October Haps: Happy Birthday Grandpa Kina!

I told you we did a lot in October! So I know that we said we wouldn't be going out to Salt Lake for the rest of the year... I guess I lied :) Ti's family decided to throw their Dad a surprise birthday/retirement party and because of my new shift we were actually able to attend. Ti and the boys picked me up from work at 6am, we picked up our rental, and got right on the freeway. We got there just in time to take our seats and welcome Kina with shouts of surprise. The family honored him with delicious food, traditional dances, and words of gratitude.

After the party we got the opportunity to meet our niece Katea Fangupo. She's the tiniest thing I've seen. Like many other trips I've made to the hospital, this one reminded me of so many simple things I take for granted. It was a special thing to spend time with her and to see another one of God's miracles with my own eyes.

Fangupo Cheer Squad

Ti's parents were in town this past weekend along with one of his brothers. They surprised our boys by showing up to their soccer game. These pics were all snapped by my mother-in-law. She came over after the game and was beaming with pride telling me how well the boys did.

Head of the Pack

He's sitting in front of the TV, what is on the screen?
The O'Reilly Factor or Sports Center

You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad?
He'll order Ranch, then pass it over to me =)

What's one food he doesn't like?
? He's not a picky eater at all. I can't think of anything that he doesn't really care for.


You go out to eat and have a drink. What does he order?
Steak with mashed potatoes and a side of mushrooms (and A1 sauce of course) with a Coke


Where did he go to high school?
Hunter High School. Apparently Hunter guys love them some Kearns girls :D

What size shoe does he wear?
13


If he was to collect anything, what would it be?
Does socks count? He feels like he needs to buy a new pack every time we're at the store. He could probably also start a collection of safety goggles & those free pencils he brings home from work.


What is his favorite type of sandwich?
Cheese Steak from Capriotti's

What would he eat every day if he could?
Steak


What is his favorite cereal?
Honey Bunches of Oats



What would he never wear?
Muscle shirts/ Tight T's (thank goodness!)



What is his favorite sports team?
Utah Jazz hands down!!!


Who did he vote for?
McCain- I voted for the both of us because he procrastinated on registering


Who is his best friend?
Me of course! ha!


What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do?
Probably cut my hair. He likes it long... too bad so sad.

What is his heritage?
Vaini Vale

You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake will it be?
Chocolate with chocolate pudding and whipped cream


Did he play sports in high school?
Football for Hunter... and rugby with the Lions? Not sure what team, but he's been playing rugby since he was a sophomore.



What could he spend hours doing?
Play dominoes with the guys (I've seen it happen.)


What is one unique talent he has?
He is famous among the kids for his tickling skills which is both horrible and great at the same time.

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Ti Tonga left to Salt Lake Saturday afternoon, so sadly me and the boys were not able to spend Father's Day with him. I'm glad he was at least able to spend the day with his own Dad and enjoy a Father's Day meal with his family. I was going through our Fangupo family website and found some of these old pics that made me smile.



I can't believe how much our kids have grown. I constantly joke around with Ti Tonga and tell him that we're cursed with boys because of his Fangupo genes. All joking aside- we have been blessed with three wonderful healthy sons who are the best of friends. And what more could a household of boys require than a Father to look up to and learn from. Me and Ti entered parenthood earlier than probably either of us imagined we would. But regardless of our age or maybe lack of experience in life- he has been an incredible father from day 1. I can see the admiration in our boy's eyes whenever he steps in the room. One day Mote came up to me and told me that when he grows up he wants to be a Dad. The boys are always trying to mimick him and do things just like "Teti". If Ti expresses that he likes a certain food or show on T.V., then it's automatically Mote's favorite food or show too. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father has led me to this amazing person. I have been lucky enough to experience life's joys and trials alongside this man and am privileged that he is mine eternally.

NZ-LV

Ti's first cousin from New Zealand, Timote Manusina, made his way to America for the first time this week. Line and Mazely picked him up in L.A. and decided to swing by Vegas on their way to Salt Lake. We had so much fun spending time with them even though it was a pretty short trip. When Line first told me that they would be stopping by I pictured an awkward night with some guy that we'd never met before. I didn't know if we would even have anything in common with Manusina to talk about. It was the complete opposite of what thought it would be.

We all met up at our house after church and drove up to the Hoover Dam. I googled the route just to see how long it would take to drive, and what was supposed to be a drive lasting under an hour, turned out to be 2 hours of bumper to bumper traffic. The kids loved the water and I just thought it was so cool to see the actual site where Transformers was filmed.

Seven adults and can you believe not one of us had a camera?! Thank goodness for camera phones.

The boys barbecued for us after and as the sun started to go down Ti Tonga and Mote took Manusina to the strip. Me, Maze, and Toa decided to take all the kids to the pool so they could run loose and get their energy out while us girls chatted. It was also Nela's (Mazely's son) birthday so we sang Happy Birthday to him at the pool which he loved. Later that night me, Ti, Manusina, and Maze stayed up forever just talking. Ti's Fangupo side shares this bond that I love seeing. They have this instant connection that I feel has been there from birth. I've seen it with all of his first cousins. I love how they are such a tight knit family and no matter how far apart they live from each other or no matter how long they go without seeing one another- once they all get together, nothing else matters but catching up and having a good time. I don't have a large family like my husband so I really enjoy being included in this atmosphere. It was such a good experience. I love having family over and I really hope my boys will grow up and share that same bond with their cousins.