Choc Chip Cookies

I made cookies tonight and they tasted great BUT they weren't that pretty!  Lol!  I know, who cares right?  But for some reason I do.  I wish I could make pretty cookies that were worthy of being photographed and posted but nope.  Hahaha!  So, if any of you out there have a recipe for cute cookies hollerrrrr!  Here's the recipe if you wanna try it out.  Thank you allrecipes.com for ALL your amazing recipes!

The Good 'Ole U.S. of A.

After several months of paperwork and waiting, my husband is now a U.S. Citizen :)  The whole process took about six months and a big chunk from our wallet (lol) but it was all worth it!  We attended an Oath Ceremony where Vili, along with 186 others, were sworn in as citizens.  Going to his Oath Ceremony made me realize how much I take for granted being an American-born citizen.  It reminded me that it truly is a blessing to live here in a land where we can speak, believe, and become whatever we want.  It really is up to us to take advantage of the opportunities provided us and build our own "American Dream".

Proud to be an American....haha!

All-American Dad ;)

Teeth Galore!

Baby Talanoa's two front teeth cut though about a week ago so that makes SIX teeth total!  Holy cow that was fast especially because she is only nine months old.  Well, 10 months in a few days.  I think it's so funny that her "vampire" teeth came before her front teeth but lucky for her she wasn't a vampire for long because her front teeth came in soon after.  Lol.  I finally got a picture using Vili's phone and right when I clicked she practically kissed the camera.  I guess she just wanted to make sure you could really see her new teeth!  Lol!

Her four front teeth!  (10 months old in 4 days) 

Grandma's Birthday Surprise

It was Talite's birthday yesterday so we decided to surprise her with the kids, balloons, and flowers at her work.  Talite doesn't do well with surprises but if it's something that involves her grandbabies she's all for it so I know it made her day.  I'm so grateful for her and all she does for my kids.  Elina asks us everyday if she can go to Grandma and Papa's house because she knows they spoil her like crazy.  Lol.  Hopefully she enjoyed it as much as we did.        

Happy Birthday Grandma!!!

My Cooking/Baking Curse

It's no news to anyone in my family that I'm not a great cook or baker.  My household meals consist of things that are easy, fast, and cheap.  Examples:  hamburger helper, spaghetti, and fast food.  Hahahaha.  My baking skills consist of ummm......cupcakes but those are fool proof so that doesn't count.  Lol.  I seriously think I may have a baking curse.  Every cake I have ever baked comes out lopsided or sunken in.  No joke.  But this got me thinking......Shouldn't I love to cook if I enjoy taking cooking classes?  (I took cooking all through high school and a few classes in college.)  Answer:  I like taking cooking classes because they have every supply you could ever think of or need if a recipe called for it.  So, I bought myself a new knife set (Target $54.99) and a Kitchenaid mixer (Costco $179.99) to make myself feel better and also to convince myself that I could learn to love to cook and bake. Lol.  Thank you taxes :)

Vili thought I was ridiculous for buying the Kitchenaid but I told him if I don't use as often as I think will in 90 days then I'll return it.  That means I have to be on a baking marathon starting....last week!  LOL!  I finally used it today to make banana bread.  I'm no Betty Crocker but it turned out pretty dang good! I got the recipe from thefreshloaf.com.  You can click on the link if you want to try it out.  Mine's a little lopsided but I think the curse will go away with practice.  Lol!

My very first loaf of banana bread :)

Talanoa's Ear Tubes Surgery

My baby got her ear tubes put in on Wednesday, February 8th.  The procedure only took like 15 minutes but they scheduled it for the butt crack of dawn (7:30am)!  Lol.  As if that wasn't bad enough, they made us be there at 6:30am so that meant 5:30 am wake up time.  My family does not do mornings....especially early mornings.  LOL!  But despite that we were there on time and everything went well.

Talanoa got a low fever the night before surgery and had a fever when we went in.  Her ear doctor (Dr. Beus) and the anesthesiologist decided to go ahead with the surgery because they knew the fever was from an ear infection.  When they came and took Talanoa from me to go to her operation room I broke down!  She was screaming as if I was the biggest traitor in the world and it made me so sad.  Surprisingly, she didn't scream when she woke up from the surgery and when they brought her back to me.  That didn't last long though because once she saw me she broke down.  Saddest thing ever!  She was hungry, tired, and grouchy.  All went well though and I am so happy she got the tubes in.

Muuuust sleep.  Lol!

Goodbye and Goodnight

We are sooo cute at 6:30 am!  Haha

Might as well have some fun while we can!

Playing in the waiting area

Crawling around in her hospital bed

Get me outta here already people!  Lol

Right after surgery.  Look at those puffy eyes :(  All she wanted was to eat and sleep!

ALL BETTER!

 

Molly Aria's Baby Blessing

My niece, Molly, got blessed on Sunday.  I can't believe how big she is getting so fast.  I know I have two of my own so it should be no surprise how fast she's growing but it still is.  It kind of makes me baby hungry.  I must be going CRAZY for that thought but trust me, it's just a teeeeny tiny thought far far from reality.  Lol.  Anyways, back to my cutie niece Molly.  I can't wait until she's until enough to play with my girls but for now I will enjoy her chubbiness and rolls.  I love her baby rolls!  Love you Molly :)

Ikahihifo Family on Molly's Blessing Day

Fonohema Grandparents

Dom, Molly, Mom

Best Aunty Everrr ;)

Uata Siblings

Tali & Cheka

Losi's parents

Ikahihifo Grandparents

Precious

Isa, Elina, Talanoa, Dom, Molly, Elisha, Lynnea, me, Baby Talanoa

COUSINS :)

Eating our lives away

Oh hello!

In the holding pin before church....lol

My Silly Girls

Ear tubes for my baby :(

 Ear Consultation 1/30/12

My happy girl has to get ear tubes put in next week because she's had too many consecutive ear infections :(  She has had 6 ear infections in 6 months and she barely turned 9 months.  I guess you can really look at it as one long ear infection that will never go away.  The fluid can never drain fully before she gets a cold/congested again and boom....we're at the doctors again.  Ear infections are no surprise in my little family though because Elina almost had to get tubes put in too.  The girls' pediatrician thinks it may be genetic but of course when I ask my Mom and Vili's mom about our ear infection history they both say in their fob Tongan, "Oh no!  You guys never.  You guys are so healthy!"  Lol.  I am so sad for my baby but I can't be sad for long because I know this will only help her in the long run.  She's a strong girl and I know she can handle it.  Love her so much!  

Here's a couple things I learned about ear tubes (Hopefully this information is accurate.  Lol!  And feel free to correct me if I'm wrong): 1)  they don't prevent ear infections in the future but will allow the fluid in the ears to drain properly if she does get one 2)  it will be easier to treat any future ear infections because all she will need are antibiotic drops in her ears rather than oral antibiotics 3)  ear infections will no longer be painful for her because the tubes help to get rid of the pressure that causes the pain 4)  they should fall out within 2 years.  5)  the procedure only takes like 10 minutes but she has to be put under because of her age.