2009 Snowman

I am so far behind on my blogging posts. I need to get them done by the end of the year so they will be in the right year. Here are some cute pictures of the boys when Kyle and Uncle Uwe went into the back yard to build a snowman. Naturally, they built a Superman Snowman. I love how cute the boys look all bundled up. The boys love playing in the snow.

Christmas

This was the only picture we got for Christmas day. Sometimes I wonder about myself and how I am a self-proclaimed photographer. I often fail to take out the camera and take some shots. Oh well. . . This one I got late this evening as my sister had out her point and shoot. At least it was something.
We had a wonderful Christmas day waking up in my hometown of Ganado, AZ. We ate a delicious Christmas dinner and enjoyed being with my family. There were all of my mom's grandchildren there so the boys had plenty of cousins to play with. Most of all we enjoyed just being together on this wonderful day of the Savior's birth.

Santa Came Early

On Tuesday night, Kyle came home with a letter from Santa. He told the boys he heard we were leaving to AZ to visit grandma for Christmas. So, he decided he'd come a couple days early. So that night the boys took a bath, put on their Christmas pjs and set out cookies and milk for Santa.



Sure enough, the next morning Santa had eaten the cookies, drank all his milk, filled the stockings and left a present for each of the boys. They had so much fun opening presents from Santa and mom and dad.

I made sure to get a picture of all three boys together in front of the tree.

I got a quick picture with Sepa. Sadly, I didn't take one of Kyle. He was busy packing up for our trip. We got plenty of the boys though in their cute pjs.

In light of the true Christmas spirit, here are a couple pictures of the nativities we have displayed in the house.

We then were off for our 8 hour trip to AZ to visit Grandma Delphine and all my siblings and their spouses and children. Let family time begin : )

Gingerbread Houses

Tonight for Family Home Evening we had a lesson and then made gingerbread houses. Kekoa had been complaining that last year we didn't even get to eat the gingerbread house, so I decided we'd do the kit one along with a couple of graham cracker ones for the boys to pick each day. It was fun, but we had frosting that wasn't so happy. By the end everything was just sliding off the house and two out of three of them (including the kit house) fell apart. But the boys had fun and Sepa was in heaven with so much candy so easily accessible. This is a holiday tradition I loved doing growing up and hope to keep a part of our family regardless of a little junk frosting.

Before . . .

After . . .

"Adorable"

I haven't done a whole lot of shopping for the coming baby girl. Maybe when it gets closer or when she is actually here, I'll go on a little spree and have some fun. Today I did find some cute sleepers in pink and brown (one of my favorite combinations : )
When we got home it was just sitting in the living room when Kekoa discovered it. He pulled the set out of the packaging and said in the most sincere voice, " These are adorable!" It was so cute, I had to take a picture to blog about it. He and Ikaika are both so excited to have a baby sister. Sepa, doesn't know what's coming yet (though he will kiss my belly from time to time).

Another thing I have in my closet for baby girl is this gorgeous blessing outfit:


Even before I knew I was pregnant my mom and I found it at the Farmer's Market in Provo. We took the lady's card in hopes that one day I'd have use for it. When I found out I was expecting we placed our order. And after I knew it was a girl, I actually purchased it. My mom actually was the one to buy it because she wants all of her granddaughters blessed in it. It is so beautiful and I can't wait to see her in it.

Bundled Up

The boys have been so excited about all the snowfall. I spent a couple of days hunting for all the final things they needed to keep them warm when they played outside. When their outfits were complete, I let them bundle up to play outside. They had a blast. My favorite part was watching Sepa waddle around with all the extra padding. He squealed with delight as I let him go outside.
With us not even officially in the winter season, I am sure there are many more of these outings to come.

Something to Smile About

Tonight was Kyle's last class for his program. He has been in school for 90% of the time we have been married. Though there is still much work ahead to finish this final degree, at least I know he will not have another class to attend. Final papers to submit and the course work portion will be under his belt. I am one happy wife : ) Good job Sweetheart : )

PS. I have yet to go through the task of pulling pictures from our Hawaii trip. They are coming . . . sometime.

Hawaii

Back to the Grind

We are back from Hawaii and adjusting to life again. Kyle has a crazy few weeks ahead as he finishes his last semester of course work for his program. It will be great to finish this phase of his PhD.
I finally set up my studio in our new home. With the basement still unfinished, I had to use the spare bedroom again. A bit more space than before. Here is a pic of Sepa as I was testing to see if it was all working okay. I love his look first thing in the morning.
I am getting together pictures then will post about Hawaii soon. It was in many ways paradise : )

Happy Thanksgiving

We may not have access to internet tomorrow, so I'll just post a day early.
Kyle, the boys and I have been in Hawaii for the past 5 days. We came here to take part in celebrating Kyle's grandmother's 90th birthday. Since a ticket is a ticket, we decided to come a little early and have a little family vacation before all the extended family festivities. We have had such an enjoyable time already. We visited the beach, the Laie temple, the Polynesian Cultural Center, swap meet twice, the Honolulu zoo, Waiola Shaved Ice, and a lot of fun little things in between. Tomorrow we fly to the Big Island, where grandma lives. We'll celebrate Thanksgiving and then grandma's party Saturday. We are happy to be a part of it all.
Our family has so much to be grateful for. I'll post that next.
For now, Aloha : )

Learning to read

Today after pre-school, Kekoa came home and told me he wanted to learn to read. After years of repeating the ABC's, learning what sounds each letter makes (thanks to some help from Leap Frog DVD's), and countless book read out loud to him, he was ready to do it himself. I had to hunt through our little library of books to find something simple that woudn't frustrate him. Here's what we found. We sat down and I helped him as he sounded out the words. It was so cute to see him giggle, almost giddy-like as he realized what the word was after sounding it out. He did a great job. What a fun milestone for both of us : )

I'm Trying to be Like . . .

This past Sunday was our ward primary program. We've been anticipating it for a while with nightly song practices for our family devotionals right before bedtime. It was so sweet to see Kekoa up on the stand singing as he looked at us. He did a great job with his one-line-part. Kyle, who was conducting the meeting, reminded us all of the power of the simple things of the gospel. There was a strong spirit as the little ones sang and spoke about gospel principles. I loved it so much. And it didn't hurt that Kyle was able to sit by me during the program. Happy Sunday.
And here is a picture of Ikaika in his darling suit coat. How handsome is he?! He'll be heading to primary come January : )

The Power of the Styrofoam

I have a wonderful sister (Kasandra) who is an amazing mother. She is always doing fun, developmental things with her boys. I always feel less than I could be when I think of all the exposure her kids get to brain food. Well, here is one of those fun things I never thought of doing that she introduced us to.
I was outside this morning pulling the empty trash can back to it's spot, when I noticed the box that once held our dinning room table had blown into the yard. In cleaning it up I saw some Styrofoam boards. I remembered the activity Kasandra had told me about so I took it inside. I rounded up some toy hammers and nails and let the boys go to town banging and creating. They seriously spent a good hour or more entertained. It was fun to watch them and great to be able to finish cleaning my kitchen. Here are some cute pictures to remember the fun.

missed

I was looking through the pictures on my computer and found these from the pumpkin patch field trip we went on for the boys preschool. A late post is better than never posting I guess : )

The preschool of 11 kids and their parents were invited to go on the field trip. It was fun for me to tag along, though Sepa was such a slow poke (and too heavy to carry the entire time), so we were way in the back most of the time. The boys loved that they got to choose a pumpkin to take home with them. I love the Fall festivities!