BYU GRADUATION

 Noke's done!!  

I'm so proud of Noke for getting through school.  He's done an amazing job with very little help from anyone else.  I feel like my parents and family held my hand every step of the way when I was getting through school - financially, academically, and even socially and spiritually.  I was definitely a little spoiled.  But Noke is incredibly independent and self-reliant.  He's blessed to have an amazing scholarship - even helped me pay off my credit card with it when we got married.  Thank you Bill Gates!  If all goes according to plan, I'll be done too by April at the latest and Noke can start grad school.  We feel blessed to have experienced BYU together! 

And so grateful to have started our family here!

 

 One of the highlights of graduation: a lot of family was in town.  

We love all our Kinikini, Zukin, Alisa, and Hafoka families!

Joe also graduated from Law School! 

Way to go Joe!!  So proud of him.

After the formal festivities, we went back to the Latus' to hang out with the Zukins and sit in a circle and tell each other how grateful we are for each other and how much we love each other, etc.

And the next morning we were at the Latus' again for an Easter egg hunt.  

The adults really got into the egg decorating.

   

 

BYU LUAU

In March we had BYU's annual Luau.  Phew! I am glaaaad that is over.  Last year, Noke and I agreed to help out with the Tonga section, even though we knew we'd be taking care of a new baby and that we'd both be in the middle of a difficult semester.  It was a ton of work and took up lots of time that we didn't have in the first place....BUT, it was a great experience.  Some highlights: we got to work with Paul and Ana Feletoa! And we got to bond kick it with some old Laie/PCC friends...so fun being on stage with them again. Even more fun being backstage with them again! Felt like old times...(sigh).

Sarah, Mary, Kaisha, Mary, Olo, Terina, Me, Tilly, Kaiini

Me, Mary, Mel, Terina, Mary, Liu, Sarah, Charlotte,
Colin, and Lala

Thank you to the Po'uha family!  Esu represented on his banjo! 

The girls in our community dressing room...

Tau'olunga girls with expert....ANA!

The boys and some of the band.   Salt Lake made the whole show.  It was live, authentic, and well done!

Tau'olunga was the bomb...all the girls looked so good up there.

Thank Goodness for Digital

            I always have my camera with me, because I feel like I should be documenting all of Amalani's first experiences.  And I'm always a little surprised to see a roll full of close-ups of just her - lots of just her face - when it's time to empty the memory card.  Oh well, what can I say?  I can't get enough of her!

Welcome Back Elder Alisa/Uncle Michael!!!!

My little brother Michael came home from his mission in Puerto Rico last week and today he and my parents arrived in Utah. I am SO excited to have him back! There are 10 years between me and Michael, but we've always been close. He's the kind of guy that can find common ground with anyone, and is genuinely interested in everyone - he was like that from a pretty young age. I know it made him an awesome missionary and it's one of the reasons he has so many friends and people who love and look up to him. I can't wait to see what he's going to do next! We're looking forward to see him continue in school and football - WOOHOO! - and to have him around to play little brother and uncle. Love you Michael!

After going home to Hawaii for a week, Michael, came back to Utah with mom and dad and
we were there to give him a real returned missionary airport welcome. Malia's sandwich
board sign! So cute.

Uncle Mike with the two most recent additions to the Alisa family.

Because of all the kids, it took us a little while to get into position so Michael was kind
enough to wait at the top of the escalator until we got set up. When we were ready we called
for him to come down and we all cheered.

Uncle Mike and all the nieces and nephews...when he left there was just Malia and
Kina and Maddox.

Together again...good thing we're all skinny, this couch was perfect.