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!!