MANUIA LE KERISIMASI

Thank you to the Lily, Zane, Elton, and Zeimydarling for this picture

Christmas is the time of the year when the whole family sits togehter talking, laughing and simply happy. Feeling this way more than once a year is possible!!

As we are oceans away all we can seem to do is wish that we were together this Holiday Season.  We all find it so hard to smile when we know our hearts long to be together as an entire family, but what makes us smile?  The eyes of our children our next generation smile and their laughter warms our heart and gives us hope that we will be together once again.  Our newsletter gives us beautiful insights of what we are up to and keeps us a little closer!

HOLIDAY RECIPES

LEMON SQUARES

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
•  
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 lemons, juiced

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a medium bowl, blend together softened butter, 2 cups flour and 1/2 cup sugar. Press into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 inch pan.
3. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until firm and golden. In another bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar and 1/4 cup flour. Whisk in the eggs and lemon juice. Pour over the baked crust.
4. Bake for an additional 20 minutes in the preheated oven. The bars will firm up as they cool. For a festive tray, make another pan using limes instead of lemons and adding a drop of green food coloring to give a very pale green. After both pans have cooled, cut into uniform 2 inch squares and arrange in a checker board fashion.

Shrimp Poke

Ingredients

1 bag (2 1/2 pounds) pre-cooked and shelled jumbo shrimp, thawed

1 medium size Maui onion, thinly sliced

2 Japanese cucumbers, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons Japanese rice wine vinegar

1 bottle (6 ounces) kim chee base

3 stalks green onion, chopped

Instructions

In a bowl, combine all ingredients; toss gently. Refrigerate.

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
• 1 cup chopped nuts

Directions

PREHEAT oven to 375° F.

COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY MERRY BIRTHDAY!



Uncle Bruce & Uncle Soda

 Bruce Uta'ileuo

 On December 9, this wonderful man entered the life of our grandparents Sagauga & Epeleafiaelepeaiga Uta'ileuo as their oldest son.  This year we celebrate his 58 wonderful years as a son, husband, father, uncle, and grandfather.  Manuia lou aso fanau uncle and many many more to come!

LilyMarleen Jean Uta'ileuo

On December 15, this extraordinary woman entered the life of Sabu (Sagauga) & Tiva Uta'ileuo's life as their eldest daughter.  Today she is living her life in California.  She is almost done with her Masters degree in Educational Technology.  Thank you for being a one of a kind daughter, SISTER, cousin, and Aunty.  We stand together with her birthday cake and scream a HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you the SUNSHINE in our lives.

Sulu Su'a

December 10th was the day that this awesome woman entered the lives of Piga & Savaliolefilemu Su'a. I personally pray I get to know you better Sulu when we see each other this March, until then we want to say...mili...mili..mili...pati a...pati a...lua pati ma le...MANUIA LOU ASO FANAU....cheee whooo...

Taulagaola Uta'i

Whoa!! Another December 10th.  This wonderful woman was born to Rev. Afalupetoa and Eseta Uta'ileuo.  She is currently a Junior at the almighty Samoan Sharks in Am. Samoa.  Judging from your facebook Ola you are just filled with school spirit.  We pray that we you have many many more birthdays and we all stand and applaud you on your special day.

COUNTDOWN

Hey everyone if you all look on the right of our blog you will see a countdown that I've created to give us a perspective of where we are at.  It's set on Samoa time for April 2, 2012.  So the big question is what do you all have left to do?

*Passports??

*Money for your fare??

*Money to put in as a family for cars and food???

Whatever we all have left, I'm glad to know that we are all striving for the goal to be reunited together as an AIGA for Mama's birthday.

As we all journey towards our goal, let us PRAY together, have FAITH together and know that through our FATHER IN HEAVEN we will accomplish what our heart sets to do.  May we all work towards our goal as an AIGA so we can DANCE, SING, and SMILE with our Mama.

JINGLE NEWS

Our sister Zeimydarling on December 5, 2011 has returned back to Samoa to take care of our Aunty Ellen who is sick.  She left her heart in San Diego as she departed with Zane, but knew that they would be reunited real soon.  As tears ran down her face on December 5th she uttered the words, "I promise I will go to Samoa and I will begin working on our big reunion.  I will get the kids together in American Samoa and we will prepare for all your arrivals."  With heavy hearts and tears in our eyes we said, "Aloha Oe!" to our sister and say, "UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN!" We are all praying for you Aunty Ellen.

Tugase who is the oldest son of Tracy Uta'i has just got done taking his HSTA test.  He is currently in the 4th grade at Ahuimanu Elementary school.  The test results are in and Tugase had the 2nd highest score in the ENTIRE fourth grade.  We are so proud of you Tugase and encourage you to continue to strive in your education.  Thank you Tracy for raising awesome boys.

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN...

here are some pictures of Christmas that we just got it...

A CONTEST WAS ANNOUNCED......

IT'S GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONTEST TIME...SUBMIT YOUR PICTURES ON OUR FAMILY FACEBOOK PAGE AND WE WILL ALL JUDGE ALTOGETHER... HAPPY HOUSE MAKING...MAY THE BEST FALE WIN..



L-R: Lucky, Darz, Jimmy, Lily, and Z @ San Diego



Darz sending your some holiday cheer..local style..

TJ, Treh, and Lores helping set up the 808 Christmas tree

Lily and Elton's tree.

Da final product for our 808 tree.

Trish's bundle of joy...not looking so joyful..I just want to pinch your cheeks baby..

CHRISTMAS STORY

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

And Santa whispered, "Teach the children the true meaning of Christmas…"

The Star: A heavenly sign of prophecy fulfilled long, long ago- The shining hope of mankind.

The Color Red: The first color of Christmas, symbolizing that Savior's sacrifice for all.

The Fir Tree: Evergreen- the second color of Christmas shows everlasting light and life. The needles point up to heaven.

The Bell: Rings out to guide lost sheep back to the fold, signifying that all are precious in His eyes.

The Candle: A mirror of starlight, reflecting our thanks for the star of Bethlehem.

The Gift Bow: Tied as we should all be tied together in bonds of goodwill forever.

The Candy Cane: Represents the shape of the shepherd's crook, used to bring lost lambs back to the fold.

The Wreath: A symbol of the never ending eternal value of love… having no end.

MAY YOU ALL HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS SEASON... I LOVE YOU ALL!