Princess Festival

We went to the Princess Festival at Thanksgiving Point on Thursday. It was so much fun! Vela has been dying in anticipation for the last month. Here are my 2 little princesses all dressed up and ready to go. 

 We went with Kim, Krychele and Desi. Here are just a few of the photos I took. 

 Cora, Vela and Desi in the Carriage.

 With the Princess and the Frog.

 Such sweet girls. 

 With Sleeping Beauty.

 Vela with the Princess and the Pea.

 Desi with her favorite princess Cinderella.

 Vela with Cinderella.

 Cora with her favorite princess - Krychele!

Cora thrilled that she finally for her pony tail out and crown off. 

 With Tinkerbell. 

 Vela's all time favorite princess Ariel. 

Right after we took this picture Captain Hook came and took Ariel. Vela has been really sad about it ever since. She keeps saying, "The pirate took Ariel mommy." 

Afterwards we went for some yummy JCW's food!

Thanks so much Kim and Krychele for taking us! We had a blast! `

Deer Creek

We went up to Deer Creek on Saturday. When I was growing up, my family went boating there all the time. It brings back such great memories! We just went up to check out the camping spots we reserved for the Katoa Family Camp in July. While we were there we did a little fishing and played in the cold water. 

 I don't think I've ever seen it so green! Provo canyon is so pretty right now!

 Trying to fish while the kids throw rocks in the water! 

Making a volcano!

 My kids love the sand!

And I pulled out Hema's second tooth on Saturday. He has now lost the two bottom middle teeth. He was pretty happy about putting it under his pillow!

Fathers Day

If you read my blog, then you already know how I feel about Hema. He is the most amazing man I know and such an incredible father. Honestly, for all of those years that we wanted children but didn't have them, it made me so sad because I knew what a great dad he would be. There is nothing Hema would rather do than spend time with his kids. Lots of couples go out on date nights on the weekends, Hema hates to leave the kids. "Why not take them with us? I like being with them," he says. He really is the best father ever! I am so very grateful that he is the father of my children!

(Hema and the kids in front of the USS Midway in San Diego)

And of course a shout out to my daddy, 

(My parents with all 8 of their children and some of the in-laws and grand kids at Grandpa Hawkins funeral)

the father I gained through marriage

(My Katoa parents with their 9 kids and most of the spouses and grand kids)

 and the brave and selfless men who are my children's biological fathers.

(Eli - Vela's Birth Father  & Uziel - Cora's Birth Father)      

(Unfortunately, we don't know Hema's Birth Father - but I am grateful for him because we wouldn't have our amazing little boy without him!)                                

Hope each of you have a wonderful day! You have each blessed our lives in more ways than words can describe! Lots of love to each you!

Cora's 1 Year Stats and Country Fest

We had Cora's 1 year checkup yesterday. She got 2 shots and was pretty mad about it! She is growing up fast and is a healthy and happy little girl. Here are her stats from the checkup:

Length 31.25 inches - 98th percentile

Weight 22 pounds 1 ounce - 65th percentile

Head 45 cm - 45th percentile

We also attended Country Fest in South Jordan yesterday. Krychele's sister is the opening act. She is extremely talented and it was really fun.

Above: Heather singing
Below: Krychele and Cora enjoying the music

Afterwards the kids wanted to check out the rides.

 Hema going down the big slide.

 Vela on the little boat. 

 Hema and Desi on a crazy ride. Their faces were hilarious on this ride, but it was impossible to get a clear shot once it got going. 

 Vela on a kiddie coaster.

It was a really fun evening. If you live nearby and want to attend a great free concert, check out Country Fest at 6:00 tonight at the South Jordan Park. Heather Ferguson is pretty amazing and you can't beat the price! I'm not 100% sure who the other bands are, but I'm sure you could google it! If you just want to check out Heather's music here's the link to her recent songs available on iTunes LINK 

Cora is One!!

It is hard to believe that my sweet little baby girl is already one! 

 Her birthday was Saturday, but we were out of town so I am just getting this posted. Cora is such an amazing little girl She has such a happy personality she just lights up the room. She is so friendly and will walk right up to any stranger that smiles at her and let's most anyone hold her. She is a total people person. She is walking and running everywhere and seems so grown up now. Just in the last few weeks she is starting to get  more determined and will let you know when she wants something. She has the most strikingly beautiful eyes, honestly people comment on them all day long. She has two bottom teeth and one on top with 3 more top ones really close to cutting through. She adores Little Hema and Vela and loves to be right by them trying to do whatever they are doing. She gets so excited very time her dad walks through the door too, but is for sure a mommy's girl. I am thoroughly enjoying it because she is the first of my kids to prefer me over Hema. She says a few words: dada, hi, and occasionally momma and of course speaks her own little language all the time. She is a fabulous sleeper and great eater. She is an absolute joy to have in our family and we are so very grateful for her!

On Saturday (Cora's big day) we drove from San Diego to St George and after being in the car for that many hours, the kids were ready to play. We swam for several hours at the hotel and then ate dinner at Brick Oven. 

Cora had pasta which she loves and then a giant cookie (shown below). 

Which she broke into tiny pieces and threw on the floor without taking a single bite of it. 

Check out the mischievous face! 

Then yesterday when we were back in town we had her birthday party. It was over at the park and we had a bbq and pinata. It was our families and a few close friends and of course Cora's birth families. 

Cora was ready for fun!

Singing Happy Birthday to her. 

She loved the chocolate cake!

Taking a hit at the pinata. 

Cora with Krychele.

Cora and Uziel.

She got spoiled with all the presents. Adorable clothes, toys, books, balls and an adorable little car that she can ride around in while you push her. She spent several hours in it today, but I forgot to take a picture. Thanks so much to everyone who came out to support our little princess and for all the presents. Special thanks and love to her birthparents! She has changed our family for the better over the last year and we love her so very much! 

Goodbye Kindergarten!!!

Little Hema graduated from kindergarten today. He has been so excited for his graduation and also to be going into 1st grade next year. I have to be honest it is pretty sad for me. The thought of Hema being gone for full school days next year is enough to make me cry. Here are some shots of our day. Sorry that the pictures are a little grainy, they were taken out the video camera. 

 Mrs. Ellsworth and Hema. We are really going to miss her, she has been a fabulous teacher! 

Hema with Grandma and Grandpa Katoa.

Here is a little video clip of when Hema got his little certificate of completion.

The worst part of the day is that just now as I was blogging this a realized that I didn't get any pictures if Hema with his sisters or with us....yeah I have no idea how that happened. It was a really fun day. Hema was thrilled to get LOTS of candy leis from us and several friends in our ward. He also loved giving them to his buddies. We are so proud of our little Hema. He is growing up fast and is such a good boy. He keeps us on our toes and laughing all day long. Here is the conversation we had in the car with him a couple days ago:

Hema: When I grow up I'm going to be a dad.

Me: Yes, you will. But that is a long ways away.

Him: Yeah I know.

Me: There are some very important things you need to do before you are a father. Do you know what they are.

Him: Yeah I need to go on my mission first.

Me: That's true and there is one more really important thing. Do you know what it is?

Him: Yes, I have to be 50 years old.

Me: Uh, I hope not! I was going to say you need to get married first.

Hm: Oh yeah that's right in the temple!

Funny kid! I hope he isn't 50 before I get to be a grandma!!! 

The Perfect Pets!

Our little caterpillars turned into chrysalises last week and now we have watched many of them emerge out and become pretty painted lady butterflies. I have to admit that it is an amazing process to watch... I may even be a little bit obsessed with the miracle of it all. There were a few days that I literally could not get myself to do anything but stare at them for fear that I'd miss the change.  It happened to fast! 

 After they each turn into a chrysalis, you pin the paper from the top of the cup to the pavilion and wait about a week for them to emerge as butterflies. Here are what a few of our looked like. We started with 10 caterpillars but one was always super tiny, the runt - so we named him Wilbur. I thought he wouldn't survive. After the other 4 in his cup had been chrysalises for a full week, I finally pinned them up and then wouldn't you know it he changed in the cup but had nothing to attach to. So i set him on the bottom of the pavilion and don't know if he will make it to the butterfly stage. 

See him just laying on the bottom there...pretty sad!

I got one of them coming out on video. I've tried and tried to get the video to download but no luck. So just imagine that cool part!

 After they get their wings all opened up and dried off, they drip this extra dye from the wings. It was a little creepy at first and seriously looked like they were bleeding.

Then they are pretty little painted lady butterflies.

Nine of our 10 made it to the butterfly stage, only Wilbur hasn't changed. We let them go today.
The kids were so excited to actually hold them.

 It has been so fun having these here. Thanks a million Kim for buying them for us! They have been the perfect pets. Super interesting for 3 weeks, then you just set them free!

The kids are in love...

...with this little Escalade that Hema bought used of KSL.com. 

I swore I'd never buy one of these for my kids. I'd rather they actually rode a bike or a scooter and get some exercise. They also make me nervous when kids are driving all over in the street with no supervision and about get hit by real cars. But I have to admit, it has been pretty fun to watch how much the kids love it and how much fun they have in it. Even Cora cried every time we took her out of it. Here's a little video of the three of them cruising. 

(And yes, Hema does put his arms up behind his head at the end...such a funny little guy!)

So far in the past few days I have logged about 8 hours of standing in the road making sure the kids are safe. I have a feeling that is where I'll be spending most of my summer!