Merry Christmas

Christmas was filled with lots of family and food. Here are some pics from the day :) 

 This year we did church outfits instead of new pj's (Thank you Grandma for the boys', I had fun making Ka'imi's : )  Don't they all look darling? You can tell they all had just woken up with their sleepy eyes.  9am church - gatta love it.

 We let the kids get into their stockings before heading to church.  Kekoa was ecstatic to have 5 avocados in his stocking.

One of Ikaika's favorite presents was a collection of things to make his own snow globe.  So cute :) 

Here is Ka'imi rocking her new baby.  Santa brought her a newborn Asian doll.  Just in time for the new baby to come :) Now she'll have one to follow along with as I take care of a newborn :)

And one of the fun Christmas presents was a gift from my brother, Uwe.  In just a couple days he knocked out putting up the back splash tile in our kitchen.  It has really made it look so much nicer and complete.  He has some great talent.

We had a wonderful Christmas season, though it really flew by so fast.  I feel good about having focused on what Christmas is really about as we did family scriptures each night.  The kids were not overloaded with presents (only one from us and one from Santa) and we had lots of fun throughout the month with different activities.  I told the boys the day before that they were the greatest presents I could ever receive and truly felt (feel) that way.  We have lots to be grateful for with our little growing family.

Christmas Cheer

Though we did quite a few things throughout the month to celebrate the Christmas season, I wasn't the best at taking pictures or blogging about them. Here are a couple pictures I did manage to take.

Making Apple Santa's.  I remember doing this once when I was a little girl and thought it was the coolest thing.  The boys had fun making them with their cousins - especially putting marshmallows on their own noses.

 And of course Kyle did his favorite project - the Christmas Village : )

This was his new addition this year - a hill with skiers and a lift.  The kids love the animated parts of the village :) 

It's been a wonderful holiday season that has really flown by.  We love Christmastime!

Wishing You a Wonderful Holiday Season!

 

Here is our holiday letter:

December 2011

Dear Friends & Family,

For family history’s sake I am forcing myself to sit down and write this letter.  I didn’t include a letter with our cards last year and regretted it.  How could I have skipped the year our baby girl joined our family? So, I am resolving to do better.

It has been a wonderful year – here is a bit about each of us:

Kyle ~ has had a super busy year keeping up his schedule of the last few years with full-time work, full-time school and still being in the bishopric.  He is so close to getting his final degree finished we can all taste it.  He has devoted countless hours to completing his dissertation and has plans to defend the first of the year.  We are so proud of his hard work.  There will be a HUGE celebration come April when he officially graduates so consider this your save-the-date announcement as well : )  He continues his work with President Holland at UVU and being a counselor in the bishopric of our Native American Ward.

Michele ~ continues with the same schedule as mommy.  I can’t think of much that has really changed - a little photography here and there (though I am now an exclusive newborn photographer as it is the only subject I truly love to work with), my endless sewing and crafting projects (mainly for Ka’imi), and trying to keep up with what 4 little ones dish out.  I try to remember that this phase of life will not last forever, so I need to enjoy it and not stress about the endless messes, whining and other tedious things that come with a young family.  I adore my husband and children and couldn’t be happier with my lot in life : ) 

Kekoa ~ started 1^st grade. He is a great reader and student.  Though you’d think that homework was going to kill him sometimes, he always gets what he needs done and enjoys school.  He is my great little helper - sometimes I wonder what I’d do without him.  He has fallen in love with the sport of soccer.  He calls his soccer ball his baby and can always be found with one near his feet, even inside the house.  I am finally going to begin the world of extra-curricular activities and sign him up for soccer in the spring.  Mommy-chauffer here I come.

Ikaika ~ is enjoying his last year before starting kindergarten.  He wasn’t quite ready for pre-school and being away from home, so he decided to just be with me to get ready for kindergarten.  I realized that this was his last chance at the luxury of making a choice that didn’t have too much consequence and decided that it was in his best interest to take it a little slower.  He has been doing well and is learning to read. He is a sweetheart through and through and one of Ka’imi’s greatest admirers.

Iosepa ~ is growing like a weed.  He enjoys the company of his brothers and sister and is really getting a dose of the reality that he is no longer the baby of the family (he can’t get away with as much and now has to surrender to the wants and needs of his baby sister).  He loves to contribute to our conversations and be heard (“Guys, I’m talking!”) and play with whatever his older brothers are playing with.  I love to see his child-like delight in the simplest things - try giving him a gumball and see how he lights up : )

Ka’imi ~ reigns as the princess of the family.  She is very mild tempered and loves to watch (and at times mimic) her older brothers. Though still in her jibber-jabber phase, she has become quite the singer, singing on car rides, throughout the day and at bedtime.  She never fails to perk up anytime she hears music and either starts to lead, dance or sing along.  She is definitely a girly girl who loves clothes, putting on shoes and headbands, and playing with dolls.  She is beyond adored by everyone in the family and we are still so, so thrilled to have her.

And soon to join our family, the beginning of February, will be . . . another little boy!  Baby #5, whew.  We are so happy that our family is growing and can’t wait to meet him. 

We are so grateful for this time of year to remember what a wonderful year 2011 has been and know all that we are blessed with.  We hope that this letter finds all of your families well and happy.  Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year and may the Lord’s blessings be upon each of you.

All Our Love,

The Reyes Family

PS. Sorry for the late arrival of our card this year – I have no excuse, but good old procrastination.  So Happy New Year too!

Elder and Sister Holland

Tonight Kyle and I went to an event where Elder and Sister Holland were also attending.  When it was all over we had got to say hi to them.  This the second I time I had a chance to meet them :) We had a quick chat about the coming baby (what I talk to most people about these days), Kyle's dissertation and work with Elder Holland's son, Matt.  Then we got to get a picture :) I am not sure what happened to my belly in this picture - I guess between the angle and the loose shirt, it kinda got lost - but believe me it is there.  It is always a pleasure to meet an apostle - and Elder Holland is one of my favorites (if we are allowed to have them :) 

Christmas Season

Kyle and I are one of "those" people who start listening to Christmas music the day after Halloween.  We love the season and it always flies by far to quickly.  Because we knew we were going out of town for Thanksgiving (and because of Kyle's busy schedule), we set up our tree, decorations and village the Sunday before Thanksgiving.  This year Ikaika got to put the star on top of the tree.  He was thrilled at the opportunity.   Kyle had a blast setting up his village - we both love seeing the boys and Ka'imi's faces light up at the magic of it all.  One of our Christmas traditions is to do a little Christmas activity everyday in December.  We tuck it in our advent calendar and the boys have fun pulling it out to see what we are going to do that day.  Here are some of the activities we are going to be doing : )

Decide on Our Gift to the Savior • Make Snowflakes • Make Gingerbread Houses • Write Letters to Santa •  Reindeer Handprint and Footprint Craft • Dance to Christmas Music • Make Treats for neighbors • Learn a New Christmas Song • Have a Hot Chocolate Picnic • Read a Christmas Book Together • Create Prep&Landing Elves • Sing Christmas Songs • Make and Decorate Sugar Cookies • Go See Christmas Lights • Do Nativity Activity (color story) • Read and Discuss Christmas in America (Star Craft) • Visit the Sweet Tooth Fairy for Cupcakes • Make Santa Apples • String Popcorn and Cranberries • Do Nativity Play with Kids • Make Cookies for Santa • Hang Stockings • Read Luke 2 (watch video of Luke2)

We love the Christmas Season :) 

Happy Thanksgiving

This year, we spent Thanksgiving down with my family in Arizona.  It was a long 8 hour drive with Ka'imi sick and throwing up, but we made it.  We loved the time we had to spend there with all my family.  Unplanned, but happily, all 6 of my siblings were there at my mom's house.  There was a lot of food, kids and fun packed into a small space - it was great.  The boys had a blast playing outside with their cousins. 
We have a lot to be grateful for as a family: health, our needs met, love within our family, and a new baby brother in a few months.  We know our blessings come from a loving Heavenly Father and we hope to always recognize and give thanks for those blessings :)

Leaves

Fall was way to short this year.  On this day we went out to enjoy good weather knowing that a cold front was coming it.  The boys rode their scooters, played in the leaves and took turns riding with Uncle Uwe on his quad he had brought to the house. I love taking pictures with kids and fall leaves, they seem to just go together like peanut butter and jelly :)

Happy Halloween

The boys have been looking forward to Halloween for so long and they were so excited it was finally here. While Koa went to school in his costume, I took the other kids to UVU to visit Daddy and some of his co-workers.  I really just wanted to show-off how darn cute Ka'imi was.  She was the most adorable ladybug ever.

I am happy to say that I made her cute polka dot shirt and shoes.  I pulled the rest together from here and there.

And here the three of them are - as we left to UVU.  Sepa is such a cheese-ball : )

For the real trick-or-treating, we took the kiddos out before the sunset and it was beautiful weather - hooray a year without freezing!  We just did a couple streets and decided they had enough candy.  Here are pics of the darlings :)

And to get ready for the holiday - some of the other projects we did included carving our pumpkin and creating a haunted gingerbread house.

Thanks to Aunty Celeste who did the terribly tedious task of putting the house together so we could decorate it.

I love Ka'imi's expression here.  Even with her wild hair, she looks darling.
It was a great Halloween - we are so excited for the rest of the upcoming holidays  :)

Pigtails : )

I need to do better at posting just a bit more of the everyday before I forget it all . . .

So here are some pics of Ka'imi sporting her hair style of late, pigtails.  I love how cute it makes her.  Her hair looks so long when it is tied back.  And her short hair in the front style into perfect side-swept bangs.  I have put her hair in pigtails myself a couple times (How?  By saying, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, until I get it somehow), but it is not the easiest thing for me.  So, who is her master stylist? None other than her uncle, Uwe : )  He often fixes her hair right before leaving for work in the morning.  He is very gentle and meticulous in getting it done just right.  Ka'imi has gotten use to the routine and this morning even handed him the water-spray as she sat down.  This little girl, at 19 1/2 months continues to charm us all : )

Koa's Birthday Bash

This year, we kept things simple for Kekoa's birthday.  He got to invite three friends (sadly only one came - Fall break was to blame) and we went to Pizza Pie Cafe and to a dollar movie to watch Cars 2.  We used some coupons that Kekoa earned from school to get the kids fed (Kyle joked that Kekoa earned his own party). I think Kekoa enjoyed himself and the presents he got : )

He was so excited to get this Ninjego book that he had been eying at the book fair.  I told him we could only get one book and he choose a Cars 2 book.  But after I sent him to class I went back and got him the Ninjego book as well.  It reminded me of something my mother would have done for us as kids.

I love my oldest baby boy.  I can't believe he is already seven!

We sang to him again at night with Grandma and Grandpa Reyes who were visiting for the week.  Not the most impressive cake, but at least it was low stress for me :) 

Happy Birthday Kekoa! Your family loves you so, so much : )

Comin' Up

Kekoa has been so excited for his birthday.  Though today he came home brokenhearted that his best friend in his class is going out of town for 10 days.  The disadvantage of having Fall Break right around your birthday.  I promised him it would still be fun and we'd take him and his friend, Kyle another time.  Can't believe my oldest is turning seven!

Fall Foto

I have not gotten a picture of these four kiddos all together like this since February.  Long over due.  I was doing some pictures for a friend of mine and decided to just snap one of them together.  Well, by this time Ka'imi had decided on her newest best friend (my friend, Katie) and was devestaed to leave her side.  So, this was the best picture we could get of them.  I love the realness of it all with her crying and Sepa in his snowboots.  Yes, he has worn them from time to time all summer long - sometimes you're just happy a kid has shoes.  Ikaika is also very real with his attire.  He's the third hand-me-down for those worn out shoes, but he loves them. Regardless of our lack of style, I love this picture because it is of my four darlings I love so much.

General Conference

I always love Conference weekend.  I have to confess a lot of it has to do with just being able to be home with Kyle and the kids.  But I especially love the inspiration and spiritual rejuvenation that comes with the various talks.  And this conference did not disappoint.  There were thoughts and even whole talks that felt relative and so meaningful to the questions and concerns of my life.
The most memorable moment was undoubtedly the moment of the announcement of the Provo Tabernacle to rebuilt and turned into a temple.  I don't think I ever blogged about it (maybe??), but the both Kyle and I were devastated at the fire that destroyed the tabernacle.  It was where we attended stake conference from the time we were first married.  Kyle even gave a talk in Stake Conference a couple weeks after Kekoa was born.
When I heard President Monson announce that it would be Provo's second temple I couldn't help but get emotional.  I always knew the church would rebuild it - how could they not restore such a historic place.  But I never imagined a temple.  To me it was a perfect example of how Heavenly Father can take a tragedy, trial or weakness and make something more - something beautiful and amazing.
We were also excited to hear that Kyle's mission, Barranquilla, Colombia will also be getting a temple.
What a happy, happy day : )

18 Month Beauty

I have been neglected taking pictures this summer so much that when I look at these Ka'imi looks all grown up.  She turned 18 months this past Sunday - though I didn't take her into nursery since I was teaching Sunday School.  This next week we'll introduce her :)  This pink and gray dress is one I made for her after seeing one for sale at Farmer's Market in Provo.  I decided I could make it and I loved the way it turned out.  The pictures don't really show it well - I chose these by looking at her cute face  :)
Ka'imi is growing up well.  She loves to explore and climb, sing and dance, and do anything her brothers do.  She loves to talk her her cute little gibber-gabber.  I love driving in the car and hearing her talk and giggle to herself.  Not quite hitting the terrible two's she is my angel child :)