Knott's Berry Farm and more!

Even though the wedding festivities were literally across the street from Disneyland, we did not patronize the establishment. We figure we'll save that for sometime in the future...like when the kids can earn the cost of their tickets. Aki's cousin Crystal scored some great tickets to Knott's Berry Farm, and we had heard that it was quiet this time of year, so we went for it. We're glad we did! We had a great time with Crystal and Viliami, and the kids hardly had to wait in lines to go on rides. Their favorite was the log ride, even after the sixth time.

The wedding was a nice opportunity to visit with Aki's extended family, some of whom I had never met. Here is a nice picture of Aki's non-Utah aunts (his dad's sisters), along with Crystal and her three kids. That baby!!!

When we weren't doing wedding stuff, we made a quick trip to East LA to check out my old missionary stomping grounds. We mainly went to visit this wonderful family...they are near and dear to my heart. Maria Teresa & Victor Bahena and their kids, Victor Jr., Viridiana, and Aileen were baptized as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in August of 1999. My missionary companion and I had the privilege of first teaching them the gospel and witnessing some awesome changes in their lives! I can't believe it was ten years ago. They have soared above and beyond me when it comes to living the gospel and having faith; incredible examples they are to me. I love them!

Though we didn't have much down time, we managed to take the kids for a brief visit to the beach. They have never been! (Well, Makai went to the beach in Tonga but was only six months old, so I won't count that one.) They loved it so much and can't wait to go back. Good thing Auntie Tema lives near the beach now so we can visit more often!

California Girls (and Boys)

While in California--see last post--Ame absolutely LOVED hanging out with her second cousin Naomi (daughter of Aki's cousin Crystal).

Makai was a good cousin to Naomi's little brother Elias...we miss those cute kids!

Speaking of cute kids...

Mr. & Mrs. Valu

Just before Thanksgiving we traveled to Anaheim for Aki's sister's wedding. We are just thrilled for Tema to have her own family, and are glad to welcome Kelepi to the Funaki side of things.

The marriage ceremony took place at the Newport Beach temple; it has a very different look than other temples I've been to. Sort of southwest mission style...it is beautiful, as they all are.

The occasion was extra special due to the last-minute (surprise!) arrival of younger brother, Junior, from Hawaii. That meant they were all in the same place at the same time--Aki's parents and siblings were together for the first time since 1998. Think about that.

A beautiful day filled with lots of picture-taking! I got sick right after the ceremony and spent the next day-and-a-half in bed at the hotel. Missed the reception and all. But I heard Tevi had fun dancing the night away. :)

Following pictures:   ~  one of the cakes  ~  couple cutting the cake  ~  some of the baskets, mats, and quilts that are fixtures at Tongan gatherings  ~  a really cute girl!  ~  most of the group (I think I was already sick, lying down in the van at this point)  ~  the wedding party  ~  bride's bouquet

December already??!!

Just WHERE did November go? Forget the fact that I spent half of it sick...that month went by waaaay too fast!

For the past couple years, part of our advent calendar included a daily Christmas-related activity, ranging from "decorate the tree" to "jingle some bells and sing" to "enjoy a mug of hot cocoa." Well, it seems that December 1 arrived, and I didn't even have the advent calendar out, let alone filled with planned activities. So, being the improvising/desperate mother I am (I'm single this week...Aki is back east), I declared our Christmas activity would be: go to Wal-Mart and check out the Christmas goods! Little did I know it would be such a hit.

Sometimes a trip to Wal-Mart without a list or time limit is kinda fun, you know? Tevi was mesmerized by the LCD light display, Ame was taken by the miniature bows, and Makai was all over the Transformers wrapping paper. Together we picked out a few rolls of non-Transformers wrapping paper (don't tell Aki I purchased more—he thinks I have a sickness), ribbon, gift bags, and light strands. To top it all off, as we left the area, Alvin and the Chipmunks sang about getting a hula hoop—my kids' favorite.

It was actually a great way to get excited for Christmas. Who knows, maybe next year's December 1st will be spent in the Mart as well!

P.S. All you Wal-Mart haters, please keep your comments to yourself. Remember where I live...Wal-Mart is the only store there is (oh, I forgot about Walgreens). Believe me, I too hate going there sometimes, but I actually enjoyed myself tonight, which was the point of my post. Save Money. Live Better.

Appreciate

“It is vital that people ‘count their blessings’: to appreciate what they possess without having to undergo its actual loss.”



—Abraham Maslow

“There is a calmness to a life lived in Gratitude, a quiet joy.”


—Ralph H. Blum

Rejoice in what you have

"Some people complain because God put thorns on roses, while others praise Him for putting roses among thorns."


—Anonymous

 “He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”



—Epictetus

"You say, 'If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied.' You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled."



—Charles Haddon Spurgeon

From the heart

He who thanks but with the lips Thanks but in part;

The full, the true Thanksgiving
Comes from the heart.


-J.A. Shedd

Much too much stuffin'

I ate too much turkey,

I ate too much corn,
I ate too much pudding and pie,
I'm stuffed up with muffins
and much too much stuffin',
I'm probably going to die.

I piled up my plate
and I ate and I ate,

but I wish I had known when to stop,

for I'm so crammed with yams,
sauces, gravies, and jams
that my buttons are starting to pop.

I'm full of tomatoes
and french fried potatoes,

my stomach is swollen and sore,

but there's still some dessert,
so I guess it won't hurt
if I eat just a little bit more.
 - Jack Prelutsky, I Ate Too Much

Grateful praise

Our Father, fill our hearts, we pray,

With gratitude Thanksgiving Day;

For food and raiment Thou dost give,

That we in comfort here may live.

- Luther Cross, Thanksgiving Day

For the beauty of the earth

For the glory of the skies,

For the love which from our birth

Over and around us lies.

For the beauty of each hour,

Of the day and of the night,

Hill and vale, and tree and flower,

Sun and moon, and stars of light.

For the joy of human love,

Brother, sister, parent, child,

Friends on earth and friends above,

For all gentle thoughts and mild.

Lord of all, to Thee we raise,

This our hymn of grateful praise!

- Folliott S. Pierpoint

Home to the Nest

Give me the end of the year an' its fun
When most of the plannin' an' toilin' is done;
Bring all the wanderers home to the nest,
Let me sit down with the ones I love best,
Hear the old voices still ringin' with song,
See the old faces unblemished by wrong,
See the old table with all of its chairs
An' I'll put soul in my Thanksgivin' prayers.


- Edgar A. Guest, Thanksgiving

First-rate play

Over the river and through the woods
Oh, how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes
And bites the nose,
As over the ground we go.

Over the river and through the woods
To have a first-rate play.
Hear the bells ring,
Ting-a-ling-ling!
Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day!

- Linda Maria Child, "Over the River"

Harvest

The year has turned its circle,

The seasons come and go.

The harvest all is gathered in

And chilly north winds blow.

Orchards have shared their treasures,

The fields, their yellow grain,

So open wide the doorway-

Thanksgiving comes again!

first snow

house sparrows

darken the hedgerow

- Ellen Compton

Acoustics

"A few days ago I walked along the edge of the lake and was treated to the crunch and rustle of leaves

with each step I made. The acoustics of this season are different and all sounds, no matter how hushed, are as crisp as autumn air."

- Eric Sloane

Until next spring

"November comes
And November goes,
With the last red berries
And the first white snows.

With night coming early,
And dawn coming late,
And ice in the bucket
And frost by the gate.

The fires burn
And the kettles sing,
And earth sinks to rest
Until next spring."

--Elizabeth Coatsworth

To wait

"How silently they tumble down
And come to rest upon the ground
To lay a carpet, rich and rare,
Beneath the trees without a care,
Content to sleep, their work well done,
Colors gleaming in the sun.

At other times, they wildly fly
Until they nearly reach the sky.
Twisting, turning through the air
Till all the trees stand stark and bare.
Exhausted, drop to earth below
To wait, like children, for the snow."

--Elsie N. Brady, Leaves