Our Hawaii Trip

AaaahhhhhhhhhLOOOOOHAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!

We finally made it May. 
Finally made it to May 14th.
Finally made it to Hawaii. 
and 10 days later...
we made it back to Utah.

 And now it's June.

And that concludes our Hawaii trip!

Not really.

But it felt like it went by so fast!
 Probably because we were having a really good time. 

It was the first time all the Fuimaono siblings were together.
 So not only was it a celebration of Ben and Nina's marriage, but also a long awaited Family Reunion.

(I was going to do a day by day replay.....but I'm too exhausted for it. I'm glad for google plus's photo story thing that does it automatically. You can see our photos in the link below...if it works lol)



There are a few moments in the trip I did want to point out. 


MAY 21st--

 ALJAY CELEBRATED HIS 30th BIRTHDAY!!!!

We started his birthday with a temple session.  Then we made our way to Kahuku for some poke and Tita's grill (can never go wrong with Tita's grill). 

After our lunch break we had a beach day and ended the night at Ben and Nina's wedding dance(Tongan wedding tradition). Yeah we know, neither of them are Tongan, buuuut they have been very involved with the Tongan community and have wonderful friends who really wanted to throw a dance for them...and even though I (well okay we all kind of were)  was kamumu-ing up the ying yang cause I wanted to go out for Aljay's birthday....It was a ton of fun. Our family lovessss a good ol dance, can't deny that. 

Then we went back to house and Sui had set up cake/icecream and balloons for everyone to sing Happy Birthday for Aljay. He was surprised and felt really special. I was really grateful that Sui had done that because I was just exhausted from the entire day and had not planned anything else for him and was feeling bad for not doing more for his 30th. But I like to say that this whole trip was his birthday gift anyways :)
MAY 23rd-

 Ben and Nina's Sealing

  There is nothing more precious and joyous than to know that your spouse and future children will yours for forever and not just in this life. The promises and blessing that come with an eternal marriage come ONLY with a temple marriage. Those blessings are absolutely and most definitely worth every bit of effort, obedience, and strife made in preparing to enter the House of the Lord. It was a beautiful sealing and my heart was so happy  and proud for Ben and Nina and their decision to be sealed to each other for all time and all eternity.

 There was such a sweet and special spirit in the sealing room. Nina's grandma was there smiling from ear to ear. The room was filled with so many familiar and loving faces. Before the bride and groom even made it to the room we were already passing around the tissue box. I was doing really well at holding my tears back until Aljay leaned over and whispered to me that Mom was wearing Mama's dress...immediately I thought about Mama and then the tears started. 

We would find out later that Nina's grandma had passed away  the day she was supposed to leave for Samoa (which was also the same flight Mom and Dad were on). It was heartbreaking news, but the image of her big beautiful smile at the sealing is a constant reminder that she was happy and surrounded by those who loved her dearly.


 Move back or stay in Utah?

Before we went to Hawaii, Aljay and I would talk about what this trip would do for us. Would we want to move back to Hawaii? Would we want to stay in Utah? We would bring it up throughout the trip as we made long drives, went shopping, spent time with family, and so on. 

The answer that kept coming up was an astounding NO-- As in no we don't want to move back.

We loved the air, not needing lotion and chapstick all the time, having family there, the kids having their cousins so close, and all the good eats. 

 BUT we didn't miss the long drives to town, or the price of food/gas, or the cost of living. And every time we even flirted with the idea of moving back, we scoffed at the thought of both of us having to work full-time jobs in order to provide for our family if we were to live in Hawaii. We wouldn't be able to spend nearly as much time as we do now with our children.

IF there was a chance that we could provide our kids with what we have now- with me staying home with the kids, Aljay having flexibility with this schedule- THEN maybe we would have a chance to move back lol.....one can dream yah?
To Wrap it All Up....

 We had a blast! Seeing our children happy and spending time with all our family was worth it all! Even though we were constantly on the move, didn't get to visit everyone we wanted to see, were sleep deprived, and had little beach time...we had a blast.

  I thought I was going to be paparazzi status but Aljay and I found ourselves just being in the moment and soaking everything in without worrying or hassling to get the camera. And I didn't even mind. Sometimes just enjoying the moment was enough for us. 

Maybe next time we visit, it won't be so much of a non-stop, on the go, no sleep, type of trip :) But who knows? Maybe the next trip will be to New Zealand? Or Disney Land? Oooohh...I'm getting excited already!

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