52 Weeks of Awesome - Week 3

This week while Grandma Sue was here, we took a trip to the north shore to see the big surf.
The surf was big and rough enough that this is as close as we could get...
The strand line was at the very top of the beach... I've never seen it that high, but I usually avoid the north shore and the tourists during the winter big surf season.


We decided to take advantage of the wind and empty park to fly kites.






Oops, mind the kite eating tree...


The boys waited patiently while the kites and beach stuff was packed up. They parked themselves on the chain. I thought to myself," They look so cute sitting on the chain. You should take a picture quickly before one of them..."

Too late...



At the park there are trees to climb, too.





Time to get down...


It's time for lunch!


What a busy week!


The car situation has almost been completely resolved, and Daddy is showing no ill effects from his crack up.

I am doing well on my fitness process, I gained a few inches(?) but lost 5 pounds over the last 2 weeks. This week I start on the Curves weight management diet.


Over all, I am looking forward to a semi-quiet week, next week there are charter rides almost everyday!... Yikes!

52 Weeks of Awesome - Week 2

This was only the second week of the year and boy, it seemed like the longest week ever!!!

This week had some awesome parts... some parts not so awesome.

Monday, Daddy took me out ocean kayaking for the very first time. I am not so comfortable in the open water with any size surf so I had to really talk myself into this one...

These pictures are not the best quality because they were taken with my cell phone...

Here I am on flat rock, behind me is the beach where were launched from, and about 50m from that beach is where we capsized the first time and the camera went to the bottom of Kailua Bay...

We did make it back to shore without flipping again, but later when Daddy went out by himself he ended up having to be towed in by the lifeguard, the wind and water was too rough for novices...

Luckily someone (with excellent taste!) had given me a gift card to Sears and I was able to replace the camera the very next day. Also luckily, there weren't very many pictures that I hadn't already downloaded...

Daddy also on Friday got rear-ended on his way to work... Daddy is fine but our red car (seen above) is a total loss... At this point in time we are still awaiting word from the insurance company to choose our next course of action..

Might as well go to Menchie's while we wait...

The boys like to go there and draw on the big chalkboard after eating their frozen yogurt.

Joey often has to wait for inspiration to hit...

It is easy to step aside and let Jimmy draw...

If you know that as soon as he walks away you are going to erase it...

and draw your own picture... the stinker!

One of the best things to happen this week is the arrival of Grandma Sue!

I am still doing well at Curves, but the bananas are starting to get bossy!

I'm trying!

This week will have its own adventure as we dive back into the car market. See you on week 3!

Bang goes the New Year

52 Weeks of Awesome - Week 1

We decided to take a hike and climbed up to the Makapu'u Lighthouse for some potential whale spotting.

First we had to wait an the trail head and play kazoos until Daddy caught up from parking the car...

The first part of the trail takes you around the over look where you can see the head of the lizard that makes up Hanauma Bay as well as Pele's Chair.

I was expecting to come out of the trail at the base of the light house, but you actually come out above, looking down at it...

Jimmy didn't want to have his pictures taken today...

It was a great hike for all those involved. We saw some splashing evidence of whales at play, but no actual whales, however, from the lookout above the lighthouse we were able to look down upon a pod of Spinner dolphins cruising around!

Joey fell asleep on Daddy's head on the way back down!

You may also know that I started working and working out at Curves again. I am determined to reach my goal this year and would love to surprise Jeff when he returns from his long deployment with a smaller wife (me)!

So the Hula Girl has returned... this ticker started last year, so in 2009 I lost and kept off almost 20 pounds with no real conscious effort. I haven't lost weight in the first month at curves, but I lost 8 1/2 inches! I Think my muscles were just raring to to this year! Yea Me!

Christmas 2009

Christmas has come and gone. So quickly this year!

Let's look back and enjoy the happenings!


It was a great Christmas this year. The boys are just getting old enough to really share in the festive spirit and excitement of the season.

We had an extra good one this year... Daddy was home!


The tree was decorated by all hands.


The cookies were made.



We settled down for a very silent night.



Joey was the first up on Christmas morning.


Presents are always fun, but....


It's hard to compete with the self-powered Thomas Santa set up under the tree!


The dinosaurs were set loose and attacked everyone's toes...


Cabins were built...


and toys tinkered with.



We had a wonderful Christmas, and thank you to all our loved ones who once again showered up in their generosity and good taste! (you know who you are!)

Looking forward to 2010 ->
Jimmy will start Kindergarten!
Jimmy will turn 5, Joey will turn 3!
Joey will finish potty training (he's almost there! Yea!)
Visitors are coming!
Jeff will be gone for the majority of the year.
I will continue working at the Railroad and Curves.
I foresee many trains... and at least one venture off island...

2010 will be 52 weeks of Awesome!

Best wishes to all of you, have a safe and happy new year!

Time to do the Christmas thing

The day after Thanksgiving, I pulled out the boxes. Those magical boxes full of all things shiny and Christmas-ey. Joey was on it before I got the lid off all the way... this kid LOVES Christmas!
From that moment on for the next week, everytime I got even close to the door he would pipe up, "Christmas tree? Mama go get Christmas tree?" He was relentless!
And seriously, with cute like this, I'm surprised I lasted as long as I did with out a tree...
I mean, seriously, look at this face!


We did get a tree at Target this year and Joey was in heaven wandering around the tree display.
Ours came home and was set up, but we had to wait for Daddy to come home and put the lights on it before the decorating could start.


While we waited, we decorated the banister.


Put our elf Owen on the shelf.


Set up the creche... wait there's something wrong here.....










That's better!



We played hooky from school and headed to see the big man.
Jimmy was excited to see Santa this year. Joey took one look and ran up for a big hug shouting , "Hi Grandpa!"


THen we went for a ride on the train set up in the other side of the mall.


Mama! Mama! Look! It's the OR&L!!!


They waited very patiently so they could ride together.


Great fun was had by all!

Elfant

Meet the newest stuffies in the house.
These are the resident pair from the thundering herd that just passed through...
One for each boy...



Joey loves his "Elfant" I think it will be for Joey what Pneumonia is for Jimmy. I am very happy that Joey's favorite lovie is something I made for them. Elfant has already gone with Joey on many adventures and Joey makes sure to give him a hug and kiss before the cuddle in for the night...


Jimmy likes his, too, and has named it "Cookie".