Saying Hi : )

I just thought it would be fun for Kyle and the boys to see a picture of Ka'imi.  I worked for days on this outfit - knowing that I'd be doing this workshop.  Well, without Ka'imi sitting up or standing, it was hard to show the beauty of the outfit.  Other photographers got pictures of her standing with my help, so I couldn't really take those pictures.  Oh well . . . I am excited to take what I learned and do some fun things with her as soon as she is sitting up well  - in my own studio : )
We are coming home tomorrow and I'll post later about my trip.
All I can say is that it has been an amazing experience and I miss my boys (all 4)!

Heading to Canada

I usually don't like to post when kyle is going out of town - makes me nervous that some random person might know I am all alone with the kids.  But this time it is me heading out, so I think it's ok.
I have been looking forward to this day for months.  I am going to Fort Saskatchewan, Canada for a photography workshop.  It is with one of my greatest photography idols, Shellie Secretan of This N That Photography.  I really feel like it is an opportunity of a lifetime for devloping myself in photography.  I am taking Ka'imi with me ( not ready to wean).  Pray for her to do well travelling and staying with a babysitter while I am at the workshop :) 
Here are some pics of this international traveler :) 

A Week In

Kekoa has now had a week of school.  He seems to be enjoying it.  I usually wait for him outside and watch him come up the hill from the bus stop.   Of course I always ask him how his day went.  Well, today he said that it was not a very good day.  When I asked him why he said, "Because my best friend turned into a bully."  He explained that this boy in his class threw dirt at people and pushed people off the monkey bars.  I asked him if he was okay and he said yes.  Then he said, "Maybe I should do what you did and give him gum." To understand that comment we go back to before school started and Kekoa shared with me his fears about there being a bully at school.  In trying to show him I could relate, I told him of when I was a little girl and in first grade, there was a bully in my class named Anslem.  I told Kekoa that he would load ants on a stick and then put them on the other kids clothes.  I finished my story by telling him what I did - I shared a peice of gum with the boy, so that he would like me and hopefully not share the ants in return.  Kinda funny story and it made me laugh to think that Kekoa remembered it enough to think of doing the same thing.

1 down, roughly 2,549 to go . . .

Today Kekoa started his first day of kindergarten.  It's amazing to me that I am actually saying that.  This morning I did a photoshoot of an 8-week old boy.  I as I looked through my viewfinder at the cute little boy, I told the parents not to blink or they'd find this little boy starting his first day of kindergarten.  It sure feels that way sometimes.  But Kekoa was so excited to go.  He was doing a countdown everyday.  I can't believe how grown up he looks in this picture.

Last week on Friday, we went to the school to meet his teacher, Miss Funk.  He found his cubby and where to hang is bag and jacket.  Ikaika and especially Sepa loved going into the classroom with him : )

Kekoa was definitely more excited than nervous. He only had two fears.  One, that there would be a bully at school and two, that he would miss us.  I told him their usually were not bullies in kindergarten and gave him a miniature family picture to put in his pocket so he wouldn't miss us.

Greeting him at the front was the school mascot.  I guess Kekoa is now a Cedar Ridge Cougar : )

It was strange to have Kekoa not at home, but after Sepa went down for a nap, I was excited that I might have a time in the day to have some one-on-one with Ikaika.  He sure needs it : )
Before I knew it, it was time to wait for Kekoa to get off the bus.  Here is the picture I took with my phone as we were running toward each other:

It was a sweet moment for me. One I don't think I'll ever forget.  He ran to me and I picked up my big boy.  I was so happy to have him home.
I was a bit nervous about the whole bus process.  Kekoa wanted to ride the bus and it actually works out great for me to not load up the other kids one more time (and interrupt naps).  I was worried about him knowing when to get off, but my neighbor ease my fears letting me know her kids would look out for Kekoa.  I laughed when she told me that there was only one bus.  What a different experience than the school I grew up in with the 30+ buses that lined up.  Kekoa told me that the busdriver sad,"Next stop, Bayhill."  He got off just fine.
So there we are.  We have a child in school.  A new adventure for sure.

PS.  What's 2549? - that is my rough guesstimate of how many more days of school Kekoa has before he graduates from college.

The First of Many . . .

Tonight for family home evening, Kyle gave the boys a Father's blessing to start the school year out.  He also gave Ikaika and Sepa one, at their request.  It was neat to listen to the prayers. They fit each boy so well. We are so grateful for Daddy holding the priesthood, so he can bless us.

7 years

This year Kyle and I celebrated 7 years of marriage.  Thanks to my in-laws and sister, Kyle and I were able to sneak off to Park City for a night and have a little break.  We did take Ka'imi since she is not weaned.  It was fun to have dinner on main street, buy junk food and watch movies in the hotel.
This picture was actually take at a different time.

In all our running around, we didn't pull out the camera.  But this serves the purpose of seeing what we looked like at this phase of our marriage.  By the way, Kyle is on the phone with his boss, President Holland.  It was something important so he couldn't put the phone down for the picture.  Oh well, better than nothing.

Ummm. . . in honor of our anniversary I'll just write one thing about us.
Our relationship has turned the word "favorite" from an adjective to a noun.  When I want Kyle to know how much I love and appreciate him, I tell him, "You are my favorite."  It basically means he is my everything.
Seven years and going strong.  I love you, Kyle.  You are my favorite :  )

32

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KYLE!!!

Kyle's family was in town. We came back from Park City to celebrate with a dinner with his family.  Kyle, with his goodness, cooked the main part of the dinner, fish-n-chips.  What did I get him this year?  A Laker championship video, oh yeah.

A little scared . . .

With such beautiful weather and 9 sleeps (as the boys understand it) left before Kekoa starts kindergarten, we decided to go to a nearby park.  The boys spent most of the time playing the in grassy area near a dried up brook.  With just a little time before dinner, we went over to the playground for a minute.  Almost at the same time, there arrived two little girls.  Their parents sat away from the playground, out of ear shot.  What followed was one of the most interesting experiences I've had in a long time.  So just to give you an idea, here were some of the things that came out of these two little girls mouths (mind you that by my very best guess, I would have said they were probably the same age as Kekoa and Ikaika - 4 and 5 or 6).

"Hi, boys." (while having one hand on their hip and pushing that same hip to the side).

My boys, happily, didn't really give them any attention (I think Sepa said hi when we first got there).

A couple minutes later, a couple of other boys came.  Since my boys weren't acknowledging them, their focus shifted.

"Look, more boys. Let's go talk to them."

"We're bad girls."

"You're not my boyfriend."

"Do you want to know my name? My name is Sierra-is-a-pretty-girl."

"I know how to kiss a boy."

That did it, I collected my boys and left. 
Reading what they said isn't quite the same effect - think of the tone of voice that a 18 year old diva girl might have and just make it little.  It was seriously unreal.
At first, all I noticed was the way they flipped their hair and stood (way too sexy for their age) and I was sad thinking my little girl would grow up in that kind of world.  But I felt better knowing I could influence her, teach her and most of all, set the best example I could for her. 
But as I continued to listen to them, my real fears came.  I realized my little Kekoa is going to leave our bubble in 9 days.  I will not be with him to take him away from situations I don't really care for.  What on earth has this world come to that I am afraid of the 5 and 6 year old girls that will be trying to talk to my son about having a boyfriend and kissing!
So what did we do tonight?  We had a good family home evening.  We reminded him again of the inspirational story of Joseph of Egypt and the term "flee."

My Cutie Pies

This picture took some major Photoshop work.  Sepa was looking silly so I swapped his head out.  But it was worth the effort.  They are all so cute and looking at the camera!