Family Pictures

Super Raider!

Taj's school has a monthly assembly recognizing students that have excelled in the past month. We were soooo proud of our Super Raider, Taj for being recognized for doing well in November!

I'm especially proud because after the first assembly he told me he wanted to be a super raider and asked the teacher how he can be one. He felt like he really earned this. He's in a great class with awesome teachers and really sweet kids. He's learning a lot and comes home tired and happy. That makes me happy.

Just a Test

It's that time of year when I get thinking about family pictures. I'm always shocked when I realize how long it's been since even one (good or bad picture) has been taken of the entire family.

These are some pictures of a field trip we took looking for a good place to take some family pics and testing lighting. Let me know if you can figure out where we are, and if not let me know when I can take you. This place is magical.

Eden skipped a nap that day, and her expression shows it.

If this tree doesn't give our location away nothing will. The trees are amazing! I love those monkeys.

The Zoo

We did it... we drove all the way to the Honolulu Zoo on a Saturday with 2 kids that still require napping. Maybe we're going a little crazy, or maybe our little group is finally getting old enough to handle big excursions like this.

 This really is the most beautiful Zoo... tons of beautiful landscape and open space for the animals. The animals seem happier here than other zoos I've visited.

 Olivia was super into it, even though she's only 16 months. She loves animals and was thrilled to see them moving and climbing and jumping. There were a lot of squeals that day.

 Taj's favorite thing at the zoo was the Alligator... can you see it?

 The keiki area is super fun. This was the last area we visited, so we left on a high note for sure.

 Can you see the joy oozing out of Olivia?

It was a good day. Glad we went a little crazy.

Legos For A Good Cause

Last Summer Taj was happily employed building and collecting all things Lego. The goal was to create a dream Lego Christmas.... for someone else. We tried to help Taj understand that it was for a good cause. It was being donated to The Festival of Trees which then auctions it off for the Primary Children's Hospital. This made Taj excited and proud. He did mention that he wished he got to keep the Lego's a couple times, which means this really was a dream "tree".

We aren't in Utah for the final product, but Nana was kind enough to send us some of these pictures. Tonight was the auction and Larry H. Miller's widowed wife won it for $5025.00! Way to go Taj!

*a little tidbit for memories: Micah stayed up several nights working on a backdrop for the Lego Christmas scene. It was 3 huge panels with 3 D art of Lego guys sledding and playing in a snowy Lego village. The night before we left Utah Micah sliced his finger open while working on it and ended up in ER with I think 13 stitches. And they weren't even allowed to use the backdrop after all. That's something Mrs. Miller will never know.

Thanksgiving

This year Thanksgiving was at our house, but that doesn't mean I did it all. I was very thankful for the help of my amazing talented sisters in law, Mariko and Alissa. I made some good stuff and they made some great stuff. Of coarse I was too busy eating to remember to take pictures, but here are a few of the guests of honor...

This is the Banana Cream Pie with chocolate crust made from scratch. My favorite of the night.

Raw chocolate truffle pie with strawberries (there must be chocolate, even at thanksgiving)

Korean Pear Pie made by Mariko with korean pears from her yard in Oregon. Look out Apple pie!

Taj's school did a "Turkey Trot" race. Can you spot him? He seemed to really like it. It was pretty entertaining. Those kids were pretty serious.

I am so thankful for my little turkeys, and their big Daddy turkey. I am so blessed. We had a great time on Thanksgiving eating way too much and talking and letting the kids be wild. Now I am thankful it's over and for leftovers.

Nostalgia

Eden has been in a gymnastics for the last year and LOVES it. She counts down the days of the week to Thursday, or Gymnastics Day! Her class was invited to perform at a basketball tournament at BYUH.

We had a fun time watching the game. I had a totally sweet nostalgic feeling in that gym. I grew up watching games with my Dad, and even graced the courts during halftime with the Laie Bay Dancers. Woot Woot - Flashdance anyone?

The team scored 100 points, and that means Ice Cream! We opted for some "Ono Yo" and are happy with our decision.

Puena Point