Lots of great news : )

So as of late...

- My sister has picked out a name for her baby girl, whom she could be HOLDING in the next six weeks. LOVE! I, like, rrrrrrrrrrrrrrreally want to tell what the name is, but I'm not sure if she's announced it publicly yet. Rest assured that the name is perfectly adorable. We are all SO excited for Melissa and to meet the little lady.

- My friend from high school, Justina, just had a baby boy.

- We bought the plane ticket on Monday for Joe to fly in from Portland (he starts his pre-wedding job there next week) in less than a month so we can get all the fab wedding items done that we need to do together ie: ENGAGEMENT PICTURES which we are taking on our EXACT ONE YEAR anniversary. (You don't have to tell us. We know we're adorable.) Also, loved ones have started to ask where we are registered or to let us know when we actually are putting things ON our registries (details, details). Joe and I will be registering the week of May 9 at Target and Bed, Bath and Beyond.

- We get married in 3 MONTHS from... [drum roll please] TODAY! Woohooooo! Things are really coming together, and we are beyond excited.

- My DRESS is on its way and I am both nervous and out of my mind thrilled!

- I received our reprinted and this time PERFECT announcements on Monday! I am pretty relieved that the company agreed to reprint them and that they turned out this time. What a blessing.

- It's officially SPRING IN KANSAS! All the trees are in bloom and the grass is so green. If you have read my other entries about being sick of winter, then you know how happy I am about all of this. : )

Well, I think that's about it. We sure hope all is going well for you and yours.

Ca-ca-ca-catch Up

I flew to Arizona to visit Joe on the 10th and stayed through last Tuesday, February 16. It was a fantastic week and ended much too quickly! We went to see the movie "Valentine's Day" which was pretty cute. The way it was set up reminded me a lot of the film "He's Just Not That Into You" the way that it had a bunch of interconnected stories going on and all of them are about relationships and love. It's a  sweet little movie. We hung out with his family; watched the Olympics a good amount; attended the Tongan ward at church (Church is usually conducted in Tongan, but I lucked out that Sunday and much of it was in English); met up with my childhood friend, Ashleigh and her boyfriend Brett (who are both native Kansans like me); went on walks almost every day; and did some light shopping.  I also tried the traditional polynesian drink called Kava for the first time which is made out of the Kava root which is ground into a fine powder and combined with water. Polynesians come together to "mix" which means sitting on the floor in a large circle and socialize, sing, and drink Kava which is known for its relaxing quality. On Valentine's Day, Joe and I hiked up "A" Mountain located right at the ASU campus in Tempe (in T-shirts no less!) and watched the sun set and enjoyed the view. After that, we met up with Ashleigh and Brett and checked out an art display that Brett was putting together for show. Afterward, the four of us learned some sweet swing dancing moves at another couple's home and had a blast! Joe and I had so much fun that we want to take more lessons after we're married! We loved it! It also has a great work out built in so BONUS! Basically... I had a GREAT time with my love. I'm posting a couple pics, so enjoy, friends!

xoxo

Bren

For those of you who know my sister...

Melissa just found out she is having a baby GIRL! Baby is due May 27. She and her husband, Shane have been married since August, and are VERY excited! Congratulations to the McCrae family!

Exciting News

Joe has a new brand new niece (His first one!) who was born this morning at 9:25 to Charlie and Amy Tulikihakau. She was 9lbs. 3 oz. Sounds like quite a healthy baby! It is traditional in Tongan culture for the sister of the first born baby in the family of the baby's father to name the baby (Sounds complicated, but it's not really!). Joe and Charlie's sister, Sekola, named the little one Lineti Mele Feinga Tulikihakau. She was named for their mother who passed away several years ago. Sekola was a stinker and wouldn't tell anyone what name she chose for the baby until little Lineti was here, but she chose a beautiful name. Here is a picture Joe sent me of him holding Lineti! I wish I could have been there, and I can't wait to meet her soon!

The picture isn't great quality -- it was taken with a cell phone -- but it is precious none the less! So tiny and perfect!
Meanwhile, here in Kansas we are in the middle of our THIRD snow storm in just two weeks. We don't usually get much snow, so this is crazy! The high on Friday is supposed to be -2! Yuck! Joe is somehow jealous. Who would think an island boy would be a snow bunny! He loved every minute of the snow when he lived in Provo, Utah where it snows all the time! I can't say that I'm a fan, myself. Too bad he isn't here to shovel it! :-) The back deck had snow on it that was about knee deep and we are supposed to be getting up to five inches more. It started snowing around noon and has been snowing steadily since. I got a call saying they were closing early at work today and that I wasn't needed today, so I got the day off. I was told to watch the news tonight to watch to see if I have work tomorrow. My sister has a snow day tomorrow, which  would have been her first day back from Christmas break. Winter is definitely in full effect in Kansas City! Oy! I help it all melts soon!

xoxo
Bren