Swim Tutus

Well that's what they look like don't they?

i've been looking for some kind of swim assist float that will keep the babies up without actually hindering them from movement or actually learning to swim. These are still a little big and the kiddos can't keep themselves upright in them right now, but i'm gonna keep practicing with them so they will get the hang of it. Nora was much less excited about this than Holden, she can be very resistant to new things some times!

Holden trying to kiss Nora, and she is NOT having it!
going their separate ways, as usual

What Happens Next??

If you were wondering what happens after a long hike on a hot day, let me just show you....

Diamond Head

So Anna said she had never been on a hike before...what kind of craziness is that? Well, Diamond Head isn't the normal hike i like to take...its a bit crowded, super hot with no shade, paved and stairs... but really the view is pretty phenomenal and when you get the chance to hike up the "most famous volcanic crater in the world" you just gotta do it, ya know?

here we are before the hike...i'm wearing our newest backpack, the kelty--Holden is taking it out on its maiden voyage, and he absolutely loved it...smiles almost the whole time!

the 560 ft climb to the top...can you see the zigzag of people walking? the first lookout

and then on to these babies. i kinda wanted to just give up and die when i saw this...i've done it once before, but that was without the 35ish lbs on my back. it sucked if i'm being honest. resting at the top. we made it, thankfully. taking in the view

and snacks

it was a hot day!

one last pic before we head back downthe hike back down was a piece of cake compared to the hike up and it took half as long.

Nora and her ride, Anna! the spiral stairs..yep, more stairsview of the stairs going downmuch happier now!and he's out!Holden was so comfortable he fell right to sleep-- even taking off the pack back at the car didn't wake him up. just look at that sweet sweet face!



After the hike we treated ourselves to yummy Puka Dogs. Anna tried one with Pineapple Relish. Mmm, Good!
and nora got to drink her water from a big girl cup...cause she's a "big girl, awwww"

I'm a Howboy Now!

"howboy"--my childhood word for cowboy

"mom, what's this on my head?"

"howdy ma'am" profile
he loves it! not really, but we're working on it. :)

Jamba Girl

I did it. Introduced my loves to another love of mine. Nora was a VERY HAPPY little girl!

Fifteen Men on a Dead Man's Chest

Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of...Milk???

The Black Pearl is currently docked at Ko'Olina from the filming of the latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie, so we went to see it. Pretty awesome.

and then since we were there, we sat on the beach and enjoyed the beautiful evening before we went to dinner.

so lucky to live in paradise.

Movie Monday

Sweet Sweet Nora reading a book in the carseat-excuse the bad camera angle...i was driving after all!

So Stinkin' Silly

Where Did the Time Go?

I went to Elizabeth's school play last week..isn't she cute? It was a musical glimpse of history set around an archaeological dig... there was even a "thriller" number with a bunch of dancing mummies. Here we are reinacting the lei presentation...we wouldn't want Marybeth to "miss" the moment!and can I just go off track for a minute and say..."where did the time go?" Just look at how much my girl E has grown! She's not too far from my height now and look how little she was in this picture...probably 4 yrs. ago now. And then there's me...pre-mommy days... whoa.and while we're at it, look at this big girl too and how much she's changed from the picture above. She was 3 when i met her. oh my.

okay and now back to present day, school plays and mommy things...here are some of favorite mommies, Britta and Marybeth. They are both leaving me in the next 2 months. So sad to see them go, but as is the life of a military family. I'm counting on the fact that we'll meet again--and maybe even be stationed together again. But either way, these 2 will def. be friends for life!

First Trip to Ewa Seed

We met the Williams Family at Ewa Seed for the babies and Anna's first ever shave ice! I think everyone was happy about this awesome new experience!

Nora checking to see if its okay Digging In
mmm..i think i like this!

cousins

uncle and Holden ...he loves it too!

close up

Holden's favorite spot

little beggars! Auntie can we please have some more???

Me and Elizabeth