Fat Guy Humor

IF A FAT GUY GRABS YOU AND PUTS YOU IN A BAG, DON'T WORRY, I TOLD SANTA I WANTED A GOOD FRIEND FOR CHRISTMAS!

In the news...

Jeff took the photos for our November events with KO (suitcases, adoption celebration, Hawaiian bracelets, and Kualoa Ranch). Check out this link to read the stories and see those Ings in action again:

http://www.pidfoundation.org/about/news

Semester's over!

Yay! The semester is finally over for me. At least this one. I finished my anthropology final after much deliberation on whether or not I would torture myself with doing the extra credit before starting my three hours long test taking. In rationalizing why I should do it, Jeff helped me rationalize why I shouldn't worry about it. My theory, do it just in case I need those extra points to get me to the next grade up. His theory, forget it. It doesn't matter what my grade is as long as I get the credits I paid for. Okay, I took his theory, since I'm really tired of studying my brains out. And as he asked, how in the world is this related to the job I'm doing now?

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells....

It was the annual Letoto `Ohana Christmas Party yesterday. Jeff put up three tents (one in the yard, one extended the garage, and one on the side of the house) to make enough space for the Letotos to get together for our traditional family gathering. It all went to good use, since we had people everywhere. As Cody said, the cars lined the street for as far up and down as you could see. There were lots, and lots, of little kids running around. Santa Claus came to pass out gifts to the good children (maybe some not so good too) and the big kids played grab bag and games for lots of laughs. As usual, our talented cousins sang carols in between.

Now let's get to the best part...the food. This is for you Johnny!

Thanks Goose for posting your pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/KiloFive/ChristmasPartyLetoto

We'll work on getting ours done and up.

One down, one to go

The end is nearing and in sight. After studying and studying and studying various artists, pieces, and styles, it's finally over! I finished my final...just in the nick of time...11:55pm. It turns off then. Now to cram for anthropology. That will all be over on Tuesday night at 11:59pm. And then it's over for this semester. Hooray!

Reindeer

REMEMBER THIS AT CHRISTMAS TIME...

According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid-December. Female reindeer retain their antlers till after they give birth in the spring. Therefore, according to EVERY historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, EVERY single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a girl. We should've known... ONLY women would be able to drag a fat-ass man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost.

Sugar Bowl here we come!

The last two games that the UH football game played were incredible. Whether you were sitting in the stands, watching it at home, or watching it with friends and family (on big screen), the excitement and energy was everywhere.

But if you couldn't quite put your finger on what happened that brought about that change, know that God is always in control, and with Him at the center of everything, ANYTHING is possible. What a testimony to Him that this year's team, starting with the coaches, can credit this season all to Him.

These links are from a brother in Christ with the Transformation Hawaii Government Gate. Check it out. You won't be disappointed!

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=273350062
http://youtube.com/watch?v=PIxhfdblYts

Chocolate Cupcakes and Little Boys

It's really great to be able to spend time with family and friends. Time flies by so fast and sometimes we forget to make the time to create special moments together. We've been so lucky to be able to spend Thanksgivings together with Goose & Michelle for several years. This year, we had a bunch of parties following that they were able to join us with Pili & Mia. Here's an excerpt from Goose's email and Mary's reply:

Goose: Heh. Pili and Mia really, really enjoyed themselves. Pili refused to give up his cupcake. I had to put it in a Tupperware and put it next to his pillow until he fell asleep (which was almost immediately).

Mary: Kavin and Koen really enjoy the company of your children. They played so nicely together. They too were tired when we got home. And speaking of the cupcakes, Kavin liked them so much, Lisa had to use them as a bribe to get Kavin to leave. It seemed to work, until it was time to actually step out the door. Kavin gave back the cupcakes and said, "no, I stay."

In reference to the cupcakes, they were white cake with chocolate frosting for Cody's birthday party. Both boys thoroughly enjoyed themselves, as evidenced by the crumbs that were stuck to their faces with chocolate frosting. Kavin wanted another, but changed his mind when I gave him the pan with the rest and told him he could take it home. He put it back on the counter when he realized that meant going home to his house. Oh well, that didn't quite work, but the inflatable Santa outside distracted him long enough.

Happy Birthday Cody!

Today is Cody's 14th birthday. He wanted to have a video game party. We invited the Ings and some friends over for an X-Box party. For food, Cody likes seafood, so I decided to do something that he's never had before...hot pot.

We had shrimp, baby scallops, monchong fish, crab legs, fish cake, seafood mix, various veggies, shiitake mushrooms, kim chee, and more! All of it got cooked in a broth and put over noodles. In addition to that, we also had sushi, onolicious chicken wings (Jeff's mom), and potato salad. Our pupu spread included baked brie with a sugar nut coating and crackers, soy beans, poke, and clementines.

JOHN boy, are you salivating yet?

Happy Birthday James!

It's James Kwong's birthday today, and we're having a birthday party at our house. James planned a poker tournament and brought his card table over. Aside from poker, the kids are playing X-Box (duh!), and there's no shortage of food either!

Thanks James for being a great friend and ministry partner. May the next year be filled with blessings and fulfillment in all you do. We are looking forward to camp (well, for me, that means school is over for the semester!) and seeing what God will do through you (and us).

Welcome Zayvin!

Welcome to the world little guy. Zayvin was born this morning 8 lbs. 11 oz. on the "duck island" to Malia (and Garrett). Zayne is a big brother now, and Koen is not the youngest any more.

Happy Birthday Kason!

It's Kason's 7th birthday today, and he asked for pizza. Specifically, dessert pizza. On the list of additions to his possessions this year-moon sand and Thomas trains. Kason plans. When you ask him what he wants, he'll tell you. He must have a mental list in his head, because he tells each person a different thing, and he remembers who he asked for what. We've known that he's done this for some time. Amazing for a kid that young. One year he asked several people for Thomas trains. He was very specific about which ones he wanted and each person was told different ones. This year he asked his mom for moon sand and me for trains.

Happy Birthday Kason!

Letoto Christmas Party 2006

And just in case you need a refresher... http://www1.snapfish.com/shareereg/p=994251196008866127/l=325425551/g=13431575/cobrandOid=1000143/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB/pns/share/p=994251196008866127/l=325425551/g=13431575/cobrandOid=1000143/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB

Our Christmas Tree

No! Too short. Our goal was to get a tree that was at least as tall as Chucky...6'5".

Foodland had turkeys on sale for $3.99 before Thanksgiving. Our bird was 19.75 pounds and went into the grill yesterday for four and a half hours. When it finally got out, we hurried out in search of a Christmas tree.

Cody & Chuck went with us, because we had to decide together on the "perfect" tree for our house. We went to three lots before finding it.

The guys tied our tree to the roof of the car. It was either that or hold it the whole way home.

Jeff & Cody got the tree secured in the stand and unwrapped. They also put on the lights and the balls. You think their favorite color is purple? I wonder if they also really like bears?

The KIngs

The older Ings were recruited to help with food and DDR for National Adoption Day at the Family Courthouse. The younger ones came to eat, collect their goodie bags, and have fun.

Slacking on the job!

I did not give him the sugar!

He may be the next star on his mom's softball team.

It's the 40!

Kavin is still in the groove of the birthday cake and candles, since Koen's birthday wasn't too long ago. He's waiting to blow out the candles on my cake. Hey, just because I'm a year older doesn't mean that I can't blow out my own!

Jeff planned a surprise party for me on Sunday. By his estimate, he said we had over 60 people. He also commented that it was pretty stressful for him, since it's my job to do the planning.

Gee, this kind of reminds me of dad & Uncle Leonard.

We weren't short on food. There's a whole table full besides this one.

Are we having fun yet?

Hawaiian Bracelets--25 of them

For the 3rd year, our program was fortunate to partner with Royal Hawaiian Heritage Jewelry to bless 25 young ladies in foster care with Hawaiian bracelets. RHHJ plans a day when the girls and their families are treated to a tour of the factory, refreshments, and the highlight of the day...ordering their custom designed bracelets. They get to choose the design, name, color of enameling, and inside inscription that will make up their own 8mm silver bracelet. This year, many of the girls were older and in their teens.

Here's one link to media coverage for the day: Foster Children Receive Priceless Hawaiian Bracelets http://www.khnl.com/Global/story.asp?s=7350189.