I was reading the last post I did and it made me smile. It also made me regret not doing an end of the year post for 2014, 2015 and 2016. I do have a long list of reasons or justification for not posting. Number one on the list is Facebook. Those three years I have posted and shared almost all of the special moments or occasions our family celebrated or experienced. But blogging is my favorite form of expressing myself in social media. So here I am and hopefully I'll keep this going again for me and for the future generation. Hi kids and grandkids who will read this in the future.
So here is our 2017...
Let me start with my favorite person in the whole world
I can't believe he will be 15 this year. He makes me feel old and short. He already set his course plan for High School and what activities he wants to participate. I know that he will succeed as he continues to work hard and be faithful.
Naia is the heart of the Fab5
So here is our 2017...
Let me start with my favorite person in the whole world
The Migster started the year recovering from his epic skateboard accident. He broke his arm in two places. Now, I am not going to recount what happened because it won't be as good as his version. (insert eye rolling emoji) It's been a year now and he is almost 100 percent healed. His hard work, physical therapy and caring wife(of course!) helped him achieve this.
He made SMSgt. From a pool of 11,788, he was one of the 11.8 percent selected. We are so proud and happy for him. He is a hard worker, smart and reliable service man.
Aside from busy work schedule and being Daddy to our Fab5, he continues to fulfill his calling as a councilor to our Bishop.
Since I didn't get to post for last year's update, I didn't get to share how Mike picked up a new hobby when we came back to Hawaii. Canoe Paddling! This year he participated in a couple of races and spent a lot of Saturday mornings practicing with his team. There is no stopping this 40+ year old man. Not even a broken arm.
This year he did some short trips for work. We enjoyed Facetiming with him and make him jealous when he is somewhere cold and we were enjoying the perfect Hawaii beach weather.
He is my favorite for many reasons. I love how he loves me and the Fab5. He enjoys spending time with us. He doesn't complain about loading and unloading our van with equipments for our outdoor activities. He makes sure I will be comfortable when we go to the beach or hike. He enjoys playing board and card games with us. He loves my cooking. He is proud of his kids and supports and encourages them to do their best. He makes me want to be a better person. I am looking forward to what 2018 is in store for this man. No more skateboard accidents, I hope. (insert smile emoji)
MJ, the leader of the Fab5
Our diligent, goal oriented, mature and wise first born had a great year!
He finished strong in Middle School despite of moving in his last year. He continues to be a hard worker and seeks out opportunities to improve himself. His little siblings look up to him. They trust and rely on him though they complain that he is bossy.
Back in 2014 he was teary eyed when he had to leave his beloved Kamehameha Schools due to our move to Vegas. Three years later MJ is back! Now a hard working 9th grader who juggles a pretty rigorous class schedule. His Academic goal is to keep his average at 4.0 and so far he is fulfilling that goal.
-when your little brothers give you a hug after a 3 mile hilly run/they're proud of you and wants the hotdog you're holding- My bad for not taking any solo photo of him. It was either this or the one with the girl we hope he'll take to his first prom. (smiley face)
In the Fall MJ decided to join the Cross Country team. He is not a fast runner but he wants to try it. His two goals were to not be the last one in the race and to improve his time in each race. Both goals achieved and he developed a love for running. 
This photo I took of him with his little fans and his two good friends from his Middle School after the 2nd night of KS Performing Arts Christmas concert. On his 4th year of playing the viola. MJ auditioned and was admitted to their school Orchestra. He enjoys it and loves the camaraderie among his Orch Dorks circle.
He started early morning Seminary. I know waking up early has not been easy for him especially that he stays up late finishing his projects or reports for school. This boy loves going to Seminary and he appreciates his Seminary teachers. He also enjoys Activity nights for the youth in our ward. Most part of the year he was the Deacons quorum president. He is pretty serious about getting that route for passing of sacrament right.
Nyle,the brains of the Fab5
Our sweet, kind-hearted book worm whose brain is full of fun ideas
Nyle has been to 4 different moves in his Elementary years in school. While his friends in Vegas were going through the challenges of being in Middle School(6th grade is Middle School in Nevada), he got to enjoy another year of Elementary school. Nyle finished very well with an Academic award. He was also chosen to be the emcee representing their class for their graduation.
In May he turned 12 and was welcomed by MJ in the Deacons quorum. He enjoys the friendship with fellow book worm nerds in his Church class. He likes attending his youth activities and scouts. Despite of being worried and not liking being away from home, he successfully survived scout camp in the Summer and even earned his Wilderness Survival badge.
We got a double Kamehameha go this year with Nyle being selected to join class 2023. If not in class , you'll find Nyle in the library. Though he was disappointed that he wasn't able to register early enough to get in the Drama Club, he enjoys being in Book Club and being able to know who are the other Potter-heads in school. In the Fall he did Camp Erdman with his 7th Grade Lehua team and survived the Mount Olympus Challenge. He had a lot of opportunities of conquering fears in 2017.
We volunteered together during the Make A Difference Day. I love seeing how enthusiastic he was serving. Not a complain as he was picking up loads of trash and being under the heat of the sun. At home Nyle will always be the first one to ask or offer help especially with baby. He is a best friend to each of his siblings.
For the first semester Nyle took Band class. He learned to play the baritone. He named his instrument Bethany. Once a week, he takes Bethany home. Poor Nyle had to carry her all the way up to Keku gym where I pick them up. He enjoyed learning to play a different musical instrument but he has decided to do Orchestra next school year. Next semester he will be in Choral group which I am more excited than he is. Among my kids, I think he can sing the best. He didn't enjoy the latter part of his choir experience in Las Vegas but he did well and enjoyed being in our stake children's choir.
He still dreams of acting on broadway someday. He is contemplating of being an Orthodontist instead of a lawyer as a main career. MJ 's convincing powers seems to be working on him. Aside from reading more books this year (it was about 100 books last year) he would want to experience a growth spurt. Watch out world!
Naia is the heart of the Fab5
Our thoughtful, loving and sporty Naia
Now a third grader. Her teachers are grateful for her. She is independent, helpful, trustworthy and gets along with anyone at home and in school.
Early this year she started learning the piano again. She practices daily without being told. She enjoys playing and is looking forward to learning a string instrument in the future.
During her 9th birthday, her brothers worked together to host her birthday party for her and her girl friends from school and Church. She had a blast!
For the first time, she was able to join the stake children's choir. She performed together with her Dad, MJ and Nyle in our stake Christmas concert.
She did swimming in the Fall and we'll be in swim class again in the Spring. She loves doing swim races. She can't wait to do competitions in the future.
We applied her for Kamehameha for the next school year. We won't know the results until April. She really wants to get in the school and we do too. But I also know that with her personality, she will do good wherever she will be in. I'm so grateful for this girl. I love how independent and mature she is yet sweet and thoughtful. She is her brothers favorite sibling and not because they feel like they have to choose her for being the only girl. They think she is super cool. She loves animals and wants to be a veterinarian someday or a Nurse working in Postpartum or the Nursery because she loves babies. She is growing up so fast and Mike and I just wants her to stay like this forever. (heart)
Bruce of course is the Fab5 muscle
Our active, spontaneous and funny Brucey
There are days that he misses being the baby in the family. He loves Chuck but sometimes he likes to go back to the time when he got all the attention from his siblings. Never the less he loves being a part of the Fab5. He loves his brothers and sister. He would smash anyone who will try to hurt them because his favorite Bruce is Bruce Banner. (smash)
An independent and reliable Kindergartener. Bruce is pretty popular in school both with his peers and teachers. He has a funny and charming personality. You want to be around him. The moment he gets in the van when I pick them up form school its non stop talking. He tell us everything that happened in school. He makes sure that I know what forms I need to sign, help him with his homework and that I help him read books so he can get a personal pan pizza in the end of the month from the school's Book It program.
He loves the ocean and playing any sports. Someday he wants to be a Firefighter or a Power Ranger.
He loves being photographed. He always gives the best face when he is in front of the camera.
Bruce loves to eat. He will eat us out of house and home. His favorite meal is mongo bean soup with spinach, pork kinupusan and rice. Usually when one of his sibling cries- BRUCE!!! most likely it is a favorite snack gone, an ice cream sundae with spoonfuls missing, an empty ice cream container left in the freezer or anything food related. He is always their suspect. He happily admits eating them and sincerely apologizes. Well it could also be wet toilet seat or not flushing the toilet or a sudden foul smell in the air. He is kolohe and always making sure we develop patience but we love our Brucey. He is fiercely loyal and loves his family.
The mini leader, mini brains, mini heart and mini muscle of our Fab5
Chuck our baby. We are all wrapped around his fingers and he knows it.
Chuck loves the outdoors. He is happy to be outside rain or shine.
Happy and good natured when he is not hungry or sleepy. He allows me to photograph and take videos of him all the time. He is my favorite IG stories subject.
He is smart and curious. He loves giving hugs and kisses.. and punches and kicks too.
His siblings thinks he is the best baby.
He is one lucky boy having 4 older siblings who loves him, believes in him and wants the best for him.
At 2 weeks old, Chuck was diagnosed with Unilateral Hearing Loss. He had a hearing aid since he was only a few weeks old but he hates wearing it. It might be more bothersome than useful to him. He is quick and sharp and sometimes we forget that he is deaf in one ear.
We love this little one's big personality. We are really grateful we were blessed with another child. Our family is complete.. maybe (haha)
Mike got himself a unicorn (lol emoji). If you don't get this, try checking the first definition you see in the urban dictionary. (wink)
I shoot rainbows out of my head.
One might be wondering how does Mike get to do everything he does with 5 kids and work and Church... I am his cheer leader, PA, masseuse, housekeeping service(lol) and sometimes his Shrink. I make life easier for him. (yep, unicorn!)
What do I do during my free time?... I practice on taking perfect selfies..
I turned the big 4-0 this year. I'm not gonna lie and say I feel great. I feel old and tired. I don't have the same energy as I had in my 30s. Shower, brush teeth and hair were my only getting ready routine. Now I have to put stuff on my face before I can leave the house. So I got fooled in buying some make up products that maybe can make me look like I'm 30 again but it just made me look 41. Never the less this first world problem is not dragging me down. I love being 40! I can totally kick butt my 20/30 year old version. Time and experience made me wiser and a better person.
I am a full-time Mom and wife in every sense. Weekdays means getting up at 5AM and going to sleep at 12 or even later. Weekends are pretty busy too. There are no days off. Presently, I am serving as a Youth Sunday School teacher. I spent most of the year serving in the Primary presidency, being over Cub Scouts. Both callings I loved and enjoyed. One of these days I'll fulfill my personal goals. For now I am happy and content dedicating my time and energy in making sure our Fab5 learn and develop Christlike attributes and skills that will help them become good and contributing to the society adults. I'm looking forward to the experiences, challenges and learning that 2018 will bring...
Now off to my hot hula class... just kidding I'm not done cooking dinner yet (smiley face)
