Vegas & St. George

Aho and I have NEVER been on a trip by ourselves. When we got married, Aho was still in the academy and couldn't have time off, so we didn't have a honeymoon. We've taken trips with my family, trips with Waiola, and even gone back home with the two boys...but never have we taken a trip by ourselves. And then it happened. This past December, we finally did it. Four days...no kids...staying up late and getting up late...eating all kinds of great stuff...getting all kinds of things done...just the two of us.
We were very lucky to have a fabulous excuse for this getaway, thanks to one of our best friends, Emerson, getting sealed to his beautiful new wife Melanie. He called a few months ago to let us know that they were getting married mid December in St. George, Utah and hoped we could make it. We were so excited, we had made all of our reservations within a few days.

We decided to fly into Vegas since we could use our miles, and then just stay there since it was so much cheaper. We spent most of our time there shopping the outlets and eating.
We made sure to eat breakfast at Hash House a Go Go, which was featured on Man vs. Food. The breakfast I got was bigger than my head!
We spent about 2 hours in Bass Pro alone...and wanted to buy pretty much everything in there!
We finally got to eat at the buffet at the M Resort (planned to last year, but it was WAY too busy) which actually wasn't all that hot...except for the desserts, which were SO yummy!
I thought the wall of calla lilies there was beautiful, so Aho took a picture of me in front of them.
And then he wanted to take a picture with the lamp. LOL! He cracks me up this one.
Saturday, the day of the wedding, we woke up early to head out to St. George. We planned to have more than enough time (and had a fast driver) so we got there a little over an hour before the sealing. We drove around a little, checking out St. George, then headed to the temple early. Or at least we thought. Apparently we should have studied the time zones, then maybe we would have know that Utah is actually an hour ahead of Nevada...and we wouldn't have missed the sealing. Blah! So while we thought we were very early, we were actually late. We did, however, get to see the lovely couple after they were sealed. :)
We also got to enjoy the beauty of the St. George Temple and learn some interesting things at the visitors center.
And then we were able to spend the afternoon with the newlyweds and their families at a luncheon.
And while it wasn't as much time as we would have liked to spend with them, the blood brothers were so happy to be together again!
And while we had a great time together relaxing and eating and catching up on some much needed uninterrupted sleep, almost everywhere we went, something reminded us of the kids. And after four days without them, we couldn't wait to get back and see them. So even though this was our first trip alone together, and we loved it, it may be a long while before we do it again.

December 2010

December 2010 was a very busy month for our family. We found ourselves busier than usual this year with preparing for Christmas, a trip to Vegas & St. George (hopefully the next blog), a trip to Kauai, my dad's 60th birthday party, and then...multiple Christmases. This is just a quick glimpse of all the craziness...

In preparation for Christmas, we had to make a special visit to Pearlridge to ride the Christmas Train. Ola is still fascinated by trains and absolutely loved getting the chance to ride one.
We also did our annual holiday cards. With all the craziness this year, it ended up just being the kids in the picture, which was perfectly fine with us. We know they're the only ones everyone wants to see anyway. ;)

Kupa'a (6mo.)Waiola (2yrs. 4mo.)Brothers...oh how they love each other!
Aho and I squeezed in a trip to the mainland (hopefully our next blog) while the kids stayed back with my parents. But the morning we got back, the boys and I flew up to Kauai.

It was Ola's first flight with his own seat (with the vocabulary that kid has, there's no way we can say he's under 2 anymore). He thought it was so much fun!
Our trip to Kauai wasn't just for Christmas this year, it was also to celebrate my dad's 60th birthday.
And I couldn't resist getting him this shirt. (I can tease...but he knows I love him!)
We opened presents on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas so that Ola could have some time to play before packing them up to go home. He was SO excited when he saw all the presents by the tree and didn't waste any time grabbing one.
Some of his favorites were...

his new chair...
and his art easle.
Kupa'a wasn't quite sure what was going on...but he was totally content playing on his new play mat.
And once all the present opening was done, both of my little hot headed babies were happy to play outside. Only in Hawaii can you do this on Christmas. ;)
We left Kauai on Christmas day and got to spend a few hours with Daddy before he had to go to work. The next morning, the boys had a second Christmas at our house with the presents from mommy and daddy.
December was crazy for us, but the real meaning of Christmas was most important, celebrating the birth of our Savior and all that he has done for us. And being able to have special quality time with friends and family, especially with our two precious little angels, is something we really treasure. As a family, we are grateful for all that we have been blessed with in 2010 and look forward to all that awaits us in 2011.

Happy Birthday to Daddy!

November 23rd has always been a special day for me. My very best friend from high school (who was also my room mate), celebrates her birthday on that day. When I met Aho, I thought he was joking when he said it was his birthday as well. It's also the wedding anniversary for cousins on each side of our family. Therefore...it's a pretty special day. So in our house, we do our best to make it a little different from the other days. But being on a budget, and having a Daddy who always says he doesn't want anything, can make it a little difficult. So this year was actually quite simple.
As soon as Ola woke up (being around 5:30 am), we called daddy at work so Ola could sing the song he had been practicing for days. Granted, it was only one line...Happy Birthday to Daddy!...but it was on tune and on key, so it was actually pretty impressive. ;) He also got silly faces, like the one pictured above. Lucky Daddy!

There was quite time with our little opihi. And who would not be happy with the sweetness of that face? That's the secret for happiness right there. ;)

And of course, there were cards, a special dinner (crab stuffed salmon), and an ice cream cake.

Daddy got to hear Ola's song once more as he tried to blow out the fire that had taken over the cake. ;)

In our house, birthdays are special...no matter how simple they may be. Happy Birthday Daddy! We love you with all our hearts!

5 months

Unbelievably, our little Pa'a is now 5 months old. Although he is mostly the same easy going baby that we brought home from the hospital back in June, his sweet little personality and his strength and abilities are definitely beginning to show. Kupa'a is definitely becoming more active. He loves to grab his toes and roll around. No, not roll over, just roll around, and around, and around. And chomping on his hands can still keep him occupied for quite a while. He loves to sit and stand, and especially to stand in his bouncer and play with the toys. (While Ola's favorite bouncer toy was the frog, Kupa'a's is the sun. He spends much of his time trying to eat it.)

He is also very, very strong for such a little guy. He is quite fond of mauling mommy when she tries to kiss his cheek. And once he gets a hold of your face or your hair...prepare for a struggle, cause he won't let go! But he is still such a happy baby. He loves to snuggle; loves to nap on his tummy; loves sweet potatoes; wants to sit in your lap when he eats; squeals when he's getting tired or bored; splashes like a mad man in the bathtub; laughs when you wash under his neck; is very ticklish; and adores his brother.

And while all of these things make me smile and count my blessings, my favorite is probably the smile he saves for his daddy. When Aho comes home from work, he's always bombarded by Waiola and Hiwa. But once he's said his hellos to those two, he finds his little Kupa'a and sings..."Hi Kupaka boy! Hi Kupaka boy! Hi Kupak, Hi Kupak, Hi Kupaka boy!" (Kupaka...because that's what Ola calls his brother. And if I could remember what the tune is, I'd tell you...but I can't). But when Daddy sings, and his face lights up, that is probably the sweetest thing about him.

I love this little boy head to toe...all 5 months of him.

Temple Open House

This month, following almost two years of renovations, the LDS Laie Hawaii Temple opened it's doors to the public for three weeks prior to it's re-dedication. This meant that church members and non-church members alike could all take a tour through this gorgeously renovated building. It also meant that people of all ages, including children, could have the chance to walk through the entire temple. It's a very rare occasion which our family, along with some friends, couldn't pass up. The temple has always been close to my heart. It was the sight of this beautiful building, lit up against the night sky, that led to my membership in the church. It's also the place where Aho proposed, and where we were married. And whenever we have the opportunity, and the child care, it's a place I love to be. And being able to share that with our children and our friends was such a special experience.

This was our entire group, minus our photographer Kyra. Tim, Keahi, Leeya, Jo, Ola, Gabby, Aho, & Kupa'a.

Ola was so well behaved and quiet inside the temple, and once we were outside he let loose and ran around. He also came very close to attempting to take a dip in the top fountain. (But Mommy saw the look in his eyes and stopped him before he got close enough)

A quick shot of our family before it started to rain.

And even though it was raining, we had a hard time getting Ola to leave this bench. No idea why. But, that is the bench where his daddy proposed almost 5 years ago. ;)

Once last shot of the girls before leaving. I'm so glad to have these three ladies in my life and to be able to spend time together whenever we can. Thanks Kapio's for making the day so special.

Aquarium

When I was hapai with Waiola, I CRAVED seafood. I ate as much seafood as I was allotted each week, and that was with a great deal of restraint. And I knew that that little boy that we hadn't met yet would grow up to love the ocean. Two years later and I laugh at how real that has become. My little man devours sushi, crab, and shrimp, he would camp out at the beach every day if we let him, and he thinks sea creatures are awesome. But who could blame him? So today, we took a family trip to the Waikiki Aquarium to see some of his favorite things.

Right off the bat, Ola got an "official" sea horse stamp which he was absolutely fascinated with.

And we didn't even have to make it to the actual exhibits for him to get excited. The pictures were almost enough.

At a few of the tanks there was a ledge big enough for him to stand on, which he took full advantage of. Who wants to stand back and look at the fish when you can be right up in their face?

We saw lots of different types of fish and coral...

different kinds of jellyfish...

a tank full of Ulua, Groupers, and even some sharks (some of which were the size of our little man, if not larger)...

and the highlight of the show...A HE'E!!! He was kind of small, and a little shy, but he'e are Ola's favorite, and he loved it!

And last, but not least, we watched the aquarium's two monk seals take a swim.
All it took was a 45 minute drive and a $12 admittance charge, and the result was a perfectly happy little boy. Such a small price to pay for such a big smile, and a day full of "MOM! DAD! LOOK!" I'm so happy our little man is such an ocean lover.

And it begins...

Growing up, it was often just me and my brother. And while we got along majority of the time, there were those special moments where we weren't exactly the best of friends. There was arguing, ratting each other out, and sometimes, simply doing our best to get the other in trouble. Having two boys of my own now, I was well aware of the fact that these moments would present themselves...I just didn't realize they would happen so soon.


Oh well, at least they're both tattling with a smile on their face. ;)

-Special thanks to Tutu and Papa for the shirts. Is this my payback??