4 out of 5 checked

Today was a huge milestone in Kyle's progress on his dissertation.  He met with his committee and the IRB (internal review board) and passed!  In order for him to get started on his research he has to get clearance from the IRB.  They basically make sure it is a sound and ethical study.  It was a lot of work preparing for - we are so proud of him.  There is really a light at the end of the tunnel :)

loose tooth

Today we discovered that one of Kekoa's teeth is loose!  We knew it was coming because right behind it his permanent tooth is already coming in.   I guess that means we better start saving for braces (though I have a plan to wait until he gets home from his mission - hoping imperfect teeth might keep the girls away - it's my joke anyway).  When we felt it move Kekoa and I screamed in delight.  I told him the tooth fairy will be visiting soon : ) I am only sad to see his cute baby teeth go - watching my babies grow is sometimes so hard for me.

second go around

Tonight the boys had a chance to dance at the dinner break of their second pow wow.  This one was at BYU.  We are always so proud of them when they step out of their comfort zones to preform.  It always makes me so happy when I see them dance, whether out in front of everyone or just in our living room.
I took some pictures - they are not masterpieces, but they will help me remember this time.

This event gave me the motivation to get the boys hoop outfits a little more complete this week.  It also gave me the excuse to get my mother's day present early - a fun toy that allowed me to create their animals that go on the back of their outfits.
They look amazing (if I do say so myself):

Kekoa has the eagle (going along with his Navajo middle name being a leader) and Ikaika's is a bear ( the protector of the Kiyaa'aanii - his middle name).   It was priceless - when after finishing his outfit Kekoa ran over to me and gave me a hug.  I love making things for my kiddos.  It is how I show them that I love them.

pink is for girls

I just wanted to remember tonight.  As I was finishing up dinner, Ikaika asked me if he could do anything to help.  I told him he could help me set the table (he loves to do that).  He put the placemats, plates and silverware down.  Then he got napkins for everyone.  I watched him as he carefully counted the white napkins.  Then he reached for a pink napkin (left over from Ka'imi's party).  He put that by my plate.  I don't know why, but it was so sweet to me.  I guess it is him being so thoughtful to set me apart that way.  It was cute.  My Ikaika is a sweetheart for sure.

giving a quarter

This past week we had a couple nice sunny days where we could actually go outside to play (bring on Spring).  On one of the days Kekoa decided to have a yard sale.  He's been bugging me to do one all winter and each time he asked me, I told him that no one goes to yard sales when it is so cold outside.  Seizing the opportunity the great weather afforded, he drug out a snow sled from the garage, filled it with toys we had set aside for a yard sale, and waited for some business.  I swept the front porch as he sold to curious neighbor kids (I think he even went and knocked on doors announcing the sale).  It was funny to hear him go from something costing $5 to a quarter.  He sold a couple things to each kid that came around.  By the end of the day he had collected $2.33.  He was so excited. 
The next day as he was counting his money, I reminded him that he had the wonderful opportunity to pay tithing.  Immediately he complained and showed how unhappy he was to even think about giving up some of his money.  We sat down and I helped him figure out what he should pay.  He decided that the 2 dimes and three pennies was much more unbearable than a single quarter.  So we decided to give the quarter.  Still he complained, "But mom, I worked soooo hard to earn that money."  "Why do we have to pay tithing any way?"
There was a lot of talking and encouragement from me and lots of tears from Kekoa.  In the end I told him it was his money and he could choose, but I hoped he would pay.  I was so proud of him today - he brought his quarter (after me reminding him) and paid his tithing.  Little building blocks, I have faith will last his whole life through.

Patty's Day

Oh boy - I am so far behind in my postings.  I'll try to get caught up soon.
But here's a picture to remember St. Patrick's Day for this year.  I am such a dork, I didn't realize it was St. Patrick's Day until Kekoa got ready for school and put on a green shirt.  I think my mind was still recovering from being so consumed with  Ka'imi's birthday.  My mom was still in town visiting and thankfully she had gotten the kids some cute green tops to celebrate.  We did end up having a "rainbow" dinner (though I didn't pull together a pot of gold dessert - oh well).  We had all kinds of fruits and a green salad and ravioli with butternut squash sauce.  It was super yummy.
Well, here are the cute kiddos :)

polka-cutie-dot

I have been so excited to plan Ka'imi's first birthday.  Though we are not doing anything big (mainly just family), I still wanted to have some fun with it.  After thinking of the many different party themes we could do, I kept coming back to polka dots.  Ka'imi, afterall, still smiles every time she sees them.
So, here is her birthday announcement/invite.  I love the way they turned out.  The colors are so soft and girly. I think it looks so good with her gorgeous dark eyes and hair. 
This is a dress I made for her.  I love the ruffle thing lately : ) I also made the headband.  I thought it looked like a classy, simple way of doing a tiara.
Just a couple more weeks before the fun begins!

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)