Steer Clear of the Swine Flu

I got this email from a medical doctor that said there were a few things you can do to prevent catching the swine flu. One of the things on the list was to gargle with warm salt water. I was skeptical about it so I called my mom (who is a nurse) and she said it's not a cure, but it can only help. Most viruses can't live in salt, so something as simple as gargling with salt water will help fight off the viruses!
I asked my mom what I could do for my kids...cause I wouldn't know how to teach them to gargle. She said to get a q-tip dipped in warm salt water and clean their noses out everyday. That will get the salt in their system and help block the virus of the swine flu.

Honestly, my kids have been sick for the past couple days and since I got that email I have tried it on them, and as far as I can see it is totally working!

It's something harmless and it might help prevent sickness....so I say give it a try!

Another one of Mone's "quick ones"

Mone: "Mama, I'm sick, go buy me McDonald's"

Me: Let's go find something to eat in the kitchen

Mone: "No Mama, that food is yucky...I need chicken nuggets cause I'm sick"

I give in, since he's been sick for the past couple days and I head out to buy him and Makai Happy Meals. I get back home and give them their food. Mone opens the box and takes out the toy and says "Thanks Mama, I'm full" Oh my goodness I could have slapped him.... good thing Gramma Tea was hungry, so the food didn't go to waste!!! He's too smart for his age!

ANOTHER DAY / ANOTHER SITUATION

Mone and Makai are in the living room talking and fighting over a sucker. There is only one and Mone has it in his hand but Makai wants it. I hear Mone saying "Makai you can't have it, it's for baby" Next thing I know, he comes into my room and hands me the sucker and whispers really quietly so Makai doesn't hear: "Mama, can you hide this for me" ....
Funny how fast they learn things...when they want something and I don't want them to have it, I always say no, that it's for baby...and they don't say another word....looks like Mone totally caught on! Crazy kid!

My Prophet... Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley

I remember Pres. Ezra Taft Benson and Howard W. Hunter and all the prophets that I've been blessed with in my lifetime, but I can honestly say that Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley is "my prophet"... he served the Lord, and us faithfully for many years, all throughout my young adult, and adult life and his talks of faith strengthened my testimony more than I could ever explain. I remember turning to his teachings on those dreary nights on my mission when I was struggling to find the answer to something. Don't get me wrong, I love admire and respect all the latter-day prophets, but Pres. Hinckley had the most impact on my life and his teachings have helped make me the woman, wife, and mother that I am today.

Sometimes when I'm surfing the internet I log onto lds.org and pull up an article from a while ago, just to read it and get some spiritual uplifting....and here's one I came across today. I thought it was interesting to see how much Pres. Hinckley loved, respected, and talked about women of the church....there were several different talks he gave on women. I came across this talk and it made me cry. He pretty much touches on every situation a woman could be in, young, old, single, married, divorced and widowed....and he gave counsel and advice on how to be the best we can be. I noticed that he stressed the fact that we as women need to not be so hard on ourselves....I know I have a problem with that sometimes. It's reassuring to know and be reminded that I am appreciated and loved by my Heavenly Father. It's a little bit of reading, but if you have time....it WILL brighten your day!!

Gordon B. Hinckley, “To the Women of the Church,” Ensign, Nov 2003, 113

Thank you for being the kind of people you are and doing the things you do. May the blessings of heaven rest upon you.

Someone has said: “Be kind to the women. They constitute half the population and are mothers to the other half.”

My dear sisters, you marvelous women who have chosen the better part, I stand in great admiration for all that you do. I see your hands in everything.

Many of you are mothers, and that is enough to occupy one’s full time.

You are companions—the very best friends your husbands have or ever will have.

You are housekeepers. That doesn’t sound like much, does it? But what a job it is to keep a house clean and tidy.

You are shoppers. Until I got older I never dreamed of what a demanding responsibility it is to keep food in the pantry, to keep clothing neat and presentable, to buy all that is needed to keep a home running.

You are nurses. With every illness that comes along, you are the first to be told about it and the first to respond with help. In cases of serious sickness, you are at the bedside day and night, comforting, encouraging, ministering, praying.

You are the family chauffeur. You are driving your children about on paper routes, taking them to athletic events, driving them on ward outings, hauling here, there, and everywhere as they pursue their busy lives.

And so I might go on. My children are now all grown. Some are in their 60s. But when they call and I answer the phone, they say, “How are you?” And before I can answer, they ask, “Is Mother there?”

She has been their strength all of their lives. Since they were babies they have looked to her, and she has always responded with affection, guidance, teaching, blessing their lives in every way.

Now we have granddaughters who are mothers. They visit us, and I marvel at their patience, at their capacity to calm their children, to stop them from crying, and it seems to me to do a thousand other things.

They drive cars, they run computers, they attend the activities of their children, they cook and sew, they teach classes, and they speak in church.

I see their husbands, and I feel like saying to them: “Wake up. Carry your share of the load. Do you really appreciate your wife? Do you know how much she does? Do you ever compliment her? Do you ever say thanks to her?”

Well, you dear women, I say thanks to you. Thank you for being the kind of people you are and doing the things you do. May the blessings of heaven rest upon you. May your prayers be answered and your hopes and dreams become realities.

You serve so well in the Church. You think it is so demanding. It is. But with every responsibility fulfilled, there comes a great reward.

Many of you think you are failures. You feel you cannot do well, that with all of your effort it is not sufficient.

We all feel that way. I feel that way as I speak to you tonight. I long for, I pray for the power and the capacity to lift you, to inspire you, to thank you, to praise you, and to bring a measure of gladness into your hearts.

We all worry about our performance. We all wish we could do better. But unfortunately we do not realize, we do not often see the results that come of what we do.

I remember going to a stake conference in the East many years ago. On the plane coming home, I felt that I had been a total failure. I felt I had not touched anyone for good. I was miserable with a sense of inadequacy.

Then, some years later, I was at another conference in California. At the conclusion of the meeting a man came up to me and said, “You were at a conference a few years ago in such-and-such a place.”

“Yes,” I said, “I was there, and I remember the occasion.”

The man said: “You touched my heart. I came to that meeting out of curiosity. I really had no interest. I was on the verge of leaving the Church. But when it was announced that one of the Twelve Apostles would be there, I decided to go.

“You said something that started me to think. It touched me and stayed with me and stirred me. I decided to alter my course. I turned my life around. I am now living here in California. I have a good job, for which I am grateful. I hope I am a good husband and father. And I am now serving as a counselor in the bishopric of my ward. I am happier than I have ever been at any time in my life.”

I thanked him, and when I left him I said to myself, shaking my head: “You never know. You never know whether you do any good. You never know how much good you do.”

Now, my dear sisters, that is the way with you. You are doing the best you can, and that best results in good to yourself and to others. Do not nag yourself with a sense of failure. Get on your knees and ask for the blessings of the Lord; then stand on your feet and do what you are asked to do. Then leave the matter in the hands of the Lord. You will discover that you have accomplished something beyond price.

Now, we have a very diverse group to whom I am speaking. This includes young women who are still in school or who are working. You are single. You are hoping to catch that perfect man. I have yet to see one who is perfect. Aim high, but do not aim so high that you totally miss the target. What really matters is that he will love you, that he will respect you, that he will honor you, that he will be absolutely true to you, that he will give you freedom of expression and let you fly in the development of your own talents. He is not going to be perfect, but if he is kind and thoughtful, if he knows how to work and earn a living, if he is honest and full of faith, the chances are that you will not go wrong, that you will be immensely happy.

Some of you, unfortunately, will never marry in this life. That turns out to be the case sometimes. If that happens, do not spend your life grieving over it. The world still needs your talents. It needs your contribution. The Church needs your faith. It needs your strong, helping hand. Life is never a failure until we call it such. There are so many who need your helping hands, your loving smile, your tender thoughtfulness. I see so many capable, attractive, wonderful women whom romance has passed by. I do not understand it, but I know that in the plan of the Almighty, the eternal plan which we call God’s plan of happiness, there will be opportunity and reward for all who seek them.

To you young women with small children, yours is a tremendous challenge. So often there is not enough money. You must scrimp and save. You must be wise and careful in your expenditures. You must be strong and bold and brave and march forward with gladness in your eye and love in your heart. How blessed you are, my dear young mothers. You have children who will be yours forever. I hope that you have been sealed in the house of the Lord and that your family will be an everlasting family in the kingdom of our Father.

May you be given strength to carry your heavy load, to meet every obligation, to walk side by side with a good and faithful and caring man, and together with him rear and nurture and bring up your children in righteousness and truth. Nothing else you will ever own, no worldly thing you will ever acquire will be worth so much as the love of your children. God bless you, my dear, dear young mothers.

Then we have you older women who are neither young nor old. You are in the most wonderful season of your lives. Your children are in their teens. Possibly one or two are married. Some are on missions, and you are sacrificing to keep them in the field. You are hoping and praying for their success and happiness. To you dear women I offer some special counsel.

Count your blessings; name them one by one. You don’t need a great big mansion of a house with an all-consuming mortgage that goes on forever. You do need a comfortable and pleasant home where love abides. Someone has said that there is no more beautiful picture than that of a good woman cooking a meal for those she loves. Weigh carefully that which you do. You do not need some of the extravagances that working outside the home might bring. Weigh carefully the importance of your being in the home when your children come from school.

Mothers, take good care of your daughters. Be close to them. Listen to them. Talk with them. Lead them from doing foolish things. Guide them into doing the right thing. See that they dress in a comely and modest fashion. Safeguard them from the terrible evils that are all about them.

Nurture your sons with love and counsel. Teach them the importance of personal cleanliness, of neatness in their dress. Sloppy ways lead to sloppy lives. Instill in them a sense of discipline. Keep them worthy of service to the Church as missionaries. Give them things to do so that they may learn to work. Teach them to be frugal. Labor and frugality lead to prosperity. Teach them that nothing really good happens after 11 o’clock at night. And do not spoil them. If they go on missions, they may be compelled to live in circumstances that you would not wish for them. Do not worry about them. Give them encouragement.

Stir within your children the desire for education. This is the latchkey to success in life. And at the same time, teach them that as President David O. McKay was wont to remind us, “No other success can compensate for failure in the home.” 1

Now I speak to you single mothers whose burdens are so heavy because you have been abandoned or have been widowed. Yours is a terrible load. Bear it well. Seek the blessings of the Lord. Be grateful for any assistance that may come out of the quorums of the priesthood to help you in your home or with other matters. Pray silently in your closet, and let the tears flow if they must come. But put a smile on your face whenever you are before your children or others.

Now to you dear grandmothers, you older widows, and older lonely women. How beautiful you are. I look upon my dear wife, soon to be 92 years of age. Her hair is white; her frame is stooped.

I take one of her hands in mine and look at it. Once it was so beautiful, the flesh firm and clear. Now it is wrinkled and a little bony and not very strong. But it speaks of love and constancy and faith, of hard work through the years. Her memory is not what it once was. She can remember things that happened half a century ago but may not remember what happened half an hour ago. I am like that, too.

But I am so grateful for her. For 66 years we have walked together, hand in hand, with love and encouragement, with appreciation and respect. It cannot be very long before one of us will step through the veil. I hope the other will follow soon. I just would not know how to get along without her, even on the other side, and I would hope that she would not know how to get along without me.

My dear friends of the Relief Society, whatever your circumstances, wherever you may live, may the windows of heaven be opened and blessings come down upon you. May you live with love one for another. May you reach down to lift up those whose burdens are heavy. May you bring light and beauty to the world and particularly into your homes and into the lives of your children.

You know as I do that God our Eternal Father lives. He loves you. You know as I do that Jesus is the Christ, His immortal Son, our Redeemer. You know that the gospel is true and that heaven is near if we will cultivate it in our lives.

You are the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There is no other organization to equal it. Walk with pride. Hold your heads up. Work with diligence. Do whatever the Church asks you to do. Pray with faith. You may never know how much good you accomplish. Someone’s life will be blessed by your effort. May you know the comforting, rewarding embrace of the Holy Spirit, I pray in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.

My Dad...

Okay, so I wanted to pay a special tribute to my dad, Semisi Makai. He's the stake president of the Tongan South Stake in Provo and a very very very faithful man. He is such a good role model to me, my sisters, all our kids....and just everyone. He's the kind of man that is willing to take the shirt off his back if that's the only thing he had to give you, literally. There have been so many times throughout my life that I have witnessed the true love of Christ from my Dad, and I would like to think I'm a better person because of his example. His story of faith is a crazy one....being a convert to the church, I've seen him go from never going to church with us, drinking kava all the time....to being this wonderful example of Christ. I can't say enough about my dad. I love him so much for his faith, his testimony, his love for everyone, and especially his example to my kids!

My sister posted about an experience my dad had recently, and I think she worded it pretty well....here it is:

As the stake president, my dad felt the impression to help with the relief for the tsunami victims in Samoa. Many families from his stake lost loved ones, parents, brothers, sisters, children, and spouses in that tragic event. He challenged all his members of his stake to donate anything that they could of these following supplies:

-Flour
-Sugar
-Oil
-Rice
-Non-perishables (canned goods)
-Laundry Soap
-Hygiene items
-Clothes
-Shoes
-Blankets
-Bedding
(and anything else that the families could use during this time)

Containers were made for each ward, labeled with their name on it, and yesterday Oct. 19, 2009 the members gathered at the Stake Center to assemble their wards container to send.

Hundreds of people faithfully donated goods for this service and the containers were soon packed to the top (some of the containers could barely close).

My Dad contacted two of the Stake Presidents in Samoa and told him that his stake would be sending nine containers to them (7ft L, 4 1/2ft W, 4ft Deep)...when Dad was speaking to the stake presidents in Samoa he learned that both of their stake houses and members homes were wiped out in the Tsunami and that the majority of the members were camping up in the hills, that Sunday the Stake Presidents spoke to the members as they assembled outside in a field for their meetings...the Stake Presidents told them of Dad's stake's Service Project and dad said the Stake President reported that the members cried so hard with Gratitude.

Because this was a service project the church did NOT fund any of this. To send one box was over $500 and they had 9 boxes. Dad said he fasted and prayed many times for a way they could pay to send the boxes, some of the members had donated some money, but he still needed $4100...Dad didn't want to ask the members to donate money because he knew that many of the members were struggling financially especially in this economy. Dad called me and shared a story with me that touched my heart and strengthened my testimony, something I hope I'll never forget.

Dad's story:
Fasting and Praying Dad went to the Temple, after finishing his session while sitting in the Celestial Room he began to pray and pour out his heart to the Lord, he said he was crying telling the Lord that the members have faithfully donated so much, but he doesn't know how they were to pay for the containers to go to Samoa, he asked the Lord to please provide a way. After he was done counseling with the Lord, he felt a tap on his shoulder...it was a palangi man, the man looked at Dad and said, "President Makai, what can I help you with?" Dad said he was immediately humbled...he didn't want to tell this man what was going on, but he said the spirit told him to so he did...Dad said to the man. "I have 9 containers ready to send to the members in Samoa but I need $4100 to send them." The man patted Dad on the shoulder and told him..."President Makai, meet me in the parking lot after you get dressed." Dad met this man and his wife in the parking lot...the wife handed Dad a check for $4100. Dad said he couldn't stop crying. (yes we all know Dad is a crybaby so I can only imagine how overcome he was with gratitude) Dad now refers to this man as "my very best friend" he learned that this man owns a very productive company in Provo and was more than willing to help with such a wonderful cause. (Dad tells everyone that they are his best friend, but funny thing is....he really means it...who said you can't have a million BEST FRIENDS?

Thank you Dad for your wonderful example of faith and service....I only wish I can follow in your footsteps and try everyday to be more Christlike. I love you!

Baby Tevita Tonga Fangupo

It's obvious that our family has been challenged this past few weeks with medical issues of some of our close family members, and sad to say.... this tribute is to another very special little guy in our family, Tevita Tonga Fangupo. He is the son of Kina and Christina Fangupo and just recently turned 8 months old. He is the cutest most handsome little guy, who seriously, is always smiling. He's got that sense about him that just lightens up the room, and he can make anyone around him smile just by smiling at them. He's the happiest baby! When Baby Tevita was born, he had a hard time breathing...after doing several tests on him, the doctor's found out that he had several little tumors growing inside his throat, that were blocking his airway making it hard for him to breathe. They did an operation on him a few weeks after he was born, injecting some medication to shrink the tumors. The operation was successful and he was able to go home. He seems to get sick really quickly, and Tina was constantly in and out of the hospital with him, just to make sure he was okay. Other than the issue with the tumors, he seemed to be a very healthy baby. He eats a lot, and is super chunky...thunder thighs and all! Last week, he got sick again and Jr & Tina rushed him up to the hospital. We didn't get the news we wanted to hear, hoping he just caught a cold or something. The doctors said that the tumors had grown back and his airway was blocked again. The doctors told his parents that he's a little fighter, he's been fighting for his life since the day he was born. Our hearts and prayers go out to baby Tevita! He's been in Primary Children's Hospital for a week now, and nobody knows how long he'll be up there. They did another operation on him a few days ago, injecting the tumors with chemo in hopes that they would shrink. So far, no luck. They've given his parents other options, that we don't want to talk about right now, we're all just praying and fasting for a miracle. He's on a breathing tube right now that is sustaining him 100% and will until the tumors shrink enough for him to breathe on his own. Like the doctors said, we all know that he's a little fighter and everything will be okay. Baby Tevita, be strong and keep fighting! Our thoughts and prayers are with you every second of the day! We love you!

Ma's Visitors....

Beautiful Gramma Sa'ane

Ma's 1st cousin Tautala

Kina and Kesa with Tautala

Pisila, Langatotoa, Ma & Tautala

I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!!

Makai Grandchild #12 makes his debut...

My older sister Leslie has three beautiful girls, and was so excited to welcome her first little boy Asher Petuliki Gleaves on Monday September 28th @ 4:14am. He weighed 8lbs. 13oz. and was 21'inches long. He is so handsome and we're so happy he's finally here!!

He's totally his daddy, with the blonde hair and blue eyes....



Leslie and baby Liki


Baby Liki and our little family


Our Makai family is growing so quickly...
Salote Monica
Jalen Lesieli
Pita Masaku
Makai Semisi Folau
Halle Evelani
Amelia Yesnia
Semisi Folau Makai
Filimone Matakaiongo
Tatem Siulua
Siope Toutai
Taniela Fatai
Asher Petuliki
#13 coming soon!!

Our little princess.... Lautala

Since this little girl is so stubborn....we've had to get 4 ultrasounds now!! She's always in a weird position that won't let the doctor's see the chambers of her heart, or the cord insertion....this one was the winner, she was FINALLY able to see everything she needed to!! We totally don't mind getting all these ultrasounds, cause hey...every chance for us to see our little princess is fine with us!! Here's couple pictures of her face that we got at the last one!! She'll make her debut the end of December!! We can't wait!

A Big Scare...

I can't say enough about Gramma Sa'ane. She's my husband's grandma, but more like his mom because he was raised by her and Tea. I love Ma so much! Ever since I was dating Ova, I could feel the love this woman had for me....and it's been like that ever since. I've been extremely blessed to have her living with us and to be able to spend everyday with her. My kids are blessed to have her around all the time, and I just think it's so cute how she talks to them and yells at them in Tongan and they totally listen to her and know exactly what she's saying. As we all know, my Tongan, well....isn't the greatest....so I often have to call Makai over to ask him what Ma is saying to me, or to have him tell her what I'm trying to say....hahaha! There is a language barrier between us, but we always seem to be able to communicate. I love those nights when we're all just sitting at home with nothing to do and I'm totally holding a long conversation with her about whatever is going on. From her life back in Tonga, to her family, to my family, to the crazy things my kids do. Ova gets a kick out of watching us talk, and how we can totally understand each other. Even though what I'm trying to say in Tongan doesn't make sense, she seems to understand me. She has the sweetest smile in the world and her spirit is so strong. You'll never see her anywhere without reading materials, usually the scriptures or her teachings of the prophets books.
I remember we took a last minute camping trip to the Palasades a couple years ago, just our little family and she spent the whole time sitting in her camping chair, reading her scriptures...that's just how she is. Her spirit is so strong and I'm so blessed to be able to see and feel it everyday.

Well, a few nights ago it was one of those nothing to do nights where we were all just sitting at home watching tv and hanging out. Ma was laying on the couch in the front living room watching my boys run around and jump all over the furniture. She was calling for us to come to the other living room to talk to her. Ova and I went and sat on the couch, and she started talking about Tonga and her family. It was silent for a little while and she looked at Ova with the look that made him ask her what was wrong. She was telling us that she knows she originally told us to name our daughter after Tea, but she was thinking about it and she decided she wants us to name her Ilaisaane Lautala Fangupo, after her, and call her Lautala. We both said of course, and Ova asked her why the change of mind. She got quiet and told him that she feels really close to Heavenly Father and doesn't think she'll be around much longer. We'd never ever heard her talk like that before, and of course we couldn't stop crying. She was telling us not to cry, that she's lived a full life and she's ready to go. Ova and Tea started talking with her about Grampa Timote and how it's going on 29 years now that she's been without him. I can't imagine being without my husband for that long. Ma is going to be 87 years old this January, and even with all the times we've taken her to the hospital, she's never talked like this before. The feeling in the room was very sad and we all couldn't stop crying. Tea told Ova and I later on that Kina Lahi and Sau Lahi were both at the house earlier and she had them crying as well. We spent that whole night talking and just enjoying each others company....and then Ma asked me to come sit by her. She took her wedding ring off her hand, grabbed my hand and gave it to me. She said she wanted me to keep it in a safe place and give it to Lautala when she gets older. I completely broke down. She gave me a big hug and told me to stop crying... I hate thinking that she won't be around....really, I can't imagine life without her around.
The next day was Sunday and Siosiana came over and stayed with her while we went to church. We hurried and left right when sacrament was over and when we got home Ma was laying in her bed with tons of blankets on her and Siosi was sitting on the floor holding her hand. Siosi was crying and telling us that she was praying that we would come home soon, that Ma was freezing and shaking. We got her ready and took her to the hospital. We spent pretty much the next couple days at the hospital sitting in the waiting room waiting for updates on her health. We called everyone and let them know how she was doing, and everyone that could...came and visited her. Ma was very happy to have everyone visiting, especially the Frisco people!! Her health seemed to improve a lot while she was in the hospital, she looked a lot better than when we took her in. It's just the way that she is talking. I think she's ready to go....or she's preparing herself and us to be ready....
I'm very happy that she improved enough to come home....and although she's gotten really old really quick, she's still eating and walking around and she remembers everyone! I love Gramma Sa'ane so much and am so grateful that she's a part of my life!

Here are some pictures we took at the hospital....

Tea was by her side 24-7....and she always has been!



Ma with Alisi


Ma with Ova


Ma and me.... I took the first picture, and then she told me to stand up and she put her hands on my stomach.... a picture with her namesake!



Ma with Kina Leka



Ma with her oldest son Kinania


Ma with her daughter Alisi Namupau'u


Ma with her oldest daughter Pisila Lupe


Ma with Li



Ma with Leka and Kina Leka




Ma with her great-grandkids....
Makai & Filimone




Mosese


Alisi and Pisila Lupe



We love you so much Gramma Sa'ane!!

"I NEED A PEN....HURRY MOM"

Makai came home from school and he had a cute little plastic tooth holder that his teacher gave him. He's had had a loose tooth for a few days, but wouldn't let me or Ova pull it out cause he thought it would hurt. At school, one of his friends told him to just twist it and it would pop out...and sure enough, it worked!! His front tooth is gone! He went and told his teacher and she gave him the little container/necklace to put it in...it was so cute!

When he got home from school, he was so excited to show us his missing tooth and the special container his teacher gave him. I told him to be careful with it so he didn't lose the tooth so that he could put in under his pillow for the tooth fairy. He put the necklace on and went to play outside.
After a little while, he came running in all frantic saying "I need a pen Mom...hurry, right now...I need a pen" I was telling him to calm down and asked him what he needed a pen for. He said that he was playing and he didn't notice that the tooth must have fallen out of his necklace tooth-holder and he couldn't find it. He was so sad and he asked me "do you think the tooth fairy will understand if I write her a note?" I told him I didn't know, but that he could try it. He wrote this cutest little note saying, "I'm sorry tooth fairy, I lost my tooth. Please don't be mad at me." He put the note under his pillow that night with the empty tooth container and to his wonderful surprise, the tooth fairy wasn't mad at all!! She took the container and put a dollar under his pillow. He was so excited!

Makai Kids Birthday Bash

The majority of grandkids on the Makai side celebrate their birthdays around the same time, between the months of July-September.... this year we decided to have one big birthday bash instead of celebrating them all separately. We all went to Leslie's house on Jalen's actual birthday and celebrated all the kids' birthdays. They all felt so special and had so much fun!

At first we went to the park and let them play on the playground....the weather was so nice, not too hot....nice and breezy! Patrick stayed back for a little bit to prepare our lunch for us! Chili-cheese hot dogs, with chips and drinks. We all ate the hotdogs and then Marie played some games with the kids... one of the games she played was having each child stand up and saying something nice, or something that they like about their cousin...it was funny some of the things they came up with... things like "I like his eye-balls" or "she's nice to me sometimes"....hahaha it's so funny to hear the things that kids say. After that, we went back to the house... the kids wanted to walk from the park to the house, which really is not that close...so my Mom, Leslie, Marie and me drove back to the house and waited for them to come running around the corner.


All the kids made their own individual birthday cakes (we actually used the warm delights from Marie's coupon shopping, but it turned out so nice!) They all got to decorate their little cakes with sprinkles and a candle,







and we sang Happy Birthday a few times while they ate their masterpeices!!!
When their cakes were gone and their faces were covered in chocolate, we went outside for the 2 pinata's that uncle Patrick bought. One was Hanna Montana for the girls, and the other one was Cars for the boys. It was funny because Filimone said "I want Hanna Montana, she's my girlfriend" Crazy little boy! They got TONZ of candy....and had so much fun!