When you're a kid...

When you're a kid your job is to play. Taj and Eden are pretty good at their jobs.

Taj is just like his mom, he loves to skate. I was cracking up at how tough he thought he was on these pink skates.

The girls are continually playing some form of house or princess house and love dressing up.

They recently discovered "Candy Lady", or Lee as I know her. She and her husband of 65 years come to Hawaii for 2 months every year and the kids sniff her out. This is my first time seeing the kids with full sized candy bars and my guess is that I'll see it a lot in the next 2 months.

Sunday Snapshots

Guess who remembered she has a camera?

Laundering

Sometimes trying to get the laundry done with the kids around can be fun.

* Taj parachuting with the clean sheets and Livi eating her toes in a pile of pillows. Eden played too.

If....

While looking for a cruiser on craigslist I came across this 1946 beauty. Of coarse if I had $1000 lying around I'd take it! I got to thinking about all the things I say "if" about. "If I had more time...". "If I had more money...". "If my kids weren't so little...". "If" is a horrible word. It's a dangerous game to play. "If" has become my big excuse for not doing what I want and need to do. It takes me down a road where I don't think about all the amazing things I have right in front of me and the beauty of this time of life.

In an effort to stop using the "if" excuse I've started getting up before the kids are awake and running. It has been glorious. I get to start the day with peace and quiet and watch the sun rise while I run. So far I've been able to shower and get dressed (such a luxury) without distractions after the run. I've been in a better mood and feel like I've accomplished a few things on my daily wish list and have more time for the kids and family stuff. It may seem like a small thing, but it's made such a difference in the way the rest of my/our day goes.

While I'd still love this bike, I have many things far greater.

Love you for trying

I am constantly impressed with some of the photography I find on my friends blogs. I'm not talking about the friends that actually do it for a living, but the rest of you out there doing some really great picture taking. I imagine most of the pictures taken are with babies in arms, or that some other important and distracting thing is happening since most of us are Moms.

I asked my sister in law, Mariko to take some pictures of us since we don't really have any. If any of you are familiar with her blog(s) you know she takes some really great pictures. Not that I would chose a posed picture, or a "perfect" picture, but these were about as good as it got in that shoot. Thanks Mariko. Don't take our inability to take a good picture together personally.

Perspective

Our little love is 6 months today. I don't know what I expected to feel or how I thought things would be when Olivia turned 6 months old, but I find myself overwhelmed with good feelings- gratitude, comfort, joy, peace, love. All because of Olivia. I haven't gone into details about some of the experiences we've had with her. They are very personal and someone taught me that they aren't all mine to share. They aren't a secret either. Micah and I knew we were supposed to have another baby. We couldn't ignore it. Knowing Olivia was meant to come to our family has given me comfort. I feel complete joy with her. With every smile, giggle, squeal, roll, sloppy kiss, and hug I feel gratitude that she was given to us. While I cherish my experiences watching Taj and Eden go from baby to toddler to the 3 and 5 year olds they are today, I don't remember being able to be calm and just enjoy each stage with them. I was probably too tired. Now I know how quickly it goes. Taj calls her our "littlest Livi-love." Eden calls for her every night for a hug before bed. There is so much love all thanks to Olivia. It's been a wonderful 6 months. I feel like the luckiest Mom in the world.

*picture taken today at Ho'omaluhia. More on that to come...

Another Super Saturday

Thanks Aunt Lavern, Aunt Alissa, and Javier!

The Silver Lining

The problem with babies is that they grow up. Olivia's decided that she wants to be on of the big kids. She follows them around the room (with her eyes) and has figured out how to play and laugh with them. It's a very sweet relationship and although I'm sad about every sign that she's not my newborn to cuddle and snuggle anymore, watching the kids grow to love each other makes it all better. She's also excited about eating (trying to anyway) grown up foods. Rice cereal is way too boring for her.

There's been some crazy storms here, followed by amazing weather, thank goodness. We've found that the extra moisture in the air makes for perfect bubble blowing. The bubbles stick to everything making a bubble land. I need to stock up on bubbles cuz we all know how winter goes around here.

First (of many)

My babies are getting big.
We spent this morning at Taj's (and Coach Micah's) first basketball game at Laie Park. It was hot and tricky to get pictures, watch Taj and take care of the girls even with Nana and Poppop there. When it was all said and done we had a great time. There was such a great feeling there watching all the supportive family cheering for these cute kids who were playing their version of basketball and having fun.

After the game we all cooled off at the pool (postgame tradition for sure. Feel free to join us.) After we got the girls settled in for a nap Micah and I got to go surfing- We LOVE you Nana! It was so needed today for some reason. I think being one of the Moms cheering at Laie Park made me feel old (in a good way). The surf with my boyfriend kind of put things back into place. It was a great day.

Light Show

The other night our power went out. It was only out long enough for Amaya to say, "I don't like it dark". When the lights came back on the kids decided they needed to be prepared in case it happens again. They got those laser light things you wear on your fingers and went outside. It was very exciting and even got the neighbors out of their houses.

*Micah's parents are in town! This means entertainment for the kids, extra arms, and BABYSITTING! Micah and I went on a date surfing at Goats today. The surf was tiny (perfect for wimpy me), and it was cold and pouring. It was perfect. The water was glassy. No one was out but us. The water felt warm compared to the cold air. The fresh rain water tastes so good after a little salt water. The hot shower at home was amazing. Yup. My in-laws are awesome.

Last Saturday

I wish the photo was bigger. I think it says it all though.

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).