Kaila's 1-year Birthday Luau

Four and a half months later, we finally had Kaila's 1-year birthday luau. The theme was "Lilo and Stitch."

Kaila sitting in front of the kiddie pool, getting excited about the possibility of playing in there.

Kaila taking a stroll across the farm to see what the big kids are doing.

The cousins in the bigger pool.

Getting everything decorated and set-up.

We were trying not to let the kids get in the water until the guests arrived. But we finally gave in and let them play. Here, playing with Rowena.

The Polynesian Pinata.

Mom and Lopaka hanging the birthday banner......

........as Kaila looks on in approval.......with her ice cube.

Kaila en route across the farm from the kiddie pool to the big pool.

Waiting for the guests to arrive.

Kaila playing in the water in the cardboard box.

Kaila, on the outside looking in.........

.............so she runs back across the farm to the kiddie pool.

The guest table.

Goodie-bags for the guests.

And souvenir pictures for the guests, along with a chance to write Kaila a birthday message.

Kaila finally gets into the big kids pool with Rowena, La'a, and Papa.

She sees Mommy and Teresa setting up the slip-&-slide, so she wants out (meanwhile, Uncle John is getting squirted in the face with water by Karsen).

Playing on the slip-&-slide.

But she was more amazed by the fountain at the end of the slide.

Getting a juice break with Uncle Lopaka.

Her Chantilly cake.

Her guava cake.

Anuhea Pratt

We had several games set up for the kids. The first one was a limbo contest. Rowena limbos under the bar.

Trenton

Kaila thought she'd give it a try.

The kids pose with Lilo

Us with Lilo

Time to eat!! So Jane, Ikaika, Uncle Glen, and Uncle John dug out the lau-lau from the imu.

Lau-lau!

Mommy and Kaila coloring Lilo and Stitch pictures with Raylenne and Nohi.

Kaila with Auntie Lee Kamekona

The last game we had set-up was the pinata. Trenton lets loose on some built-up anger.

Parker Reppun

Rowena swings

La'a takes a whack

Anu broke it open

SUGAR!!!

Even Kaila got a bag-full, with help from Auntie Lee

Blowing out the candles and cutting the cakes

Uncle Gabby, Auntie Sue, Lynn, Kiana, and Karsen Mahelona

Troy and Lee Kamekona, and Auntie Wanda

Auntie Glenna, Jacob, and Zach.

Uncle Paul and Auntie Laurie Reppun

Rob, Raylenne, Ikaika, Nohi, and Anuhea Pratt (with baby Noi, whom Raylenne baby-sits).

It would be an understatement to say that Kaila had fun. She had SO much fun playing with all the kids. She was running all over the place, talking, yelling, and playing. You could tell she was so tired, but she didn't want to stop; she wanted to keep up with the big kids. THANK YOU to all our family and friends who came to celebrate with us. Thank you to those who helped get this luau set-up. We truly love you all and will miss you lots!

Rowena and Trenton's May Day

Last Friday was Rowena and Trenton's May Day Performance at their school. May Day is an event that happens at almost all schools where the entire school performs for family and friends. It used to be comprised of more traditional hula dancing, but it has been modernized now with more popular songs and dances.

The stage. The theme was "Lights, Camera, Action."

Kaila with her Cousins Rowena and Trenton

Us with Rowena and Trenton.

Kaila scored a "touchdown" by posing with her Uncle Lopaka, Aunty Nancy, Rowena, and Trenton.

Videos coming soon. Check back in a few weeks for actual videos of Rowena and Trenton's performances.

Making Lau-Laus for the Luau

Below are pictures from our lau-lau prep session for Kaila's luau. Although Cisco's eaten lau-lau before, he had never been a part of the preparation process. So it was his first time.

The Lau-Lau Assembly Line: Kaui, Auntie Wanda, Ikaika (one of Auntie Wanda's grandsons), Mom, and Cisco.

Cisco rolling and tying lau-lau for the first time.

Kaila serenading us with some Beethoven while we prepared the food. Kaila and La'a playing in the big room while everyone was in the kitchen.

Hanging with Ol' Pacific Buddies

Another great thing about visiting Hawai'i is the chance to not only see family, but to see old college friends from Pacific. Friday was "Pacific Get-Together Night." Two separate parties were going on in Honolulu that night. One was for Shanon Makanui, who was headed off to Europe for 7-weeks. The other, was a graduation party for Jason Pirga, who just graduated from UH as an M.D. He'll be headed to San Diego for his residency in a few weeks. Cisco went to Jason's get-together, at Dave and Busters. He really wanted to go to Shanon's too, but not enough time in the night. Below are pictures from his visit with his buddies at Dave and Busters.

The honoree: Dr. Jason Pirga, M.D.

Jill Remiticado

Mark Kunimoto flew in from Kauai for this get-together. Cisco's boy.

So did Arryl Kaneshiro. Flew in from Kauai right before the get-together.

Kaleo and Fernanda Titcomb

Dr. Jimson Ng, P.T.

Group Picture #1

Group Picture #2

Ikaika Gonzalez. Cisco stayed up late waiting for his arrival. He was happy to see him. Good guy.

Kaha'a Rezantes was back in Hawai'i visiting as well

Tony Ngyuen and Aiko Naramatsu

Soon-to-be Dr. B.J. Awa, Ph.D.

Cisco had a great time visiting with his old buddies. More Pacific people were at Shanon's party, so it would have been nice to visit with them. But Cisco had to make it back to Kaneohe before it was too late (Kaila's party was early the next morning). Even after six years, we're all still close with our Pacific friends.