Friendly Fun

My BFF came back to Samoa!  Well for two weeks at least.  It is always good to have her home with us even if for a short time.  We did some fun things when she was here.  Of course we have to start with the traditional cinnamon rolls!   Christine's dough and Ipo's expert hands make a best cinnamon rolls.  I get to show up with games.  Lucky huh?  Check out these pictures:

Another fun activity was hiking to the airport beach and swimming!

Check out the Samoan Boogie boards!  Watch out for splinters!

Nice view!  Riley was really into saying, "CHEESE!!"

 On the way back we collected 3 full bags of trash.  We hardly put a dent in the litter but at least it was something.

We also went up to the Scratch field and played soccer with the Mackenzie girls, Lana, Christine, Zane and the Gurr boys.  We had a lot of fun and played girls vs boys.  Of course the girls won 10-8!  ;)  

 Christine's last Sunday she made pumpkin cinnamon rolls at our house with the Hemalotos.  The kids played around.  

 

 While the adults talked story and Ipo worked her magic.  ;)  Delicious! 

We had such a great time with Christine while she was here.  Safe travel Christine and hurry home again soon!  

Soccer Time Again

This year Brady and Micah got to play soccer for the school soccer 3,4,5 team.  This is a little league that the American Samoa Football Federation (ASFF) on for all the private schools.  The boys started practice in October and the games lasted through November.  Here are a few pictures from some of their games.  

 Look closely at Brady's face and see his determination.

 Riley came to a couple games and just hung out.  

 And sometimes he would wander a bit.  Good thing his big brother was there.

 The boys were so excited that Sis. Peters made it to their game even though she was so busy.

The last game of the season they were "undefeated" and moved on to the play offs.  These games were tough.  The first game of the play offs went to overtime with a tie and ended with a shoot out.  Each team got 3 goals in the shoot out and then the fourth players shot and our kick was blocked.  Their last game ended in a similar fashion.  Their team didn't do so bad though.  They placed fourth out of 10 teams.  The main thing is they had fun and learned a bit more about soccer.  They both improved so much.  Brady has started teaching Riley how to play soccer.  ;)  They both can't wait until next year.   

 Thanks to the ASFF and especially to Coach Chuck who was very fair with the kids and helped them build their confidence in the game!

Birthday Boy Skyler

Happy Birthday to you Skyler!  Wake  up!  ;)  Skyler is not a morning person and is often carried to the car in his underwear on the way to school.  

 We did manage to get him up this day to enjoy his birthday breakfast in bed.  

 It was a low key birthday for Skyler.  He took cupcakes for his class to enjoy and we al went out to eat at Carls Junior for his birthday.  Of course you can't forget the blowing of the candles! 

 He opened a couple little presents and was so excited with what he got.   In the end Skyler had a Happy Happy Birthday!  He's growing up so fast!  Here's wishing for another wonderful year.  

Flat Stanley

Brady received a homework assignment to take around Flat Stanley.  A pen pal from England (I think) sent her Flat Stanley and Brady took him around to see Samoa.  He took Flat Stanley to check out the coy at Grandma's house .

 Then we took him to Aloau to take a glimpse of the island.

 Can't have Flat Stanley miss out on seeing our favorite staple grow so he took him to see the taro growing.

 One place Brady was interested in checking out was what I call the cinder pits.  It was amazing to see all the sites they had already dug out.

 And one more glimpse of the island on the way home.  It was a fun little activity for Brady and I .  We hope Flat Stanley gets back home will all his pictures.  ;)