(9) k2 graduates from byuh

in december, my nephew k2 graduated from byu-hawaii. wow! where has the time gone?! (k2 was born the summer before my senior year in high school)...

the graduate: k2


three generations (dad, brothers & their boys): k1, dad, e, k2, bro1, bro2


dad & k2


father (bro2) & son


brothers 1992: k2, uncle manu, k1
(wanted to throw this one in there--then & now)

brothers 2010: k1 & k2

us & the graduate

graduation luncheon

these are just a few of the pictures capturing some of the moments after the graduation ceremony. it was nice to see his maternal granny, who flew in from utah and his aunt and cousins, who we haven't seen in many years.

i know my mom and especially his two moms (his biological mom who passed away when he was a baby, and his mom who raised him) were smiling down upon him. below is a photo of k2, on the job, as part of his college experience. best wishes in whatever you choose to pursue next, kiddo!

k2 at work
(photos courtesy of k2)

(10) new home, old friends

okeedokee. i figured that if i kept editing my previous post, i'd be stuck on that one forever. instead, i thought i'd elaborate one-by-one, so i'd at least look like i'm making some sort of progress on this whole blogging thing. ;)

therefore, on to (10) "new home, old friends"...

new home
after 8 years of living in the same apartment, we had the opportunity to move into a house. the great thing for us, is that it is within the same ward boundaries--we are renting from a sister in our ward who is serving a mission. we feel truly blessed for this opportunity. for the first time ever, kahi has her own room, and we've been able to have more family and friends stop by and visit.

the first of our mainland family to stay with us: the vegas cousins with our girls

which brings me to...

old friends
this past year i've been able to cross paths with many wonderful people from my various stages in my life. among the first people to come and visit us in our new home were my school buddies leah, georges, & clinton.

alys, leah, georges, clinton

leah and i have been friends since kindergarten, georges joined us on "the hill" in fourth grade, and clinton in seventh grade. we'd been talking about getting together for a couple years now, and it finally happened. it was great to meet georges' better half and clinton's definitely best-er half and their kids.

in addition to seeing high school classmates at a relay for life event and college friends at the various temple re-dedication activities, i also got to meet up with my small-kid time buddy, maile, who ended up being a college bestie as well. it was great to have her and her family in our home, and having our kids hang out together too.

third-generation friendship: the washington cousins with our girls

i believe that people are placed in our paths for a reason--very grateful for who we have in our lives.