Iosepa

I know I've posted about Iosepa before, and I'm pretty sure most of you know what it is, but just in case:

Iosepa is a place in the western desert of Utah where the Hawaiian LDS pioneers were sent to set up a town. Those poor people. It is ROUGH out there. All that remains now is the cemetery, but they have built a huge pavilion with a stage, a kitchen, bathrooms and there was even a small playground this year. 

Every Memorial Day weekend, the Polynesian community (and some of us white folk, too) spend the weekend there to care for the cemetery, camp, eat lots of good food, dance, play music, etc. 

We used to camp out there, but after many years of terrible weather, we've decided to wuss out and just go on Saturday for the luau. 

And it's a good thing, too, because it was freezing and raining the entire time.

We were cold, our feet and hands were numb, we were piled under blankets and rain was blowing on us even under the pavilion, but we still had a great time. That's when you know you're in good company.

 (Wasn't too cold when we first got there...)

Hiking the hill. Pretty much the main source of entertainment for the kids.

 Isn't he darling?

Pretty sure that's snot, poor Jarom. I couldn't keep his nose under control!

My cute girl.

 Reed making poi and goofing off.

With Tasha & Ka'aulani.

Justin and Kenz hanging with the Touhuni's.

Okay, here's the good stuff. They're digging up the umu.

Unwrapping the burlap.

And there's dinner! 

(It's pork wrapped in tin foil with some green stuff (I think it's watercress) on top. Jarom said it smelled stinky, and I kind of know where he was coming from with the burlap and watercress (kind of musky smelling), but I knew how good it would taste so it smelled like deliciousness to me!

Kenz getting a good view of the umu action.

 This is when things started to get rough. It started pouring rain while everyone was in line for food and it was freezing. Jarom was a total mess- runny nose, dirty from dinner and playing in the dirt and it just became a lost cause to try to keep the kids clean. So here we are in all our glory. Kenz said the next day, "that felt like camping." Yup.

My poor freezing baby!

 Makenzie found a flower that probably fell off someone else's lei. She was pretty excited.

 Reed and Kimo playing some Rebel Zion goodness. Ka'aulani made a most adorable backup singer.

You can see all the rain blowing in on my right arm. I was able to block Kyle's face from it with the blanket so he could sleep, and I was honestly grateful he slept on me because it kept me somewhat warm. It was soo cold! We were told it snowed that night for the people who were camping. Wow, what a way to usher in summer!

Justin doing some audience participation for the group that danced.

Uncle Devin keeping Jarom warm. I can't stop laughing at Jarom in this picture. I love you buddy, but you look so wasted! Hot chocolate mustache this time... I promise my son is clean sometimes... just not at Iosepa.

We got to see some amazing fire knife dancing . First time I've ever wanted them to bring the fire closer.

And here's our friend James, otherwise known as Misi, singing his heart out for the dance.

So yes, it was miserable weather, but we had a lot of fun. It was great to get out with family and friends and enjoy good food, good music and dancing.