It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas!!!



CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING 
Nov 11

 We took the kids in the evening to a Christmas Tree lighting at the Traverse Outlets. The Strike (pretty mean band from Utah) was performing so we thought it'd be fun to get out and walk about the mall. We got some hot chocolate and chocolate truffles (hella over priced but soooo yum) from RockyMountain Chocolate factory. *I made sure the kids finished every last drop of their hot chocolate lol. 

 Then we checked out the concert and got to see Santa & Mrs. Clause when they did the count down for the Christmas tree lighting. The kid's reactions were crack up! As they were bringing Santa to the back entrance behind the Christmas Tree, Sefa reached out and gave him a big hug. So naturally Leila and Viiga stood there and opened their arms up to hug Santa lol. 

 My favorite was when Leila turns to me in full excitement, "OH MY GOSH THAT WAS SANNTAAAAA!!!!! Mom! What's his sister's name?"

 Me, "Leila girl that is his wife! Mrs. Clause!" ahhahah





After the tree was lit we decided to head to the car and go find somewhere to eat. But then we ran into all the Browns!! Algea, Kaniai, HB, Teisa, Ary, Kila, and the keiki o ka aina. So we all decided to head over to Denny's and hang out. It was sooo good to hang out with them! No doubt the kids were just as excited to see each other!

 L-R: Viiga, Saleima, Sefa, Cannon, Leila, Rosie, Austyn. (Not pictured- Brenan, who was tucked nice and warm in the car)



 JUSTICE LEAGE PREMIER
Nov 13

 Aljay and Viiga got to go to the movie premier for Justice League. Our friends Matt and Agnes Manuma asked if they could on behalf of them and their son Macky. Macky is around Viiga's age and has spent most of his life in and out of the hospital battling leukemia. Just this past year his leukimia has gone into remission and he's been able to be at home with his family. 

 Macky participated in a really cool project where kids with life threatening diseases were asked to model as Justice League characters. He was aquaman. All the participants were invited to the premier of Justice League with their families and got to experience the red carpet treatment! However, the Manuma's ended up going to Hawaii at the same time so they asked Aljay and Viiga to go and participate on their behalf. 

 I was at home with the kids having FHE with the Kumars when Aljay started sending me these pics. 






They had so much fun. Viiga was supposed to sign posters, but yeah he wasn't feeling it. Aljay had fun though lol. I didn't feel one bit sad for the other kids though. They were busy playing around all crazy with their cousins. There's about 15 minutes of videos and 1 meeeelliiioooonnn pics on my phone of the kids (but mostly these three monkeys) lol. I'll only post 1 though. 


 The Star
Nov 17

I got off work early and we took the kids out. We picked up Leila from school (Sefa was sick and stayed home), picked up some Zupas, grabbed some frozen yogurt (who does that in the winter?), and then caught a matinee movie. We watched The Star and it was such a good way to get into the Christmas Spirit!


Sally Girl's 2nd Birthday
Nov 20th

Read all about it here. 







 Thanksgiving Weekend
Nov 23rd

Papa Joe and Mama Saleia arrived the night before so they were able to celebrate Thanksgiving with everyone!

 We made too much food, but it's okay. That's what these holidays are for right? After we ate, we took the kids to go see Coco while the parents stayed home to rest up. 

 p.s. Coco was so good. I cried and was hit in all the feels. It's a must watch movie for the family.
p.s.s. Oh...and our trusty Durango wasn't starting...so that sucked. Luckily we had my parents truck and just packed everyone in. 




Nov 24th
We slept in realllly late on Friday. By "we" I really mean Aljay and I. We had stayed up the night before watching the entire 2nd season of Stranger Things. It was the first time this year that I actually stayed up all night and binge-watched a show. I felt accomplished lol. 

 So we had a slow start on Friday. Our car wasn't starting and so Aljay spent the majority of the afternoon trying to figure it out. My parents had their truck and were out all day running errands so Aljay decided to rent a car and get things done. I wanted to do a little bit of Black Friday shopping but with our car situation, I thought it would be best to hold off.  By evening time we decided to take the kids to see the Temple Square lights. 

 Okkkaaaaaaaa....because it was so warm and the first night of the lights opening, sooooo many people were there! IT WAS PACKED! We tried to enjoy the lights but keeping a constant eye on the kids and trying to navigate through the sea of people was challenging. It was still beautiful and the kids did enjoy the outing. More pics here

Nov 25th
Still no progress with the car. Changed the starter and the ignition but the engine still wouldn't turn over. #frustrating Not looking good. 


Nov 26th

 Family to'ona'i with the Niko's and Afele's in West Valley! So much fun! So much food! At the end of the to'ona'i we had prayer and then planned our Christmas celebration! We are so excited and cannot wait! The Niko's, Afeles, Naki's (Teuila and Bubu and the kids), Tui, and Penny & Vjal will all be over for Christmas! Whether we have couches or not! lol
House Progress Report
Nov 27th

Almost there. Parents have been approved for the mortgage. Aljay and I are going to be added onto the loan. Painting will be done soon. Cabinets in the kitchen are in. Bathroom tiles are almost done. We're looking good for a final complete home on Dec 9th. We'll most likely be able to move in the following week. Excited much? YES....very much so. 

Living room view from the Dining room
View from the upstairs living room
Garage
Brand Used Car!
Nov 28

 hoiiiiiiii...car problems are so not the way we wanted to start the Christmas season! But it happens and that's life and now we have to adult. 

 So the car part that we needed for our car to work was discontinued. So sucks!!! So that meant we would have to...

(1) scavenge for parts in junk yards (which won't be easy because this part seems to have been ripped from all the 2006 Durangos in the first junk yard that we checked)
OR
(2)  search the internet for the part and pray that when we order it, it comes in within a week and is indeed the right part
OR
(3) take it to different mechanics until we could find one that could help us and see if any of them can MacGyver the car

 which would all take A LOT of time! (which we don't have)

 And we didn't want to share cars with the parents because they want to go get their stuff ready for Samoa cause they are going back at the beginning of January (yes they're shipping a container and their truck to Samoa....yes....that's another story). 

 Plus we can't keep the rental car forever (aint nobody got money for that!) Annnnd we were planning to get a bigger SUV anyways (but not until February or early March)....

 soooo things were pushed forward and we decided to get a new car now, return the rental, and be able to still have transportation....

 sometimes adulting just sucks...but hey! We're adults so we'll get through. 

 So where's the pic of the car? Aljay is currently shopping for it :) Thanks babe!
#rantover #imoverit #justgonnabehappywecantakecareofit 







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