VIDEO: UN Day Wero & Haka

Check out Tai and his kiwi haka crew:

Wero & Haka Performance

United Nations Day

Kiara's International school celebrates United Nations Day every year by having each country give a cultural performance. This year we were invited to join the New Zealanders and quickly ditched our American counter parts who were doing a 50's dance in poodle skirts. Sorry to say, but it was an easy choice. Tai taught the kids a Haka and the kids dressed in All Blacks uniforms. Of course Kiara said she would not dress "like a rugby boy". So I improvised and made a few Maori accessories. Kiara was deathly nervous for weeks before, but Tai made her feel special by telling her that she was the only true Maori girl in the whole school and the rest of the kids were just Kiwis. He told her that they really needed her in the performance. The performance was by far the best in show. People are still talking about how amazing Tai and the kids were. Tai performed the wero and gave the token to the Vice Principal, which made all the kids laugh! Here is a few pictures.

Here is our Maori Princess

Kiara and her Kiwi mate

Kaile joining in the fun

Tai and his Haka crew

Kiara and her Kiwi teacher

Brazil

Indonesia

Korea

Kiara's class representing: Korea, Netherlands, Austraila, Indonesia, Malaysia/ Borneo, Japan, Greece, United States, Britain, Sweden.

Deepavali Celebration

Celebrating Deepavali at Kiara's School

My Indian Princess

Kiara and her girls friends

Laughing with friends...

Dancing


Ragoli- colored rice art

State Side Bliss

This post has taken a month, because when I went to download the 1468 pictures on our camera...I was a little overwhelmed. I am still missing some pictures of California...coming soon!

We had such an amazing time on our trip home this summer. It had been a full year since we last went home and we were aching to see beautiful family and friends. Top 10 things we miss about the States: (Not in any particular order)

• Super Target, (One-stop shopping is heaven! Even Walmart was my Disneyland)
• The cereal isle...so much to choose from, Tai was foaming
  
• Fresh milk from an American cow!! There is nothing like it. And you can buy it in the gallon, yippee!
  
• Big fat greasy hamburgers and shakes (By the end of the trip, lets just say too much was shaking!)
• Jamba juices...such a simple pleasure
• Fresh mountain air, and running in the light!
  
• Mexican food...Asian's cannot even come close!
  
• Picnics in the park
  
• Cool summer nights
  
• Wide open roads and BIG parking spaces
  

Just realized that 6 out of 10, on my list had to do with food! But, I have to tell the truth. Not on the list because it is ever present and always on our mind...is our family. We feel so blessed to be loved by so many people, and missed everyone terribly.

Here is a small selection of pictures from our 4 weeks in Utah!

Weekend in Wyoming with the Tolmans

Kiara fishing with Grandpa Tolman

Kaile and I both a bit spooked about the wiggling fish that Auntie Pan was holding!

Little Sophie and Kai Kai and their private picnic

Hunter looking smooth in his fishing hat!

Tolman's trampoline was a hit! Look at Hunter's cheer skills!!


Matching cousins

Saying goodbye to their stunning Nanny

Kiki and Taylor at the discovery park at Thanksgiving Point


Kissing cousins...so cute!!!

4th of July 1K race

Our gold metal winners!

Me and my beautiful sister Aimee

Mommy trying to head Kiki out at the finish line...wait isn't that daddy's patent move.

My dear friend...I swear we didn't coordinate outfits!

Morning brunch at Nana's house for Baby Jacobs blessing

Oquirrh Mountain Temple

Sparklers and fireworks at the Sagapolutele's

I LOVE Hunter's face in this picture!

Malina and Jessi

Salt Lake Temple Square with most of the cousins

Temple Square visitors center

Kaile and her beautiful lips!! She had this sleeping look all day long for weeks in Utah! I loved it!

Dinner with some old friends! It was so great to catch up!

Playdate and the Denny's

Hunter and Kiara future dancing with the Stars contestants!

Check out the screen in the back! so cute!


Take a bow!!!
Parkcity trampolining

Zach playing the volleyball in Parkcity

Another playdate with some old friends! Love you girls!!



My Dear Sisters! I love you guys!

The Fetui Girl's Men. Ryan you really know how to strike a pose...Tai are you ok? Feeling a bit uncomfortable??

Malina and Kaile giggling uncontrollably...we missed the joke, but they were having a blast!!

My sisters and mom put together a gorgeous lunch for my birthday (in January). How thoughtful are they?? I am so lucky and blessed!

The Beautiful Tolman cousins

Tai's Birthday Party at the park. Camp counselor Auntie Pania, leading the water balloon toss.

For Tai's birthday the kids got to chase him with water balloons!

That ones going in his face!

Good toss Kai Kai!


Fun at the water spout. Yet another full day at the park!

Tai and Rick wanted a memory maker for the kids....I think this would do it? A full 9 hours of fun for the kids!
Strike a pose!

LOVE YOU ALL! THANKS FOR AN AMAZING SUMMER AND FOR MAKING OUR TIME WITH YOU SO MEMORABLE!

Kiara Turns the Fabulous Five

Ok, this is sooooo late. We had Kiara's birthday party a bit early in Malaysia and then two days later left for our summer leave to the States for one month. We are just getting back and now I have a lot of catching up to do. Here's a look at Kiara's Fabulous Spa Party:

June 29th...My little darling turns the fabulous five!


The Invite


The Birthday Girl





Fabulous food spread



Sparkling lemonade for all the girls...



Manicures and pedicures




Kaile gets the VIP treatment too!




Make-up time
Dancing and dressing up!


Kaile dresses up with the girls!

Thank you bags with fabulous accessories for her dear friends




Make a wish

Sunday Blessings

I just had to share this cute story with the grandparents! I also thought it would be darling for Kiara to read about when she get older. Today was a LONG day at church and I was feeling tired. While I was making dinner I asked Kiara to set the table. She set the table cheerfully and then was quiet for a few minutes. When I walked into the dinning room to bring the food out, I saw folded papers under the chairs. I quickly went to pick them up (thinking it was ready for the trash) but was abruptly corrected by Kiara's voice, "mommy it is a surprise game". So we sat down to eat and said the prayer. The game began:

Kiara instructed us: "I will only call your name if you are being reverent AND you have to sit with your bottoms on the chair, both feet on the ground, and arms folded". (Sound familiar from your Primary days?)
Tai: This is really hard
Kiara: Daddy you can't eat while we are playing thats not reverence, Mommy only one foot is on the ground.
Me: Ok sweetie... just start the game (Anyone that knows me, knows I have little patience when I am hungry :))
Kiara: Here are the instructions (shows us the paper below)


We then looked under our chairs and found folded papers with our names on them. The "Presit" (present) was a beauitful drawing by Kiki. One of them featured below.

"Kiara and Jesus standing on the world"

Kiara: I will give you a paper and you have to tell me if you are choosing the right or choosing the wrong.
Tai: I'm nervous
Kiara: Don't worry daddy we can all help you

Then we chose a paper from the bowl that Kiara had written on. We had such a great time decifering the message and answering the questions. We were laughing so hard and she was so proud. She is so darling!!! Check out her cute papers that were taped shut with stickers. Her phonics are going strong, but spelling needs a bit of improvement :)

Be Nice: Choose the Right!

Help Everybody: Choose the Right

Believe In Jesus: Choose the Right

I not listen: Choose the Wrong!

It was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Kiara really brought the spirit into our home and made me stop and count my blessings. Since my calling to serve in Primary, I have been feeling pretty tired after church. But I am thankful for small moments like today that fill me with gratitude. I feel so blessed to be in primary and to be able to take part in teaching my children (and other peoples children) the gospel. Kiara's surprise game, also made me reflect on the basics of the gospel and how simple and easy they can, and should be. All of the notes Kiara made were representative of some of the most important and core principles of living a Christian life and becoming a ture disciple of Christ.

• Be nice (Kindness, Attitude, Christ-like love, Service)
• Help Everybody (Charity, Service, Good works, Equality)
• Believe in Christ (Faith, Obedience, Prayer)
• Listening (Friendship, Relationships, Obedience...Ok so this was most likely added because of my constant nagging)

Each of these basics can be applied and developed in our life in so many different ways. Children can teach us so much and mine teach me, and humble me daily. My hope is when Kiara gets older, and when identifying what is right and what is wrong, gets more complicated and crowded with life, these simple principles of faith will persevere.

Girls Lunch

It was Kiara's student-led parent conferences this week at school. This is where all the parents are invited into class and the kids have a chance to show us all their work and what they have been doing during the year. Unfortunately, Tai is in Singapore so he missed the fun. I had a fantastic time and was beaming with pride! Kiara was so excited to show me everything she has been doing in school. I was amazed at the amount of work she has done. They write in journals everyday, review and report news paper articles, do heaps of art work, play math games, computer games, ect. They have had some fantastic learning units on Endagered Malaysian Animals, Caring for the Earth, Community Helpers, ect. She had piles of art work, work books, and writing journals. It was fun to look at what she was doing at the begining of the year and what she has been doing recently. She has learned so much and is really growing into a beautiful young girl! I am so proud of my little princess.

After the confernce, Kiara got to invite one friend to go to a special lunch. She invited her cute friend Sarafina and we went to the Shangri La Lemon Garden. This is one of my favorite buffets restrants ever. Well, the buffet part was kind of a waste as the girls had a few satays and then camped at the amazing dessert spread. Luckily, I just happend to have gift vouchers that was expiring that week. It was a fancy treat and the girls had a great time! Kiara even remarked, "This is the best lunch I have ever had in my whole life!" I love this girl!!!

Kiki and Sarafina

The chocolate fountain was a hit!

Don't mind my finger in the frame...I was juggling a wiggley baby and a plate of chocolate strawberries!

I think they were on their third round to the ice cream counter

Kaile got some chocolate dipped fruit too. Her little foot on the table cracks me up! No manners this girl :)