Taj Lately

Maybe it's just me or my kids, but I swear some days I wake up to find the kid I put to bed is gone and a new version of them woke up. After a month in Hawaii we've definitely got new versions of our kids. I'll start with Taj (our fish). He has gone off the deep end a little with the Lego's. Seriously, I wonder if there's a point where I should cut him off. He creates amazing spaceships and scenarios that really impress me, but would probably play with them all day if I let him. He and Eden share a room now, and love it for the most part. We set up a tent for Taj on his bed and he has camp outs every night. He really wants to take karate classes. Might be good to have an environment where it's ok to wrestle/punch/kick... He's not violent, but he's a boy. While he loves to play fight he is the sweetest, snuggliest little guy. I get I love you's and kisses all day. He and Olivia have a special love. They smile and cuddle so sweetly. I love seeing how grown up my first baby is next to my little 4 month old.

Taj missed the kindergarten cut off in Utah because his birthday is in September. I thought about getting him in school now that we're in Hawaii, but can't get myself to do it. There are lots of reasons why, but mostly I don't want the world to have him yet. While I encourage growth and learning we are in no hurry for him to grow up. It happens too quickly and once it does there's no going back. Might be a little selfish, but with the crazy stuff out there in the world maybe this extra year will give him a little more maturity and experience to know how to deal with it. I wish there was some way to be able to know how each decision will effect our kids down the road. For now we will love our time together. And we do.

Thankful for....

I love Thanksgiving. It's not just the gluttony. I love anything that means good food, family and friends, and gratitude. Seriously, I can always use a reminder of how blessed I am because it is way too easy to complain.

I always love to hear what the kids are thankful for. Nothing too crazy this year... toys, swimming, family. Thank Yous are nice, but I want to work on active gratitude or doing things to show we are grateful. This year we are going to start a Smith family tradition of a beach clean up to actively show our gratitude for the ocean. We'll be at Hukilau at 9:30 Thanksgiving Day cleaning and playing, if anyone wants to join us. I know it can be a busy morning, so no pressure. Happy Thanksgiving!

Super Saturday

Every Saturday in Utah we tried to fill our time with something fun to make it special. Every Saturday we tried not to say what we were both thinking... Malasadas? Yes Please!

Found out Eden knows most of Little Mermaid songs.

Olivia doesn't mind pool water. Her brother and sister LOVE having her in there.

Taj loves to paddle around with Micah and tell him to get waves and go faster. I'm so proud. Micah and I now say how grateful we are to be here daily. We feel so spoiled and love sharing this place with the little people we love.

n sync (in the sink)

Micah and I are outnumbered 3 to 2. This means we have to get creative on how to get things done. Sweet Olivia seemed to like this handy baby seat (the sink) while we got Taj and Eden bathed.

Back Seat

With the time difference Micah's able to be around a lot more and we LOVE it. I feel so spoiled to have the extra hands when I'm feeding Olivia.

I know I am blessed so don't let this come off as a complaint, but over the last few days there's been a switch in the dynamics around here. I am now the back seat driver of the parents. The kids go to Dad and ask for Dad. Part of me feels a little sad about not being needed as much- but come on. I am so grateful. Let's face it, Dad's are fun. And the view from this back seat is AMAZING!

When Did This Happen?

One of the great things about coming home is seeing people I've known my whole life. It's great and not so great though. Sometimes seeing people from my childhood reminds me of what a dumdum I was, and still am at times. I get a little embarrassed thinking about it. Oh, the awkward years were long and VERY awkward.

It's really fun to see friends from forever ago with their families and see how much we've changed/ grown up. This SNL video of "Mom Jeans" cracks me up because for some of us it's oh so true. Maybe I need me some new jeans to be totally grown up. I'm still learning.

Halloween In Hawaii

The kids taught me a little about staying in character. Ha! I wish Edens cape showed up better in the pictures. On Saturday we saw a bunch of BYU kids (yes I called them kids) show up for a Halloween surf. It was pretty classic. Turns out Nacho Libre can rip.

Only in Hawaii would Darth Vader be caught wearing slippahs.

This Halloween was a big trip down memory lane for me. We went to a ward trunk or treat with the ward I grew up in. On Saturday night we went around the block I grew up trick or treating at. It made me think how some things never change and shouldn't. I will mark this as the year the kids really got Halloween. They were running from house to house without complaining of being too tired and dumped their candy out first thing when they got home to see what they got and eat as much as Mom and Dad would allow. Micah and I stayed up and ate way way too much candy. The candy hang over this morning tells me we did it right.

Phheewww

After all the daydreaming, garage sales, D I runs, packing the house and our bags, flying, unpacking, food shopping.... we never thought the day would actually get here.

We are starting to breath again. And smile a lot. I felt like the luckiest girl in the world when I got to go for a quick surf while everyone (even Micah) was napping. We're in heaven. I hope this never wears off.

Olivia and cousin Mozely are buddies already.