The 24th of July Samoan Cultural Festival (Eh?)

Ever since Ariana's luau on the 18th, it seems my life has been filled with all things Polynesian. From hangin' with an old friend, eating taro, making koko Samoa, and calling friends on that favorite island of mine, I can practically smell the salt of sea.... or maybe just the burning garbage.

Top: Megan & Ari, Emme & Ari
Middle: The Big Fig Fam
Bottom: Giddy Up Ari & Caleb

On the morning of Thursday the 24th of July the whole "big fig family" attended the Pioneer Parade downtown. The Tongan community always has a band and a float in the parade. This year the Samoan community entered a float for the first time. As they walked by, I started yelling out "Fa'asamoa." All at once practically the entire group turned my direction and started yelling back, "Talofa!" It was awesome. I even made sure the Miss Samoa USA contestants (or Samoan princesses) waved at Ari. She loved that.

Samoan Community Float

After the parade we headed down to the Samoan Cultural Celebration at Wheeler Farm. The celebration began on Monday, and was schedule to end with the Miss Samoa USA pagent the following Saturday night. The place was pretty empty, because most people were hanging out at Liberty Park after the parade. It was still awesome though. I was able to speak the little bit of Samoan I remember, eat panikeke, and check out the Samoan whares. (They were of course triple the price than they were is Samoa.) My favorite part was talking to Doris Teo's sister. She was running Doris's booth. She looked so familar, so I asked if she was related to Doris. She turned around and was really excited to see me. I guess she had met me in Samoa two weeks before I left. She remembered Ari, and was so nice. After that, Mike and I decided to go back the next evening when the entertainment was scheduled.

The next evening we returned with empty bellies and pockets full of cash. The place was packed, and I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb. I had gotten really used to that in Samoa, but it was a little bit shocking. It was good though. We had such a good time. We ate taro, boiled bananas, bbq chicken, panikeke, and best of all......koko samoa (although I burnt my tongue REALLY bad, I just couldn't wait.) We saw a few people we knew. I heard Kristen Tauiliili had been there during the week, but I didn't see her. That would have been cool. Lu Ieremia was supposed to meet as there that night with Bre, but after some gang problems, they had to shut the event down early. The entertainment was great, although it too was cut short. They flow two bands in from NZ, 3 Houses Down, and Jamoa Jam. It was so amazing to see so many Samoans all gather in one place in UTAH. Heaven!

Ari eating taro at the festival! She loved it in Samoa.

Sunday we attended our friends Lindsay and Ben Fonua's baby Leila's blessing. Ben's Tongan mom prepared a feast at the park afterward. We had this really good drink made of watermelon, mango, coconut, and coconut milk. Yum!!!

Sunday night I pulled out of the freezer the koko samoa I bought from Rebecca Lolo when she was here for her sister's wedding. Mike's family wanted to try it. The smell alone was enough to make me do the siva.:) Mike's family wasn't to keen on it, but I loved it. Mike's mom Cathy liked it, which scored many points for her in my book.

Finally today I decided to call my Samoan aiga (family) the Tagaloa's back on Upolu. Vale (the mom) heard my voice and said, "Hello my Teuila Measina!" That is my Samoan name the family gave me just before I left. She said everyone was doing great! It was so expensive to talk very long, but so hard to get off the phone. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!!

Well, it has taken me a good two years to say this and mean it, but I really miss Samoa. Our goal is to go back in 2011, but I hope we can manage it sooner. It would be so nice to visit under less stressful circumstances.

Hope everything is well with all of you! Drop me a line.

Kelli

p.s. Thanks for the great e-mail today Judiff! It was so good to hear from you.

I Am Finally a Home Owner!!!!!!

I thought I would show you all a picture of our new house. We don't close on it until August 7th, but all the financing is done. They just need our John Hancocks. I would tell you where it was, but since this is on the Internet..... you will have to call me! :) (Make a comment...... come on...... I dare you!!!)

Fale O'Figgins

If you have ever been on my blog before now, you know that my life pretty much revolves around my little angel Ari. I am a pretty proud mama, and so she is usually the topic of most of my blog postings. This is one of my favorite. She performed in her first luau last Saturday night, at Layton Park Commons. She dances with Malia Darden's group Ili O' Polynesia. She has a little bit of a focus problem in class, so I did not know how she would do. Well......... I could not have been prouder. Following this message will be a clip of each of the four dances she performed in. BUT... first a special thanks to EVERYBODY who came to watch. It really made my day to see all the support she had. Love ya guys!!! (p.s. The post just below this was done just a few minutes ago, so don't forget to read it.)

And a side note.... the financing for our new house came in today!!! We just have to sign the papers. We have waited so long... I can't wait.

The Hukilau

Ala Moana Annie

Otea

E Piko

Rugby Training with Daddy

I caught this usual evening ritual of Mike and Ari's on my new cell phone last night. Mike would love to have a boy someday, but until then............. he will practice his rugby moves with Ari. For those of you not too familiar with rugby, this following video shows a GREAT example of a play called a scrum. Ari's actions would be illegal in a real game, but the take down of her dad is pretty awesome. Keine Malosi!!!

Ariana's 4th Birthday

I can't believe she is already four. Her first two years went by so slow, but the last two flew by. Thanks to all the fam that came by to party with us. We sure had fun. Thanks to Jen Vesper for making the awesome Mariposa cake. I will put a link on here to her website incase any of you reading this need a cake made (Layers of Love).

The Barbie Mariposa Cake

Again

Say Cheese... or Cake

Make a Wish!!!

Thanks Everyone

Dancing in the Park

Shake It Baby!!!

Ari had her first siva dance performance at Layton Park during there 4th of July celebrations. It was really cute. Her big performance is July 19th at the Layton Park amphitheater. There is going to be food and dancing, and it is open to the public. I would love to see some of you there. Contact me for tickets, or just come and buy them there.

Ari in her Tahitian costume!

Getting ready to do the hukilau.

Grandma Cathy, Grandpa Barry, Ariana, Grandma Houston, and me at the park.