March Madness

When I say March Madness, I mean it haha. This month was a month, jam packed with a whole heap of things, but I wouldn't of had it any other way hehe!

Arihia turned 21!! We went out the day before her birthday and went out to get our nails done. That was such a nice thing to do to just have a treat day, kind of day together hehe. 

After we got our nails done, we went out for dinner to winner winner! A fave of ours hehe. Terangi joined us for that bit, and that was so nice. We all hung out, talked, went around for some ice cream after and had a lovely night celebrating our fave gewl. 

This was really one of my highlights of the month, was getting to have a girls day with my Aunty Dina! We really went all out for it to hehe. So, I had heard about these markets going on and Tianabakes was gonna be there so we had to stop by to support haha. Aunty Dina had been wanting to try it, so it was good enough excuse hehe. The markets were so cute! They had heaps of booths open with cute, handmade goodies. 

After that we stopped at Taco Bell for lunch. That was a nice treat hehe. It's a little ways out so I forget about it sometimes, but it's a nice place to go out for something different to what I usually have hehe. After lunch, we were close enough, that we ended up deciding to go to Pokenos for ice cream hehe. I'm grateful for the time I had out with Aunty, she's so fun and funny and I just love her. 

Taco Bell!

Pokeno ice cream is a fan favorite around here hehe. 

Okay!!! So, one of my ALL time favorite families dropped off this goodie basket for me just out of the blue and I was so dang grateful. They're way too lovely to me hahaha and it was just a nice surprise to get at my door step, with school starting and things being a little crazy, it was so nice to get something like this. Was so very thoughtful of them.

I tried getting back at it with my walks hehe. They're super good for the soul. It helps me to get my anger out, while also being active, and I had been going around sunset which made for some lovely views. 

Please don't judge me... if you've had them, you know how addicting and good her stuff is hahaha. Okay so this is a funny story though, so I had visited at one point and Tiana's husband now recognizes me, OOP. That's what happens when you're such a big fan like me hehe. He gave me the biggest cake slice of cake they had though, so there's benefits from being recognized LOL. 

Heaven on earth. 

My great nana passed away, and although it was a sad thing, there were so many good and happy times within the week of celebrating her life. 

It was so nice being with family. There's quite a bit of cousins on my mums side so it was nice that so many of us got to be together and hang out. I'm grateful for this side of my family and I enjoyed getting to know some of that side better. 

Haina and I.

Freaking best donuts ever hehe.

Big boy, he just makes my heart melt, he's the sweetest kid.

Lots of love.

My cousin Manea. 

The woman in the middle is Elienora. She has so many name sakes, it's not even funny haha, but this is a cool pic because she's got two generations after her in this pic (and Elleanna lol?). Funnily enough, we all have that name spelled differently though? Or Aunty Apii and I might have it the same way but it's such a mess so who even knows haha, but it's quite special how a name can connect people together. 

I love these cousins of mine. It was funny because my nana has heaps of siblings and it was funny to see how different each siblings line was compared to one another. There is so much love between each different line but man, you can tell like no other how there is another level of fun and crazy on that Rota side hahaha. Pure chaos man hahaha. All the time haha. I love it and am grateful for everyone in that pic down below. Missed those that weren't able to be there with us!

We also got to visit our Papa. It was all blue skies and sunshine on this day too. I could feel him smiling down on us that day! It was funny cos as I was walking to his headstone, all I could hear was island beats and my little cousins doing the hula all together. It was crack up, but also one of the coolest memories of everyone together, being silly and enjoying our time as a unit. I'm so grateful that one couples simple decision, has given me what I have today. 

Then, your homegirl got COVID hahaha. Knew it was gonna come at some point but man was it a pain to have. I swear I was bed ridden for days and it took me ages to get through it, but I got through haha. Thank goodness. I hope that's the one and only time I get it lol. 

Dev and Aunty Vanya surprised us all with a trip over our ways which was so nice! I loved being able to see them and spend time with them. It was a quick visit, but still the best! We went walking around the lake one arvo, and then were out on the town one night. We had gone to timezone and hung around there riding limes and keeping each other company. Then, of course, we ate good haha. Aunty Lee made up some fry bread and then we had on a roll and a few other must eats while in the country. So, it was lots of goodness wrapped into a few days.

Me, Lionel Richie, and Arihia in a trolley.

Dev at the Hamilton Lake.

On a roll! A fave of ours.

Aunty Lee's fry bread.

I got to finally see baby after what felt like ages haha. So I was happy to get some cuddles with him! Then, the day came where we had to take Aunty and Dev to Auckland to head back to the states, so we of course made sure to stop in to Pokeno for a wee treat hehe. 

Bestie.

Gorgeous boy.

I'm gonna miss lovely March days like this one! Grateful Arihia captured some of that goodness in this cute Tik Tok.