Trying to treasure these moments...

This weekend I have my fabulous sis inlaws shower at our house! And this week I have ONE child at home, So I PLAN to... get my house spotless, get all laundry done, finish painting the girls furniture, get the baby shower decor, gift, and prizes done and be able to get all of my reports for work done? TOTAL SYKE, and I'll tell you why? Because I only have ONE CHILD at the present moment! Having One child means, rather than having kids play with eachother and keep eachother busy, I get to play with my sweet Toa all day! I get to play "Barbies", I get to read books and color, and I get to sing "5 little monkeys" with the hand motions all throughout the day! It also means that I get to cuddle a little boy that just wants to be held and it also means that I won't get anything else done. But...OH WELL!

One day this sweet little 3 year old will be too big for me to carry around and one day he won't want me to read or sing to Him, one day he'll go to Grandma and Grandpa's and want to stay for an entire week (hint, hint to my other children)...For now I'll just sit in my messy home and do these things with my One Child!
Procrastination is my middle name... So I'll be cleaning my house, decorating, making the gifts and prizes the night before the shower, I'm pretty sure of it!

Our SECOND Home SWEET Home

It's been 6 month since we've been to what I called our SECOND Home sweet Home! I thought I would get to Vegas, our house, and our family there and never want to come back to SLC. It was kind of a relief, but VERY sad that Vegas didn't seem like home anymore. I know...it's soooo crazy! I love VEGAS! I love the weather, I love the people, I love, love, love my family there and I love our house there, but I didn't feel like I was at home. I had planned to go shopping at some of the stores that I have missed and eat at the many restaurants that I love there, but I ended up not doing much. I did however get to finally meet this gorgeous little Princess, and honestly that's all that really mattered!

The night that we arrived in Vegas I got to meet this sweet baby girl! She is everything and more that I imagined! I just love her! After visiting with the princess, my mom, and Ange, my Mom told Talai and I that she got us a room at South Pointe! She watched the kids while we slept at South Pointe, and it was so SWEET! Talai and I haven't had an entire night out since living in SLC, and this evening was much needed! The next morning Talai, My Dad and Our boys went to Las Vegas Sevens while I went shopping with My Grandmama, My Mom and Our girls! It was a sweet day! We love the fact that I get to take our 2 girls out and Talai gets to take the 2 boys out! Having 2 boys and 2 girls is so AWESOME... if Talai reads this his response would be, "yeah but having 5 boys and 5 girls would be BETTER, lol!"
The following day we attended our old ward and Talai blessed Princess Ane! It was such a beautiful blessing and Talai did a wonderful job! Ane was such a good little Princess, the Bishop said that Ane kept trying to sit up while they were giving her the blessing, lol! And the little overachiever is already rolling over! It was also so nice to see our friends and family in Las Vegas! SO MUCH THANKS to our loved ones that attended the blessing! I loved getting to visit with some of our friends and our ward family! I have missed them all so much, and thanks to facebook we get to keep in touch with them all! After the blessing we tried to have lunch at a non-casino restaurant, but we ended up at one of our fave hotels, spas, and buffets.... GVR! I love this place! And yes, it is a casino... But it has one of the best Feast Buffets! Sadly, after eating Talai, my Grandma, Toa and I left back to SLC. Our older children stayed to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa, and although they said that they were going to miss us, they were totally fine with staying in Las Vegas!
I am glad to be back HOME... yes, this is home! But, I am seriously missing my older kids and my family there ever more. I know our kidds are having tons of fun and being spoiled rotten by grandma and grandpa, but they better be missing us too!

A True STEELERS Fan

Thanks to my fabulous parents, Toa has His own Troy Polamalu jersey! This kid really does love the Steelers...or at least Troy Polamalu. I thought he just liked the feel of wearing a football jersey and I found T's old Seattle Seahawks (Talai's fave team) jersey and I said "Toa, look do you want to wear this?" His exact words were "No, I want my Troy Palmalu (his pronounciation!), THAT's UGLY"! LOL!! He is definitely His Mom's son! Gooooo STEELERS :)

Let's give our little Leya a high FIVE!

This little gem is 5 today! I really can not believe that she is 5! She most definitely has the attitude and brains of a 5 year old, but she still seems so teeny tiny! This girl is 75% Polynesian, but she definitely takes after Her 25% palangi side... LUCKY GAL! She still fits in size 3T and occasionally 24 months! My Dad calls Taleya our little lawyer because if she doesn't know why or how something works she'll ask 101 questions until she understands it! I love this about Her! Taleya is also our little "FIRECRACKER" She speaks her mind like no other, and she is also super sweet! She's our girlie girl that changes her clothes more than 5 times a day, and just today she said "I love church because I get to... wear my high heels"! LOL! She's a total Daddy's Girl, and She has Him wrapped around her little fingers!

Dearest Sweet Taleya! You are 5 today and soon you will be in Kindergarten! Mommy is a bit terrified of you going to kindergarten because she will miss you dearly, but it's a great thing that your school is across the street! You can write your name and the name of all of our family members! You can read pretty well for a 5 year old!I call you my firecracker because you are the sweetest little girl... You love to say "I love you" and You love to hug and give kisses, but if you are unhappy everyone knows it! You aren't afraid to let us know what's on your mind! You love Preschool and you are often a little shy when you first arrive, but when I pick you up you are bouncing off your booster chair and you talk nonstop about your day! You have a great memory and you help Mommy remember things all the time! You are my little reminder girl! You LOVE clothes and Barbies! You change your clothes many times throughout the day, but now that you are responsible for helping keep your room clean you usually pick up your clothes! You also love high heels and Mommy is afraid you are going to sprain your ankle one day. We love you sweet Taleya girl! Happy 5th birthday!

Turning 3 can be so mean :(

HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY to our sweet TOA...who spent His birthday morning in the Riverton Hospital ER :( Our little WARRIOR had to get 7 stitches in His lower lip and chin. Our crazy wild child was jumping on our Bed trying to retrieve His birthday balloons and He fell and hit our nightstand. He only cried for a few seconds, but as soon as I saw His cut and all the blood I knew right away that He needed stitches. He was just concerned about His balloons, so I quickly cleaned Him up and looked up the closest Hospital near us. Meanwhile Talai gave Him a blessing and Toa seemed just fine! I am so grateful for the Power of the Priesthood and my wonderful Husband who is ready and willing to share this blessing with our Family, and others when called upon! After Toa was given a blessing the bleeding stopped and He just started playing again. The Preisthood is so powerful! So I took Toa to the ER and thankfully there wasn't a wait at all. They put us in a room with hot air balloons all over the walls and books, so Toa felt very comfortable! We had to wait about 30 minutes and then the Dr finally came in to stitch Toa up and this is when He began to cry for a minute or two, but then He was fine. He was sang to, given bubbles and a mylar balloon and we were on our way! I thought the staff there was amazing! We are so grateful for medical insurance, wonderful hospital staff, the power of the Priesthood and the fact that we have a hospital so close by! And although Toa was injured, I am grateful that it wasn't anything very serious! We are so very grateful for our sweet baby boy! We LOVE you Toa Maunaloa Elbert Tuutasolo Leo!

Our sweet Toa, You are 3 today! You love to cuddle and hug... and occasionally you choke me and I have to remind you to be gentle. Everywhere we go people comment on your beautiful curly hair and big brown eyes! Even if you are all decked out in a football or basketball outfit you are called a "cute little girl"! You love to play with cars and action figures, and sometimes you refer to your little action figures as "Barbies" LOL! You usually play with Taleya during the day and you play with your "Barbies' while she plays with actual Barbies! You love basketball, football and soccer! You are the most independent 3 year old! You can count to 24 (thanks to our stairs, we count them going up and down), you know your shapes and some of your colors! Your fave shape is the triangle! You can dress yourself (sometimes your clothes are backwards, but that's okay) You can turn on the shower and take a shower on your own (because of this we had to completely lower our water heater to the lowest temp). You absolutely LOVE BALLOONS! You rarely watch tv or movies because you only like to watch "Papa Amato" or "Papa Toa" videos! You do like Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, but I have to fast forward to the parts that you like! Your most fave food is cereal! You want cereal in the morning, for lunch and for dinner! You also love diet soda and Mommy has to hide her diet cokes from you! You are most definitely without a doubt a Momma's Boy! We love the craziness you bring into our family & We love you sweet boy!

blood, puke and poop... OH MY!

**WARNING: The information discussed in this Blog post may not be suitable for those that dry heave, gag or vomit easily** The above mentioned items are some of the many obstacles I have had the privilege to clean up in just the last 36 hours. After Toa cut His lip and chin open I had the opportunity to clean up His blood that was on my comforter, pillow case, carpet, bathroom rugs and bathtub. Then Sunday night I heard running and then what sounded like someone dumping a bucket of water down the hallway and walked into puke. Our poor Little T had thrown up in our hallway trying to make a made dash to the girls bathroom. I felt extremely BAD about this one because I had locked the boys bathroom door (because Toa kept playing in the sink) and I forgot to unlock it, so He was running to the girls bathroom when he vomited. Poor kid, that was most likely Mom's fault! So, I got to clean off T, the hallway floor and my clothes. Then Monday morning Toa had a bit of an accident (I think it was due to the meds He was given at the Hospital) and He didn't make it to the bathroom in time, so I got to clean up the worst of all 3... poop!
And here's my "looking on the bright side" point! Yes, even after all this fabulous stuff, I had a feel good moment! I was so proud of myself for not gagging, dry heaving or throwing up during any of this! After being a Mom for 8 years I am finally getting used to others bodily fluids! Oh the joys of being a Mom! Yay Me!
(notice there are no photos on this blog post. I figured we can all use our own imaginations!)

It's Great to be 8! Happy Birthday T

Here we are back in the same city that our sweet first born arrived in! 8 years ago today we were blessed with a 4 lb. 7 oz. tiny baby boy. Sadly He spent His first month in the NICU at Primary Children’s, but today He is a loving, energetic, sports loving, Momma’s boy… and we are so grateful for Him! I was so emotional on His baby blessing day because He had overcome so many obstacles, and now we are approaching his Baptism (tears)! 8 is sooo GREAT! Happy 8th Birthday to our sweet boy, Talai Sione Leo! We ♥ you kid!
Today you are so much like your namesake, your Dad! You love sports and occasionally I catch you watching sports with your Dad! You love to play basketball and you love to watch your Dad play basketball! You are playing for a Junior Jazz team and you are fabulous at playing defense! You have stolen and swatted the ball from the other team too many times to count! We love this about you, the fact that you are sweet yet aggressive! Your HERO is your Dad! You are such a great big brother! You tend to worry about everyone too much. If Daddy isn't home when He's supposed to be you watch out the window until He arrives home. You love to hang out with your cousin Nick, and the two of you are inseparable! You love origami and you like to play video games! We are so PROUD of the handsome, loving, fun kid you are! HAPPY BIRTHDAY T!!

Happy 7th Birthday Taira

Today we are back in the same city that our sweet Taira was born in! 364 days after Her brother was born we welcomed our chubby baby girl home! Taira was the epitome of the "perfect" baby! She rarely cried and she made having 2 kids under 2 easy on Her Mom!


Today you are our very outgoing! You say random things all the time in funny voices just to make everyone laugh! You are loved by your classmates and you love school! You love to read and you are our little artist! You attend hula classes and You do a great job at each practice and performance! You are very caring! You remind everyone to be careful, wear their seatbelts and say prayer! You love little children, especially babies and you are a wonderful older sister! You liked Justin Bieber and Barbies during Christmas, and now you don't like any of those things. You just wanted clothes and boots and dinner at the Olive Garden for your birthday! You are very simple when it comes to certain things, and we love the fact that you are YOU! We love you! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAIRA!