grateful: 2017

It's astounding to me that just a week ago, I was preparing full-speed-ahead for my Galang Gang Reunion. It became...more than I could even hope or dream or plan. It became what it was meant to be, all by God's design--ohana meeting again or for the first time, engaging in conversations, asking questions and sharing thoughtful answers, hugging lots, eating too much food, seeing the generations interact. It's taken me a week to put away all the party stuff and wash the dishes, etc. I've never been tidy or orderly but enjoy the fruits of after--like leftovers and a clean house.

It was fun to change it up for picture taking--by the decade... wished I had thought to take more family pictures to share, but oh well...

Three wahine from Kamehameha Class of '91. How fun! These are the peeps born in the 70's: Kimo and Kiyono Sato Queypo, Sherri and Kanoe Kanoho, Matt and Terri Medeiros Smith, Alisa Smith Greig, Keoki and Ashley Battung Smith

And two 2017 graduates from different high schools both going to HCC for Liberal Arts! Our 90's babies are Scott Suzuki and Cheyne (Kanoho) Fonoimoana

Aunty Evelyn brought pictures of her great-granddaughter, Cousin Chelsea Hardin (Steve Young's granddaughter) when she won the Miss Hawaii USA 2016 title and first runner up in the Miss USA pagent.

I googled her and watched youtubes of her in the Hawaii and national competitions. She has such grace and remarkable composure which is so natural and appealing. Beauty inside and out.

She looks up to brother Brandin Hardin and his achievements in the NFL and as a business man.

A highlight of our reunion was that of having Aunty Evelyn Young attend with her daughters Hileah and Terri and hubby Al. Terri and Al attend church at Inspire Waikele and we attend at Inspire Mililani--we even went to an event and didn't know we were related! It is truly a small world.

So glad we made the rock wall to be sitting height :) and my rainbow plumeria tree makes a nice backdrop. Did I mention it was a perfectly beautiful day?

Our precious 30's kids--Elaine 'Lei' Wagner and Paoa Medeiros, and Keala Wagner Kaimimoku--who came by HandiVan.

She's very independent and proud of it.

Our 40's kids: Al and Terri Young Doi, Hileah Young Reigh, and James Perry

(missing from photo--host Clifford)

50's keeds: Gen 4: Faye Wedemeyer Kanoho and Great-grandson Cole and tail end of Gen 3: Cecelia chiyo higa Smith

60's babes: Lynne Medeiros(Robin's wife), Nani Medeiros Richardson, Malia Queypo and Laurie Queypo Ganibe

Oh, oh, do over cause two missing in the first 60's picture:Deborah Perry Suzuki, Laurie, Kat Perry and Malia

Here's the kids born in the 80's: Marc and Lindsey Smith Rocheleau and Tony Greig

Millennial babies born in the 2000's: Austin Smith, Kupono Richardson, Avery Smith, Logan Smith, Ayva Greig, Mason Smith, and Kwyn Greig
(Missing from photo: Nysa Greig)

And our babies, born in the 2010's: Laurie's Granddaughter, Bella Ganibe and Kanoe's grandson's Ezykiel and Cole Okamura

We had another photographer on the scene, grandson Austin and his footage will be shared in a separate blog.

Ah family...nothing like it! God Bless <3 font="">

It was a perfect day in Hawaii Nei, a lovely gentle and cooling breeze, clear blue sky, shady seating and 40 people related and married to the children of
Domingo Galang and Hattie Polani Kaaua
Harriet Galang and Trent Wagner
Louisiana 'Lucy" Galang and Richard Perry
Domingo 'Ingo' Galang and Marilyn
Cecelia Galang and Daniel Kahoiwai
Margaret Galang and James Higa
Edward Young and Evelyn Heau

First mahalo to my wonderful husband, Clifford who has always made all my dreams come true and indulged me when I didn't deserve it. He thoughtfully planned the outside set up and tirelessly worked on the yard making it as comfortable as it could be on an August summer day. It was he who knew that the guests would want to be inside in the air conditioning for the 'talk story' portion of the gathering.