwnYnMmrJPe37detmE/s320/March+2010+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446032527039448802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Main bath</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(probably my fav room in the house, probably because it is the only one I've actually done anything with! Still needs work though... what to put above the toilet???)</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilL1zKi4WPmx3gY3Qpl1VAo0TwDBNScpEX0jU10uGEttYakO6xkkQhdq08X4PS2STP08yf4qqX9uxbEFzZbhuRIPj64jTpZNveN_g52ekElq-HK9P692jw-wwbsfoGYYGAs8MF4lwv_Ao4/s1600-h/March+2010+007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilL1zKi4WPmx3gY3Qpl1VAo0TwDBNScpEX0jU10uGEttYakO6xkkQhdq08X4PS2STP08yf4qqX9uxbEFzZbhuRIPj64jTpZNveN_g52ekElq-HK9P692jw-wwbsfoGYYGAs8MF4lwv_Ao4/s320/March+2010+007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446033083785717186" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMOQVKa6gsedS0zEPIb_AobHiaDtjF2GF4h8Uk3qFylrDIb_9Z7tNZhSLzco5_-aXnieZsZiQPHT25EoT_JshDaNiHRicoPWzDUI_BDbPSzSn4t-WP22YCdZobe6LY-WQM91D-VXQrxRZ/s1600-h/March+2010+008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMOQVKa6gsedS0zEPIb_AobHiaDtjF2GF4h8Uk3qFylrDIb_9Z7tNZhSLzco5_-aXnieZsZiQPHT25EoT_JshDaNiHRicoPWzDUI_BDbPSzSn4t-WP22YCdZobe6LY-WQM91D-VXQrxRZ/s320/March+2010+008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446032733004245522" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Iyhg1zo6aefl7-GYiirXXtmiiYa-7aP7OHtKPS9dXiAm7M7TlG9pMy4IKRhsb3whArpY1c678u8gC0MiyuOAm_SjnkgThDw-DECNkpGl1ZneqkKOdEuO8UIqMT_20EHj65esGZSDrpj1/s1600-h/March+2010+004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Iyhg1zo6aefl7-GYiirXXtmiiYa-7aP7OHtKPS9dXiAm7M7TlG9pMy4IKRhsb3whArpY1c678u8gC0MiyuOAm_SjnkgThDw-DECNkpGl1ZneqkKOdEuO8UIqMT_20EHj65esGZSDrpj1/s320/March+2010+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446032266933926578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jacob's room</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(Sorry, no pic of the master; too messy! I'll up</span><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="on down" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Bold" title="Bold" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 3);ButtonMouseDown(this);"></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;">date once we have it painted/refurnished)</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ58YcuvXvjdHD587hG8qhIt9nNcHK3t7OajyxkDZYi4R0Op1CSfHPSWOKZUxQzHbyU0EmdTuR3pMuL0VE6_HHyjS4L6gVxmsgLrbStdtS5xw642olxc9nsaViXYdmy8JImLRNqqvFufuy/s1600-h/March+2010+001+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ58YcuvXvjdHD587hG8qhIt9nNcHK3t7OajyxkDZYi4R0Op1CSfHPSWOKZUxQzHbyU0EmdTuR3pMuL0VE6_HHyjS4L6gVxmsgLrbStdtS5xw642olxc9nsaViXYdmy8JImLRNqqvFufuy/s320/March+2010+001+-+Copy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446086987012706706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Downstairs rec room</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />(Yes, we need more furniture! Slowly but surely. The doors on either side open into unfinished space of what will be two bedrooms. Hooray for tax returns so we can finally get to work on that. Then there will be no excuse for you all to not come visit! There is also a second bath down here and lots and lots of storage space.)<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM50gspS10fvXEb-hSE0h0zl_O6X1Fhnal_8JupuIuHtkwPYdPTX21He1lJysWqf-L037ZwuCY881DCnpymb8YXsJMmbhunnBiDIAoXn5irMkmCxrKAJFU6X9cQgaTuYwHlyg1FnG9yJCZ/s1600-h/December+2009+001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM50gspS10fvXEb-hSE0h0zl_O6X1Fhnal_8JupuIuHtkwPYdPTX21He1lJysWqf-L037ZwuCY881DCnpymb8YXsJMmbhunnBiDIAoXn5irMkmCxrKAJFU6X9cQgaTuYwHlyg1FnG9yJCZ/s320/December+2009+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446085956762426066" border="0" /></a>And last but not least, the <span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >tile</span> deserves a picture of its own, because a lot of blood, sweat and tears went into laying it. And yes, Jacob messes it up on a daily basis. It was <span style="font-weight: bold;">A LOT</span> of work, but looks nice when it's clean!<br /></div>Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13933590557067231243noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8652288890615413286.post-10367890645367923992010-02-05T19:30:00.000-08:002010-02-05T20:01:33.766-08:00Back from hiding...This blog has officially been stagnant for six months now, and it is time for that to END. :) I am not even sure any readers of this blog remain after having been MIA for so long. But for any of you that care, I plan to update current as well as past events, for sake of journaling and record keeping. My main ambition this year is to create a book of the blog through the end of 2009, and to do so, I have a lot of catching up to do! So for any of you lingering readers who are curious as to what has happened in our lives the past six months, check back soon!<br /><br />For now, here's a pic of the not-so-little guy that makes our life worthwhile.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVeNfV-F4nv3mGjr7liN8N4YC7eWTU3gmjly35hHKmP05FMbyvM7pfW3mfI6zDXqZy9pUvYYoW3RMd8o__AmXceiQ_9xQ7B9gqfuMvA0aiK0pVwBdkx2FkmpwDzRm5PdeO0dlOTiRXKV9/s1600-h/jacob+bedhead.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVeNfV-F4nv3mGjr7liN8N4YC7eWTU3gmjly35hHKmP05FMbyvM7pfW3mfI6zDXqZy9pUvYYoW3RMd8o__AmXceiQ_9xQ7B9gqfuMvA0aiK0pVwBdkx2FkmpwDzRm5PdeO0dlOTiRXKV9/s400/jacob+bedhead.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434974942854593602" border="0" /></a>Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13933590557067231243noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8652288890615413286.post-21191663312641602082009-08-04T19:42:00.001-07:002009-08-04T20:18:29.473-07:00Tu'ifua Reunion 2009<div style="text-align: center;">The main purpose of our trip to Washington was to attend the Tu'ifua reunion in Seattle. It included all Tu'ifua's from Vaka's great-grandpa's line of 13 sons. We camped at Camp Lakeview, WA and it was absolutely gorgeous. Literally. I told Vaka to quit school so we could move. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjWzL3my5oaApT4zWbVreuL1ma6D3W2Q0LCgdLXdkNR6UQc1sQGJyEmBs_jypaxRKivtb61yGtFVtdFVb3NHCxPtozNcFvPhAL57g4TsBEX3c59qd_rq0u4t6z4JpkpU5bQcUyRBENJY3/s1600-h/100_2009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjWzL3my5oaApT4zWbVreuL1ma6D3W2Q0LCgdLXdkNR6UQc1sQGJyEmBs_jypaxRKivtb61yGtFVtdFVb3NHCxPtozNcFvPhAL57g4TsBEX3c59qd_rq0u4t6z4JpkpU5bQcUyRBENJY3/s400/100_2009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366308555742061570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Ulu'amu and his kids/grandkids at the reunion</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Because of school, our trip was shorter than we would have liked, and it was hard to leave before the reunion was over. However, in the time we were there we enjoyed EATING, swimming in the lake, EATING, dancing, EATING, playing cards, EATING, spending time with family and of course, EATING. It was a Tongan reunion - you get the point! Here are just a few of the many pictures...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATCRE4Gbimo9AEVxUjti7aA8HRCJPxIzJVcV24vu6YhqhyLA-rOF9maTzJ2XbHIZhkQRdoiIE2cyclWlXNP5a9ByW1UGvWXx1PYpiNVBeX7fAf5vijeSHRB1pidaiwi6uRNWMcHQHFTSq/s1600-h/100_1993.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATCRE4Gbimo9AEVxUjti7aA8HRCJPxIzJVcV24vu6YhqhyLA-rOF9maTzJ2XbHIZhkQRdoiIE2cyclWlXNP5a9ByW1UGvWXx1PYpiNVBeX7fAf5vijeSHRB1pidaiwi6uRNWMcHQHFTSq/s320/100_1993.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366306831316217026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Three generations of Tu'ifua boys<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9F2FK4wWbfx2GgPrfif7DIsMdhZL3W4kQUrG9TNMIy72_kpcc3MhBGl71FrMWtgJZUoU4d4owemRAdhyGfTd4ujkPYBDn0gZP-dcnvZ4nwrNoJmHgqxfBXpft8L-BM_9lvjyM7f1gfh0/s1600-h/100_1996.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9F2FK4wWbfx2GgPrfif7DIsMdhZL3W4kQUrG9TNMIy72_kpcc3MhBGl71FrMWtgJZUoU4d4owemRAdhyGfTd4ujkPYBDn0gZP-dcnvZ4nwrNoJmHgqxfBXpft8L-BM_9lvjyM7f1gfh0/s320/100_1996.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366306128582297586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Our little family. Check out that view!<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGU2J6lqsFZ31uU1kR8vdIR_GPBUGupQt_I3INma8f0lrkG4gJiaZ9fcdnsTAjSlSpJkD2tMRZQOfFgWgO8_ACa-dJ_g0NrNZuZiw5P6yCW-lqgw1lvBjdqnZ222GklD-uTgIHYgVOO9jN/s1600-h/100_2002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGU2J6lqsFZ31uU1kR8vdIR_GPBUGupQt_I3INma8f0lrkG4gJiaZ9fcdnsTAjSlSpJkD2tMRZQOfFgWgO8_ACa-dJ_g0NrNZuZiw5P6yCW-lqgw1lvBjdqnZ222GklD-uTgIHYgVOO9jN/s320/100_2002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366305976812215762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Breakfast with Kristen, Lillie & Bradley.<br />So glad my awesome sis-in-law was there so I wasn't the only non native Tongan speaker!</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8k8R8XG2t_PYDW4wXacvnO3nErvKlw8EGjCMcj7KK7vZa2SM99ui3sH4jMHNXpp3d4XN_IQI5rtOpH5LEMBtcjtycL7ozLOfY6fHvqX3MEUTkTw7unDrfvMO0COoigeXv4sLgVCaDIzgu/s1600-h/LOTOLANGI_FAMILY_REUNION_491.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8k8R8XG2t_PYDW4wXacvnO3nErvKlw8EGjCMcj7KK7vZa2SM99ui3sH4jMHNXpp3d4XN_IQI5rtOpH5LEMBtcjtycL7ozLOfY6fHvqX3MEUTkTw7unDrfvMO0COoigeXv4sLgVCaDIzgu/s320/LOTOLANGI_FAMILY_REUNION_491.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366307148562194866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Vaka's aunties - Solia, Tae and 'Anau</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFWWHRu7ZgdId0uj7aesCDp0asljmFLqFwrytfcp9OGxJn3krC7e759LpoInJu8BmU2z1d-X1pWFBS_Q9JcQSJgcw7HJ_CS9Nma1AbU9zB6DFxiZYv67TuLdlKJtjDcJmgxMXf16mYsu2b/s1600-h/100_2010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFWWHRu7ZgdId0uj7aesCDp0asljmFLqFwrytfcp9OGxJn3krC7e759LpoInJu8BmU2z1d-X1pWFBS_Q9JcQSJgcw7HJ_CS9Nma1AbU9zB6DFxiZYv67TuLdlKJtjDcJmgxMXf16mYsu2b/s320/100_2010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366305784341141490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Vaka and his cousin Mele</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Zq2VOYsaxmd6JDTmVVHqLxp4RZBu7teNCq6LV0vYcQgNoZkg9X3Oh-b9rbPkGi8j8n1O3sozh0RzzI6MIPb1QlUhtEEVzqaGoS50WqzPBWfFNOqA8IjwkAhArEadgBhQ2jf1vFMlK2Us/s1600-h/IMG_1832.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Zq2VOYsaxmd6JDTmVVHqLxp4RZBu7teNCq6LV0vYcQgNoZkg9X3Oh-b9rbPkGi8j8n1O3sozh0RzzI6MIPb1QlUhtEEVzqaGoS50WqzPBWfFNOqA8IjwkAhArEadgBhQ2jf1vFMlK2Us/s320/IMG_1832.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366305512151653250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">'Ulu & his new wife Naioka</span>. <span style="font-style: italic;">So good to finally meet her!</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYlwNU0YG_5Telry_TmRm7B7-ahqiASOrCki-CZ0Emk6MgOahwXQzP4vsJZ5W-f9Q_DgJRjpd47Y16A_bURXK88eB9qtDw4Ak-FTHFfZH-h7BZJZRORYWmbgbqXl8D6yZxc1CqitDFhvE/s1600-h/LOTOLANGI_FAMILY_REUNION_476.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYlwNU0YG_5Telry_TmRm7B7-ahqiASOrCki-CZ0Emk6MgOahwXQzP4vsJZ5W-f9Q_DgJRjpd47Y16A_bURXK88eB9qtDw4Ak-FTHFfZH-h7BZJZRORYWmbgbqXl8D6yZxc1CqitDFhvE/s320/LOTOLANGI_FAMILY_REUNION_476.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366305183071131778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Tu'ifua's chillin'<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhweJJgOcJSmvMSpG89wV59wAICsuRG7tSIGDEy8XfuONFHahva-cAoftNL5qg8wn7RaGNadGfLS22TcZanuvfGlzcNvyXlUqZDlH1LiXHoo_JELPhyphenhyphenrWPATR0NzSccB9R7FXyZNSnxeckc/s1600-h/tuifua_reunion_09_061.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhweJJgOcJSmvMSpG89wV59wAICsuRG7tSIGDEy8XfuONFHahva-cAoftNL5qg8wn7RaGNadGfLS22TcZanuvfGlzcNvyXlUqZDlH1LiXHoo_JELPhyphenhyphenrWPATR0NzSccB9R7FXyZNSnxeckc/s320/tuifua_reunion_09_061.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366304837581730482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">All of the Tu'ifua's from Grandpa Feliha'a's line</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We love any opportunity we have to spend with Vaka's family since we don't get to see them often living so far away. We've been lucky to see many of them this year and I was so happy to have Jacob finally meet his Tu'ifua cousins. It was a fun for me to meet so many of Vaka's extended family and finally put faces to names and mentally figure out all the relations, which as you can imagine, isn't simple! Though sometimes the culture can be overwhelming and the language barrier frustrating, it is such a blessing to be a part of such a large, loving family.<br /></div></div>Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13933590557067231243noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8652288890615413286.post-63594335106401581732009-08-04T19:17:00.000-07:002009-08-04T19:35:45.990-07:00LOVE these guys!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6fUDC077xQjNfBRNNFkH9wZzylooTKBuWrSGHwA-Zwrx9x8l1m20Tz6x2MY_SSiidqKpULAd7y5hGpBFS5wyEfL0O8KWG5kcEWawtNoGhU3KlrQHg4Dn-1lULMXJfts2Jt0PJ5bIu4Ax/s1600-h/100_1987.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6fUDC077xQjNfBRNNFkH9wZzylooTKBuWrSGHwA-Zwrx9x8l1m20Tz6x2MY_SSiidqKpULAd7y5hGpBFS5wyEfL0O8KWG5kcEWawtNoGhU3KlrQHg4Dn-1lULMXJfts2Jt0PJ5bIu4Ax/s320/100_1987.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366302138336961330" border="0" /></a><br />The first stop of our Northwest trip was meeting up with the Chavez' in Washington. We met for lunch at our fav, The Cheesecake Factory and then went to Ben's grandparents' condo to chill and give Jacob some freedom to crawl around. Jessica and I were co-workers at Fillmore Spencer before Ben graduated and they relocated to Washington for work. Jessica has been there for my major life events, hosting both my bridal and baby shower, and is definitely a lifelong friend. When they moved, she was pregnant with Emilia, so the highlight of our visit with them was meeting their sweet baby girl! So good to see you again and hopefully you'll make a visit out here soon!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIXbuuDUS15tiBBOltNOsHdwuTtqZlnNch0EoEOHMnSOLmXDowRRr8Lv37t4_FMeXX6UxxmYIw_UBdgqsBzGAPnB0hfQRVRJGi65sZwlUgFqUiY3hhCqmmJbYCV3SictPqghkNO6AgbOx/s1600-h/100_1988.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIXbuuDUS15tiBBOltNOsHdwuTtqZlnNch0EoEOHMnSOLmXDowRRr8Lv37t4_FMeXX6UxxmYIw_UBdgqsBzGAPnB0hfQRVRJGi65sZwlUgFqUiY3hhCqmmJbYCV3SictPqghkNO6AgbOx/s320/100_1988.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366301246931593538" border="0" /></a>The happy mommies with our uncooperative offspring. Someone please tell me I'm not doomed to have pictures like this from now on! (And yes I know, we look like giants next to these petite girls!)<br /></div>Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13933590557067231243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8652288890615413286.post-8586863262218808932009-07-22T12:46:00.000-07:002009-07-22T13:19:17.005-07:00Our little rasta man<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyEaCDAnts4jCduc1UcOMT49wxe7-9UzS-SsnnGFVvCkGIoaoxPgO4PFpjn3sbTmEETCLzOCmMgDoSANQQ_' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Look at that boy groove! If Michael were still alive, I think he just may have stolen some of these moves. :) (And yes, that is reggae playing in the background. Other favorites include hip hop and the Mickey Mouse clubhouse soundtrack)<br /></div></div>Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13933590557067231243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8652288890615413286.post-12096049458218200732009-07-20T20:29:00.000-07:002009-07-20T20:46:08.040-07:00California in PicturesFor our first vacation of the summer, we spent a jam packed, fun filled 3 days in Southern California. Here are some highlights of our trip:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZ1SOEnjymkJSWuzHx6UPU1YQ4KOIPjAj1j3XjK76GdxKO005QB6yTEfEYriwifqrjO6PI95EqEf7Nxf38CdNuJQL544LNz6ndIqIyAfEUy2WxnB7yad8VIbas-T9PSVWKY5chaccnVIg/s1600-h/Cali+Trip+2009+001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZ1SOEnjymkJSWuzHx6UPU1YQ4KOIPjAj1j3XjK76GdxKO005QB6yTEfEYriwifqrjO6PI95EqEf7Nxf38CdNuJQL544LNz6ndIqIyAfEUy2WxnB7yad8VIbas-T9PSVWKY5chaccnVIg/s320/Cali+Trip+2009+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360752028184446354" border="0" /></a>Cooling off in the resort pool<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsHaacNgC-y03CjFwvm1shVNMXBWmonioyDjv5pzltz6NkITSmsUjanLIOyio0FBgU-f1lAeYkvIz73W2Zjx7-djSHVKJQ5vLL4800AjCGQBSVoU04uUVnR_ZUwWsCPe25I5ZQeR8RVKx/s1600-h/Redlands+temple.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsHaacNgC-y03CjFwvm1shVNMXBWmonioyDjv5pzltz6NkITSmsUjanLIOyio0FBgU-f1lAeYkvIz73W2Zjx7-djSHVKJQ5vLL4800AjCGQBSVoU04uUVnR_ZUwWsCPe25I5ZQeR8RVKx/s320/Redlands+temple.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360752116151471426" border="0" /></a>Attending the Redlands temple with Ben as he received his endowments<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dvXMpYxhjBpAcetPhMaGKHFPtj1W-tn5EYJbRHQSePcoepdAJHKBet7aaSiR4aaep1c38bJpNxUOoineIyCjhLfUx9pJ9EJbwfLLyp26pAVU-88ZcJGYBN2HTLRShczC_JrwKZ3sDqPe/s1600-h/Cali+Trip+2009+021.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dvXMpYxhjBpAcetPhMaGKHFPtj1W-tn5EYJbRHQSePcoepdAJHKBet7aaSiR4aaep1c38bJpNxUOoineIyCjhLfUx9pJ9EJbwfLLyp26pAVU-88ZcJGYBN2HTLRShczC_JrwKZ3sDqPe/s320/Cali+Trip+2009+021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360751747268067058" border="0" /></a>Grandma enjoying having all 3 grandchildren together<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUU1jrzkNsZ_WyK0bIV_stVoeh74gJBeRRkfRYItQbb4ujKb3repEOpd1HpKwJHRHRnFyBHFTqecBpitGbJcLD4YVqJPDpbQKp_GxaIfcWBTLBb3n7PuLbiImeBOsqqkAwZC4PUOl1SS3/s1600-h/Haylee+boating.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUU1jrzkNsZ_WyK0bIV_stVoeh74gJBeRRkfRYItQbb4ujKb3repEOpd1HpKwJHRHRnFyBHFTqecBpitGbJcLD4YVqJPDpbQKp_GxaIfcWBTLBb3n7PuLbiImeBOsqqkAwZC4PUOl1SS3/s320/Haylee+boating.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360751385905079090" border="0" /></a>Haylee enjoying her first boat ride on Big Bear Lake<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4b55fFNOnFN7ylba1CyPj2hv5uAgap9GwSQCLxCWY8Vp4bI5MloCV-mUIbonXYdXpIa0yAZX3UwLFIUa3b_m6tjf-Rw_hQ78CbiVAzb3Fg569pcL8Na2yvc9txjalTVx0-sqmW3-cA7C/s1600-h/Jacob+boating.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4b55fFNOnFN7ylba1CyPj2hv5uAgap9GwSQCLxCWY8Vp4bI5MloCV-mUIbonXYdXpIa0yAZX3UwLFIUa3b_m6tjf-Rw_hQ78CbiVAzb3Fg569pcL8Na2yvc9txjalTVx0-sqmW3-cA7C/s320/Jacob+boating.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360751131675613938" border="0" /></a>Jacob loving it too<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ugtsc5xjmCho_EXUyAeVDvqoaz0xrBoOIsbI0pAmJP0cIES-l8Py5qrM0z6Hh6ZMtiCR85QdJhe_62mxldhhIdlxf4RqGigxGW7bOQ1w38GFvmWbdvR5yRZUAKeiikImxV1Wg5Lmgelz/s1600-h/Cali+Trip+2009+014.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ugtsc5xjmCho_EXUyAeVDvqoaz0xrBoOIsbI0pAmJP0cIES-l8Py5qrM0z6Hh6ZMtiCR85QdJhe_62mxldhhIdlxf4RqGigxGW7bOQ1w38GFvmWbdvR5yRZUAKeiikImxV1Wg5Lmgelz/s320/Cali+Trip+2009+014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360751873372420530" border="0" /></a>Having fun at Disneyland<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5-9NBzkMzgwmbAwcL7xF1-0eNAe-OlIKbeorWrjnbPQTUf1VkXCCQldESRjfT5hQXNkjQ1mozy_RZOvYgzwJOzRCrbie7D2dnfjfCyGSvWcMmnBa5uKBCYIo_7OuAo_TdPXk2YI_8h9j/s1600-h/Cali+Trip+2009+007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5-9NBzkMzgwmbAwcL7xF1-0eNAe-OlIKbeorWrjnbPQTUf1VkXCCQldESRjfT5hQXNkjQ1mozy_RZOvYgzwJOzRCrbie7D2dnfjfCyGSvWcMmnBa5uKBCYIo_7OuAo_TdPXk2YI_8h9j/s320/Cali+Trip+2009+007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360750935013584434" border="0" /></a>These two boys LOVE their aunt Beka<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylOrrBOCz4OAbSGFdIns_BF6GOkT6RTRtjbrrdOG4-GGfrLzAnNL247lA5BHVPa9ju0ZGP0ivmKLwsT28kqHmsniHVPICu0nNB50WxTj1x9rN5SYoeX33xDTRyY2h25uGAPFtzLW5mD-o/s1600-h/Disneyland+family.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylOrrBOCz4OAbSGFdIns_BF6GOkT6RTRtjbrrdOG4-GGfrLzAnNL247lA5BHVPa9ju0ZGP0ivmKLwsT28kqHmsniHVPICu0nNB50WxTj1x9rN5SYoeX33xDTRyY2h25uGAPFtzLW5mD-o/s320/Disneyland+family.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360751038083288802" border="0" /></a>Jacob meeting Mickey for the first time, probably the highlight of the trip!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3ppNW6Qwuw3Sm4rEY0vhbtdyBtA4e24TQ13xN1V0kksr-oJiTObBPrK-j-nR1ZJjHeigUuTujnUSLHbigYQcgAeXFUIHdhqMLHiYjWasMbHz2lPA6qApHmlHhJxY2U5wbpiuOQUYgSAH/s1600-h/Cali+Trip+2009+015.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3ppNW6Qwuw3Sm4rEY0vhbtdyBtA4e24TQ13xN1V0kksr-oJiTObBPrK-j-nR1ZJjHeigUuTujnUSLHbigYQcgAeXFUIHdhqMLHiYjWasMbHz2lPA6qApHmlHhJxY2U5wbpiuOQUYgSAH/s320/Cali+Trip+2009+015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360750748474169042" border="0" /></a>And not much of this going on... except for JT who apparently can fall asleep in any position!<br /></div>Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13933590557067231243noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8652288890615413286.post-1801225568391056302009-07-20T20:19:00.000-07:002009-07-20T20:29:42.294-07:00Cereal Night 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tmQdO6ylWlOjWDmp1v9HOgKw5q1-SNEotbg8mbqLFHruoEpQ2QGt-UMIKKN1D_fu2izYCc_Dbwp_p28HtPe3b4aq6dITyz_Jd5Xa8cCw6VfuJ7FVlKFTQWB7i-EWIPDTrdQQkA96vl6w/s1600-h/cereal+night.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tmQdO6ylWlOjWDmp1v9HOgKw5q1-SNEotbg8mbqLFHruoEpQ2QGt-UMIKKN1D_fu2izYCc_Dbwp_p28HtPe3b4aq6dITyz_Jd5Xa8cCw6VfuJ7FVlKFTQWB7i-EWIPDTrdQQkA96vl6w/s320/cereal+night.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360748497669112018" border="0" /></a><br />4th of July weekend we reunited with some of my high school buddies for "cereal night" like we used to do back in the day. Sunday's after firesides, etc. we all gathered at the Hopkinson's for well, cereal. :) Many of us live out in Utah now, and others were in town and Andrea was awesome enough to organize and host. It was so fun to catch up with old friends. I left feeling 10 years younger! My high school years living in Hawaii were some of the most memorable of my life... thanks for all the fun guys!Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13933590557067231243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8652288890615413286.post-83640182184368960532009-07-03T19:01:00.001-07:002009-07-04T10:51:44.896-07:00Snip SnipI had been holding out for Jacob's first birthday to put him in the barber chair, but his hair just kept growing and growing and really starting to irritate him. So after lots of pressure and threats from Vaka that he would do it himself (yikes!), I succumbed.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_beN-CnupsGPXMHpIBI4KDl1CUoFXWR9jUCCuIH29rznp3fCII_IIfjJEQSw_aXCX1D9gL4W4odfDW6uMUW5V2E3oBeSG2UwoaTq4g5uX_YaSWKGXKxiXe6TeertU4sBmYETLWDpkHTh/s1600-h/Summer+2009+115.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_beN-CnupsGPXMHpIBI4KDl1CUoFXWR9jUCCuIH29rznp3fCII_IIfjJEQSw_aXCX1D9gL4W4odfDW6uMUW5V2E3oBeSG2UwoaTq4g5uX_YaSWKGXKxiXe6TeertU4sBmYETLWDpkHTh/s320/Summer+2009+115.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354660340234121810" border="0" /></a>The before shot of my terrified baby. So glad I captured this face!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJeemV-d-V4J2aYZv54L5fBh6XBb2ER8Q9WUEOlRR_4OttUgGNFVP9APl3CjTMEOpt_j9j0s0xUWRAHsEs8BQ57XQ41BjZLf2pYm67A2jaxyXs2yGyMJcIwBKClvUt8VhklHvr6v1Cfw84/s1600-h/Summer+2009+116.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJeemV-d-V4J2aYZv54L5fBh6XBb2ER8Q9WUEOlRR_4OttUgGNFVP9APl3CjTMEOpt_j9j0s0xUWRAHsEs8BQ57XQ41BjZLf2pYm67A2jaxyXs2yGyMJcIwBKClvUt8VhklHvr6v1Cfw84/s320/Summer+2009+116.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354660201812313634" border="0" /></a>And my handsome BOY after. This was what I was afraid of. He looks so much older! :(<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfGTE5oZemvlj91Tdglzb8TFOHCef1gGSPUn0OAtn6ExLwWTcJV9byCx2ZLS1WbwEykJaMyktMb-yygG-RJJS2AtskHlY-Bg77n3J0UQ9Ax6uHl6oKbo8vufpXiF0yyc9KQbFtXfd8piK/s1600-h/Summer+2009+117.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 237px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfGTE5oZemvlj91Tdglzb8TFOHCef1gGSPUn0OAtn6ExLwWTcJV9byCx2ZLS1WbwEykJaMyktMb-yygG-RJJS2AtskHlY-Bg77n3J0UQ9Ax6uHl6oKbo8vufpXiF0yyc9KQbFtXfd8piK/s320/Summer+2009+117.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354660072038896194" border="0" /></a><br />A big thanks to Rach for the job well done with such a squirmy, uncooperative baby! This girl has been doing my hair since my Liberty Square days (has it really been 7 years!?!) and was the only one I would trust with my baby's first cut.Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13933590557067231243noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8652288890615413286.post-42949190051649041112009-06-23T07:01:00.000-07:002009-06-24T20:39:07.220-07:00Fun in the Summer Sun<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3tpdJtOAej9AXeAtsQ8-8U_dRlzCQVXDMtsMUAHmXuGHGZnJNvlSiezdYVhxWD-k19XoV9b2_shGkA0PxMqi0HGKWM7HeaOOpXR-QvshaPrd3IyIdx8Cnd6kJjzIp2mFgD3aM97xFSjp/s1600-h/Summer+2009+017.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3tpdJtOAej9AXeAtsQ8-8U_dRlzCQVXDMtsMUAHmXuGHGZnJNvlSiezdYVhxWD-k19XoV9b2_shGkA0PxMqi0HGKWM7HeaOOpXR-QvshaPrd3IyIdx8Cnd6kJjzIp2mFgD3aM97xFSjp/s320/Summer+2009+017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351104160048456434" border="0" /></a><br />After 3 weeks of rarely seeing the sun, we took the first opportunity we had to hit the pool again. Luckily I was blessed with a water baby who adores water in any form!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXX9IZrthzi2C1cgw2fzNVvrA_S5h78tGYkaLwTr82mN42JtXAFMQZ7JA-HLoSux5e-YoZgZT5gqhW4lCelq7TzvPfZwS-XONjC3RZp31NJu2omtZPgo4O1e1EIzmaE-JWQJ1KBgFGpO1/s1600-h/Summer+2009+020.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXX9IZrthzi2C1cgw2fzNVvrA_S5h78tGYkaLwTr82mN42JtXAFMQZ7JA-HLoSux5e-YoZgZT5gqhW4lCelq7TzvPfZwS-XONjC3RZp31NJu2omtZPgo4O1e1EIzmaE-JWQJ1KBgFGpO1/s320/Summer+2009+020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351104298752510626" border="0" /></a><br />Its hard to believe June is almost over, we'll only get busier from here! July will be taking us on two separate trips - first to California (DISNEYLAND!), then back for a few days before we head up to Seattle for a family reunion and on to Portland and the Oregon coast from there. Vaka starts school the last week of August, and hopefully we'll be closing on our house around that time too!Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13933590557067231243noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8652288890615413286.post-65961202097643073222009-06-23T06:00:00.000-07:002009-06-24T20:51:37.578-07:009 months and counting<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jI-mO1JytxyeEVzJIhF_FNE3Y9ApwEXvzsdoaJr1SAQwJUTBi238SG-JMduWnBZa82McqdUPNWL_nokne4xnnHRS0b4JJ1wGNhVbwzqk2TKnqKkIw0YtBV8-WbL6nkuXBSoCK9mncydy/s1600-h/Jacob.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jI-mO1JytxyeEVzJIhF_FNE3Y9ApwEXvzsdoaJr1SAQwJUTBi238SG-JMduWnBZa82McqdUPNWL_nokne4xnnHRS0b4JJ1wGNhVbwzqk2TKnqKkIw0YtBV8-WbL6nkuXBSoCK9mncydy/s400/Jacob.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351106007202898338" border="0" /></a><br />How is it possible that I've been staring at this adorable face for nearly as long as I had him in my belly? I can't believe how fast time has flown. He is a ball of fun these days, but I can't help but miss when I could snuggle him in my arms. Jacob's recent favorite activities include: crawling at the speed of light, climbing up the stairs, learning to feed himself, experimenting with fun noises, blowing raspberries and eating yogurt for every meal. We love you little guy!Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13933590557067231243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8652288890615413286.post-49349539954446889682009-05-14T16:39:00.000-07:002009-05-14T17:14:17.722-07:00Confession: I have an addictionAny parent knows that upon welcoming a baby into your home, household expenses increase exponentially, just from diapers alone. Lucky for us, we didn't have to learn this until just a few months ago, thanks to a generous Grandpa Barker.<br /><br />Upon arriving at Jacob's blessing, Grandpa arrived with a truck full of diapers, pictured below. <span style="font-size:130%;">THAT IS 734 DIAPERS</span>. Yeah, BIG deal.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvx5btiXzFGRm5-Ja75OoLoNGWNoszAbOjhn8QzYsa_MDI7D5l6-HOBo0Wmxzuc8iNkc1p-r6JonbEhF06lpVVpQQaeIwBgPVVNB2PmseeKOyGF-K9hSXWdy7SDIQe6YvNCV1xoDAmFtp/s1600-h/blessing+029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvx5btiXzFGRm5-Ja75OoLoNGWNoszAbOjhn8QzYsa_MDI7D5l6-HOBo0Wmxzuc8iNkc1p-r6JonbEhF06lpVVpQQaeIwBgPVVNB2PmseeKOyGF-K9hSXWdy7SDIQe6YvNCV1xoDAmFtp/s320/blessing+029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335834855849522530" border="0" /></a>So when we finally exhausted our supply and had to actually start purchasing diapers ourselves... OUCH. We quickly learned we didn't want to increase our food/household items budget to compensate for the cost of diapers. Why not try to make the diapers fit into our current budget?<br /><br />Bringing me to the real purpose of this post. :) $25 stretches much farther in our household these days. For example:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqeFBPq_Z-iwrV8pD8LGKd0VVo47KiOfR5OtpVP91kDJtra83IjP21KcyO9AD-0PpRUx-TSKELFizNO5zjNmuGJkAWQVXbMG3OkStDONvAX1XUGRqiQI-XzPYLvvllmx0ZWvE_VxYcgMc/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqeFBPq_Z-iwrV8pD8LGKd0VVo47KiOfR5OtpVP91kDJtra83IjP21KcyO9AD-0PpRUx-TSKELFizNO5zjNmuGJkAWQVXbMG3OkStDONvAX1XUGRqiQI-XzPYLvvllmx0ZWvE_VxYcgMc/s320/001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335829227234139938" border="0" /></a><br />10 yogurts<br />7 bbq sauces<br />6 fuze drinks<br />4 apple juices<br />4 velveeta shells & cheese<br />4 ritz crackers<br />3 ritz chips<br />3 salad dressings<br />2 big mayo<br />2 small squeeze mayo<br />1 box capri sun<br />1 box granola bars<br />1 loaf of bread<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">All for $23.13, a total savings of $102.31. I may not be a coupon queen, (seeing as I'm not advanced enough where I get it all free and only pay tax) but hey, works for me!<br /></div><br /></div>Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13933590557067231243noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8652288890615413286.post-29087979073234677472009-05-14T15:41:00.001-07:002009-05-14T16:00:09.252-07:00Mommy's Little HelperI've always heard of "good" mothers who incorporate their children into their household duties, finding ways to have them help you with either cooking, laundry, etc. I guess it's never too young to start, right? However, apparently I don't fit into the "good" mom category because my little guy is always the one initiating the "help" while you can likely find me discouraging it. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghByX5j2a9m-UI4xveS9TQnu5YznuKZZyQq4I9lHEUfPtHAeNLZo93mltxARw0WDnIGyw_rBO-u3sMgAiutT4OMkPGfsolmHvrHMsW45VbR5Kh8XtbOxaLlmTc6y0WoYgj7LbOhWHELbHU/s1600-h/243.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghByX5j2a9m-UI4xveS9TQnu5YznuKZZyQq4I9lHEUfPtHAeNLZo93mltxARw0WDnIGyw_rBO-u3sMgAiutT4OMkPGfsolmHvrHMsW45VbR5Kh8XtbOxaLlmTc6y0WoYgj7LbOhWHELbHU/s320/243.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335816585703560146" border="0" /></a><br />How can I say no to this adorable, innocent face?<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzD-clLgdZ1qkoL9q3gG4Ha3rHR9aa2L-Xq5NTZENS1az0cQaPcuQnUlxH4yDE95pHzfbEj25YbNiNNiesrCmmFvnVmkhy3XdOWxvvGgut3bzQFF8pkvuntYqPxofu89nuzeXh7EfY5xy/s1600-h/240.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzD-clLgdZ1qkoL9q3gG4Ha3rHR9aa2L-Xq5NTZENS1az0cQaPcuQnUlxH4yDE95pHzfbEj25YbNiNNiesrCmmFvnVmkhy3XdOWxvvGgut3bzQFF8pkvuntYqPxofu89nuzeXh7EfY5xy/s320/240.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335813894231126530" border="0" /></a>Literally, TAKING OUT the recycling (and not to the curb). His favorite thing to do these days.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjza2xi6OXJDc7novKlGpeSX4-FRaBeJrxP5yoDnLpBgQQpGXAtdSldosh9FZO_2-Au0XPyQeuQA6f6p9DR79LJ3XAZpXHyDv8pByp1FlDQon7z_c1P6TveRvQ2Zxuc7GluftSDBJ7KHphb/s1600-h/005.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjza2xi6OXJDc7novKlGpeSX4-FRaBeJrxP5yoDnLpBgQQpGXAtdSldosh9FZO_2-Au0XPyQeuQA6f6p9DR79LJ3XAZpXHyDv8pByp1FlDQon7z_c1P6TveRvQ2Zxuc7GluftSDBJ7KHphb/s320/005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335813716693202674" border="0" /></a>Obviously I still need to learn a thing or two, because I'm sure I'll be pulling teeth to get him to help with these things in another 15 years!Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13933590557067231243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8652288890615413286.post-78950418651767770972009-05-07T18:41:00.000-07:002009-05-07T19:05:54.508-07:00Future Missionary<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcICQp84qfmiop2uM5s9n1zGRgXUFYzcnp7ZQ-5semDce0HwOPTO2RsnVCwZu_7kCxz_bNWB5tQCL208rl3li3VDigI1quahOhpQKnd7Fro9pjw0NZ0-7n9Gc4xdwjgsFp7GmWUOhySPA/s1600-h/Haylee+and+Ben+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcICQp84qfmiop2uM5s9n1zGRgXUFYzcnp7ZQ-5semDce0HwOPTO2RsnVCwZu_7kCxz_bNWB5tQCL208rl3li3VDigI1quahOhpQKnd7Fro9pjw0NZ0-7n9Gc4xdwjgsFp7GmWUOhySPA/s320/Haylee+and+Ben+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333262679787999874" border="0" /></a>I'm late on the announcement, but I couldn't let it go unrecognized. Two weeks ago my 'little' brother Ben received his mission call to the Brazil Porto Alegre South mission. He'll leave August 26th and head straight for the MTC in Brazil. I'm so proud of him and his willingness to sacrifice 2 years to serve the Lord. I was hoping he'd get called to New Zealand so we'd finally have a legitimate reason to fork out the cash to travel there (and then on to Tonga of course). Brazil sounds good too though!Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13933590557067231243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8652288890615413286.post-53527228273718977012009-04-30T20:32:00.000-07:002009-04-30T20:49:13.422-07:00Beautiful baby Haylee<div style="text-align: center;">The downside in having to sign another round of paperwork on the house this weekend? I don't get to hold this sweet baby. :(<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcH-pbHKKKvwoSEWb6Dy5t84jM0bqTerv7TzQsKfxe7kdhGqg6PdWD2TULDcmshvSSIGEtkCkB_RPr9kqwCnOZRgkWABZZi8Fq_mS3zgKOLLzrQ7IZjL8k14id5UQEYr2mjEKU0LittK-w/s1600-h/haylee3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcH-pbHKKKvwoSEWb6Dy5t84jM0bqTerv7TzQsKfxe7kdhGqg6PdWD2TULDcmshvSSIGEtkCkB_RPr9kqwCnOZRgkWABZZi8Fq_mS3zgKOLLzrQ7IZjL8k14id5UQEYr2mjEKU0LittK-w/s320/haylee3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330695664257661426" border="0" /></a>Introducing Haylee Tacoma Barker, 7 lbs 14 oz, 19 inches long.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldRADSoTv0BB0v_zZy6zhEeegyK8x3LtyhIkg1Dl-H47yC6PqrEUPp-9CtUkXWWybg38kS_UEUyIv1sWAAjO9G4xvIlWZ-tnp0BMobkmnf5qUbk7cOdoJElFEgpKn7mN_Xz3dtBzEYSnL/s1600-h/haylee1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldRADSoTv0BB0v_zZy6zhEeegyK8x3LtyhIkg1Dl-H47yC6PqrEUPp-9CtUkXWWybg38kS_UEUyIv1sWAAjO9G4xvIlWZ-tnp0BMobkmnf5qUbk7cOdoJElFEgpKn7mN_Xz3dtBzEYSnL/s320/haylee1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330694700582429650" border="0" /></a>Doesn't Tonya look GREAT!?! I did NOT look anywhere near that good right after labor!</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlEO3ofqPxMKveUvW-T21Mg1M0UZbDXD8G2mKZ96kYVOdUa5GLTUPcXY7b5p55EjGFR9aJ9xYOWo6Dg5ZHT6Tx7BWT8dAP9AmENZfTWqi_vwoSupwz8UEpZOSG66jSwkH892QZIOYxANR/s1600-h/haylee2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlEO3ofqPxMKveUvW-T21Mg1M0UZbDXD8G2mKZ96kYVOdUa5GLTUPcXY7b5p55EjGFR9aJ9xYOWo6Dg5ZHT6Tx7BWT8dAP9AmENZfTWqi_vwoSupwz8UEpZOSG66jSwkH892QZIOYxANR/s320/haylee2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330696029077552242" border="0" /></a>And finally, the proud big brother. His comment when he first held her? "I love her."<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Finally pictures of a baby other than Jacob to grace our blog. :)<br />Congratulations Brandon & Tonya!<br /></div>Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13933590557067231243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8652288890615413286.post-36576204022998497522009-04-25T14:20:00.000-07:002009-04-25T14:31:23.264-07:00MIAWe've been MIA in the blogosphere and social circles recently, and this is why:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWHnuTB2rQ772qOMXbFkB_qsYYZtONEqgAs-FK04SQLWEJLxepG8go8bsZgyuW2zj6PRqdCwn8VUoxq1zEopDLdVTSKfztgf7LMR4CtYRbVyjVuAmSwE8q-DViQFEX-epJ5GGanjgvED7/s1600-h/image.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328742476299354594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 259px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWHnuTB2rQ772qOMXbFkB_qsYYZtONEqgAs-FK04SQLWEJLxepG8go8bsZgyuW2zj6PRqdCwn8VUoxq1zEopDLdVTSKfztgf7LMR4CtYRbVyjVuAmSwE8q-DViQFEX-epJ5GGanjgvED7/s400/image.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>This is going to be OURS within the next few months. Yes, its true, we are going to become proud townhome owners! This is a BIG step for us, and we couldn't be more anxious, excited, scared and happy all at the same time. We've signed all the paperwork, picked out paint colors, cabinets, countertops and flooring, and now we just sit back and WAIT for it to be finished with a projected move-in date of July. Who knew I'd practically have to quit my day job and need to hire a fill-in mother/wife/housekeeper in order to make all this happen. We're finally over the hump and can leave the time consuming searching, choosing, signing behind us and get caught up on the rest of our life now! *Beware, many catch up posts to follow!*</div>Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13933590557067231243noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8652288890615413286.post-77780928599655698922009-03-07T20:30:00.001-08:002009-03-08T08:22:39.826-07:00Goodbye Grandma...<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gidya2GcYRkBxY3i6oP8wCNi3jaF0fDFDPC8RGyfrvkgKX0Pvu5jQ_UoabTFyAu9J15lKf1TBDgtICPTLy-9qWa-ZEh6tLv45FH6PuErAImogJT_FK_yKHcZy69RsixwX5XNLwh1XZgx/s1600-h/barkers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gidya2GcYRkBxY3i6oP8wCNi3jaF0fDFDPC8RGyfrvkgKX0Pvu5jQ_UoabTFyAu9J15lKf1TBDgtICPTLy-9qWa-ZEh6tLv45FH6PuErAImogJT_FK_yKHcZy69RsixwX5XNLwh1XZgx/s320/barkers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310669665402962194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(The Barkers, 1988)</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />We received a call this morning that sometime last night, my grandma passed away in her sleep. She's had numerous health problems for years now, but it still came as a shock - simply because she has had them for SO LONG.<br /><br />So we headed up to Ogden to spend the day with my grandpa. Though under not-so-ideal circumstances, I can't imagine having spent my day in a better way. We made funeral arrangements, helped with odds and ends and ended the day going through albums of pictures, remembering my grandma the way she was in her happier, healthier years.<br /><br />The following is her obituary that we composed today:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Lucile Dorothy Van Alfen Barker</span><span style="font-style: italic;">, 73, passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 7, 2009. She was born June 1, 1935 in Ogden, Utah to Dutch immigrants, John and Pauline Herbert Van Alfen. Lucy was raised in Ogden with her eight siblings and attended Ogden High School. After graduating in 1953, she worked for Safeway Stores and her father at their family real estate office. She married Joseph Keith Barker on August 30, 1955 at the County Courthouse in Salt Lake City. Their vows were later solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple in 1956.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Lucy endured 20 years of military life, moving 19 times throughout the United States and Thailand, before returning to Ogden in 1978. She was a member of the LDS church and enjoyed serving in various callings in the Relief Society. Lucy was an avid cook and was known for her delicious pies and chocolate candies. She loved her many pets on ‘Ma Barkers Ranch’, especially her poodles.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">She was a fan of Neil Diamond, Tom Jones, and Englebert Humperdink. Lucy’s notable skills include her excellent penmanship and her organizational abilities. Lucy also loved painting, collecting dolls, planning family reunions, and shopping catalogues. One of her greatest joys was spoiling and loving her grandchildren.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">In recent years, Lucy suffered from numerous health problems and her family is grateful she is no longer in pain and has returned to Heaven to be reunited with her sweet babies.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Lucy is survived by her selfless and loving husband, Keith; children: Jeff Barker of Salt Lake City, Cory Barker (Colette) of Orem, Kristi Neeleman (Thomas) of Arlington, WA and Lisa Harris of Tigard, OR; grandchildren, Brandon Barker, Brooke Tu‘ifua, Bryan Teeter, Heidi Strickland, Benjamin Barker, Rebekah Barker, Feliciti Neeleman and Robee Neeleman; great-grandsons J.T. Barker and Jacob Tu‘ifua and step grandchildren Jen Neeleman, Emilee Morzelewski, Angie Neeleman, and Ben Neeleman. Also surviving are sisters Diana Prawitt and Virginia Stark and brothers John and Paul Van Alfen.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">She was preceded in death by her parents; baby daughter, Leslie Ray Barker; baby sons, John Michael Barker and Mark Anthony Barker; and sisters, Gertrude Carr, Thelma Martin, Pauline Thomas and Joan Robbins.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Funeral Services will be held Saturday, March 14, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. at Larkin Mortuary, Ogden, Utah. Family and friends may call on Friday, March 13, at Larkin Mortuary from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at Leavitt’s Altorest Cemetery.</span></span><br /><br />Death always shakes up your life; your way and thinking, and provides perspective. Her death has done that for me today. It brings all the "I wish I had gone to visit more" and "I wish I had taken a picture of her with my sweet Jacob", but more than anything, it brings the reminder that I need to treasure my relationships with my loved ones, and take time to enjoy the simple, yet important things in life, and worry less about little things.<br /><br />These are just a few memories of her that are on my mind tonight, that I don't want to forget:<br /><br />She always reminded me of Lucille Ball, with her curly red hair, and the name Lucy. :)<br /><br />She was an amazing cook, and I especially remember her amazing pies and chocolates candies she'd make during the holidays. I wish she would have been well enough in the last few years to have taught me her skills.<br /><br />She remembered every birthday and special occasion, and would always send a card.<br /><br />She lost THREE babies shortly after birth. Being a mother myself now, I cannot even begin to imagine how incredibly difficult an experience that was.<br /><br />She loved us, her grandkids, and spoiled us relentlessly. When we lived in Hawaii, at Christmas, we would receive box after box of gifts from her and grandpa. I guess you could say they were our own special Santa Claus. :) Because we were so far and rarely got to spend time with them, it was their way of showing their love for us.<br /><br /></div></div>Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13933590557067231243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8652288890615413286.post-5693922981554335162009-03-06T19:42:00.001-08:002009-03-06T19:57:24.796-08:00Heartbreaker<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fL-yfvNcrEuvj258ut-JmreIA5Jge3Trv03y0n4UNxqBiM1pZ8erpIMZHh_OJ45rh5GuLJ4a9cUHKkkeMmUJPwfbHOgUxWvV8lsrEEpPP6F548DgY-cXg-79GzDElpxUamIY7Is9OKhO/s1600-h/heartbreaker.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fL-yfvNcrEuvj258ut-JmreIA5Jge3Trv03y0n4UNxqBiM1pZ8erpIMZHh_OJ45rh5GuLJ4a9cUHKkkeMmUJPwfbHOgUxWvV8lsrEEpPP6F548DgY-cXg-79GzDElpxUamIY7Is9OKhO/s320/heartbreaker.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310286449144779810" border="0" /></a><br />His stats from a few weeks ago, at nearly 5 months:<br />Weight: 18 lbs, 8 ounces (90th percentile)<br />Height: 26 inches (60th percentile)<br /><br />I am in love with the cutest, "little" guy in my world. He has grown so much and is currently testing my patience more often with his mischievousness and independence, but I can't get enough!! He definitely keeps me on my toes. He can't sit still and loves to twist and turn, roll and bend, and we're afraid he will be crawling soon. The past week he has been sick with croup - JUST as he was learning to be a better sleeper. NOT FUN, and then yesterday Vaka discovered his first tooth. No wonder the poor guy was having such a rough time. Hopefully we're on the up and will be getting more sleep soon!!Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13933590557067231243noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8652288890615413286.post-7216923341032611802009-02-13T10:18:00.000-08:002009-02-13T11:05:13.434-08:00Bring on the burgers!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubFIM3Vx0MOeIoPkKanMz87_AL6ML2P2pAEeB2y2VD7MBPAo6GQwcKyZ7I7VfwMVDitVg1GJGZkDq4LPoK08kuohr97v_Deq5JJHXGjO4ucVFju5QsvYhen1nuQeW8wYzt2e0JVZqIpRt/s1600-h/splashtopani2.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302359621123939874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 168px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 98px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubFIM3Vx0MOeIoPkKanMz87_AL6ML2P2pAEeB2y2VD7MBPAo6GQwcKyZ7I7VfwMVDitVg1GJGZkDq4LPoK08kuohr97v_Deq5JJHXGjO4ucVFju5QsvYhen1nuQeW8wYzt2e0JVZqIpRt/s320/splashtopani2.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div>It's official!! This taste of heaven is going to be a hop, skip and a jump away from us by the end of the summer!! Excellent for my tastebuds, not so great for my waistline. </div><br /><div>P.S. Let's be honest, even though Draper is becoming such a popular place with Ikea, In-N-Out, and the new temple, don't forget to drop by and see us when you come up to visit the really cool places... we're still the coolest thing there!! :)</div>Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13933590557067231243noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8652288890615413286.post-79873196810733571142009-02-06T18:11:00.000-08:002009-02-06T19:38:59.818-08:00So very grateful...muscles i never knew i had ache - a result of lifting, bending, holding and playing with my energetic baby boy... my eyes burn from 4+ months of regularly interrupted sleep - a sign that my sweet baby is more than willing to assure me he is still alive and breathing, any hour of the night... i haven't bought new clothes for myself in months, but have to purchase something for our little guy every shopping trip - evidence that he is a healthy, growing boy... the house is a mess, the laundry is piling up, on non-work days I don't shower before noon and the remaining 10 lbs of baby fat are not lost - reminding me that this little guy is my new priority around here...<br /><br />so very grateful... to be a motherBrookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13933590557067231243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8652288890615413286.post-22766115570820136742009-02-02T12:23:00.000-08:002009-02-02T12:33:25.679-08:00Here comes trouble<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENxC_iHazpF0DGXBzIMrKPEQon-fpofwlglccEQuto68r_vqOW4oIxb-IUuhLxQJQnzHruou4hPL4ZDKZ5ProQkhWk8tsioe_sLAdzkWkFSM4OhyphenhyphenbnU3mFCHAJ8B0NBHejyuVwMlE0mWo/s1600-h/sliding[1].jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298298623779503314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENxC_iHazpF0DGXBzIMrKPEQon-fpofwlglccEQuto68r_vqOW4oIxb-IUuhLxQJQnzHruou4hPL4ZDKZ5ProQkhWk8tsioe_sLAdzkWkFSM4OhyphenhyphenbnU3mFCHAJ8B0NBHejyuVwMlE0mWo/s320/sliding%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I'm at work and just received this picture from my mom. Its how she found Jacob when he woke up from his nap this afternoon. Can I just say, a picture says a thousand words!! Or more accurately, only word is needed here: TROUBLE. Jacob's new favorite thing is to squirm and move as much as he can, even though he isn't really "mobile" at this point. You'll find him doing 360's on the carpet, scooting backwards on his back, and his favorite, sliding all the way out of his carseat if he isn't buckled in. He sure keeps us on our toes!!<br /><br />(Explanation: You're all probably wondering why he was napping in his carseat while unbuckled... sad but true, his carseat is his bed. :) He just won't sleep more than a few minutes anywhere else!! We've tried the crib and playpen several times, and he just wakes up because he isn't "contained." The pediatrician says its fine, but we know sooner than later we need to transition over to an actual bed... especially one that he can't slide out of!! But can you blame me for wanting to get at least 2 hours of sleep at a time instead of 20 minutes?? Oh the joys of parenthood...)Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13933590557067231243noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8652288890615413286.post-45669847034378139582009-01-19T17:05:00.001-08:002009-01-19T19:10:35.649-08:00December in PicturesUnfortunately this blog too accurately resembles life in our house these days... always playing catch up and barely staying on top of things. Where did the month go!?! And in the blink of an eye we're already more than halfway into January. Here's a brief look at just a few of the many things we were up to last month.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">December 5th: </span>We got our Christmas tree!! Jacob couldn't take his eyes off it, even before we had a chance to get the lights on. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qQ7CTJVDG0nz7vp38titvt1qMGGO95p9fWXAzne6qr26_akJTtvrSa9V7Zh2Eg4aSiIPpUizCKvy-x_4-ZM1oUUM8IpP9f6QhXot4dLoipIvW07nGkZ966rraZc047nk3zJQIU2J4kaA/s1600-h/xmastree.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qQ7CTJVDG0nz7vp38titvt1qMGGO95p9fWXAzne6qr26_akJTtvrSa9V7Zh2Eg4aSiIPpUizCKvy-x_4-ZM1oUUM8IpP9f6QhXot4dLoipIvW07nGkZ966rraZc047nk3zJQIU2J4kaA/s200/xmastree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293195030202477378" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5R6gJNJyZk3KretDO9fy16UDGFgrETVtUD0BfUxq_CNFarH88AhVmn7J5xbPgqO8nTYvi73qeWKLW-ghGs9OUPVRxrZXJOXbW_RtyLUdjNfOhgYzAbOKmaOy3oPpvhxtj1MbaYfpEJtkA/s1600-h/xmastree2.jpg"> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSF2i9ytFCo_heARWI5eCsZHW1Cqvamne4gmIYO8uAyjzem8LJpds81IP4VpKsS5WLdAe0pwsea1cfTpkZOIjSmnoeigLqETglsUXNDaGI4FruCHgT3TpGzjoTg8GdernSFAht9sudqtT/s1600-h/xmastree2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSF2i9ytFCo_heARWI5eCsZHW1Cqvamne4gmIYO8uAyjzem8LJpds81IP4VpKsS5WLdAe0pwsea1cfTpkZOIjSmnoeigLqETglsUXNDaGI4FruCHgT3TpGzjoTg8GdernSFAht9sudqtT/s200/xmastree2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293195278857437698" border="0" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />December 8th:</span><br />Annual Fillmore Spencer <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9yFjnjahM03Y9sQDiiOp6wSoDT5KNjn0Xn23HKmGMjhECOeQjE9MLs0wmGC_M3V6J0SsRj4Rz3GhnVNHcZNmqVoJCHgAYrKPaH0d-8UaFPWttIMbNKrNC_0iulDz6kTGRPv08QQBh7fky/s1600-h/jacob+santa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9yFjnjahM03Y9sQDiiOp6wSoDT5KNjn0Xn23HKmGMjhECOeQjE9MLs0wmGC_M3V6J0SsRj4Rz3GhnVNHcZNmqVoJCHgAYrKPaH0d-8UaFPWttIMbNKrNC_0iulDz6kTGRPv08QQBh7fky/s320/jacob+santa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293197669973177010" border="0" /></a><br />Christmas party. Always lots of fun, lots of food, and this year, Jacob was the big flirt with all the ladies. :) He got his first picture with Santa, what a cute little guy we have!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">December 10th: </span>Daddy finishes finals and starts his full month off from school. HOORAY!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">December 16th: </span>Jacob's 2 month (or rather, nearly 3 month) doctor appt and first round of vaccinations.<br /><br />The stats:<br />15 lbs, 5 ounces (91st percentile)<br /> 24.5 inches (76th percentile)<br /><br />Basically, he is a big boy!! He's a tough little guy, he let out a quick scream, and it was hard to decide whether it was because of the shot or his binky falling out of his mouth. Maybe those thunder thighs are useful for more than just cute blackmail pictures after all. :)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxzTnAt-dCMby739TckH6Y8pCOFPUSaSYf-w_uJz9P4tbZq3l_BdRRajfXek0zHIJ5its5SBEmyNJbjvThMB8IO0xdl1EFs2fL6C4xIJK-4Iw1PSNe3FaUA1wIKbde00SbViE0Z-aBf5m/s1600-h/103_1830.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxzTnAt-dCMby739TckH6Y8pCOFPUSaSYf-w_uJz9P4tbZq3l_BdRRajfXek0zHIJ5its5SBEmyNJbjvThMB8IO0xdl1EFs2fL6C4xIJK-4Iw1PSNe3FaUA1wIKbde00SbViE0Z-aBf5m/s320/103_1830.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293191966829780962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />December 17th: </span>'Eni arrived, and storm after storm welcomed her!! She has moved in with us and is looking for a job, and we love having her here!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO28-dsWTd0s3AL_olxpzF4GnNR0CHEBdgjSSrSRHevmPvAYwnSdrNm3MQaMnFNvAAqnK7e8FN3EHahMiInS7M4l2Wwi3fN_n27YnQKIXUy50ZomixjTh3OWz1PIyAAGEKtzEBmMId50T9/s1600-h/neil+diamond.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO28-dsWTd0s3AL_olxpzF4GnNR0CHEBdgjSSrSRHevmPvAYwnSdrNm3MQaMnFNvAAqnK7e8FN3EHahMiInS7M4l2Wwi3fN_n27YnQKIXUy50ZomixjTh3OWz1PIyAAGEKtzEBmMId50T9/s320/neil+diamond.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293206453515674738" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">December 19th:</span> My dad got us all tickets to attend Neil Diamond for my mom's 50th birthday. It was Jacob's first concert and he was a gem. He slept through the first half and sat looking around in amazement during the second. He sure loves music and bright lights. If only I could sleep through concerts, movies and driving, I'd be more than well rested!!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">December 25th: </span>Jacob's 1st Christmas!! We're quickly learning, holidays are MUCH more fun with kids. Jacob was obviously spoiled rotten with toys that will last him through next Christmas, but his favorite thing of all was playing with the wrapping paper.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8aowT1eW22RFqHgEVTOVJHC0sYM7xUuef6AsBgFYUrFQXEApO6q75FMwxmkf6yBKr9ef1ShCecj4pEMAMwh0K5LyaNZrTGlsxvQpW11Z6_JCxlhXewsKUCVkYC_V5mT69syPzLaqUi70/s1600-h/1stxmas2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8aowT1eW22RFqHgEVTOVJHC0sYM7xUuef6AsBgFYUrFQXEApO6q75FMwxmkf6yBKr9ef1ShCecj4pEMAMwh0K5LyaNZrTGlsxvQpW11Z6_JCxlhXewsKUCVkYC_V5mT69syPzLaqUi70/s320/1stxmas2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293190554004114498" border="0" /></a>(click on to enlarge and see his cute onesie!)<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ERLH-K7k-1uk5b3cRxpO3tte7dPtVnHxC3eJaigidSRWZXuBBJC5u0O63rT13-qsSANX0nu4lbHmYR766jqqzJhpKZfMsZpcRD5nCQXir6mmIyLxTK8qIl7w-Py_ytx4hLrUFe4K-x8P/s1600-h/1stxmas3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ERLH-K7k-1uk5b3cRxpO3tte7dPtVnHxC3eJaigidSRWZXuBBJC5u0O63rT13-qsSANX0nu4lbHmYR766jqqzJhpKZfMsZpcRD5nCQXir6mmIyLxTK8qIl7w-Py_ytx4hLrUFe4K-x8P/s320/1stxmas3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293190431214451490" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQrZnCql2vFE162RKIOorzYoOd6__8DQb5KGctx4NKsU5wgZQxf_59o5Cfnd-0QsqaKwZy60xMY6cbR2gsbO8jXCa0y3CoTF8PXxZ1AwYVtthJ5UF7BzlWpwntVCiwiiNFILoWqt2QzJ9/s1600-h/1stxmas.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQrZnCql2vFE162RKIOorzYoOd6__8DQb5KGctx4NKsU5wgZQxf_59o5Cfnd-0QsqaKwZy60xMY6cbR2gsbO8jXCa0y3CoTF8PXxZ1AwYVtthJ5UF7BzlWpwntVCiwiiNFILoWqt2QzJ9/s320/1stxmas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293190288553608642" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">December 28th: </span>Brandon, Tonya & JT arrived. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8NiA1hSWEgVEA6zrtbSEm_s-fSduOqvzZMSr65NZZIthFs5Jf4BaF0DNlgD15MMRlJ2ikGQbNvnELHb4bDBJz7K8HSugD7IYR-Hn9J_R-LPepB-aEJt_4rA6K2vUmTX_-_AMvqU-6-xY/s1600-h/JT&jacob.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8NiA1hSWEgVEA6zrtbSEm_s-fSduOqvzZMSr65NZZIthFs5Jf4BaF0DNlgD15MMRlJ2ikGQbNvnELHb4bDBJz7K8HSugD7IYR-Hn9J_R-LPepB-aEJt_4rA6K2vUmTX_-_AMvqU-6-xY/s320/JT&jacob.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293181074557497650" border="0" /></a><br />Our visits with them are always too short, and it seems<br />we're always trying to cram as many games, movies and eating into the time they're here. Sadly, this was the only picture taken this visit, JT helping give "baby Jacob" a bath.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihj6UF8QuSxqroIN52TABuO4cMDP1igVN7TMqpR1gTVodMlH832TR7EuuTQyouDmJOJRdSnrFnQoD97unyRjDxFrukDZOACCUCLR0UvlESdvwM6t7lDmxiqT6bHVOLREapKS4c73k7fvjm/s1600-h/gpaulu&jacob.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihj6UF8QuSxqroIN52TABuO4cMDP1igVN7TMqpR1gTVodMlH832TR7EuuTQyouDmJOJRdSnrFnQoD97unyRjDxFrukDZOACCUCLR0UvlESdvwM6t7lDmxiqT6bHVOLREapKS4c73k7fvjm/s320/gpaulu&jacob.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293179899883190770" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />December 29th: </span>Grandpa 'Ulu came to visit!! He was able to work in an extended layover between his trip to Arizona with his new wife and his flight back to Hawaii, so he could meet Jacob. It was a quick trip, and unfortunately a lot of his time was spent in the airport trying to catch a flight, but we are glad we got to see him for what little time we did!!<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />December 31st: </span>Apparently being parents makes us old, as both Vaka and I struggled to stay awake while partying at my parents house, and failed miserably. We both crashed by 10 on the couch and floor. I won't be surprised if that's a sign of how we'll spend the coming year; utterly exhausted.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">All month: </span>All I wanted from Santa, or rather Jacob:<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4S_iPnQyqWAk6AvwZnd6loJorcbjfunOQdAqbDorg0aon2QaLokiJld6_9H_PHHd2cvdfoggfS33XiuaNfKoYzYdvusr5e6QrPQHpwoONKjmTMXs7FYeukt9dEW3geaNN5JyV3-QO7Tq/s1600-h/silent+night.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4S_iPnQyqWAk6AvwZnd6loJorcbjfunOQdAqbDorg0aon2QaLokiJld6_9H_PHHd2cvdfoggfS33XiuaNfKoYzYdvusr5e6QrPQHpwoONKjmTMXs7FYeukt9dEW3geaNN5JyV3-QO7Tq/s320/silent+night.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293181751337989586" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Not surprisingly, I didn't get what I wanted!!<br /></div>Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13933590557067231243noreply@blogger.com3