Father's Day Weekend- Camping Adventure

Over father's day weekend we camped out at Barber's point to celebrate out very men and the wonderful fathers they are.  We were a little nervous about how we would all be able to  sleep in a tent but luckily it was great!  We even stayed a second night instead of just one like we planned.  

The first night we set up camp and the kids got right to getting dirty.  They explored the camp site and made s'mores and went to bed fairly easily and we all slept through the night...woo hoo!

The next morning we had a great breakfast cooked bythe wonderful dads.  Poor guys didn't get spoiled like the girls did on our day but they have a golfing day planned:).

 The rest of teh day we set up camp on the beach and the kids played all day long.  It was perfect!  Matt even got Abby out on the surfboard but we don't have pictures because they are stuck on Steph's camera:(

 

 

We pretty much did the same thing day two and spent the next day at the beach again.  It was a great weekend to celebrate the wonderful fathers.

Matt, we love you and appreciate all you do for us!!!

* As a side note, this is the same place we camped when I first moved to Hawaii and where Matt asked me out for the first time almost 9 years ago. 

Girlfriends

I have had some chances to relax and play with my girlfriends this summer and loved every minute! We are so thankful for one another and I appreciate the support and love of awesome women. I am grateful for a network near and far of great moms who do it all and do it differently, who never judge but always learn from one another!!!

Most of the girls that are left in Hawaii celebrating Brooke's 4th birthday

Steph and I got to go paddle boarding on morning:)

Monica, Steph, Me and Tanya at the Hilton Hawaiian for our spa day

Playing tourist at the Sheraton

We have a SWIMMER!

It seems like over night Abby has gone from cruising around the pool happily in her floaty to over night swimming on her own.  We enrolled her in swim lesson through preschool and she gets  a half hour lesson weekly.  After her first lesson ( 3 weeks ago) we were in the pool and she asked me to go under with her and then take off the float and then by the end of our 1 pool trip she was swim about 10 ft!  I was floored.  Of course Zack wanted to do exactly as Abby so our pool days just became a bit busier with 2 kids wanting to swim without floatation.  Exciting but SO scary!

Two weeks ago we were able to take Abby to swim lessons because the school had a holiday.  It was fun to see her follow directions of the instructor and learn proper techniques.  Below are a few videos of our little fish.

According to Abby: 3 1/2

It is so hard to capture the personality of 3 1/2 year old but I'll try!  Our Abby is growign up so much and every day we have new conversations with her that amamze us.  Matt and I are constantly reflecting on teh conversations we have with Abby and so amamzed and prous of our girl.  We started making alist of things she sdaid so we didn't forget some favorites. 

Matt: How do you know that is 15?

Abby: 1 & 5 makes 15.  It's not that hard for me.

On the way to preschool one morning Abby and I were talking and she said something random (can' t remember what it was) and I said what are you talking about?

She replied, " I am just making conversation, mom."

Out of the blue...

"Sooo, I ate an ant and it was spicy."

I still laugh when i thin about it:)

I took this picture of her hands because 1) we are so proud that she stopped biting her nails and 2) she has nails just like my mom and I and it is just amazing to see certain traits and physical manifestations in you children.  And then I cut them:)

 

This is Abby's 1st school picture.   She is loving preschool and we love hearing about all that she learns and more importantly that she enjoys school and her friends.

We love our little girl!  Here are some of my favorite pics of Abby.

He re hair is finally growing out for some good pigtails...at least for a few minutes until they get CRAZY!

I love the concentration as she is coloring

She made this A and was very proud of it.

In her football flags and playing with Gavin's work bench.  She is a versatile little girl.

And... she still LOVES treats!!!

Zacky Boy- 2 1/4

We have had another language explosion.  Some of my favorites are:

"howboutme" every time we ask Abby something or he has something to share.  SO cute!

"Ohhhh nooooo.  Somebody got an owie" when he hears sirens from an ambulance or fire truck

He loves to point out colors and  BIIIIG trucks (even if they aren;t that big), and airplanes.

Good morning!

His inflection, tone and eyes are absolutely to die for and so uniquely Zack.  Matt said the other day that he talks with his eyes and it is so true.  He has very expressive eyes when he is sad, grumpy, empathetic, and excited.  I hope his expressions  stay imprinted in my mind forever if he ever stops doing it!

He has been repeating phrases and words so much lately and is communicating a lot.  He finally is doing really good with saying sorry!  We broke him, but man, he is tough.  He is getting less stubborn in his "old" age but I think it must have to do with his ability to communicate more too.  

Searching for the money he sent down the well. 

Looks like he has good form during Coach Buelows wrestling workout session

In his ripe age of TWO he is also testing the limits a bit more but still such a sweet loving little boy.  He likes to bring me flowers and is so good at sharing.  He adores Abby and wants to do everything she does so recently he decided (on his own) that he was ready to poo-poo in the potty.  I still prefer the diaper since it is way easier but I am also very proud of him!  I'll spare you the actual poop picture:)

So PROUD!!!  My favorite part of potty training Z is the adorable undies!!!

Preschool Luau

Abby's unit of study in preschool this month was "Hawaiian Studies"  and to end the unit and celebrate all the kids learned they had a luau and invited all the families.  It was a really fun day and Zack was able to come with us but Matt had to work:(.  It was fun to spend the day in Abby's school and see all the families.  A bit chaotic at times but a really special day nonetheless.

I really like Abby's teachers and Abby's favorite is Miss Lei.  Unfortunately, the luau was her last day.  We attempted to get a picture of her and some kids:)

Zack liked being able to play with the blocks and read books with the big kids.

Abby was very prous of her lei that we made together and her shirt.  The kids all made matching shirts for the day. 

The spider web is the newestt addition and both kids did really well climbing on it.  Very fitting for the little monkeys.

The kids sang an adorable song.  I was really fun to watch Abby sing and do the hand movements.  She did them better on the second round:).

Zack enjoying the juice:)

Abby had so much fun that she crashed on our walk home (of course clinging to her goody bag)!

Memorial Day 2012

We are very thankful for our freedom and are forever thankful for the sacrifices of the many families who endure so much for our benefit from.   

We celebrated Memorial Day with our wonderful friends, the Buelows and Weidas enjoying the outdoors.  Our little ones have become quite the hikers and it is such a great family activity!  They love to explore and so do we. 

 

We decided on an inpromptu BBQ at teh Buelows that was better than anythign I would have been able to plan.  The kids played on teh slip n slide, and every other toy Gavin and Dylan own and since we hadn't planned on being there Abby and Zack had to borrow suits.  Good thing Abby can rock the board shorts and rash guard! 

After  a delicious BBQ, we had smores galore!  The kids loved them and thanks to the uncles they kept coming.  Let's just say it wasn't pretty when we cut the kiss off and headed home.

Enjoying Waikiki

Last Saturday we enjoyed a very full and fun day in Waikiki!  It had been a while since our last zoo visit and it certainly didn't disappoint. 

The Buelow crew joined us for some animal watching.  The "little boys" are so good when they are both in the double stroller and the "big kids" enjoy walking the whole time. 

After the zoo we tested fate and ventured over to Waikiki beach, which is across the street from the zoo.  It was a nice way to unwind after the zoo and enjoy a new beach that we haven't been to in a while.

Steph and I had Groupons at LuLu's and since were all hungry and thirsty it seemed like a great dinner option.  The kids were great for being out ALL day and we had a yummy and relatively peaceful dinner to end the day.  We all slept well that night after a VERY fun and full day!  

everyone has crazy beach hair!

School's out for summer!!!

My last day was last Thursday and although Matt has to work all summer, he had Friday off because of furloughs (or whatever name they give them now).  The kids had daycare and preschool and we took advantage to kick off the summer!  We headed out to Koko Head early to hike 1,048 steps that is basically railroad ties all the way up the side of the mountain.  It was a great hike  that seriously kicked my booty but in the end the beautiful scenery and the realization that I made it was worth it.

 

After the hike we headed to my favorite Greek restaurant in Hawaii Kai for gyros and then an afternoon refreshment at Kona Brewing Company.   We even had enough time to see a movie!  It was a great way to kick off summer.