catch-up

Okay, this post is going to be a major catch up post. So bear with me...

A few weeks ago we did a family hike to go see Pele's chair. It was overcast which ended up being a blessing because it wasn't so stinkin' hot. 

 Lainey's sweet ride....her favorite place to be rather than a stroller.

 Climbing on lava rock, looking in tide pools, collecting rocks/shells/crab legs/plants...you know boy stuff.

 After Ansley fell because her hair was blowing everywhere and she couldn't see, I had to give her my ponytail holder, so Jude let me wear his hat to keep my hair back.

 Then Grandpa and Grandma came into town and we had many fun adventures. We tried to cram in as much Hawaiian fun as we could...the train at the mall...

 Macadamia Nut Farm tour (Ali't tours)...these guys were quite funny...

 Jude enjoying a coconut that the guy just "shucked" (is that what you do to a coconut?) and cracked open.

 Forgot to bring sunscreen for Lainey so a piece of palm tree did the trick to keep her in the shade.

 Our little boat tour around an ancient fish pond.

 Our night out at the Bay View Mini-Putt...which left us adults laughing until our sides hurt.

Such fun times...it will be nice to be able to see family more often once we move back to the mainland.

8 months old

Today Lainey is 8 months old! Taking her picture these days is getting more difficult. She is quite the mover. Her 8 month photos went something like this...

 and this...

Then we bribed her with a "no-no" object...a tape dispenser...hoping she would sit still.
 And finally we propped pillows next to her and this was as good as it got.

 But these days she is also doing a lot of this...pulling up on everything.

 And the phrase I use most often with her is "Lainey what is in your mouth?"

I must say this is the stage I love the most. Happy baby, good sleeper, smiley, giggly, baby babbling (soooo cute), and still light enough to carry around. We love her so much and love seeing her grow and do new things. I agree with Ethan when he said "mommy, she's so cute I just can't stand it."

rest, relaxation, reading

Going, going......gone.

My friend and I just got back from 24 hours of quiet, reading, yummy food, prayer time, relaxing by the pool time, and walking on the beach time...and a cocktail here and there. Needless to say we were both needing a little R&R. We started off with some Pinot Grigio, great conversation, salt and vinegar chips and watching the sunset over Waikiki Beach on our balcony. Sooooo relaxing.

Our amazing hubbies took all the kiddo's (and the responsibilities that go along with that) and we took the day to individually read Scripture, pray, reflect on Christ and our need for him, set goals for this coming semester and feel refreshed and focused to run the race well....by God's grace.

The sail boats were all trying to get a glimpse of the amazing sunset over the horizon.

The moon rise over Honolulu.

I love the sunlight coming through the sails.

break is over...back to school

As the kiddo's and I were walking into a store this past Monday:

Jude: Mommy when is Christmas break over?

Me: Today is the last day. 

Jude: Awww, Ethan I'm going to miss you!

I had to record this because it melted my heart and I didn't want to forget it.

some singing

One of my new years resolutions (actually this is the only one I made) is to finish my count down to what I will miss about Hawaii. I honestly didn't mean to drag it out this long. Not that anyone cares. But before I get to #2 of my count down I will leave you with Ansley singing Jingle Bells...in her own rendition. Listen for the "slip-n-slide" lyrics at the end.

New Year

So after surviving the night of fireworks on New Years Eve...being illegal this year did not stop very many people from breaking the law and shooting them off anyway... (I will not miss that about Hawaii AT ALL), we spent the day choreographing this little number for your enjoyment.

HAPPY 2012!!

3 years old

Our little girl turned 3 today. It's amazing how much she has grown in these past few months. She is still the one that challenges us daily as parents but is coming to understand what it means to have control over her emotions...and boy is there drama at times. This girl loves to dress up (especially in anything pink...because that is her favorite color), wear mommy's jewelry, play house with her baby dolls, climb any obstacle in her way, show her independence in stating that she do things "by myself", color and "do school" like her brothers, take care of her little sister...or make her cry, run from place to place because walking just isn't fast enough, is quick to tattle on her brothers...even if she is in the wrong, and loves to sing and dance...as long as no one is listening or watching. She definitely keeps life from becoming dull and we sure do love her a ton! The theme this year was ladybugs...balloons, cupcakes, wrapping paper, decorations...

Mele Kalikimaka!

We started off our Christmas weekend by taking our traditional trip to the beach on Christmas Eve. It was waaaay too cold and windy to swim, so we decided to do a hike instead...Mokapu'u Lighthouse. It was breathtakingly beautiful as always.

Waimanalo Beach on the way home.These are the only pictures we have of Christmas morning...and the hubby took these...not realizing he needed flash. So they're a little blurry. Jason and I both decided we wished there was a church service every year for Christmas day...whether it's Sunday or not. It was such a great focus for the day.
The kids were busy making gifts and cards for each other a few days before and enjoyed opening each others gifts up. That had to be my favorite memory of opening gifts that morning.Lainey preferred to eat all the paper...that was her favorite part.

Then that night we walked on over to "Christmas" street to see the lights again. These folks go nuts-o with the lights.

#3 No Daylight Savings

We don't fall back or spring forward here in Hawaii...love it.

A-B Honor Roll

Ethan received this award at school...

...and Jude wanted to be a part of it as well.

Christmas pix preview

#4 Food

There are certain food items here in Hawaii that I know we won't be able to enjoy on the mainland. Here is my list:
Poke (pronounced Po-kay) : my favorite is the Ahi Limu Poke. Limu is seaweed. I also really like sashimi but I know that you can get that on the mainland...not so sure I want to eat it being land-locked and all. Not sure how fresh the fish is in the mid-west unless you get it out of the river. But poke was something I actually craved during my pregnancy and now I am glad I can indulge in this treat once again. (the picture I got off the internet if you're wondering whose manly-tan hand that was)


Apple-bananas: these may look like regular bananas but they are not. It's hard to explain the difference other than they aren't as mushy as a regular banana, are smaller in size and have a little sweeter flavor. Yum!Frozen mochi: I know how to make regular mochi but I'm pretty sure that you can't find frozen mochi on the mainland. Bubbies is my favorite brand, lychee flavored...sooooo yummy!

Chocolate Haupia pie: Ted's Bakery makes the best pie but I was able to find a recipe...probably not the same but I'll have to try it anyway.Malasadas: These warm portuguese doughnuts are melt-in-your-mouth good. Although I do miss Krispy Kreme, those would be a close second to these yummy pastry's. Lychee: I know you can get these canned but there is nothing like fresh Lychee. If I could grow these on the mainland I would.

Bubble Tea: I don't know what it is about a frozen tea drink with tapioca pearls but we love them around here. Hopefully we can find these on the mainland...I've heard it's the newest "coffee shop" drink.

7 months old

Lainey is 7 months old today. Boy did that last month fly by.

We tried taking pictures right before bedtime, but as you can see she just wasn't into it. She is trying to pull herself up on things, the couch, a chair, people (if they're sitting on the floor), even in her crib...thankfully she has only gotten onto her knees.

She says "ba-ba" and "da-da" but not in association to anything. (warning: the video below is long but I figured the aunties and grandmas wouldn't mind)