Stubborn

Zack often calls for daddy as soon as he wakes up.   It is very cute and generally works in my favor if I want to sleep for a few extra minutes (until 5:50 or something crazy like that!). 

A few days ago on the way home he was saying Aun- ty (this is what the kids call their babysitter) over and over.   When we got home Zack showed off his new vocab in an exchange that went a little something like this:

Daddy:  Can you say daddy?
Zack: Da-dy!
Daddy: Can you day Aunty?
Zack: Aun-ty!

Daddy:  Can you say Abby?
Zack: A-bee!
Daddy:  Can you say mommy?
Zack: SHAKES HEAD, SMILES and SAYS "Uh-Uh".

Repeat scene all night long!

Thanks Dude.

Good thing his action speak louder than words and I know he loves me dearly otherwise I might be a little offended:).

Personality

The kids are both developing such unique and equally adorable personalities (depending on the moment of course!).  At this moment in time these are some of my favorite things about them both.

Lots to Celebrate

Dylan turned 1 on September 10th and Makaela turned 4 on the 11th.  We had back-to-back weekend parties to celebrate.  I didn't take many pictures at Dylan's birthday since it turns out I was busy getting ready to have the stomach flu along with the  rest of the family so I stole a few from Monica:).  Dylan had a candy themed party that the kids loved and over indulged in.  When both kids threw up we blamed the candy but it turns out they were just sick...I am sure the candy didn't help though. 

Dylan is the third of the 2010 babies to turn one...3 more to go (Mia, Joseph and Alex).

Princess Makaela's party was a hit; the kids decorated crowns, bounced all afternoon and had a blast running around with the dads.

 

Jenn did a great job with the castle cake!  Notice Matt eating his cake with the kiddos.  He never misses an opportunity for a piece of cake.  Abby is already planning for her 3rd birthday and got upset when it was Makaela's turn to blow out HER candles...Abby really wanted it to be her birthday. 

These dads are so amazing!   They ran the kids around and played every game imaginable: duck duck goose, tag, races etc.  It is amazing to see the kids that at one point seemed so far apaprt in age playing togehter.  Makaela, the oldest at 4 and Mia the youngest at 10 months with quite a few in between.

Happy birthday, kiddos!

Lucky We Live Hawai'i

It is likley that we won't be living in paradise forever but it is hard to imagine why we would ever leave at the same time!  We try and take full advantage of the beaches and the weather and remind ourselves often not to take it for granted.  Here are some recent adventures.

The kids loved being pushed on the the boogie boards and "surfing"

I am pretty sure he caught air!

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Last week the kids were home sick with Matt and they headed over to Disney to play in the pool and lounge around.

The turtles were out and feeling pretty friendly at e beach this weekend.  Poor guy was missing a fin though.

Hula 101

There are always a bunch of activities that the community association puts together and we don't take near enough advantage of them.  Mostly, because the kids are still young for a lot of them and by the time I remember that I wanted to go to yoga at 9 it is already noon.  They just added a keiki hula class that sounded fun but it was for 3-13 year olds.  We figured we would give it a try and see how it went but figured it would be fun to at least try.

It turned out that Abby was actually the oldest kid there!  One other girl who was Zack's age showed up and the teacher just made the most of it.  Abby lasted about 20 minutes and Zack even joined in for a moment.

In the end, Abby and Zack ran off to play and Matt chased around after them while the teacher insisted that I should have a private lesson.  So, I learned how to hula to Blue Hawai'i.  Sadly, I was sore the next day...so pathetic.

I love Zack in the back dancing:)

Zacky Boy

I never imagined that I would call Zack, Zacky, but we do.  Abby started it (likely from daycare) and we just adopted it.  I feel like I have written so much about Abby.  She talks more and her shennigans are a bit more overt and easier to write about these days.   So for now a focus on my Zacky Boy.

Zack is starting to say so much more and express his wishes (and demands).  I love to ask him questions and see how much he understands.  He doesn't always have the words to respond but if you ask him a yes or no he will nod and say, "yea" or shake and say, "uh-uh".  Seriously, we could do it all day.  It is so cute.

crazy sunblocked hair and devilish smile!

Zack loves his sister and is always aware of where "Abba" is.  He loves to wake her up and climb all over her and she loves it too.  I prefer she stay asleep as long as possible, however.

 

He is such a nature boy  and "go, go, go" is still a favorite.  He is so happy outside and loves to go on walks, play on the slides and ANYTHING that is outside or on the move.  I rolled the windows down for the kids the other day and they were giddy with excitement to have the wind in their faces!

 Our little fish is growing increasingly fond of the water and can just swim around with his floatie for as long as we will let him.  Today we played in the ocean and he was loving being tossed around in the waves and going in and out with the tide.

 Daddy, daddy, daddy!!!  He loves his daddy!  And really, who wouldn't!

 My baby, is getting so big!  He is 17 months, now and getting bigger by the minute!

 A big fan of utensils but not quite so skilled yet!  This session got a little out of hand.  Note to self (and daddy)... he isn't quite ready for a whole yogurt on his own.  Good effort though...

I wish I could just stop time and remember each cuddle and nuzzle in my neck as I put him down for a nap or get him up from a slumber.  I wish I could capture every second he snuggles up in our laps to read books and embraces his sister with delighted squeals.  He is my baby but continues to grow into a big boy.

Sunsets and Sleepovers

Last weekend we headed to the beach for an impromptu picnic with the Buelow crew and enjoyed the evening while the kids played (and Dylan slept).

Cheesin for the camera while eating some PB &J

the moms

they were in their won little world

Gavin, Dylan, Zack & Abby

Tonight, Mark and Steph got out for date night and we had our own party over here with the munchkins. 

The wee ones had to establish dominance first off.  Dylan gave Zack a run for his money, especially for being 4 months younger.  He's a tough little guy!

Dora break

Dinner time!  The little ones totally out ate the big ones ( that included Matt and I).

Little D.  Always happy ( except for bedtime).

Feeding the swans

A very sweet father-son moment

The Buelow boys

Who knew we had a 4-passenger wagon?

Rub-a dub-dub, 4 babies in a tub!

It is actually pretty fun to have all the kids together and it is so nice we can swap kids and go on date nights every once in a while...they are so necessary! 

Grandpa's Here

We picked Grandpa up on Friday, which was Admissions Day, so we didn't have school and we could enjoy a nice long weekend together.  We started with lunch at Nick's for some fresh fish and hit up the zoo.

Abby got to help make lunches:)

 

 And check out some baseball stats.

 Sporting the hats

 Cruising the beach path

 Thanks for cleaning up boys...Mommy really appreciates it!

 

Hard to believe that this was only 2 weeks ago and that it has taken me that long to post them.  it was a great visit with Grandma and Grandpa.  We are looking forward to December.  Abby reminded me today that they are back in San Diego now, not here.

Getting out with the girls

 I definitely missed my girls over summer and was in need of some bonding time.  Another  dear friend is leaving the island (it is getting contagious) so it was a great reason to get together.  Monica organized a hike and farewell dinner for Michelle and I was just going to do dinner but Matt encouraged me to go hiking too (awesome, right!).  I forgot how much I love to hike and really enjoyed the new terrain.  Thanks to Michelle's recommendation we all loved the Nuuanu Judd Hike.  After a great day I felt a sense of balance return to my life, which may also be part of submitting my final draft of my dissertation ...but either way I feel like I got my groove back.  Thanks girls:)

some of the awesome scenery

Mon & me

Climbing the Banyan Tree

Mama-to-be T crossing the river ( Due on Zack's birthday...we are so excited!)

 

 

I got home right after naps and got to hang with the family and the night time routine and then we headed out for dinner at Longboards (I have been there a lot this week!)

Aloha Michelle.

We caught the sunset just as we sat down for drinks:)  My favorite time of day that my kids' bedtime coincides with.