Best Day Ever

Richard got a fire pit for Christmas, along with a chainsaw (because you can't have a fire pit without a chainsaw to cut wood with-so I was told). After a day of heavy rain we got to try it out. The kids loved it. We had hot dogs for dinner and roasted marshmallows for dessert. Dylan kept saying "This is the Best Day Ever."

Enjoying the Moment

After all the planning, shopping, and preparing...Christmas finally arrived and ended all too quick. Here are my boys enjoying the moment.

Around 7AM Brendan woke up and saw what he got from Santa. He couldn't stand being the only one awake so he went downstairs to wake up Jordan. Richard and I decided to get up and Richard got Dylan out of bed.

He must of been a little tired still because Dylan noticed everything he got from Santa except for the one thing he asked for-his scooter (he wasn't looking up and his other presents were covering the bottom of his scooter).

Here is a picture of Dylan finally realizing he got a scooter from Santa. Jordan and Brendan enjoying Rock Band. Notice Brendan singing in the background. As I am writing this a few days after Christmas, I can still hear Brendan singing downstairs.

After all the presents were open and yummy breakfast eaten, Dylan looks out the window asking "Where is the snow?" He was sad (and looked a little mad) that he didn't wake up to snow outside. He looked again about 1/2 hr later but still no snow. One day we will travel to cold regions to experience snow again (but only for a few days).

Merry Christmas!

What do I want for Christmas?

Dylan hadn't sat on Santa's lap this year so I took him to the mall yesterday so he could tell him what he wanted for Christmas. He took one look at him and said "That doesn't look like Santa." I let him know that Santa doesn't wear his red outfit in Hawaii because it is too hot. He decided he would talk to him but he did not want to sit on his lap. Before he talked to Santa, Dylan asked me if it was a scooter he wanted for Christmas (like it is my decision what he wants). He must have got nervous because when he told Santa what he wanted he told him a bike but he remembered as we were leaving and told Santa "I mean a scooter."

Winter Festival

School performances can be entertaining (at least for the parents).

Dylan sang most of the songs his class was singing but for some reason he didn't care to do the actions. Brendan was a Frenchman for his part in the program.
He later had to dance with a girl.

Jordan played the ukulele in his cardboard costume he worked all night creating.

Jordan has found a new passion in the guitar and ukulele.

A few things I am thankful for...

From the last couple of weeks

Dylan's unique personality. For Thanksgiving his school teacher asked him to bring in pictures of two things he is thankful for. He choose this tree which he said is his favorite tree. (Apparently the palm trees in front of our house have ants so he doesn't like them.) I loved how when I went to take a picture of the tree for him he ran and put his arms around it and smiled really big. The second thing he is thankful for-the picture of Richard on the Nov. 15 post with the big crab.Great friends with amazing talents. Thanks Jill for taking the time to make me this awesome diaper bag.

Being blessed with the opportunity to have another child.

Great friends and family. I have such wonderful friends and family who I cannot thank enough. I have had wonderful friends come visit me from Utah and bring me gifts for this new baby as well as gifts from other great friends from over there. A special thanks to Suzie for putting on a great baby shower for me here and all those that came to support me. Thanks everyone for your thoughtful gifts!

For my children. They decorated the whole tree this year and I only moved a couple things around.

Baby Quilt

I love it! It turned out so cute, I just wish it was bigger so I could snuggle with it. You can't see the quilt pattern but it is of a cow jumping over the moon. After taking an online course of how to make pinwheels, the quilt was super easy and fun. I had to get online instructions for the binding as well because on my the last quilt my friend Tonia did it for me. Gotta love the Internet!

Brendan gets his blue belt

Brendan earned his blue belt today. He's well on his way to earning that black belt.

After I downloaded the pictures and looked at them, I noticed the girls in the background. One is crossing her fingers with a look of suspense as she hopes Brendan breaks the board. She is still doing it in the second picture and the girl next to her has her hands clasped together in suspense. I think it is pretty cool they are that excited about Brendan breaking his boards. Go Brendan!

Who likes crab?

Richard went for a scuba dive this morning and caught himself a crab, actually the crab caught him. He found a lobster in a cave and as he reached his hand to get it, the crab grabbed his finger and wouldn't let go. The lobster got spooked away but the crab made it home and later into a hot pot of water.

Halloween 2008

Don't we look cute!
Dylan loved being a pirate but hated having a beard drawn on and cried and cried for us to take it off. We had to distract him long enough for us to have at least one picture with his beard.

Gotta love carving pumpkins and seeing everyone's cool creations. All the cousins came over to go trick-or-treating in our neighborhood.

We had so many trick-or-treaters come to our house but I love being able to sit on the porch and give out candy.

Slacking-in the picture department

2 months, 2 truckloads to salvation army, and many garbage bags later - I finally got my house decluttered. What a chore it has been but so nice to have so many things cleaned out. As I would notice the black garbage bags all around my house, holding stuff to give away, I kept thinking when I'm done I need to take a picture of all this. As I was cleaning out the garage and the kids were loading all the bags in the truck to take to the salvation army, I was thinking I need to take a picture of this. But of course I didn't. Maybe I can blame it on my brain or the fact that I am so determined to get stuff done I can't even stop for a second to take a picture.

I have been determined to get stuff done. I finished my baby quilt, which I will post later after it is machine quilted. I made a couple more diaper wipe cases and am trying my hand at bibs.

Richard has taken over where I have slacked (at least in taking pictures underwater). Since Richard started scuba diving he has loved taking pictures underwater. Here is a few pictures from his last dives.



Richard loves taking pictures of the sharks. Although they are only reef sharks, I still would have been nervous.

FREE class

If you've ever wondered how to fix your photos, be creative with your photos, or learn how to digitally scrapbook-Jessica Sprague is great. I highlighted a couple of her magazines awhile ago on my blog. Well, she offers many classes on her website but this particular class is FREE! It is not a scrapbook project but a class about remembering the events in our lives that have no pictures. Registration begins October 20.

Her blog gives more details http://spraguelab.squarespace.com/

btw-she has tons of tutorials on her blog for help in using Photoshop Elements

First week of October

I can't believe it is already October and the first week has flown by.

To start out the week Jordan and Brendan were in the parade for the Maui County Fair. After the parade we headed to the Fair. This was a first for our family. The fair is huge on Maui but the prices were so expensive.

Dylan loved the livestock tent and riding the rides. (check out the cool green bird)

Saturday-Beach Day!

This is how we ended the first week of October.

Richard needed a new haircut, but after 2 big OOPS-this is all that is left of his hair.

I know he will look back on this and just laugh.

BYU Mint Brownies

Just got an email from BYU Alumni Association and they had a link to BYU's famous mint chocolate brownies. I just had to post it.

MAKES ONE 9-BY-13 PAN OF BROWNIES.

PREP AND COOK: 90 min. COOL: 1 hr.

1 c. margarine

1/2 c. cocoa

2 Tbsp. honey

4 eggs

2 c. sugar

1 3/4 c. flour

1/2 Tbsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 c. chopped walnuts

12 oz. chocolate icing (Use your own icing recipe or purchase some chocolate frosting. You can also search the Internet for chocolate icing recipes.)

MINT ICING

5 Tbsp. margarine

dash of salt

3 Tbsp. milk

1 Tbsp. light corn syrup

2 1/3 c. powdered sugar

1/2 tsp. mint extract

1-2 drops green food coloring

1. Melt margarine and mix in cocoa. Allow to cool. Add honey, eggs, sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix well. Add nuts. Pour batter into a greased 9-by-13 baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Cool.

2. Prepare mint icing: Soften margarine. Add salt, corn syrup, and powdered sugar. Beat until smooth and fluffy. Add mint extract and food coloring. Mix. Add milk gradually until the consistency is a little thinner than cake frosting.

3. Spread mint icing over brownies. Place brownies in the freezer for a short time to stiffen the icing. Remove from the freezer and carefully add a layer of chocolate icing.

Happy Birthday Jordan!

Jordan hit a big milestone turning 12 yrs. old. He now gets to receive the priesthood and pass the sacrament. He was sustained today in church but he will not actually receive the priesthood until after his Grandpa James gets back from vacation. We are so proud of him and all of his accomplishments. If he could just finish his Faith in God....

For his birthday he wanted pumpkin pie so that is what he got. He got some pretty cool stuff- a dive knife, wet suit, and a watch. He celebrated with friends and family on Saturday with a Jet Ski party. He got more presents and money to spend has soon as he gets the chance. He is not much of a saver. A cell phone plan may be in the works. Keep your fingers crossed Jordan.

Happy Birthday Rich!!

Turning 30 something, and like cheese, better with age.

20 Things I love about Rich!

I love when you pose for a picture this is what I get

I love that you like to rub my ever expanding belly.

I love that when we go to the grocery store you make up stories about me to the clerk.

I love that when you find something you love to do you go for it!

I love that your my handyman.

I love that you get kicked off the BYU Board over and over and over and over again in defense of a team you love.

I love when you buy me flowers - just because.

I love that you are just as big of a kid as our own kids.

I love that you find old funny songs that you sing and sometimes dance to.

I love how you can write a talk in a blink of an eye where it takes me hours and hours.

I love how skilled you are at so many things and still you continue to try to improve yourself.

I love when I wake up in the morning and you call me beautiful.

I love how generous you are.

I love that you love to cook!

I love when you check out the clothes I'm wearing just so you can find a loose string to floss your teeth with.

I love that you let me squeeze your hand with all my strength when I was delivering each of our boys.

I love that you are a concerned, loving, and helpful dad.

I love that when you take a picture of the boys, this is what I get

I love that when I freak out about something, you calmly bring me back down to reality.

I love when you go to the store to get yourself a treat that you always get me one too, even if I already have 10 of them at home- it just means your thinking of me.

Love you!!! Have a great day!

Scuba Lessons

Jordan's Middle School experience includes outdoor education, which means for him that he gets to be scuba certified. After he is scuba certified, throughout the year he will be working with the National Marine Sanctuary. Richard took this opportunity to get certified as well and will hopefully go on some of the work assignments with Jordan. Both of them seem to be naturals at it and Richard is so excited about it he wants me (who said I would never do it) to do it too. Well, since I can't do it now, I have about a year to think it over. Jordan's Middle School Class, teacher, and instructors.
Richard, heading off on his second dive.

Unspectacular Me!

Ok, I got tagged. I have to say 6 unspectacular quirks about myself.

#1. I never respond to the emails that ask you a million questions about yourself and pass it along. It really goes against my nature to do this tag, so take note it may be the only one I do.

#2. I hate calling people I don't know or don't know very well. I don't mind talking to them in person, I just don't like calling them. I know weird.

#3. If you come to my house, the messiest room is my bedroom. It's the one room I don't feel the urgency to clean right away but I have to say I can't stand it when it is messy.

#4. I dread making school lunches.

#5. I like putting dishes in the dishwasher, just not putting them away. The same can be said for laundry.

#6. If it is not on my calender or written down I probably will not remember it, or at least remember it at the right time. Gotta have my lists.

Flowers

I am so lucky to get wonderful flowers from my husband.

Ever since we have moved to Hawaii, I rarely go without fresh flowers. Sometimes I get really spoiled and I get two bouquets at the same time.

Thanks honey!

My Sewing Projects

I pulled out my sewing machine, it's been awhile, and starting working on some projects. The first one is a diaper wipe case that I am making for every new mom in our ward (we have quite a few coming up). I've had to make a couple to figure it all out and now I'm experimenting to see whether I like a bigger or smaller piece of Velcro. I just wish I had more options for cute fabric here.

The next picture is the ribbon blanket I have been wanting to make every since I saw it on Etsy. I loved the way it turned out and love the super cute fabric I found in Utah.

First Day of School

All three of my boys started on different days but they are all in school now. Dylan is in Preschool and has been so excited to get back to school. Brendan is in 4th grade now and moved to a new building with Jordan. Jordan is in 7th, starting Middle School, and loves his new guy teacher. This is the first year for this middle school and they have some great things planned. There are only 10 kids in his school and together they have picked out furniture for the school and are making lockers for them and future middle school students.