Kane Ohana Newsletter

The Big Year, is a movie starring Steve Martin, Owen Wilson and Jack Black. Their characters are three men competing to see the most bird species in a year. They call that a "big year" in birding circles, in case you didn't know.
Like these over zealous birders, we Barton's love to do things in BIG ways.

Here is our BIG Year!
which means BIG letter

We had taken our house off the market in Oct. of 2011. The plan was to stay in Park City and continue to commute to school and sports in SLC. Next thing you know, so and so asks if we would be interested in selling, looks through the house, decides not to buy. This gets us thinking that maybe we should try one more time. Sure enough, we receive a call while we are boating in Lake Powell, full price offer. Five weeks later we packed up, loaded out and made the BIG move to SLC.

I vividly remember this the picture of Lander eating his lunch in our emptied living room, I looked over to my friend who was sobbing and finally allowed myself to let it all out. We had 3 weeks to wrap up, bag up, toss out, clean up and get out. Thank goodness for our BIG, strong Brighton football buddies to help load the PODS with all our stuff. There was no time for being sappy, so here it is; We had lived in Park City for almost 20 years. We had made our family, our life, our memories of 19 years of our married life in this beautiful mountain town. Paul and I had lived here longer than any other place. This was home, where our ward family would be left behind, long time friends and wonderful neighbors would wish us farewell. Trails would no longer be hiked, snowshoed, or shredded with our sleds. Favorite restaurants would be just a memory, because we all know it is never the same, and those words of "we will be back all the time" are just that, words. I felt then and still do now, an overwhelming sense of gratitude for such a wonderful life in PC.

Paul 42, Mikki 41, Jackson 16, Cody 15

Last moment at the house, July 11, 2012

only the two boys were with us. WoW!

Move in day, Sept 14, 1997

Paul 27, Mikki 26, Jackson 2, Co-Co's 10 months.

After a quick vaca to Cali, we moved to a rental in Cottonwood Heights by end of July. Five minutes from the house we were trying to buy and right on the mountain at the opening of BIG Cottonwood Canyon. Mikki and Lander endured the biggest adjustment. Gratefully it only took Lander two months to stop talking about his old school and where he would be and what he would be doing at that very moment. Once we moved into the new house in Oct, he made friends in the neighborhood and in primary quickly. This was probably a very good experience for our shyest child who does not like his routine messed with. My weekly visits to PC slowly decreased to once a week, then to every other week and now maybe once a month. Surprisingly, Paul's only anxieties were that he did not have a TV in his bedroom for the two months in the rental property and which project he was going to begin when we moved. Dani was great once she entered school. She has always made friends quickly, loves new places and enjoyed the attention from a new group of boys. Jackson and Cody were in heaven from day one. They were five minutes from school, Jacky could drive everywhere, their social life doubled and football season was about to begin. The extra 30 minutes of sleep in the AM was heaven now that the Parley's Canyon commuting was over. It has been a huge driving relief for me and Paul as well. I do admit, that living at the opening of Little Cottonwood Canyon with the mountain view just outside our front door on the east side and the amazing valley lights view (when not covered by inversion) on the west side, feels more like living in the mountains than our Saddleback home. Our Wasatch Pines Lane describes exactly what I see every day as I head home after walking Lander to school (school is a 10 minute walk, HEAVEN).

How sweet is that BIG time view!!!!!

Starting backward for the BIG Year review

Just keepin' it fresh!

Lander Kane turned 9 on DECEMBER 30th

He is in the third grade and was a very brave boy starting in a new school. His fav food of late has been crepes with strawberries and berry syrup. He loves his clothes and is very particular about what he wears. He likes throwback styles, nike socks and he has worn the same blue nike sweats to school almost every day since Oct. His sport love is football and his first season was a great one. He had to lose 8 pounds to run the ball. Oh yes, we were those crazy parents who starve their child. For the love of the game, right!? He started slow, and then like a switch turning on he got it and then when he discovered the beauty of the stiff arm, it was game on. Track was new this year and he hated practice, until he ran in his first meet and won the 100 yard dash. He found a new love. When he isn't dribbling the ball around the house, dunking on his mini hoop on the door or tossing the football to himself, he is out hunting for creatures, playing on his itouch or wii, dancing to his fav beats (ask Keawe, she witnessed his skills at the school hoedown in the spring) or watching his disney shows on the tube. His cartoon buddy is BIG Jackson, some things never change with age. He is brave enough to go off the highest platforms, but can't even be in the same room when Walking Dead is on. Our busy schedule has messed with his horse riding and ranch visits, but when he does go, he is in heaven playing with the bunnies, chickens, sheep and whatever else they got growing over there. Lander's BIG event for the year was his baptism by his BIG bro Jacky. At first he said no way to Jackson because he just new he would hold him down longer than necessary. It felt a bit like heaven, even if for a small moment, as we gather with family and friends at these sacred ordinances. If he had to choose anything to do, it would be Kavehi sleeping over. It was a perfect end to the year with a full week together, starting in Idaho for Christmas, then sleeping over for his birthday and finally in SLC for New Year's EVE.

HAPPY NEW YEARS SLC

MERRY CHRISTMAS Idaho Falls

HAPPY TURKEY DAY! Sandy, Utah first at the nueva hacienda

hiking in lake tahoe july

Cody Likeke's BIG event this year was turning 16 on NOVEMBER 13th.

Drivers license in the wallet, braces on the teeth and first date in the bag. He still shaves his head, is the most organized child with clothes in the closet that are organized by color (love it), sets out his clothes for the next day, has washed his laundry since age 12 when mom was too slow or lost a sock, loves women's deodorant, records all his fav shows (Walking Dead, Duck Dynasty) and I swear when I am in another room his voice and how he phrases his words could be Paul speaking. Their mannerisms are very similar as well. If mom or Dani are not around for tickles, he administers then to himself. He loves and grills a great steak, keeps up with Paul and Jacky at the all you can eat sushi, will kill a bag of hot wings and loves horchata (Mexican Rice Milk). Even though he now loves to eat food (remember this took many years to come by), it is more than frustrating to watch him take at least ten minutes to organize his plate before the first bite. Nothing must touch. He was ordained a Priest by his grandpa Kane in Nov. and loves to mark his Book of Mormon when he occasionally takes the time to read it. He is an honorable priesthood holder, and for that I am grateful. Cody started as the shooting guard for Brighton's sophomore basketball team in Nov, which is a nice change from his bench position at the beginning of 2012. He started for both varsity and JV football. Track was frustrating, but he stuck with it and improved his times through the season. Gaining 35 pounds last year changed up his speed a bit. This year, he has dropped all his times significantly. Cody's back, the boy is back! And, he scored 24 in his first spring game. sweet! Oh wait, that is for next year's letter. His passion is hunting. I wish it was just for horns, with his ever growing collection, but sadly he does love to shoot animals. His favorite place to be is at the ranch, on or off a horse, gun in hand, ever searching for the next kill. He is learning all the new trails up in the canyons of SLC and is now recruiting friends for the adventures. Dani informed me the other day that he is my favorite child because WHEN we do get along it is extra special. I guess I need the 'when' to be more often. He will always be my Co-Co's.

The tradition continues.

new porch, new parties, new friends in the pic, same feeling.

Love, Love, Love Halloween!

good ohana time in OCTOBER during conference weekend and for Koa's last football game. He was a good sport about his last game and my heart went out to him.

We had just moved to Wasatch Pines, and it was nice to have family to fill up the house.

We were fortunate to cheer on the Utes many times in the fall. (GoKarl)

Jackson, Kekoa, Kavika and Cody were on the high school players list for every home game. Each one of them got a ticket, plus two guests. Each pass got you into the food tent, on the field, which was really cool and in some great seats.

I loved seeing the Ohana in church together for the farewell in SEPTEMBER.
Kai gave a decent talk and I look forward to hearing him when he returns.
It is always amazing how mature and confident they are when missionaries come home. Here is to Elder Kaiiminauvau Norman Kane,leading out the Kane Ohana stripling warriors.

The tie that Koa is sporting is one of Grandpa May's. I love it when the boys wear it. It wonder if they are able to attend these sacred ordinances preformed for their seed. I like to think that they are always near. Love you Grandpa and Grandma May.
So pritty Kealani, on your baptism day!

It was exciting to be at the Fonua's to be a part of Kai's opening of the mission call, thanks to skype. I loved the look on his face when he read Honolulu, Hawaii, but even more I will always remember the look on dad's face as he realized that his oldest grandson would be going home to teach and hopefully gather his family to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
AaaaLoooooooHaaa!

Jackson "BIG Baby" Paulo turned 17 on AUGUST 8th

His size and his tender heart has earned him the name BIG Baby on his football team.

Sometimes I find myself calling him by the name, which he then reminds me that it is for team members only. Among his other teenage traits, he loves to give Paul and me advice on how to appropriately speak with young people. Life is good for our oldest child, who looks like a man, yet is still a young boy at heart who loves to watch animated tv and movies, lets all the little boys wrestle or beat up on him for fun at family gatherings and it is still very important to him to please his parents. That is a tough thing when mom and dad's opinions differ on almost everything. He works hard on improving his skills, gaining weight and getting strong for football. His commitment to Utah is holding strong, no matter how I try to talk him into checking out the other schools that are interested. The letters keep coming, and I know it makes him feel good to be wanted. No matter where he decides to go in a year, I know he will be happy because he is a kid who is easy to please. He has always been very low maintenance and prefers to be left alone when he has spare time to do the things he loves, which are, watching tv, playing xbox, eating snacks (popcorn, goldfish, bread or crackers), or watching Transformers for the hundredth time. We have been blessed with a good boy who doesn't like to break rules, is always on time, is reliable, hangs out with good friends and makes really good choices. As you can see from the photos, he spending some time with the ladies. Paul wishes he had more lip lock and I just want him to ask a girl out without using posters, candy or having your buddies. I can't believe that next year's newsletter will find our family dynamic changed with Jacky moving out and starting college at the UofU (that is the plan he has right now). I am choosing not to fight the battle of early graduation in Nov., but will continue to challenge and encourage him to work on understanding his duty to serve a mission. His BIG heart knows what he should do, it is a matter of having the faith and courage to do it. I am very grateful that he is a believer. It looks as if Jackson still has some BIG decisions to make in 2014

Kekoa Hoonani is go'in on a mission

everybody sing with me now

'cuz he has grown a foot or two.

I know for sure he will be ready,

to teach and preach and work as missionaries do.

All of you know that our niece Sierra Barton was living with us. Most met her at the ohana reunion in July or at Lander's baptism in May. That was a BIG change when she came to Utah in Feb. of 2012. Unfortunately at the end of July, before we came home from our Lake Tahoe trip, she decided to stay in Cali. While I was licking my wounds, and literally driving home to Utah, I got a call from the boys.

Here is the conversation as I remember it:

Boys: "Hey mom, you know how Kekoa has been wanting to come play football at Brighton? His dad and mom said it is ok, so can he?"

Mom: "I am not sure boys. I just dropped off Sierra and it was a really bad goodbye."

Boys: "Brighton really needs him and it would be really good for him too. Dad is good with it. Pleeeasse."

Mom: "Let's talk about it when I get home, I am tired, I'm sad, I haven't even stayed a night in the new rental, I have to get ready for girl's camp when I get home, I can't make any BIG decisions right now."

Kekoa: (in the background) "Auntie, I will be sooooo good."

I am not sure why they even asked, because apparently he had already moved in. Koa claimed homelessness and enrolled at Brighton that week. For the record, he has been pretty good and I said that I would not get attached to another child, but I have. The reason for the move to our home was to help with football and to hopefully give him a better chance at a scholarship. It did not work out as we had hoped, but like with most of us, God has another plan for Koa. His BIG decision to serve the Lord surprised most of us, and what was even more interesting is that Paul directed him to take this path. I know his choice will bless all of our Ohana and I am excited to follow his journey as a full-time missionary. This kid is going to perform some great work!

Lake Tahoe in JULY for the Maroon 5 concert

the lake was too cold, the views remind me of home in the mountains and the casino was a little scummy looking. Unless we go back to ski, and why would we with what we have in our backyard, I don't see any reason to return. Maroon 5 was incredible.

BEST OHANA EVER!

I wish I could remember the reunion in the picture above. I know I was happy, because I always loved going to them, no matter where they were. The best ones when I was a little were camping and swimming at Indian Springs, and as a teenager, Lagoon. It was exciting the first time I took Paul to one in Jackson Hole, Wyoming in 1991. We all new that you don't just take anyone to a May Reunion and I new he was the one. It was then that we decided to name our first boy Jackson. And the rest is history.

the BIG shirt

we love you LAVA HOT SPRINGS thanks for the good times

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY syracuse, ut

Jason Paul and Michelle Pualani
celebrated 20 BIG years on JUNE 20th

We went from dog parents, to rugrat parents and now teenage parents. It is all very hard, this parenting stuff. It brings out the best, the worst and the nasty in us. Soooo, these parents took five days off and escaped to Kauia, Hawaii. Hiking, eating, sleeping, loving, swimming with turtles, catching chickens, snorkeling, eating some more, taking in breathtaking views, first helicopter ride, more loving and of course more eating. Paul thought he was going to die on the way back from the beautiful 300 foot Hanakapi'al Falls, but I thought the 8 miles was wonderful, with the view of the Na'Pali Coast, the wild apples and guave, the amazing bamboo and the cold swim underneath the waterfall.

We have had some pretty BIG adventures.

Here is to 20 more years!

We were all over the place in the month of MAY.

I have gone on an adventure with one of the kids every year, and finally Cody and I took our first together. Brighton took a sophomore basketball team to Phoenix, Arizona for a tournament over Memorial weekend. It was great to see Jason, Carol and the kids. As Kalele would say, "We went on some adventures." I liked the Mesa Temple visit, Cody liked exploring the state/nat's ???park (sadly for him no scorpion sightings) and we both loved Los Reyes De La Torta. We ate some great chips with melted heavenly cheesey stuff, a BIG Mexican sandwich (torta), yummy pico y guacamole and of course, horchata.

It was wonderful end to an amazing month of Ohana gatherings.

MEMORIAL WEEKEND PHOENIX, AZ Memorial Weekend

Kai's Graduation May 24

Lander's Baptism May 20, 2012

I am grateful for Lander and his believing heart and for Jackson for his worthiness.

I especially loved Paul's words of gratefulness for our family and friends being present.

It was a very BIG day!

PARK CITY, UTAH (i miss you)

Karl & Kiki May 17th

MOTHER'S DAY May 6th

ZION NAT'L PARK April 27-29

California in APRIL love our beach time

SPRING BREAK

happy 42nd birthday Paul MARCH 27th

Moab, Utah Arches Nat'l Park

Happy to be out basking in the sun like reptiles, hounding for agates, discovering petroglyphs and arches.

Danielle Dorotea turned 14 on FEBRUARY 2nd

We are finally to our baby bugati. Our crazy, fun, happy, whitty, pleasant, athletically blessed, talented, courageous, eyeliner and animal lovin' daughter. We feel like we got the pick of the liter with this bundle of joy. She loves everything she does, with exception of cleaning her messy room and doing her laundry. She has made a lot of friends since the BIG move, no surprise there. Sports take most of her time, but she does love singing while playing her ukelele. I can't believe I do not have any pictures of her with it. I am amazed at her ability to perform in front of people, BIG scary for her mama. Dani is the little mama of the family and has no problem telling the boys what to do or disciplining Lander. He is still small enough to push around. We spend good mama/daughter time commuting to and from volleyball or basketball practice. Dani is funny on her own, but when her besties get in the car, they make me laugh until my cheeks hurt. Half the stuff they do is so ridiculously silly, but what joy! I am Dani's Miamaid teacher in Young Women. I can't say that she loves to go to church, but she does love to be with her friends in church and at activities. It is a blessing that we are in a ward where she has found some good friends. Her passion is beach volleyball, and she is fortunate to have a doubles partner (Sami) who lives at the beach in the summer where she can stay and train. Last July, they played in several tourneys, taking 2nd in Junior Nat'ls. Sami's dad is an old AVP pro beach player, so his knowledge and access to good coaches has been invaluable to the entire experience. Dani can't wait for this July to hit the sand again. Paul is keeping her excited about basketball. She wanted to quit last year, you know how things roll in this family, so we ignored her and she ended up playing with a great group of polynesian girls and loved every minute. 2013 AAU 15's State Champs. Just a little preview for next year's letter.

Barton's started the year right with the Fonua's JANUARY 1st

mom and dad came to watch the boys play basketball later in the month.

I noticed a little birdie hiding under the branches of the scrub oak on our lane the other day. He was trying to find shelter from the spring snow. Since watching the movie, The Big Year, I see birds everywhere. I have counted 20 already since Jan. of 2013.

It is amazing what you see when you stop to look at the world around you.

Our life is crazy, fun, busy, tiring, exciting, loving, contentious, peaceful, stressful, beautiful and really great. Between all the BIG things, are the wonderful little stuff that makes us truly happy. I am looking forward to stopping more to look for birds.

Soooo, when I miss the familiarity of our old life, it only takes a phone call to hear my ringback tone, to remember, no matter where I am, if I am with family, I am home.

Hold on, to me as we go
As we roll down this unfamiliar road
And although this wave is stringing us along

Just know you're not alone
Cause I'm going to make this place your home
Philip Philips