The Lakes Trip

This past weekend Jr. and I were invited by Riley and Kristina to their yearly Grand Daddy Lakes trip. They have been going for years with their family and close friends and this year they invited us to go. You horse ride 7 miles to your camp area. I haven't spent much time with horses so I'd been having 2nd, 3rd, and 4th thoughts about going. But Jr. was so excited, I was excited but also a little worried to intrude on a traditional friends and family trip. All worrying aside everyone was so welcoming and very patient with us well with me.

We left Friday morning and drove for about 2 hours east and met Riley and his sister Ralaina at Grandview Trail Head (it's by Tabiona, Ut). They packed all our things on a "pack" horse and I got to ride Nelly and Jr. is riding Heber. He's humongous.

It was a smooth, beautiful 7 mile ride to our campsite. The view is gorgeous.

When we made it there everyone that brought horses let's them graze and hangout. I love this picture. I believe there were 19 horses total and 14 campers.

We had the best meals out there. Everyone really went all out. Mostly everything we ate was cooked in dutch ovens over the camp fire and we had the best Cobbler ever made. No joke it was delicious. That reminds me I need that recipe. I tried not to eat too much out there because there are no bathrooms......if you needed to go, you took a walk and handled your business. It's definitely rough camping.

We stayed up late Friday night singing songs by the camp fire. Kristina and I had been working on a Song book for the trip because usually it's just Riley and Jr. singing at our gatherings but this time we wanted to join in.

We slept with 6 other people in Riley's new tent and I was warned that it gets crazy cold at night but they had heaters going in the tent and it was so warm and cozy.

I really felt like I was starting to relax with the 7 mile ride out of the way, then Saturday morning came. I woke up and I was sore! Not saddle sore surprisingly (good thing I have a lot of cushion) but my back ached. But these cowboys know what their doing because everyone had medicine for us to take. Then wouldn't you know it was time to jump on the horses again and go on what they called an "adventure".

And an adventure it was! Below are 2 videos that Jr. took while on this adventure.

It was crazy! I was terrified the whole time. I don't have a lot of horse control and I think Nelly took me for a ride that day. She seemed so sweet and slow on Friday but she was well rested and ready roll come Saturday. I guess I looked petrified the whole time because everyone kept asking me how I was doing. I didn't want to say I was freaked out of my mind and about pee'd in my pants a million times.

It was such an amazing experience and I was thankful we got to go. It really made me appreciate all the beautiful land and animals that Heavenly Father created for us.

Sunday morning we packed up and took the 7 mile journey back to our cars. We had so much stuff and it took up two more horses so Kristina and Ralaina hiked out. When I say hike I mean HIKE. It was a rough trail for horses with 4 feet. I was so impressed with those two especially with the high elevation.

Well I made it out alive and my husband has now become obsessed with horse riding. Jr. loved every second on those horses and cant wait to go again. I on the other hand am more scared then before the trip. That Saturday ride got me all messed up. But I still had an awesome time. Thanks Kristina and Riley! We had a blast.

Maile Reunion 09

A couple of weeks ago we had our annual Maile reunion. It's just Jr.s parents and his siblings and their families that go. I love having a small family reunion because no one really gets lost in the crowd. We're already a tight knit family so we were very excited to go and have some fun. We started it last year so this was our 2nd year. The Michell's in our ward let us stay in their cabin located in Hobble Creek Canyon. It was a really nice cabin. It had flushing toilets and showers. The only down fall was that we had to use a generator for electricity and it didn't work the last day and a half that we were there.
It was so much fun to spend time together as a family and just relax and watch our kids enjoy themselves. We did a lot of eating as always, went on nature walks, played with water balloons, sang songs, played in the near by creek, etc. It was awesome.

Here are the kids playing water balloon games on the sand volleyball court. I love the Mountains in the background.
Tiera and Line enjoying the cold stream. Aunty Misty caught a lizard and let Ray hold it. Leka and Eli hanging out on the swing. Not positive whose feet these are besides Leka's but I love this picture. Jr. doing what he does best...Barbecuing. I could have done without the pose though. lol
Majority of the manual labor was done by Ikaika and Corey. Thanks boys!
Jr. and I have been blessed with the sweetest friends ever. Riley and Kristina were kind enough to bring up their horses and let our family enjoy riding them for a day. We had such a great time. They definitely made the reunion a memorable one. We'll always be thankful to have such great friends.

RayRay getting ready to ride Yankee.
Eva not sure if she wants to ride the horse anymore. Look at that face, so cute. Leka riding Sassy. Naki helping Grandma off the horse. She'd had enough and was making a run or should I say jump for it. Good thing Naki was there to catch her.
I love this picture of the two Maati's riding horses. Jr.s Dad had a horse in Tonga. He actually broke his arm when he was younger when he fell off his horse. Ray loves when Grandpa tells storys about his horse. He was a natural.Here's a picture of us Moms with the kids. Kristina brought her twins Joni and Maile with her. I'm holding Maile and she's holding Joni. They are the cutest twins. They are so gorgeous, good and easy going. They named Maile after Jr. and our last name. Inst that cool? Jr. was so honored. Go Abby and Misty!
Here's Ikaika riding Sassy. Rex, Mom and Riley returning from their ride. We ended the trip with dances and family skits. The girls did a special number for Grandpa and Grandma. I have the most beautiful and talented nieces. The kids came up with a skit all on their own, I was amazed that Ray actually participated and helped out. Sometimes he's too shy especially when he and Leka are the only younger boys on the Maile side and the rest are girls.
This particular skit involved only Michael Jackson songs. Yes! Our kids know what good, real music is. Sorry Britney your music doesn't get much play by these kids. Rex and his kids performing "Thriller" it was hilarious! I'm so thankful to be married into such a loving, eternal, funny, forgiving and amazing family. I cant wait till next year!

I cant believe.......

I have a 7 year old! Time flies. Ray turned 7 last week and he of course wanted to have a party with his cousins that involved his favorite foods, BBQ chicken and rice. His birthday partys always turn out bigger then we intend it to because, Jr. loves to make so much food it would be a waste not to invite more people. Ray had a blast celebrating with his cousins and friends. Happy Birthday RayRay we love you so much, thank you for being such a great example to your younger brother and being such a sweet guy.

Just a wedding singer

I feel like I blog about my husband a lot. I hope it doesnt come off as bragging or dopey infatuation which I'll be honest I am a little infatuated with him. That's why I married him. It's just that he constantly amazes me. He is so genuinely kind. A lot of people probably mistaken Jr.s kindness as weakness. But I know better. He's so easy going and fun to be around. He's also so smart and spiritual.

Jr. is currently working on a church album, it's something he knows he has to do. It's one of his top priorities. He did a fireside for Big Budah last Sunday and it went really well. As do all the firesides he does when you do it with the right spirit. He also just got awarded a multicultural scholarship at UVU this week for his grades and singing talent. He just finished up his Associates degree last semester and is now working on his Bachlors degree.

We both had our hearts set on Jr. transferring to BYU after he got his Associates degree. Becasuse of his grades and Naki's connections there we knew it would have been pretty easy. But UVU does not seem to want to let him go. They keep offering him scholarships so why not? So he's staying a Wolverine for now at least.

He has so many accomplishments off stage. I've recently heard people refer to him as "just a Wedding singer" and ofcourse I'd love to correct them and punch them in the face but he does not care what people think of him. He only cares about what our family and friends think. I really wish I could say that.

Last night Jr. sang at a Reggae Festival headlining Three Houses Down. They are a polynesian reggae group from New Zealand. It was the first time Jr. and I saw them perform live and they are amazing! Honestly the real deal! If you like reggae or Island music you will love 3HD.

Everytime Jr. performs it's hard for me to enjoy the performers that go on before him b/c I am so nervous for him. Plus it was just Jr. and I (no kids) so I didnt have anyone to sit with. What's with me? I'm 28 years old and I cant just sit alone. I have issues! Anyways, I stole the seat next to one of Jr.s cousins, Connie. She was sweet enough to let me sit by her.

Jr. text me from back stage that his drummer just called and said he couldnt make the show. I wish he would keep this kind of info to himself but I think it makes him feel better when he tells me. I guess to him 2 nerverous people are better then 1. I felt sick to my stomach when I read that. There's a lot of anxiety when a group you admire and think very highly of is about to watch you preform.

Needless to say Jr. still did awesome! It didnt run as smoothly as he wanted but what does? I know he is my husband and I have heard him sing a million times but he is so freaking talented! He'll kill me when he reads this post and tell me to take it down but all I have to say is "THE BOY CAN SANG"! I say "sang" and not sing. It's different says Smokey Robinson. Just a wedding singer.......I think not!

Here are some pictures of him and the boys in his band after the show. They are a crazy bunch and have have become dear friends to us.

Denzel, Bruce, Jr. and Teki

Finally, a Lavea child!

It has finally happened, my Dad can die in peace knowing that his name will live on. The first "Lavea" child was born. It's only been Bradley's, Alo's and Maile's around the Lavea home. But things have changed. My brother Grady and his wife Celina welcomed the cutest baby boy into the world on July 21, 2009. His name is Grady Antony Lavea Jr.

He is 8 long years in the making. Lina and Grady have been trying for a long time to get pregnant but it's been hard. They've over come so many obstacles but have now been blessed with this little bundle of joy. He was 7lbs 7oz and 20inches long. He has the sweetest little voice and came out with a full head of hair. He is our Miracle baby! Uncle Grady and Aunty Lina have been so good to our boys and our boys love and adore them for it. We know they will be the best parents. Baby Grady is lucky to have them.

Below is a picture of the biggest baby hog in the world. Everyone knows Aunty Sharon likes to smother babies and she doesnt really give them a lot of space. When Leka was born she got the nickname Aunty Big lips b/c she would just give Leka kisses over and over and over and over. We'd pretend to know what Leka was thinking as a baby and when she would come around we'd say "Leka's thinking, Mom keep Aunty big lips away from me!" Poor baby Grady, he's her next victim.

We're so lucky to have this little angel added to our family and cant wait to get to know him better. Below are pictures of the shower we threw for Lina last Saturday. It was blast!

Sharon and Anya

Ievise (Lina's mom) Bella, Grandma Lavea, Ginger Tavita
Jae and I taking a break after cleaning. hahaha
Lina thanking everyone for coming. I tried to get a pix of Uila but she's always busy cleaning, preparing, etc.
Sinela, Ese, Kelsie, Jowee and Erica participating in one of the shower games.
All the yummy food

The kids got to swim during and after the shower thanks to Uncle Reti. The shower and swimming was held at their town home club house.
Two peas in a pod Ray and K.J.

Lina, Ngaire, Jae, Tala and Lima
Special thanks to Aunty Uila, Anya, Bella and Sharon for going the extra mile to get everything prepared. Jae and I lived up to our bad reputation and didnt do much but laugh and eat. We tried to help out but no one really appreciates it so we gave up. lol I'm so thankful for my family and friends! It was an awesome day.

Wordless Wednesday