Kids Christmas Card

Here is the final (thanks Claudia) Christmas card from the photo shoot at the beach a couple of weeks back. At least the card looks good even if we barely got the kids to look at the camera let alone smile:)

Almost 1 year

We are 2 weeks away from Abby's 1st birthday. I can't believe how fast it has gone as cliche as it sounds. I have been looking through her baby pictures and picking out some of my favorites. We are getting ready for her birthday part at the Hidewaway that we are doing with Gavin too. I am looking forward to celebrating a great year!



I made this from Abby's first month..she was so tiny!

North Shore

There is just something about the North Shore that makes me feel like I am really in Hawaii. I just love it up there! It has been so long since we have made it up to see the big waves during the winter months. We packed up a picnic on Saturday and headed up to Pipeline for the day. The waves were pretty big and there were tons of surfers and beachgoers.

Trimming the Tree

I got up on Black Friday for the first round of shopping at 3:30 for the first time ever to make it to Target for the opening at 5 a.m. and scored a new TV and a few other "must haves". I made it home before Abby or Matt woke up at 6 and then we had breakfast. I decided to go out for a second round but I wasn't as productive the second time around. While I was out Matt put up the tree and we decorated it after dinner.

Abby getting ready to decorate


"Helping" trim the tree

Happy Thanksgiving

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving ( Abby's first) at Jaimi's house in Ewa Beach. It was a great day with amazing friends and great food. The little had fun running around and kept us entertained. We have a lot to be thankful for this year!

Last year...37ish weeks


Kristen, Melanie and me this year(21 weeks)


Abby, Brooke and Kaela


Abby chillin


The girls lined up to go outside

Jack Johnson at the Hawaii Theater

Matt got us tickets to see Jack Johnson at the Hawaii Theater for my birthday. They showed his new documentary of his tour through Europe and then he played for about an hour and a half. It was such an intimate venue and an amazing show!!! Thanks Babe:)

Christmas Photo Shoot

The day after our adventure meeting Jon and staying up till 3 a.m. watching New Moon we ventured to KoOlina to get a picture of all 13 kids for a Christmas card. It was comical to say the least that we even thought we would get a decent picture. The kids all looked adorable although I am not sure the pictures captured much of that. It was a good effort and fun to try.

Getting the kids ready


All 13 kiddos from 4 months to almost 6



The moms and kids


Abby and Kaela


Some more Abby pics

Hanging out with Jon Gosselin & New Moon

Thursday night was quite an evening! Mel has been friends with Jon Gosselin for many years and when he was out visiting in Hawaii she organized a girls' night so we could meet Jon. It was quite surreal to talk to someone who I am used to seeing on TV and in the tabloids. To top the evening off I ended up tagging along with my fanatic friends to see New Moon. Getting home at 3 a.m. is not what I am used to these day for sure. It has taken a while to recover form my 3 hours of sleep.

Abby and Jack playing catch

Abby has recently learned how to throw the ball. This is a quick vido of her "throwing" the ball for Jack. Dad I know you will be proud:)

The Sturgeon Wedding at Haiku Gardens

We had a blast at Trish and Justin's wedding and the scenery couldn't have been more beautiful! I finally got to use my 7 passenger car and my DD status to drive the crew over to Kaneohe for the wedding festivities.


Matt and I at overlooking Haiku Gardens at Trish and Justin's wedding where we had our first date 5 1/2 years ago.


Down in the gardens after the ceremony and a belly shot.


18 weeks and growing!


Lis and I


Beautiful scenery!


All the girls:)

Halloween

Usually we are rushing around last minute trying to put things together for Halloween. This year we some how managed to get it together a few days beforehand. We got pumpkins, carved them and got all dressed up as a family to go over to the Buelow's. Abby got to trick-or-treat for the first time and we all got to party with our great friends. I really enjoyed celebrating Halloween with Abby this year. It definitely made it more exciting.

Monster hand munchies


The queen bee and her little ones


Some dress up pictures






Abby , Makaela & Gavin


The girls all dressed up:)



Jenn made and adorable and yummy "boo"day cake for me:) Thanks Jenn!