Thursday, February 26, 2009

Thankful Thursday

EVAN
Seeing his face the moment he was born
Teaching me to be a better mom
Helping Hope climb the dirt hill
Covering his sister up at night
Worrying about where Erica is
Being truthful
Not minding hugs and kisses
Providing me with loads of opportunities to learn patience
Practices his piano...and likes it
Helps me load the car when I ask
He'll hold my hand







Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Wet Wednesday

After school we went swimming!
The kids figured out they could fill water balloons up with the jets in the hot tub.
"What kind of moms are we to bring our kids out swimming on such a cold day," joked Michelle. Here we are all bundled up but the kids still had a blast-especially when Charlie came over.
These flowers are so neat-they look like exploding fire works.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

How sweet is this...

Erica asked her Daddy to color with her. They were so sweet together. I remember coloring with my dad too when I was little. I wish I had gotten a picture the other day of Erik cutting out paper dolls for Erica. It was so endearing.

A conversation we had today...

Erik: "Evan is going to live with us forever, isn't he?"
Me: "Why do you say that?"
Erik: "Because he can't figure anything out and he can't hear."
Evan: "I DO NOT DRINK BEER!"

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Dinner is fire roasted hot dogs and marshmellows

...ummmm...

Next time I will have to post a picture of my mountain man starting a fire...he does it the "manly" way with a blow torch...no pussy footing around with him!

Ho! Happy Happy Hiking Day!

This morning we did the Ka'unala Loop hike up on the North Shore. We really had a good time on this one. The Pupukea Summit hike goes off of this one, we will have to give it a shot some time. So sorry for so many pictures, you'll have to indulge me.
This hike was all about gorgeous vegetation,
The boys saw dogs and started running, they still have the memory of seeing the pitbulls on the last hike.
We went through groves of paperbark trees.
Crossed a few steams. They were so peaceful and sounded so beautiful. The boys wanted to build a house there.
The ferns were so lush. All four of the kids are actually sitting still and are quiet. Evan is sitting on globs of moss, it was so funny when he got up,
This is a grove of Ti trees. Early Polynesians had multiple uses for them. Now they are used for cooking in the ground over hot rocks.
This tree was so interesting. Michelle said it looked like a tree right out of a Dr. Seuss book!
Another stream crossing,
Very neat grove of trees, The Wai'anae mountains,
Such a beautiful view of the north shore,
The lady bug landed on Owen's back,
Earlier on the road part we saw tracks-I was thinking tanks-something cool like that. I asked Erik what kind of tracks they were-he said, "an atv like a 4 wheeler." Michelle and I said, "really, you think?" At that very moment a 4 wheeler comes up over the hill...never question a mountain man.
Erik said there is some secret something going on here and it looked like surface of the Death Star, it was pretty funny at the time. We actually have no idea what this is. The hike is on military property so it could be anything.
The boys and more paperbark trees,
On the way down the road we had to stop for a mama chicken to cross with her brood of peeps, it was the cutest thing!
It was rocket day but we never made it because we couldn't find engines in time...next month.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Favorites Friday

Swords they got on the Disney cruise
The Princess Bride movie
Playing with their light sabers out side
Builder Benders from Discovery Toys
Bicycles
You-tube
little green army men

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Thankful Thursday

Winters in Hawaii
Living in America
A husband that does all the grochery shopping
Organized people willing to lead
Having a heart and the Holy Spirit (Erica's)
Our church

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

My Much Loved Hometown of Baltimore

My Dad sent me these pictures of the Baltimore Harbor and I thought I had lost them in the black hole of my computer. I found them and had to share where I grew up. Bal'mor, the Ches'peek Bay, 'Naplis, the O's, steamed crabs, lil' It-ly, the rolling country side, and everything else Mer'lin is such a part of me.
the Inner Harbor,
tall ships,

the Constellation.

Remembering When-sday

...my brother came out to visit a few years ago. I think Evan is 4 and Owen is 2 here-I guess that was more than a few years. Erik (my brother) is playing with the boys at Ko Olina.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Notice something odd about this cube?

...the 3x3 Rubik's cube is no longer a challenge, he gets it done in under 2 minutes now so he had to get the next one which is the 4x4 (did you even know one existed?)...yes, his brain is becoming abscessed-staying up all night solving it...but he got it...

Monday Evening

Hanging out in a tree,
Sure wish we could share the sound of the surf and a beach sunset with everyone,
The lady bug is following us around...
We are soooo cooooold.....

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Our Long Lost Neighbors have been found!

...Katey, Glen, and Traci used to live next door to us. To say we miss them would be an extreeeeeeeeme understatement! I just adore them so much-they truly taught me what Ohana really is about. We found them this morning at Wal Mart having a party with 200 boxes of Krispy Kreme donuts! I had to grab a couple, it is Valentine's Day after all. Would you believe we came home and ate every single last donut-yep, all 24 of 'em, gone in about 15 minutes-I kid you not.
For my gift, Erik usually does an "odious" task for me. I asked that he clean the ice and water levers on our fridge. He took the entire front of the freezer apart and spent a good two hours cleaning them. Not only did he do the levers but the water line, ice shoot, and anything else that was there. What a major treat. I also took a nap then we went for a walk and for dinner we had McDonalds. I love Southwest Chicken Salads. It was a great day! Hope everyone had a Happy Valentine's Day!

Friday, February 13, 2009

What are friends for...

...if they don't give you a nice shiner every now and then.
It looks better today, last night it was all swollen.

Favorites Friday

I am moving the kids' favorites over here so I have a record of them.

Rip Sticks
Playing outside
Going to Hope's pool
Hikes with Charlie
Football and basketball
Puppies and dogs
Hanging out with friends
Arby's

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Hanging out after school

We went over to Michelle, Charlie, and Hope's to swim in their pool. It was so awesome I think we will make this a weekly event! I have no clue sometimes, Erik normally packs us up when we go out on outtings but saddly he was at work so I take the kids out to the pool...with no towels, no snacks, no toys...
Having fun in the hot tub (it's still a bit chilly here),
Pretty girls-pretty flowers,
The Moms taking a break,
Charlie came to play!! Now things really got fun!

Owen totally cracks me up sometimes

Morning Recess

Nea came to the door to spread her happiness around.
Erica got to go for a ride with Nea's Dad, Noa, on his scooter.

Thankful Thursday

The life I have
A husband in charge that I am madly in love with
A son that has woken me up in the middle of the night since he could talk to say, "Mom, I love you"
A son that wants a snuggle hug every night before going to bed
A daughter that reminds me Jesus is The most important of all
A friend that gets me out of the house
A little girl next door that makes me smile no matter what kind of mood I am in

Guess what I did for about a half hour last night?

...chase this little guy all over my kitchen. Finally he hopped onto Erik's dark blue mug thinking he was camouflaged. I was then able to let him go outside. It's always comical trying to catch geckos, they are pretty quick.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

My Dad is SO Great!

My Dad is Employee of the Quarter for the whole University of Maryland at Baltimore (the Medical University) where he works. He is featured on the University web site. This is not the first time he has been recognized. I am so proud of my Dad!
Bob was instrumental in the development and implementation of the Project Accounting Consolidated Web Database, which was a joint effort with Facilities Management. He continues to work with Facilities Management on enhancements to the database, so that Administration and Finance has the most up-to-date financial information on capital and non-capital projects. Bob is responsible for processing all capital project invoices for the campus, as well as the maintenance of the database related to those projects. Bob prepares a monthly plant fund report that continues to be useful resource for campus management. Facilities Management project managers, campus personnel and vendors have found him to be the individual to review operational issues and to determine the resolution of the issues. His professionalism and customer service make him an asset to the department.