VISITORS, HIKING, CAMPING and a RODEO IN JUNE

We had so much fun during the month of June that we hardly had two minutes to sit down and chronicle all the fun. We had a wonderful visit from Carrie (Brennan) Whilhite and her kids. They were traveling from Southern California to a wedding in Boise and decided to stop in a for a few days before and after their trip to spend some time with us.

We took them on a tour of the Oquirrh Temple, a visit to the Kennecot Copper mines and a hike up to the Timpanogos caves; all in one day! By the end of that day we were all beat. Grandpa John, Ricky and the Holindrakes joined us in all the fun.

Our first official visit to the Lehi Round Up. I never thought I'd be visiting a rodeo in this lifetime but I can guarantee you that it won't be my last after my first trip. The boys have been before but I think Jen and I are hooked on calf roping, barrel riding, bull riding and rodeo queens....okay, maybe I'm the only one hooked on rodeo queens.

Aside from the hike up Timpanogos, Kingston and I hiked and camped up Alpine canyon in an area known as Hamangogs. We've been going full speed in scouting since Kingston was twelve but now that Jen is part of the Scout Committee, our involvement in scouting is something bordering on fanaticism. Chase, Mica and Kenyon are all very involved in their respective activities, meetings and camps. Kingston is working on approval for his Eagle Scout project.

July is already turning out to be a busy month for all of us. I've started a new job at a company in Provo called Ancestry.com and Jen has completely embraced her role as a Manager at an assisted living company here in Lehi. The boys have all started football and are looking forward to the new season. Next week, some friends and I will host our very first entertainment event. Island Groove will feature a comedy act and two musical acts at Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City. It should be lots of fun...after all the headaches it had better be!

Looking forward to more updates from our friends and family. Have an incredible July and God bless you all!

What Happens in Pocatello...Something Happened in Pocatello?

The graduation season is underway and already we've had our fill of pomp and circumstance! Last weekend we traveled to the mysterious, exotic locale of Pocatello, Idaho to witness and congratulate our niece (also known as our Starter Daughter) Emma Filiaga, who graduated from Highland High School.

Emma is the second of many who will graduate from the Matua clan, following in the footsteps of her sister Amanda who graduated last year and is now attending the College of Southern Idaho on a volleyball scholarship. Emma has accepted a scholarship of her own from Dodge City Community College and will enroll in the Fall.

We had an absolute wonderful time while in Pocatello with family and friends. At a luau in Emma's honor (along with two fellow graduates Hailey Hanohano and Cassie Valai), Kingston, Chase, Mica and Kenyon all joined their cousins in a special dance to show their respect and love for Emma.

We're so grateful for examples like Amanda, Emma and all the young people in our lives who have committed themselves to their education, family, friends and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

A side note: This is the second year in a row that Seti has celebrated his birthday in Idaho (haha!) What does it feel like to be 40? According to the "Great and Wise One" (that would be Seti), "I've waited my whole life to feel this sexy!" Only time will tell how much longer the body and the mind remain intact but the soul is truly ecstatic for the next 40 years!

Heath Wedding
We pulled off the Heath wedding in our backyard and by all accounts it was a huge success. Karen and her helpers did a wonderful job to get everything done in time and the result was a gorgeous backyard that we will enjoy for the rest of the year. Congratulations again to the newlyweds.

Abarca's
Jose, Kassie and their two little ones are now settled into a new rhythm here in Lehi. Jose is working in Salt Lake and it appears that he is enjoying his new learning environment while Kassie and the little ones get reacquainted with siblings and cousins. We have enjoyed having them around and look forward to a Summer filled with fun.

Japan
Ah the life of a stand-by passenger is never aligned with the universe! Our last post indicated that we would be off to visit the Holy Land. Unfortunately for us, hundreds of other people wanted to be there the same time the Pope visited...Go figure! So it was a quick change of plans and suddenly we were in the land of the Rising Sun. What a total surprise and a memorable adventure. We have a new found respect and admiration for Japan, its people and culture. We totally missed out on Israel, but we really enjoyed our stay in Tokyo!

Back On Track

Yes, its been a long time but we have recommitted to getting our blog back in shape. We've reached several milestones in the Matua household, one of which is NOT employment for Seti. Despite what our new President insists is an end to the recession, the unemployment rate continues to climb and the job market becomes more and more competitive. Thank goodness for small miracles. Seti has been picking up contract work to help with mounting expenses and the entire family has made sacrifices to ensure that we survive the economic hardships. We are so grateful for your prayers and for the support from our family and friends. We are given these trials as a test of our faith and we're doing our best to pass the test.

On a much lighter note, Kenyon celebrated his ninth birthday a week ago. He continues to be a wonderful student and has made so many friends here in Lehi. He's looking forward to starting another season of football and has become known in the area for his bright smile.

Mica recently turned 11-years-old and was awarded his Arrow of Light in our last Pack Meeting and is now a Scout working on his first advancement to Tenderfoot. Mica is finally breaking out of his shell (can you believe it?) and his inquisitive mind and athletic abilities make him a neighborhood favorite amongst children and adults.

Chase has really flourished in school this year. He has made a number of great new friends who share his passion for music, art and sports. He says he's going to give football another shot this season. Chase is becoming a VERY good cook and often prepares wonderful meals for our family.

There are so many things that Kingston wants to accomplish this Summer but he's most excited about making money. He wants to referee flag football but for the time being is happy to mow lawns in the area. In our Scout Court of Honor this past Sunday, Kingston was awarded his Life rank and is now working on finishing final requirements to become an Eagle Scout.

Finally, Quinn still rules the roost. He is a great helper but an even better comedian. Quinn has a way of boosting our spirits, even when he's not trying. Its always nice to have a bit of comic relief to get us through the day and Quinn has been a vital part of ensuring that there are always light hearts and warm spirits in our home.

As a family, we earned the Heart of Scouting pin, a religious award that is given to Scouts and families who fulfill the requirements outlined by the BSA. We're so happy that we accomplished a goal that we set as individuals and as a family.

Finally, we are so proud of Jen who has taken a voluntary lay-off from the airlines to pursue an opportunity closer to home. She is the new Customer Care Manager for an assisted living center here in Lehi and we're so grateful that she can use her unique talents and abilities to grow in a new challenge. We listen each night as she recounts stories from the lives of these wonderful, ripe spirits and the funny things they say and do. We'll miss our jet-setting (for sure), but we're so happy to have her closer, where she is the centerpiece of our home.

Once again, we thank all of you, our friends and family, for all of your support. Next on the Matua Agenda:

• A Trip to the Holy Land
  
• A Heath Wedding
  
• Bonding With the Abarca's

CELEBRATING LIFE

Birthdays: A constant reminder that our kids are growing older and we're just....OLD! Yesterday we celebrated Mica's 11th birthday. Today, our youngest son Quinn, turned six.

It is hard to fathom that our sons are no longer the baby's they were just a short time ago, especially as we watch Jen's siblings welcome more new babies into the Kolowich family. Diapers are an abnormality within the walls of our home and screaming is contained within the confines of our television.

We have to admit though that when there are tiny babies visiting our home, cooing and wobbling around on unsure, delicate feet we have glimpses of yesteryear when we were new parents. But those memories are fleeting and we are enjoying the stage they are in now, wondering what tomorrow will bring as our ‘Tweeners’ become true teens.

Happy Birthday Mica! Happy Birthday Quinn! God bless and bring you with many more to come!

Enjoying Maui Sun

Sometimes, the best way to deal with stress is by going to that happy place. Literally! Jen and the boys decided that they needed a few days away from the gloomy, gray skies of Utah so they hopped on a plane and traveled more than six hours to the beautiful shores of Maui.

Its amazing what a few days in the sun, on a beach can do for you. The average temperature there was 80 degrees and the water was bliss. Kingston, Chase, Mica and Kenyon spent most of their time in the water with their snorkel gear on and Quinn even ventured into the waves a time or two just so he didn't feel left out. They even tried skim-boarding!

It was hard for them to come home to Utah after having such a wonderful time but all good things must come to an end. They're all very grateful to have visited one of the most beautiful places on earth and can't wait to go back to see the rest of the island and enjoy all of the wonderful things they didn't have time to do this time around.

We wish that we could have brought some of that sunshine home, but we did take enough pictures for you to enjoy....

SIGNING DAY UPDATE

Its the big day for high school football seniors around the country as they declare their intent to play for one of the hundreds of salivating colleges and universities around the nation.

Manti Te'o, by far the biggest Polynesian name on the radar today, will inform his adoring fans and the nation at 2PM Pacific Time today. Coming into the home stretch, Notre Dame, USC and UCLA are at the top of the list, but its never a done deal on signing day and Stanford, Tennessee, Oregon, BYU, California or Colorado may still have a glimmer of hope to sign the man-child from Punahou. Manti's signing-day frenzy has been monitored closely by the nation, a lot like another Polynesian star, Haloti Ngata did a few years ago. That's how big Manti's number has become.

Timpview senior Xavier Su'a-Filo will announce his college of choice at 2PM Mountain Time. The 6-4, 285-lbs offensive lineman has Auburn, BYU, Colorado, LSU, Notre Dame, USC, Stanford, UCLA and Utah on his mind. With his pro-style body and nimble feet, Xavier is a hot commodity for teams looking to beef up in both pass protection as well as the run. Will he opt to stay in Utah close to family, or is his future in the PAC-10 or SEC?

Another Utah product, James Aiono (Murray HS) became the #1 Junior College prospect in the nation thanks to his impressive stats and consistency on the campus of Snow College in Ephraim, Utah. Unfortunately for Aiono, becoming a non-qualifier meant that he would not be able to join the Utes right out of high school. But fortune has a way of finding those who persevere and Aiono has made the most of his time in Ephraim. He will be wearing red after all next season and I can guarantee you, this guy is going to turn lots of heads when Ute Defensive Coordinator Kalani Sitake gets his chance at molding a hot young prospect.

I'll update you throughout the day on the latest signings and surprises.

Missionary Experience

Last week, Kingston and Chase had an incredible time experiencing what sacrifices full-time missionaries go through each day. They had to live by mission rules, learn more about the country they were called to serve in and bear testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Kingston was called to the Apia Samoa Mission and Chase was called to serve in the St. Petersburg Russia mission.

One of the activities for missionary week was doing baptisms for the dead and they were also asked to teach the first lesson from Preach My Gospel in a member home. To top it all off, they attended the mission farewell for Elder and Sister Satori, our former Stake President in the Granger West Stake in West Valley.

Its hard to believe that in just five more years, we will actually be bidding farewell to our very first missionary. We will cherish and enjoy each moment with each of our boys as they prepare today to serve the Lord in the future.

Welcome 2009

We have finally recovered fully from our Christmas holiday. We had a wonderful time with Kassie, Jose and Jackson Abarca who stayed with us during their visit from Iowa.

We had Christmas Eve with the Matua family at our home. We haven't had that much fun in a long time and of course, Seti's white elephant gift was the highlight of the evening.

We hosted the Kolowich family (and Heath's) on Christmas day. We had the Filiaga's from Idaho staying with us too. And at one point, John, Ava and Ricky. So the extra space is really paying off for us now.

There was lot's of snow, stuck cars and cold noses but through it all, we had a wonderful (white) Christmas. Thank you so much for spending the holidays with us. Now, we're looking forward to a wonderful, blessed new year! We can't wait to make more memories.