It's mommy's day . . .

 It was a great day. I woke up to a yummy breakfast and Kyle got to go into work an hour late and come home early - what a wonderful treat for me! 
I think the kids were more excited that it was my birthday than even I was.  That made it hard to feel okay with getting a babysitter so Kyle and I could go to dinner alone.  We decided in the end to just take all of them.  After finding out that the restaurant fed kids 6 and younger for free and getting through the entire meal without one bit of bickering or whining, we were so glad we brought them.  It was so fun to be together.  We came home and did the cake and ice cream.  Though I will not reveal my "wish", I'll have to say it's one of the most intense hopes I've had in blowing out my birthday candles in a while.  So, we'll see if this wish comes true.
Being with the ones I love so much made it a wonderful, wonderful birthday.

(I sold my Rebel Xsi this week and decided to use it one last time.
These pics are just in auto mode with the flash)

Valentine's (Part I)

Ka'imi - 11 months

I can hardly believe this is the last month before her first birthday.  It always amazes me how fast time flies.


• super sweet, sociable, fun and happy
• on the day she turned 11 months she slept from 8:30 to 5am (been up and down otherwise).
• has completely lost the binky
• her favorite activity is climbing up and down the stairs (we watch her like a hawk).
• loves oatmeal and bananas (pretty much a daily meal - some times even twice)
• also loves grapes and shredded cheese
• loves to clap and smile
• taking after Daddy in enjoying making us laugh
• still just a crawler - she sure can get around though
• now has 6 teeth
• a big drooler : ) - cause for making some cute drool bibs though : )
• loves to dance, especially with her brothers to familiar tunes
• still gets so excited when she sees anything that has polka dots on it
• overall such a good tempered baby : )

from grandma's house . . .

This past summer we did our annual family reunion at my grandparent's summer home.  While we were there I saw some old weathered wood that had such fun character and texture.  I asked my mom if she minded if I used it for my studio.  I know it took a lot to get together from AZ and haul it here to Cedar Hills - I was so happy today to see it against one of the walls in my studio.  I had to give it a try (I also wanted my children to be the first who's pictures I took with grandma's wood in the background) so I took a couple of Kekoa and then some of Ka'imi in her Navajo dress I made for her for Christmas.
Here they are - it makes me so happy to see a part of my grandparents coupled with my love for photography and my beautiful children.

(I wanted to put this one in of Koa since it was the very first picture I took of the wood :)

Don't you love the way she is curling her cute toes?

The box Ka'imi is sitting on is a outdoor wooden self my grandpa built.  Seeing it brings back good memories.

Pretty Girl

 

I love February.  Valentine's Day, the anniversary of Kyle proposing, my birthday, and Spring around the corner.  Here is Ka'imi to remind me of all the wonderful things this month brings.  I took these pictures  a month or so ago, but finally got around to editing them.  Is she a doll or what?