LOVE

Big Waves on the West Side

When the Eddie was supposed to go at Waimea Bay, the waves on the West side got pretty big too.  We opted for the shorter drive and to stay local to check out the waves at Makaha.

We found a secluded little beach and hung out for a bit.  It is always so amazing to see such monstrous waves.  The pictures do not do it justice.  I think I'll stick to taking pictures of people:).

Abby was more interested in checking out the rocks and playing in the shore break.

Abby and Zack playing

Livin' the Life of Luxury (or at least hanging out with people who do)

Our friend Lisa who moved off island came back to visit and is renting this amazing house right by Pipeline.  We went to go visit her, meet Kai, her adorable 7 month old and soak up some sun!

Monica, Jenn and I met and caravanned up since we can't carpool anymore with 2 car seats per car!

We were very busy all day with 3 moms and 6 kids but we had lots of fun and even got to sit down and enjoy the sun for a bit.  The kids had a blast even with their unwillingness to take naps on the hour plus drive up:(.

Zack hung out in the pack n play which was perfect

Playing and likely up to no good:)

Abby convinced lots of people to take her down and fill up her water buckets.  She went solo on this trip following Jenn and Makaela and got seriously tossed in a wave that came out of nowhere.   Auntie Monica was near to pull her up and I grabbed her out.  When she caught her breath I told her how much fun it looked like she was having and she smiled and said, "Abby fell in the water!".  Luckily, she wasn't too bothered it.

Not sure what they are up to...

These girls have no idea how lucky they are!

Eating lunch together

Lounging, eating strawberries listening to the waves crash on the shore.

Zack and Kai

The moms and the kids catching the sunset before heading home

So fun to see Lisa and meet Baby Kai

Interviewing Abby

I Love Sunsets

We don't get to see the sunsets quite as much anymore but I always appreciate them when we do. This week we caught two sunsets and both were absolutely spectacular!

Tuesday we went to Ko'Olina to walk and picnic and caught the sunset.

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Tonight we went out for date night early (usually it is Friday). Our possible buyers came for the inspection so we had to be out of the house.

After dinner we walked out to the beach to swing and enjoy the sunset.

Our Munchkins

I was looking through my pictures and thinking what quirky little kiddos..luckily, I don't have someone following me around taking pictures off all of my silly things I do:).

Abby can't do just one puzzle, she had to lay them all out and put pieces in as she finds them..already a multitasker!

Jack, the prince, asleep on the bobby pillow.

Everywhere Zack goes he carries two items around, usually utensils from Abby's kitchen

Moms Gone Wild!

To celebrate Jenn's birthday and give her a break from everything that she does we got a babysitter and took her shopping.  The kids were all taken care of by dads or babysitters and so the 4 moms had a day out alone.  It was a fun day and we even split a pitcher of beer...so wild!  I love these ladies and am very thankful for such amazing friends:).

We figured out that it was most likely the first time that the four of us have been able to have a drink together in 2 years.  At one time or another at least one of us has been pregnant.  The last time was Jenn's 30th birthday and Abby accompanied up for the day as a sweet 6 week old.

Abby's up to Something

As Abby gets older and more independent, she has begun roaming the house and every once in a while when it is oddly quiet we know she is up to something.  Earlier this week Matt called to her and she didn't respond so he looked around and realized she was upstairs.  He snuck up to check on her and found this...

 She had gone upstairs to "play" with the new shampoo that I got and after she had already taken a bath decided to drench  herself in shampoo.  She took two baths that night.

We Need a Bigger Table

Sunday night we watched Gavin and Dylan while Mark and Steph were able to go out for their belated anniversary date.  The kids were unbelievably good and there were many times throughout the night that I was thinking this is way too easy (and fun!) to have 4 kids in the house.

The only problem was that we had to eat dinner in 2 shifts.  Matt was in the other room and I yelled to him, "We could do this"- SILENCE.  I assumed he didn't hear me, so again I said, "Babe, We COULD do this.  We just need a bigger table".  His counter was, "We can't afford the table!"  Ha!

Back to reality: The 3 kids ate and I fed Dylan and then they went and played and Matt and I had a quiet dinner...odd BUT nice.  W did baths and got ready for bed and before we knew it it was bed time.

 The kids loved playing soccer and Zack even got a few kicks in.

Zack looks so big next to Dylan.

The 4 monkeys ready for bed:)

Who Wore it Best?

*  I edited the title after Matt saw this and came up with a better one...it does look like one of those tabloids:)

One of the greatest part about sharing clothes is you can see the younger babies in outfits that your own little ones once donned.  Claudia always passed on the girls' clothes once they grew out of them and I keep them going as the girls keep coming.  Today, Mia was wearing this outfit and I instantly was brought back to Abby at this age- about 2 months wearing the same outfit.  I knew that Claudia had to have a picture of Kailee in it ( luckily, it was on her blog so I just borrowed it:).

Fabulous Friends

We had a busy weekend and got to catch up with lots of friends that we haven't seen since we left for Christmas break.  Friday night we went over to the Hoffmans and Matt helped Jenn fix up some things around the house since her Matt is in Iraq.  We are amazed at how strong that family is- and all the other military families that endure so much!!!  The girls got to play and enjoyed each others company.  Zack, unfortunately, didn't make the best first impression when he bonked Baby Mia on the forehead within minutes of our visit:(. 

Saturday afternoon we had some time to hang around the house and relax.

Abby and Zack playing...shouldn't the roles be reversed?

Reading a story that my parents sent with their recorded voices.  Abby loved hearing her grandparents read a story!

 Matt was showing the house today so I took off with the kids to meet up with some of the girls.  Jenn, Lisa and I packed up 3 strollers, 5 kids and walked a couple miles to the Weidas pool to enjoy some sun and play in the pool.  We all agreed it was some much needed exercise and sun that we have been lacking since the busy holiday season and poor weather.  

The girls playing in Makaelas kitchen before the walk

The babies: Zack-9 months, Makenzie-5 months, Mia-2 months and Joseph-1 month

The big girls: Brooke (21/2), Abby (2) and Makaela (3)

Baby Envy

For the most part Abby handles being a big sister really well with the exception of a few minor infractions here and there and reminders to be "GENTLE".  She watches out for her little bro and calls him Zacky Boy.  I am guessing she picked this up at daycare but regardless it is super cute.

Anyway, lately there have been a few instances of "baby envy".  Since almost every month one of her aunties has a baby and Zack is the baby in our house, she picks up on how adorable babies are and the special attention they require.  Luckily, she us not really acting out just making sure she gets equal or more positive praise:). She requests "baby Abby" and likes to be rocked every so often.  It is nice for a moment to have her snuggle and be clam:).  We have noticed that when we cheer on Zack, Abby will mimic the same behavior (standing up, eating, talking) etc. We tried to explain that they do different things and Abby can already do all the things Zack can but attention speaks louder than words sometimes (don't get me wrong... She us not lacking in the attention department!).  For instance, at breakfast this morning, Zack was babbling away and said, "dadadada".  We all cheered and then Abby said I can do it too, "dadadada".  So, we cheered for Abby too.  It works pretty well when Zack is a good eater because Abby then wants to be a good eater too.

Today,Zack was looking cute peeping out the window so I took a picture and Abby walked up and said, "take my picture too". Apparently, she is quite observant since she struck the exact same pose! It loooks like he is picking up some of his sisters' curls in the back..uh oh!

Jumping on the Bandwagon

So, I have been wanting to do something with the pictures of Abby in her tutus from Auntie Claudia for a VERY long time but I just didn't know exactly what.  When I was checking out the picnik website that is the big craze these days I finally saw how easy it was to make a collage.

It is crazy to me that she was such a  little peanut once upon a time!

9 months old

Zack is crawling all over these days and getting into everything. He manages to find every wire and his is a magnet to any spot that he shouldn't be in. He is pulling up on everything an he cruises around a little but mainly bounces up and down. He is all smiles and flirts with everyone! I turned around to see so may strange women (and a few men) making faces and "talking" to him and he was cheesin' it up.

He had so much fun playing with all his grandparents and loved Casey and Rob. I love his little hugs and when he reaches for us. It just melts my heart. Both Abby and Zack squeal with delight when they see each other, which is adorable. He is getting a bit more clingy to me lately. He is fine when I am out of the room but he doesn't like it too much if I leave or if he can see me (but not be with me). It makes me feel very loved but I hope he grows out of it soon.

In Pennsylvania I swore he said dada and Marianne heard it again but nothing since then. He does his fair share of grunting and babbling and has the cutest little giggle when you tickle him.



I think that Zack maybe in the running for most difficult baby to bathe and dress. For a while it has been a wrestling match trying to change him or put clothes on him but just since we got home from our trip he is almost IMPOSSIBLE to bathe. He tries to swim and squirms every which way until he can get on his stomach and thrust himself around the bath. The other day he banged into the side of the tub and had a big red mark on his forehead but it didn't bother him a bit. I tried to get a video but I was too nervous with them in the bath to let it go for too long with out having two hands.

We just had Zack 9 month check up today. I had been a little worried about his recent decline in bottles, but the doctor said he is fine and that he is probably just weaning himself. Luckily, he is growing just fine and weighs 18 pounds 7 ounces and is 28 1/4 inches long. He is gaining on his sister quickly. Although he still has some room to catch up on height he is very close in weight. Check out his thighs...I am pretty sure they are thicker than hers, which I am sure neither will have a problem with if it always stays that way.