Christmas, New Years, New Us

This was our first Christmas in Hawaii and our first Christmas on our own, without parents around to lean on. We loved leaning on them, but how can you go wrong with Christmas? We couldn't get out of acting out the Nativity. Mary and the Angel/ Wise man (taj) were super excited. Olivia acted as baby Jesus for us, and Amaya was a great co-Angel/Wise man.

The kids were happy and nice all day. Santa gave Taj some Atlantis Lego's he'd been wanting.

Eden finally got some "girl Lego's" so she doesn't have to borrow Taj's.

I have to mention how much I love having kids. I can't imagine Christmas without them. They make this time of year so magical and exciting and memorable.

Santa brought Eden a bike. She was super excited, then kindly said, "but I said I wanted a Rapunzel doll." She quickly remembered she also wanted a bike and said how happy she was Santa got her a bike. Mom and Dad got her a Rapunzel doll, but it was wrapped up. She said she was happy she got all the things she asked for.

Olivia seemed to like whatever it was we were doing Christmas day. We made her her stocking and at Taj and Eden's request we stuffed it. We kind of forgot to get stuff since she's only 5 months and wasn't begging for anything. She got the new Christmas pj's and rice cereal. She was a good girl this year, but Santa is kinda cheap.

New years eve wasn't too exciting. Even though I grew up in Laie, I don't get into New Years too much. I never liked the noise and smoke much. We did a few flowers, eye balls, morning glories, and tanks and then turned in by 9:30. It was perfect.

As for the new year, I've never been able to make and keep any resolutions. I think I'm the kind of person that doesn't like to be told when to start a goal. I have to be the one to say when it's time. There's that and that I quit most things I start. This year I plan to be more healthy. Fewer sugary snacky things (except for tonight. Mariko, you know what I'm talking about).

Olivia has grown up tons in the last week. She's liking rice cereal and thinks that all food should be grabbed and pulled into her mouth. This method of grabbing and pulling has gotten her banana which she LOVES. She's also rolling over and making farty/ spitty sounds and playing peek-a-boo. She loves to go for walks, facing outward of coarse. She has a smile that melts me and a laugh I spend hours trying to get.

2010 was a great year for us. I can't wait to see what 2011 has in store for me and my family.

I can't get over it

When I find a minute to blog I like to go through pictures I've taken recently. Last night I couldn't believe the pictures I was looking at. Is this really my life? We live in a postcard. I can't get over it.

*Taj and Micah found a little surf spot we call "Taj's Rights".

We love living so close to the hotel and using their hammock (and other things too).

Forever, no matter what.

I found out today that my little Eden likes "soft tickles". She let me cuddle her and softly rub her with my fingertips. She hasn't allowed a Mommy cuddle in WAY too long. Dad gets them, but for some reason she just wants to squeeze my lips, stretch my cheeks, cover my eyes, wipe off my kisses, and basically abuse me. The cuddle was amazing. Especially because we are in what I refer to secretly as the horrible threes. Ugh. The roller coaster of demands and emotions is amazing. Thank goodness Taj prepared us for this. We know it's a phase and are able to stay calm about it and not take it personally. Even though I know that she's three and can't help it if it makes her lose it if Taj gets a blue bowl-it gets old really quickly.
Three is also a very tender and sweet age. At times. When she allows it. She will want to wrestle while insisting she has her hair long like a Princess. She will talk about Star Wars with Taj while putting on lip gloss. She'll say she loves me for no reason at all. She'll say thank you unsolicited and in the cutest, sweetest voice you ever heard. She tells you that you make the best cookies ever and you feel like it might be true. She tells Olivia that she loves her forever, no matter what. I think she got that from when we went through the temple open house. I love my little miss Eden. I learn from her and with her everyday.

You Did What?

We are about 98% sure we left all our Christmas decorations in Utah. Olivia is shocked too (picture to prove it). Of coarse we didn't notice until a few days ago when we started to feel a little Grinchy about having nothing Christmas-y in our house except the little fake Christmas tree the nice tenant of Condo 45 gave us. We went shopping today to get a little more festive.

Instead of being sad and remembering the few Christmas items I grew attached to I went in search of some inspiration (thanks Etsy). I wanna make these:

Definitely want this. Might take a few years to build up my green sea glass collection though.

How sweet is this. I'm sure the ones I make will need an explanation of what they are.

Any who, this year I am really going to try hard not to stress about what we have or don't have. We have been blessed beyond measure this year and are excited to share this first Christmas with Olivia.

*St. Nicholas Day is on Monday the 6th! Anyone else leave out a shoe for this?

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.

Blessings

There are a lot of Smiths now, huh. Kind of surprises me to see us all shoved in one picture together. When people ask how it is having three kids my first thought is LOUD. Taj and Eden haven't stopped talking for months now. Throw some crying in there and hand me the ear plugs please. Love this picture though. First one all together since the hospital. It was Olivia's blessing, and time for a feeding.

This dress is amazing. Hand sewn about 35 years ago. This was the 3rd blessing in it (Auntie Alissa, Eden, and now Olivia).

This is one of the few pictures of us together. I will cherish it.

Eden turned 3 on October 4th. We had a special family birthday for her. I LOVE having an excuse to spoil my kids. There are few things more satisfying in this life. She is at a tricky stage-time outs and attitude a plenty. She comes up with "leave me alone Mom", and "I have to go potty. My heart told me." All part of the roller coaster of emotions. She's such a blessing. We knew both our girls needed to come to our family well before we had them and I'm reminded of how blessed we are daily.