Etu's Wedding!

We took a trip to L.A. recently for a wedding in Joe's family. He hasn't seen anyone Tongan for so long he was starting to turn white. We decided it was time! Joe's family raised Etu through his teenage years so Joe considers him a brother. We all flew and it was quite a trip! It was much better than driving but flying with two kids can still be troublesome. It was fun for Joe and I to visit our old stomping ground. We drove past my old apartment and through the old neighborhoods Joe used to live in. A walk down memory lane. It was fun but it really made us appreciate the beauty of Oregon. L.A. is just concrete and billboards while Oregon has trees and greenery all around. Thats my plug for Oregon! Joe loves L.A. still. Anyone who doesn't believe me is more than welcome to come visit. Just don't forget your raincoat!

The wedding was in a park overlooking the city. Then they had the reception in the evening. I think there were about 15 pigs but I could be wrong. They roasted even more pigs the next day for a baby blessing! It was delicious! The wedding was quite the event for me, being a palangi and all. It was so much fun to see everyone dance, including Siosi. She loved the music and followed her cousin Kagee all over trying to imitate her island moves. I think she felt a kinship to her Tongan cousins and enjoyed seeing someone who looked like she does.

We also took the kids to the aquarium in Long Beach. It was a lot of fun as well. We only got video of that. Sorry, no pictures. Siosi loved the fish and seals. They were having Polyneisan week. Just our luck! We saw even more dancing! Siosi goes crazy when she hears the beat of the island drums!

None of these pictures are really in order. Enjoy!

I figured out that the dancers cover themselves in oil not only to prove their virginity (it is supposed to glisten if they are still a virgin)...but also to make that money stick!
Uncle Vai (first cousin to Joe's Dad), his son Kanavale, and his grandson Tyson.
Our family at the wedding.
Bride and groom toast.
Groom's relatives.


Groom's best men.

Mother of the Groom, Manaloa.
The bride and groom had their own cakes! I liked that part! This is the Bride's cake.
Groom's cake.

Groom shakin' it.

Bride, Groom, and pig.

Kalo, and Kagee. Siosi loved Kagee. She was her clone. She is still asking about her and now when she sees a picture of a dark little girl instead of saying its herself, she says its Kagee. Kagee is the grandaughter of Vai.

Doing the money dance.

At the park, or beach?

A scene from the airport.
Kalo with Manaloa.

Siosi and Kagee.
Joe and Vai at the blessing dinner.