HERE, CHRISTINE.

I think this is the song about which you're were wondering.

YES, I WILL.

I'm a bit of a night owl right now and found three adorable proposal videos via YouTube. And since my little sister is a bit emotional due to her delicate state of being, I dedicate this to her. Christine, may you shed happy tears while watching the videos below.



  A bit long, but very cute.

  If it's too long, fast forward to to 6:00 mark.

And finally, for the artist in Christine, here's one I'm sure she'll appreciate:

SERIOUSLY...

... do I not have the most talented cousins ever? Goodness, what did my Auntie Norie and Uncle Orlyn feed them?



PS. Niere family + Ken: Maile's ready to join you with Kale'a on drums and Gian as backup.

PPS. Video courtesy of Gavion.

GUESS WHO'S PREGNANT?!

No, it's not me {ha!}. Congratulations to the happy parents-to-be, Gladys and Elwyn Velasco. They're expecting their baby girl in a couple of months and to celebrate her much anticipated arrival, the family gathered together for a shower. Khiko, our designated photographer, captured the photos below of our ever-growing Tirona clan.

Congrats, Gladys and Elwyn. We cannot wait to meet your precious baby girl! xoxo

She's all belly! {I'm soo jealous}

Mini Allan Ray, Jake and Allan Edgar

The next generation

HERE YOU GO, ATELEI.

He sings this waaay better than me.



Let's sing it from the top of our lungs the next time we're riding in the car. Christine will sing harmony.

VMAs, WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?

This is how the VMA's musical guests should perform:



I hope I see you in heaven, MJ.

DESTINATION: EVERYWHERE.

That's right, the Oliverio family is heading to the great open road for a month filled with beautiful vistas, Nat King Cole serenading with his velvety smooth voice and hyper children trapped in cramped corners. It's Destination: Everywhere. And honestly, I'm excited. Dad's battle with brain cancer has led him to ask us to take time off this summer and trek across America, visiting the sites he saw during his truck driving days. I'm excited about this RV trip because it'll be the first time my immediate family will be together in one motorhome in many, many years. Thanks, Atelei, for providing the awesome Winebago.

We've created a weblog to document our daily activities and you can view it here.

GRADES.

All I can say is... WHAT?! The class I thought I'd get an A in I received an A- and the class I was sure I'd get a C I received an A. Craaaaaaaazy. I'm thankful, mind you, that my GPA is still goin' strong but the shock I feel about seeing the "A" in my Contemporary Composition and Discourse Theory class is beyond amazing. Praise the Lord for basically writing my paper for me. Seriously, it was the most effortless 15 page paper I've EVER written. Thank you, God.

SIDENOTE: I could have tied with Christine's 4.0 GPA had I not lazed out and forgot to submit one reader response for ENG 609. 92%. Had I completed that assignment I would have received an additional 3% that would have made my grand percentage total at 95%. 95% = A. I'm mentally kicking my lazy butt.

But just watch, Christine. Next quarter IT'S ON!

MIA... AGAIN.

Two 15-page papers with one professor asking for an annotated bibliography on all 15 sources; graduation *again* parties and ceremonies {congrats Jason and Ken; Christine and I are tugging at your heels} this weekend; Carson for the monthly Tirona family get together {this time to celebrate the June birthdays}; a very messy home that's screaming to be cleaned; laundry that has been patiently waiting to be folded; and the list goes on...

Suffice it to say, dear reader(s), that I will be out of commission for the next twelve days. Darcie - if you're reading this post - don't fret; I'll burn your graduation photos and give them to you by Sunday. ☺

CLASS OF 2023 [and 2025].

Today was Gavion and Darcie's HS graduation at LLA and this time around we did it Filipino style, complete with banigs, mirianda and blow horns. Kale'a, Gian and Maile had fun running around, snacking on pretzels and sipping their fruit punch. Their favorite part of the ceremony was when parents released colorful balloons into the air. Gian would point to the sky yelling, "balloon! Look daddy, balloon!"

Congratulations, Gavion and Darcie. We are so proud. God's blessings be upon you!

Not the class of 2023.

Classic Jenn and Atelei.

JUICE!

Yes, it's organic.

So this is how you keep the kiddies quiet.

Airplanes!

I [meaning Jenn] is so my father's daughter.

Dad, listening to country music again.

You're flying, G!

Like mama, like daughter.

Sassy. Me likey.

So that's where Maile got her pretty smile.

FUN TIMES AT LLA.

Congratulations, Darcie, on your HS graduation. You are loved.

"I can't breathe," Darcie gasps.

"How's my hair?" asks Darcie.

Brandon+Darcie = sibling love

Star of the hour.

UTAH, PART DEUX.

Here's more photos from our trip to Brian Head, UT. Fun!

 

OH HAPPY DAY.

Happy day, indeed.

PHOTO BY THE INCREDIBLE FRANK AMODO

ISLAND GIRLS.

I found this photo hiding inside one of my flash drives and it brought back lovely memories of my time in Kauai. Thanks, Aletha, for introducing me to Kalaheo Coffee Company and their oh-so-ono pastries; Raenelle, you were the best roommate EVER; and Christine, having you around really curbed the loneliness. If only Atelei was here then...

#1.

Allan loves road trips and I love the role of navigator. My all time favorite photo from our dozen or so road trips we've taken since we started dating is this one below. I think Allan really captured the tone of our trip quite beautifully.

CUE POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE.

So I thought after the stressful festivities of Gloria and Neil's wedding I'd be home free. Boy, was I wrong! Upcoming graduations, looming paper deadlines and holidays in San Diego are wiping me out. Darcie - bless her heart - asked me to photograph her high school graduation ceremonies. And I [obviously sleep-deprived and incoherent] agreed. What was I thinking?!

We just got home from a late night In-N-Out run after attending Darcie's Class Night, and - thanks to Ate Shei and her fabulously expensive yet completely awesome flash - I actually captured a decent photo of Brandon's baby sister playing the uke. In a darkened gym. After stumbling my way up to the stage. [Don't worry, I'll post the photo soon.] Praise the Lord that He is aiding me because it's a lot of stress taking milestone photos for other people. Tomorrow's the BIG day: commencement. Armed with family support, a great camera and an even greater flash, I think I'll scathe through without too much damage. Hopefully.

Wish me luck. Or better yet, P-R-A-Y!

PAPERS + FINALS + WEDDINGS = CRICKET, CRICKET.

I'm not going to make excuses. I got lazy blogging. But keep checking in or better yet, subscribe to this feed so the wonders of WordPress will alert you when I get off my big behind and actually post photos and stories about my family. I will post, dear reader, I promise. Just give me a few weeks.

Until then, I do owe you, Christine, a decaf latte.