Some wedding pics ...

Wedding Party before the reception ...

Wedding Party pics ...

Ula having fun during the Oora ...

4 Generations ...

Nana, Talia & Mum ...

Joseph and Hazel ...

Pretty girls ... Koni and Talia ...

how cute ... Jajai & Baby Flo ...

Tana, Nana and Yannis ...

profile picture

lol ... i thought id post a profile pic so there wasnt a shadow when you logged in. everyone feel free to change it lmao ...

will post a blog soon and catch up with everyone.

love to all the family out there

lottie
xox

Emjay & Florence

this is tali porky (Emjay) & baby florence (not really a baby anymore lol) at bball tourney this year - Sunday 1st June. I turned the viewfinder thing around so tali porky could see herself

You can see Shashae (Shae, Emma's little one) in the bottom right hand corner

Lottie, you can edit this post & write something about tali porky & why she's called that; and baby florence, and how sociable she is lol

With all my Love...

Here's Mum and Dad, Nanny and Papa, Granny and Pop pop.

Today it's Dad's 63rd Birthday. He's celebrating it far away from the one's that he loves, His children and grand children, spread across Australia, and here in little ole Tokoroa.

Papa Tinokura Tuau, is his full name, his father named him after his good friend who had no children of his own.

He was born on the island of Mangaia (one of the 15 islands which make up the Cook Islands), and moved back to the main island of Rarotonga when he was 12. He helped his father clear the land of scrub and bush, so that they could lay the foundations of what was to become their home. Moving to New Zealand when he was 17 he came here and lived with his sister in Hastings until he met Mum.... and then the rest they say is history... Along came Mata...

There are many things that I love about him, where does one begin?

I love his gnarled hands, their callouses, arthritic twisted fingers, fingernails that are broken, all of these bear the marks of a man. A man who has taught his children the value of hard work, to take care of his family, to look after and fend for themselves, to build a hangi, to cut wood, to change a tyre, to pack away a tent, to build a fire, to fold wires for a video camera properly.

Hands that are never to tired to help out where they can. I love that about him.

I love his broad shoulders, the strength that he has in them to carry little sleepy heads to bed, to cuddle his children when they are upset, to provide a shoulder to cry on, strong and dependable. I love that about him.

I love his smile - gums and all! and the twinkle in his eyes that tells me it's sincere and from the heart. I love that about him.

I love that whenever we needed him, he was always there, that when we called he would move heaven and earth to come. I love that about him.

I love that he is fiercly passionate about his children and grandchildren. His dream is to see all his children and grandchildren together, he mentions it every time we talk. The cracks in his voice, the silent pauses, the tears he is trying to blink away to hide that he misses them so much. I love that about him.

I love that he has dreams for his children, dreams for them to be happy, in whatever they pursue, and that he (and Mum) are the proudest supporters, number one fans. I love that about him.

I love that he loves us unconditionally, that no matter what we do, no matter where we are, no , matter what we say, he loves us because we are his. I love that about him!

Tino and Vanessa, Maine and Jono, Pui and Koni, Ula and William, Tana, Tissy, Boo, Keke, Skinny, Ladyboss, Jai, Tiona, Numia and Tinokura jnr,

This is our Dad, Papa, Pop pop.

Happy Birthday

With all my heart and all my love

Mata

xox

Catching up...

FINALLY, our monthly broadband useage has renewed and now everything is not slow so I can now add Numia's write up (below) and just drop a note to say - HEY EVERYONE!!!! Good to catch up!, someone get Atalia to start adding updates about Emjay here too. Lottie put up baby Flo's profile too.

Besides getting in a tiss about the slow internet connection from the past 2 weeks, I've been flat tack at work! Operetta time!! which happens every 2 years, and somehow I got roped into learning everything from Tina Ward so that when she retires (which is in the next couple of years) someone will know what to do, yeah right. I think my limit is AY programmes and not huge theatrical productions. (Although I really like the Directing!!!)

So this week I will be busy putting video footage together, organising sound and lighting, watch the class acts for the umpteenth time, kick my main characters because they don't speak loud enough and speak in a monotone voice, do last minute choreography, get the stage crew organised and make sure my cue callers don't mess things up.

So if you don't hear from me, I'm probably buried under scripts, rewrites, and musical scores.

Despite all this, I'm absolutely loving it all!!!

Jai's class is doing 'The Gingerbread Man' and she has the part of the skipping lamb. I think I've figured out how to add video so will attempt this sometime over the school holidays.

Love to all, Hope you are all doing well!!!

Much love and kisses to everyone

Mata

And then there were 3...

This is Numia Raehera Nooroa (with big sister Jai)...

They were at a fancy dress birthday party for one of their cousins in Hamilton.

When this little one was born, her umbilical cord was twisted like a telephone cord. It showed that she was a real mover in the womb, and outside she is shaking things up constantly.

Finding a name for her was a difficult task. Maine found out that she was to have a girl, so we set about finding a name from one of our ancestors to give to her, I thought that this would be a good chance for one of the girls in our family to carry the name of our Dad's Mum, her name was Raela spelt Raehera, She was of the Mokotua family and of Tahitian descent. We don't know much about this side of our family, so this would be a tribute to her. But somehow this name didn't suite her.

When she was born the name just didn't seem to fit her, Dad said it just didn't seem right, (he was also worried that giving her the name would mean something would happen to her, since our grandmother didn't like people from Aitutaki, and my Mum is from Aitutaki, and all the girls of the Aitutaki line have had something happen to them, except me because my first name is Mata and not Raela - island superstition) so Maine asked her Mother in Law for a name.

She decided to give her name to baby - Numia.

When we heard we sort of went ummm.....

Anna had just had a baby who was about 6 months and her name was Mia, short for Numia, and we thought it was just a little weird. We called her baby for quite a while before calling her by her name.

As time went on we nicknamed her Nunu.

Nunu is a firecracker! She knows her mind, and what she wants. She's not scared to stand up for what she wants and will not back down from anything - or anyone.

She's managed to write on every single door, cubboard, ledge, bit of floor she can, and when she has done that will proceed to draw all over her legs, feet, hands and even face.

She is a little hurricane on two legs, and is able to try the most patient of people. She stands and will raise her hand pointing the finger at you when she is telling you off. (almost like a mini nana).

We've just gone through the 'swearing' phase, she's now onto the 'I don't want to do it' stage sliding into the 'they 'mack me' stage. She's a nuisance when she is around, but is the first one to be missed when she is not there.

I love her tenacity and fire, for a little kid she has a lot of spunk. I love teasing her so that she will do her hulk impersonation and give me the stare. (which is quite impressive for one so young).

When we ring Mum and Dad, she says 'I miss me Papa' and talks like she's a big lady. We all have a laugh about this, because she sits perched on the bench talking into the phone like a pro, I dread when she becomes a teenager!

One thing I love about this little monkey, is that she has a twinkle in her eye, it's there when she is happy, when she is teary eyed and is almost blinding when she is getting up to mischief!!!

Numia Raehera Nooroa - The youngest of the Nooroa's but in no way, the least!

Maitia Shaina Mary Vano 21st Birthday

Hi Family,

Just thought that I would post the details of my daughter's 21st Birthday. It is happening on Sunday 6th December in Melbourne somewhere. The reason I am posting this on our family blog is because most of us won't be receiving formal invitations. The reason you ask? Due to the lack of accomodation ( My mum, Aunty Tatu and Aunty Urau are going ), I don't know if there is any one other than my immediate family (Raewyn, Mary, Jovan) that are actually booked to go. If there is anyone else in the family that would like to come ( Vanessa and Tino, since you are in or near Melbourne ) please let me know so that I can give the guys in Melbourne a call to say that there are others that would like to come. It is being catered therefore numbers will need to be firmed up by the end of June at the earliest.
Her official birthday is 3rd December and hopefully I will be in Melbourne by then.
I don't know how to load up photos ( will need to ask Raewyn how to do it) as I would love to put up photos of both my children.

Also, Jovan will be 22 on the 25th June ( woohoo ). He is enjoying the Gold Coast but still looking for work. It is amazing to talk to my son everyday, as he has matured to a level that I never thought that he would reach. He respects the value of money, sanity and just plain living. He has a fantastic partner in Charissa and is lucky that she is there for him. I miss him terribly and every now and then I have a cry as I neva thought my son would leave me so soon. He is my baby (even though he is the oldest ) and I think about him all the time.

I asked my mum, my brother Charlie, my son Jovan and my sister Raewyn to pick out 6 numbers for the Big Wednesday tonight. It is worth 20million plus!! If only. Fingers crossed.
What would you do with 20 million dollars????

I was also looking through what everyone has written to date and it made me reflect on all the old people that have passed on in our family and how lucky we were to have them.

Aunty Mum and Uncle Jack - Great couple who endured alot through their life. Gave heaps to their family ( food, advice, mentoring etc etc) and are deeply missed by all.

Aunty Mary Bilkey - Beautiful voice, rather vain but still someone that at times was protected alot by her sisters and always had a smile.

Uncle Albie - Quiet, reserved, always there when something was needed and always gave whateva he had.

Uncle Joe - I have had him on my mind for the last couple of weeks. I watched his DVD and couldn't hold back the tears just thinking on what he meant to me and how sad a week that was when we celebrated his life.

I take a look at my life now and think how these people have influenced my life and hope that I have done the same for others in my family. I would hate to think what it would be like not to have the family that I have grown up with ( all extended family) problems and all.
How wonderful to have a family like ours !! I really appreciate each and every one of you.

Im at work ( gee shock horror ) just taking some time out between finishing presentations for tomorrow.

Hope everyone is well and looking forward to catching up soon.

Lots of love always
Taki xoxox

Happy birthday Cuz. its Tino.

I think youre 31, forgive me if i am wrong.

I always remember going down to your house to stay, swim(remember the pool) and watch TV on sabbath.

your mum always had chocolate in the fridge and i used to raid it all the time, and so did everyone else.

one day i was mowing the lawn and was thirsty. i went inside and asked if i could have a drink your mum said don't touch the coke. So i went in the fridge and there it was, a bottle of coke.

it was raro or coke, i chose coke.

So i quietly opened the bottle so you couldn't hear the fizz and quickly sculled.

Huh, is this coke flat? it tasted funny, i wanted to spit it out but i couldn't cause they would have heard it in the sitting room and i would get in trouble, so I swallowed it. I went out and finished the lawn with sore guts

Later that night your dad went to the fridge and said. who's been drinking my coke. then he laughed "its RUM AND COKE" i didn't say anything but i did think to myself why would you want to drink that poison its disgusting

later on in life i learned to love that disgusting taste. don't any more but that's another post.

A puzzle piece

Lottie

The youngest of the REALM

Also the most stubborn

Cant be talked into doing anything she doesnt want to do

You have to be patient with this one

But she's also one of the most loyal

My voice of reason in times of sheer & utter frustration

A good source of entertainment

Easy to talk to

Talk with

Talk about (lol)

But at the end of the day

We all love her

Because she's part of "our" family

Part of the puzzle

We are all pieces

Sometimes we dont know where - or even if - we fit

But we do

We all do

Because not everyone is a corner piece

Or a piece that makes up the outside frame

We cant all be the same piece, because we're all unique

Each piece fits into another

As a family should

But we are all pieces that make up this beautiful family picture

Some of us have spent years together - our pieces have been sitting on the board connected

There are sporadially connected pieces everywhere

But we are all a part of this "puzzle"

The picture keeps growing, as our family expands

Once a year, a particular piece has its day

Today, is Lotties day

Happy Birthday Lottie

We love you
I love you

God loves you

I trust you know this

I love you up to the moon...

This is Jai Matangaro Nooroa.  She turns six in August this year.  She is a dreamer, loves to sing, has discovered that when you do the Cook Island dance you can get money, (she got $45 when she danced in the Uapou the weekend just gone) which has been put into her piggy bank.

She has an affinity to music and picks up tunes, jingles, words to songs, beats and rhythms real quick.  She also marches to the beat of her own drum!  

I remember her birth, we went into the delivery suite at about five o'clock in the morning, only to have to move towns and hospitals and wait until 7 that night for her to come. (and even then they had to pry her out of her mother using a huge suction cup, 2 nurses, 2 doctors, the anethetist, and an intern) along with Jono, Ula, Mum and Dad - eleven in total awaiting her arrival.  This set the scene for Jai in later years to come, when she did something, it was done big , nothing done half way.

Club feet in both legs (the worst of 2 kinds the Doctor said), regular visits to the hospital, corrective surgery at 6 months, having to be put under anaesthetic to remove 5 milk teeth, surgery to put pins in her arm when she fell off the monkey bars at school, and having to be admitted to hospital in Auckland for a few days when an abcess caused the left hand side of her face to swell with infection.   When she does something, it is done big, nothing done halfway.

Despite all that, she is a happy child, she is not scared to take a risk, but can get shy when having to be the centre of attention.  She loves her brother and sister with fierce abandon, she is happy to play with others, and is equally happy to entertain herself.  She has a twinkle in her eye when she is happy, and can cause clouds to gather when she is not, she loves to fill her collection of bags with all kinds of trinkets and absolutely loves crowns and tiaras.

She goes to my school and with gay abandon will run out of her class line when she sees me and run and give me a big hug.  I love that!

How do you tell someone so young that they mean the world to you? That in the short time they have been around that they have made an impact on your life that has changed it forever?

You tell them you love them more than the stars! 

What does she reply? 

At her tender age, in her short life, she knows just what to say...  

Mummy, Daddy, Brother, Sister, Nanny, Papa, Mama, Aunty, Uncle...  I love you up to the Moon!!!

When Jai does something she does it big, nothing done halfway.

KIA ORANA FAMILY!!!

Hey family, this is soooooo cool!!! Mata and Ula have been going on about this blog and I thought I'd finally have a look, and I'm so glad I did.

2 more days to go and I'll be finished my first semester of Uni!!! I am so grateful to my lovely sisters for looking after the kids when I need to start my assignment the night before its due. LMAO. (yeah I know. . ."just like your mum") Thank you to my beautiful husband for being such a great house bitch and having the kids and dinner ready when I get home! (He does a better job then me. . .when he's in the mood) And last but not in the slightest bit least. . .
THANK YOU LORD for getting me to school and home safely everyday. Especially the day I went to school and the rotary for my alternater fell off just before the petrol station in Karapiro and I drove the whole way back to Tokoroa without my car blowing up on me. Lol. God has been so good to me. I pray everyday on my way to school and always when my assignments are due. lol. I have also been praying for my big bro and his family. Hope you guys are all well.

This blog page is sooo cool, its awesome to hear what all the famz is up to.

Love you all. Mwah!!!

Mainz

(thats my name at varsity, coz white people cant pronounce Maa-ee-neh, and Im the only "black" person in my class lol)

Koni & Atalia - TOK represent

Big ups to Koni & Talia who played ball in the weekend ... repping TOK hard ... thanks girls!!! oh and not forgetting Chantel :-)

Koni keeping up with Tuau tradition, and injuring herself in the last game!!! Talia, too tired as the games go on during the day, and warming the bench too much in the latter games ... lol ... whilst carrying on a long tradition of RAMZ (Otara) bball ... hazard of being married to one (aye Talia) + having your best friend be one (Rae) ... but more than RAMZ, holding the torch high for TOKOROA ... coz if it wasnt for you's (+ Chantel) winning the shoot out, you'd be playing the stinky Panthers in the semi's ... but WOOP WOOP youz made finals, and that was how kool ...

We've got some video of the semi's game - Koni, you did this KOOL-AS fake under the basket ... will burn a copy off for you to watch, coz, it really was a good game ... Talia, we've got video of you actually running on court LOL you'll get your copy too

Before I go, just wanna say:

Shot Pui! For looking after your son Sat nite and ALL day Sunday while Koni played ball ... you're a kool dude ... loved seeing Tinokura :-) he's soooooooo lovely ...

Aunty Lottie & Aunty Florence ... for coming up to Aucks, looking after Tali-Porky lol ... man, she's got real attitude but shes sooooo gorgeous when she's NOT a sookie. Was kool seeing you's ... will make sure to come down Tok soon

Baby Florence for being the blender that she is!!!! She's soooooooooooooo cute!! lol

Emma, Liam & Sha-shae ... for coming out to the gym for more than 15mins!

To all you stinky's that didnt come up lol ... next time k!!!