Happy 4th of July!

I hope all of you had a wonderful Independence Day. I am grateful to live in the United States and for the sacrifices our mothers and fathers have made to get us here. Remember that the 4th of July is also a holiday in Tonga as they celebrate the birthday of the late king Tupou IV. My family usually has tons of family stuff over this holiday but this year we just relaxed and enjoyed time with each other. We took our kids to the Freedom Festival in Provo, Utah. Little Hema enjoyed the parade from his seat on dad's shoulders. It was too crowded to push our double stroller around so we just squished the kids into one stroller...they didn't seem to mind. There was alot to do there but little Hema enjoyed the kiddy rides the most.

We ended the day by setting off our family fireworks and then enjoying the fireworks show by Thanksgiving Point which is only a mile from our house and we have a great view from our house.

Fun at Family Camp!

Nearly 100 family members gathered in Lehi, Utah for our annual family camp. Hepi & Vake travelled with several of their kids from Texas & California to join us this year and it was great to see them. Others in attendance were:

• Grandpa Sione
• Grandpa Sioeli
• Grandma Saane
• Valu, Naisa, La'a, Soni & baby Naisa
• Tapenisi, Siale, Atu, Alani & Sitiveni
• Vake & Baby
• Hepi & Kids
• Mehi si'i & Kids, Toni & Camille
• Samiu, Angie & Kids
• Sione si'i & Kids
• Hema, Becky & Kids
• Fatai, Pita & Kids
• Milika, Mani & Kids
• Sio, Tina & Kids, Sister-in-law
• Salote, Lepeka, Semisi, None
• Semisi (Jimmy), Sara & Kids
• Moana & Monu, Diana
• Sia & Kids, Timote (Veti's)
• Kilifi, Daisy & Kids

I'm sure I am missing some but this is what I can name off the top of my head. The little ones had so much fun running around together, roasting marshmallows and everything else for that matter. The not-so-young ones had a blast playing games and just hanging out with each other. The women played cards all night and the guys played Guitar Hero III all night too. There was plenty to eat and on Friday night Grandma Saane hooked it up with the Tongan grub: Lu Pulu, Sapasui, all kinds of BBQ (they may have even snuck some dog in...JK!), Ota, Manioke, Hopa, Siaine, Kumala, Talo, and just to top it all off they threw in some American staples of Dogs & Burgers, and even potatoe salad. At night when things got a little nippy we busted out the Cocoa and....you guessed it some home fried keke, mmmmmm! Well the family had a wonderful time. It was great to see the little ones get to know each other, we are blood after all! We all agreed that we wanted to do it again next year, same time (second week of June), same place. Family Reunion was also discussed with most of us leaning toward every 2 or 3 years. Family camp will take place every year unless a formal reunion is planned...any questions?! Thanks to all who participated, hope to see more of you out next year. I hope this blog will help us keep updated. Any news or events please email me and I will post them. Ofa Atu.

Congrats to our high school grads!

Sorry this post is late, but we wanted to acknowledge and congradulate the families newest high school graduates, La'a Angilau and Lynn Katoa. La'a graduated from East High School in Salt Lake City, Utah and Lynn graduated from Cottonwood High School in Murray, Utah. La'a is the daughter of Valu (Katoa) & Maveni Angilau. Lynn is the son of Veti Katoa. Both are greatgrandchildren of Semisi Kakapu & Suliana Fatai Katoa. The family showed up in great numbers to support them both. La'a hopes to continue her education but is still undecided and Lynn will be attending the University of Colorado on a athletic scholarship (sorry but my photo's from Lynn's graduation were accidentally erased, so if you have some please email them and I will post them).

Happy Fathers Day!!!

Happy fathers day to all the fathers in our family. How grateful we are for wonderful men who have sacrificed and worked so hard to help our family grow and progress. We love you all!

Get well soon!

Pelenita has been in and out of the hospital due to issues related to diabetes that have effected her heart. Please keep her in your prayers! We love you Ta! Ta is one of Sione lahi's 3 daughters: Valu, Ta, Tapenisi.

Family Camp in Lehi, Utah

This is a map to Willow Park. Just click on the photo and zoom in or go to http://www.utahcountyonline.org/Dept/PubWrks/Parks/ParkDetails.asp?IDNO=11 for a more detailed map.

Congrats Diana!!!

Diana graduated from Salt Lake Community College with a degree in Criminal Justice on May 2, 2008. Way to go!!! What a great example for our kids! Diana hopes to continue her education at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. She is the youngest daughter of Inoke & Lelu Katoa.