Odds N Ends

Evan jammed his finger while I was in Houston. It's finally better.

Keana stopped by for a hug.

Erica art.

Best Weekend Ever!

Oh my gosh, what an amazing weekend. I got to go to Houston Jan. 22-24. I know, I spent more time on the air plane than I did there but it was so worth it because I got to hang out with the most beautiful, hysterically funny, and brilliantly smart soul sister a person could ever hope to have. I can't count how many times I said, "Traci, you are SO smart!" "THAT is SO funny!" "You get in the picture, you're prettier!"

So why Houston? It is the home of Beth Moore The LPM Blog. We got to see Beth Moore teach in a free, very small, intimate, informal conference that we had to earn by memorizing scriptures all last year.

We were fortunate enough to get a picture with Amanda and Melissa (Beth Moore's daughters) at the same time. Melissa doesn't stay in one place for very long. (It was so great not to tower over everybody like I do here in HI.)

Beth Moore actually came down off the stage to come give me a hug. I think bringing a bag full of goodies from Hawaii had something to do with that.

Beth Moore moves faster than her daughter. I took a ton of pictures, on sport setting even, and this was about the only one that wasn't the back of her head. The teaching on Psalm 119 was amazing.

Travis Cottrell, Beth Moore's worship leader for the big conferences, came in from TN to lead worship! What an unexpected treat that was.

Here we are getting ready to say our scriptures to each other. It was so cool having Traci there because she has been to a big conference (20,000 ladies) as well as a taping of the Breaking Free bible study. It was great to hear how this smaller event compared. We were spoiled because Beth Moore and Travis do not normally interact in such an informal way like they did this weekend!

Saturday, after the conference we headed out for Greek food and then went to the Houston Arboretum to walk off lunch. Houston Arboretum and Nature Center

Traci got to take home a free sapling. Poor thing is probably buried under a ton of snow.

We wondered around the walking trails looking for something green.

Found it! Little tiny green...ferns?

A few green leaves.

Not so green but looking more alive than other things. After walking the trails we headed to the Lifeway bookstore and then the Houston Galleria...the whole time thinking, dreaming, and talking about how we were earning us some more Greek food with all that walking!

We went back! Yia Yia Mary's

I had to take a picture of my order-9 amazing deserts. I am still dreaming about going back to eat there. It was a perfect end to a perfect day. We had to get up at 6am to head to the air port. Michelle, Amy, and Courtney...I am totally expecting for you guys to come next time!!

Twin Shirts

Erica has been wanting to get her and Keana twin shirts so we did for Keana's last night in our neighborhood. We are beyond sad that Keana moved. Hopefully we'll still get to see her on weekends.

Bonus Day

...aka Diver appreciation Day. That's what Federal Holidays are known as around here.

It was another awesome day at our favorite pool.

Not one to be out done

The boys got Erik a pogo stick for his birthday because they wanted one. Evan has practiced so hard on that thing. He can go up and down curbs, go so high he scares me. He can hit 550 bounces but then gets really tired. Oh, and he mastered the hula hoop...wonder what is next on his list of toys to conquer.

Girl's Day Part 2

Keana was so cute reading to the girls,

enjoying more chocolate chip cookies...yummm.

Girl's Day

Today the girls had fun,
they did sweet heart shaped Princess wands, played games,

and made cookies!

They really enjoyed eating them too!

Fun Friday

We went to family night on Schofield. Erica is getting really good at ping pong.

Wet Wednesday

Wednesday was so cold and windy Madison and Erica played at the park while the boys went to the pool (they didn't last very long though). Madison pulled out her water wings, "blew" them up, put them on, and said she was "all ready."
We miss you, Michelle and Hope!

Uh-Huh...

Aloha brought over birthday cake from Nanea's birthday...oh yum! I dug right in.

This is one of those things I wish I could have done as a kid. Erica has been working hard to get it.

Wet (Winter) Wednesday

The kids have been talking about Madison like crazy plus the boys have been wanting to try jumping off something higher than a high dive.
Madison saw Erica and said, "my Erica!" It was so sweet. She hadn't forgotten.

Here's Evan at the bottom of the platform. He'd been thinking about going off for about 2 hours.

And he goes. He loved it and went a bunch.

Owen loved it too. Anyone else swimming in an outdoor pool....????

Noisy New Year's Eve

You have not lived until you experience New Years Eve in Hawaii. It is deafening and thick with smoke...but the kids have a lot of fun.

The girls fell asleep and Keana got to stay over.

Hanging Out Over Christmas Break

During Erik's time off we went to the pool or water park a ton.

Puppy Sleep Over

We ended up bring Nalu over to our house. The kids LOVED it! They adore Nalu. It was so great having him here. Can't wait for you to go away again Aloha!...just kidding...! Thank you Aloha...LOVE the tea-you are SO thoughtful!

I thought for sure Erica was going to sleep outside with him. She didn't want to leave him alone for a moment.

Good thing Nalu is so patient...puppy love.