Spring Break '09

So what do you do with kids that are off from school for two weeks? That's right, put them to work:) Here's a rare picture of all the kids working together helping Daddy clean the van....right before the water fight....didn't want to get the camera wet:)

I took two weeks of leave to be with the kids and boy did we have lots of fun! In addition to all the hard work around the house (more like just Papa and I while the kids lounged around and watched the Nick channel and played Wii:) we also went to some pretty cool places and did some cool things, like going to the beach, miniature golf, movies, and Dave and Busters, just to name a few.

One of the cool places we visited was the Bishop Museum. The kids just loved the "Animation" interactive display and the Science center with the volcano and underwater adventure. Here are a few pictures of our trips there (we got the annual pass so we can go back as often as we want....pretty cool family package!)

In front of the "boring" part of Bishop Museum (Daddy liked this the most....because he's boring too:)

The boys posing at the Planetarium. We watched a really cool movie of the Polynesian Voyagers and learned how they navigated using the stars....I told the kids that our ansestors knew all about that and was one of the reasons why we have the name we do, because Great Grandpa Sione live more at sea than he did the land. I am sure he knew all about the stars and how to navigate in the open sea.

In the glow zone in a simulated lava tunnel....pretty cool exhibit made by local school age children

Alii and Robbie opening up presents....it was also their B-Day (Robbie-4/Alii-6)

We also had a big party for the two boys at the BYU-H Game Room. It was fun to have so many of our friends and family over to celebrate with us. Unfortunately, in our rush to get everything ready, we forgot our camera....so if you want to see more pictures of the event, go look on Abi's Facebook account as she had lots of good friends taking pictures too:)

Well, after two weeks of fun and sun, Daddy had to go back to work and thankfully the kids back to school! It was definitely worth it and I enjoyed every second playing and just spending time with my kids....something I wish I could do more of these days. For those of you who are able, don't pass the opportunity to spend some quality time with your children too....they will be grown up and out of the house before you know it and you will wish you could roll back the years to when they were small again. I hope the Lord allows me to be able to do more of this and that I have the good sense to do so!

Rob out!

Cool video of some fun we had at Bishop Museum.....

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter Everyone! We pray this Easter Season finds you all happy and well. Just wanted to post a few pictures and update you on how our year has gone so far.

We finally went to get our family photos done (no small feat for our busy family!), and found out why we only do this every other year or so. The kids did great and despite the fact that I (Rob) need to loose some serious weight (love the double chin) they turned out pretty good. Here they are for you all to enjoy:

Da Kongaika Ohana (Abi looks like one of the kids in this one, love Esa's and Isi's funny faces too:)

Here's a better picture of everyone smiling (notice Robbie still holding his toy:)

Isiboy (looking line a grown up already!)

Esa (Pretty in Pink)

Alii (What a natural poser this guy is)

Robbie (showing his Palangi side:)

Well, good this that is over. Another couple years before we do that again for sure! Hope you like them.

We were also blessed to have Papa Amistad visit with us on his way to attend the conference. Here are a couple pictures of his visit:

Capturing the moments with Robbie

Showing Robbie how to fly a kite....pinoy style!

At Rob's Major Select Party

Enjoying the Luau at PCC (Alii doing the Moko for ya:)

We are grateful for Papa's visit and all the help he gave us doing spring cleaning and helping Rob with some big yard projects (put landscaping rocks all along the side of the road to keep the weeds from growing). We look forward to Mama coming to visit us soon too!

Well, we had our Easter Dinner a little early due to Rob's business trip and enjoyed a traditional Ham dinner Easter Eve. We were blessed to have Mom and Dad over for dinner and in addition to enjoying the meal and great conversation, we introduced Mom to Wii Fit:). She liked it so much she will probably go buy one now. Now we can all get fit while having fun:)!

This season we are reminded of the wonderful blessing of Jesus Christ and the at toning sacrifice he gave on our behalf. We will ever be grateful for our older brother who gave his all for us. We pray we can always remember his sacrifice and do all we can to be found worthy of his grace. May you all have a wonderful Easter season and the Lord's choicest blessings be on you and your loved ones. Sending all our love.....

The Kongaika Ohana

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Hauole Makahiki Hou!!!

We bid farewell to 2008 and welcomed in the New Year in style with around....oh 50 of our freinds. There is an old filipino saying that the more people you have over at your home on the new year, the more blessings you will receive in the new year....so we are expecting lots of blessings:).

Here are a few pictures of our fun night/morning:

Good food, good company, good fun!!

Fireworks....don't get burned!

Some Wii boxing.....go Dad!

BYUH Pinoy Club

Ali'i and Esa after all the fireworks were done

Ali'i.....trying to smile while trying not to get burned:)

Robbie....this is how to do it Ali'i

So if the all-nighter New Year's party wasn't enough, we decided to invite some more of our Ward freinds over for another party the first Saturday of new year. Here are some pictures of that event:

Karaoke Queens!:)

More food!!!

Two sweet couples dancing to the Karaoke music

Getting down singing Karaoke!

Well, we are all partied out! We were thankful to have so many friends and family to celebrate with and look forward to the opportunities this New Year brings. May your day's be filled with love and laughter, and we hope to run into you again sometime this year.

Christmas 2008

Mele Kalikimaka!!!

Here are some pictures of our fun Christmas this year. As you can see we had quite the crowd over at our place.

Da Boys....can't wait to open their presents!

Robbie....still shy

Esa with her gifts

Ali'i with his pile of gifts...FB nga!:)

Isi with his Nentendo DS....Santa was generous this year....had to redefine being good:)

Sleeping Students

Wake up surprise!!!

We celebrated Christmas Eve dinner over at Mom & Dads....our last dinner at their home on campus. They will be moving to the Temple View Condos next week.

We adopted 9 BYUH Students (Friends of our niece Naomi) who spent the night and Christmas day with us. Abi remembers Christmas as a BYUH student and how excited she was to get off campus and spend time with friends at the homes of families like ours. Out of the 9 students, 8 are spending their first Christmas away from home so we were happy to welcome them into our home for a Pinoy type Christmas meal of BBQ beef, Srimp kabobs, Shrimp pestosa (Joel's recipe), lumpia, fruit salad, and lots of sweets.

We spent the day with Mom and Day and our adopted BYUH daughters playing Wii, DS, singing Karaoke, and of course eating more good food.

2008 Recap

Kongaika Family 2008

Last minute Family Christamas Picture at the Hawaii Temple Visitor's Center


I am sure that most of you agree that like any other year, 2008 flew right before our eyes. And like any journal/diary, some of us have a hard time keeping up with our blogs. A quarter of the year passing without any entry is normal for Rob & I. One more thing, unlike many of you, we just had our Christmas family pictures taken yesterday, leaving us with no time to do a newsletter this year. That said, we are grateful for the Internet for those -- like you -- who would like to know what our family were up to this past year.

January: We welcomed 2008 with the company of family & friends here in our home eating, playing & singing. After a couple hours of sleep, we watched the UH big game & a few of you may remember, we weren't too happy with the results but being with good friends made up for the loss.

February: Rob was fortunate to be a part of a large military exercise Balikatan in the Philippines. For 3 weeks he got to rub shoulders with some of the members of the Philippine Forces as well as visit with families & friends.

March: On the way to the general conference in Utah, Papa came to visit for a few days. He got to play with the kids on the beach, in the pool & even have some of Hawaii's best shaved ice. We celebrated Ali'i's and Robbie's Birthdays together with family and friends and had a fun party at our house.

April: To gain my sanity back, after 5 years of being a homemaker, I went back to the workforce. I have been working with the US Marine base in Kaneohe, HI as a Budget Analyst. Except for the traffic, I am enjoying it. The job is great & the people I work with are very nice. Thanks to Meilani, our sister-in-law, Robbie & Ali'i didn't miss mommy very much :). Oh yeah, it was my birthday this month....only 23 years young....plus or minus a few:).

May: Rob left for Weapons School in Las Vegas Nevada for 14 weeks. It was a challenging course but he made it through. Isi celebrated his Birthday this month. Can't believe he is already 10 years old. Just a few more years till he is passing sacrament in Church.

June: Mama Tutu came to the rescue! We, especially me, feel so spoiled when she's around. We spent weeks visiting & partying with friends, shopping & eating a lot of filipino food. Isa celebrated her 9th Birthday. We missed Daddy but had fun with Mama and enjoyed more good home cooking.

July: Ali'i started kindergarten! He was so excited & was so ready for it! I can't believe how much work & money there is shopping for school supplies for 3 kids!! Isi & Esa also moved to a new school Hickam Elementary & they are loving it. Mama left to visit our family in Utah & my cousin, Naomi, came to study at BYUH.

August: Rob finished his training & I got to attend his graduation. Our families in UT came to celebrate with us. It was a brief visit but we were glad to have been reunited even before Mama went back home. Robbie started going to a Day Care Center and still has a hard time saying goodbye every morning.

September: Ali'i did so well during the first quarter of the school year that he was named "Student of the Quarter" for his class. We are so proud of him. He said that he will work hard so he can be the Student of the Year :) He really enjoys school although it tires him out at the end of the day. Esa joined Girl Scouts & is enjoying mingling with other girls from school. Can't wait for the cookies :) Isi was even awarded the "Rockin Reader Award" for his reading abilities at school.

October: Rob attended a conference in Cinncinati, OH for a few days. A good break from work he said, but not worth his time being away from home :) Rob also celebrated his Birthday. We took all the family, Mom & Dad, Joel & Meilani and family, to dinner at Anna Millers....they sure weren't ready for our large group but we had fun and ate more good food. We also celebrated Mom & Dad's Birthdays and Anniversary at Sizzlers with more good food (notice a theme here?).

November: We said goodbye to Joel, Meilani & kids. It was very hard for our kids to see their cousins go but we know that it will just make our reunions sweeter. We miss them dearly & can't wait to see their new angel, baby Lily. We had an early Thanksgiving Dinner with them before they left and even celebrated an early Birthday with Anna.

December: Parties & food everywhere! from school to work even home -- there's always food. We plan to spend Christmas eve in Laie & the day at home with Mom & Dad Kongaika & our friends from BYUH. A New Year's Eve party at our house is still in the works but if you're in the islands, you're most welcome to join us.

We'll post pictures of our Christmas and new years and let you all know how it goes. Love you all and hope to hear and see you all soon. Maligayong Pasko, Melekalikimaka, and Kilisimasi Fiefia!!!

Daddy's B-Day

Check Out this Birthday Card I Just Received!

Create your own!

Weekend with Grandma and Grandpa

While Abi and I were celebrating in Vegas, Mom and Dad were watching the kids with the help of Naomi. Thanks Mom, Dad, and Naomi!!! Here's a few pictures of thier weekend:

The 3 Amigos

Naomi and Esa @ the BYU-H Bookstore

Fun at Hukilau Beach

Menehune Ali'i

Menehune Esa

Menehune Robbie

Catching some waves at Hukilau