Busy weekends...

We got to spend a little bit of time with Darin, Erin, and baby Levi last weekend when they came to visit from Kauai. Tried to go stand-up boarding, but the wind picked up early. Instead, we just hung out at the beach.

 

"Nope, I didn't eat any sand!"

 

Here Uncle, try some too!

 Kenny doesn't like the water much, so tries to run away from the waves!

 

The guys catching up... Darin and Garrett have been friends since elementary school, so whenever we get to see them, it's always a treat.  We love their company and wish we could see them more!

 

Yes, there's a child under there = Kenny hiding from the wind and sand. Not our beach baby!

 

This little guy LOVES the sand. He decided to bury himself... then all of a sudden JUMPED up and screamed, "I hear a crab!" Of course we were all laughing and didn't believe him... but, low and behold...

 

There WAS a crab! 

Kendyll (who has to touch EVERYTHING, even when we tell her not to) tried to grab it. 

Good thing it didn't pinch her!

May is also graduation season in Hawaii. Since we start school at the end of July/early August, we also finish early! 

This year, we have three special graduates!

 

Our baby cousin, Lindsey, graduated from high school! When Garrett and I started dating, Linds was barely a year. It has been remarkable to watch her grow and mature- makes us feel sooooo old! 

 

Our second special graduate is Courtney, Lindsey's oldest sister; she graduated from the University of Hawaii last weekend. 

Here's Kenny being silly with all of them during graduation

 

Addy visiting from WA!

 

During graduation, I gave Addy some stickers. She put them all over! :) 

 

Cade and Papa

Finally, our last very special graduate is our own Cade. He graduated from preschool today! Unlike last year's graduation, where he just sat and didn't sing; this year, he was very eager to perform!

 

Cade was SOOO excited to get all the leis. He had seen Lindsey with all her leis the night before and was so amazed by them. Today when he got all of his, he smiled and was so proud... until he realized how heavy and hot it is! 

 

The amazing and loving teachers! Hope they're ready for Kenny next year! :)

Adios April!

The kids have been hooked on watching Dora and Diego... hence the sudden Spanish. Kendyll will randomly tell us Spanish words during the day, which usually makes us stop and give her the "who are you?" look! :) 

Anyway, April is gone, and I didn't follow my "every 2 week" rule post. Sorry Aunties! 

Here's some highlights...

Kendyll traveled with Gammie to Oahu by herself! She enjoyed the time and attention...

 

So did her brother...

 

When Cade was asked if he wanted to go next time... he said "no, I will just stay home with Mom and Dad!"

 We had a surprise visit from the family I was a nanny for in WA! They're so big now!

We had so much fun reminiscing- the triplets were younger than Kendyll when I watched them!

 Can't wait for the next visit!

Finally we celebrated the birthday of our baby girl! She's 3!

 

Kendyll and Kenna at Kenna's party... it took a little while to get a smile.. but we got one! :)

 

Kenny enjoyed her day alone with Mommy and Daddy for her birthday!

 

This is what happens when they're left alone with Daddy for just 5 minutes! 

Las Vegas, Part II...

In February, my grandparents asked us to plan a trip to Vegas again. I guess we did a good job in October! About a week before we left, we started to prep the kids that we would be gone again for a few days. Cade's initial response, "AGAIN!? You guys always go to Vegas! I wanna go to Vegas too!" 

 

Grandpa on his favorite machine. Too bad it wasn't giving any money back! 

 

During the day we ventured off to shop and eat out. Checking out the big fish at Bass Pro Shops

 

In N Out Burger is a must! This time we had "animal style fries"! YUM! 

 

We didn't make it to Bellagio in October, so we made sure to make time for it this trip. The beautiful spring flowers had a very strong aroma too!

Kenny would've loved the butterfly  house...

 

... and the giant lady bugs!

 

I was the "big" winner on the trip: $140 at Bingo... 

 

...and $120 on slots. Plus a little bit at craps and Pai Gow. I think my small winnings offset all of Garrett's misfortunes. 

 

We caught the red-eye back to Honolulu, so we both had to sport our glasses for the trip. I was lucky to have fallen asleep for most of the 6 hour flight back; Garrett and my grandparents weren't so fortunate. I kept telling Garrett "wow, that was a fast flight!" but he wasn't too thrilled with it and thought the flight was soooooo long! We were again blessed with a successful, uneventful trip... who knows, maybe another trip in 6 months? :)  

Spring Break 2013...

Since Spring Break is over, I can now say it was one of the best we've had... without jinxing it! Last year was miserable for all of us- I ended up having to take care of two little ones with pink eye and colds! So, comparatively, this one rocked! 

As the kids are getting older, they're getting so much easier to care for and entertain. Granted, we still have our share of tantrums and tears... but they're learning to play both independently and together!

We played at different playgrounds...

 

Cade hung out on the humpback whale!

 

He also showed us he could climb to the top!

 

Monkey see, monkey do! It was funny because they both were stuck in this position! 

We also squeezed in a few beach days with Daddy and Papa Dean (Gammy too, but she's hiding)

 Papa and the kids digging a big hole- trying to reach the water

 

Cade showing how deep the hole was!

 

Spending time in the beautiful weather; safely picking blueberries! 

 

Hanging out at Fun Factory!

Cade even had his first friend sleep over this break! He did really good- I was a little worried I'd get a call late at night to come pick him up... but nope!

Bye bye baseball...

Cade's baseball season is winding down- sorta thankful, but also sad. Thankful we won't have to sit in the cold, windy, rainy weather; sad because he's just starting to get the hang of it. For it being his first year, he did really well; it was definitely a learning experience as a parent. 

Top 5 things we learned:

5. Cade doesn't play Saturday morning games

4. Make sure to have snacks and distractors for Kenny

3. Cade doesn't play Saturday morning games

2. Be patient, laugh it off (Garrett coached them, and there were definitely moments he wasn't too happy)

1. Cade has a stubborn side, and doesn't play Saturday morning games. NOTHING. WILL. GET. HIM. TO. PLAY= not even a trip to Disneyland/Carsland! (Trust me, I tried!)

But on a happier side note, it was very rewarding and exciting to see supportive parents; seeing "old timers" come out and support this next generation reminds me how lucky we are to live where we grew up. 

Cade took a really nice baseball card picture! :) 

I couldn't help myself= I needed to document what the "unhappy, Saturday morning Cade" looked like so I can show him later. Half way through the season, we eliminated all the other variables and figured out it was the early time that threw him off. All the parents and family on the sideline knew as well; poor kiddo- you're not gonna hear the end of it when you get older!

Cade playing his last Saturday game! We begged him and reminded him of all his toys he's been waiting for. It worked! He's the little pitcher!

Our weekends have been busy with baseball, but not for long!

Kenny needed to be bribed to put on her little Girl's Day outfit

 The left side pic was last Saturday; the right side is about 9 months ago. Look how their faces have changed! 

Garrett went to Oahu for a weekend to attend a PT class, so the kids, Gammy, and I hung out.

First, Kenny caught up on her Netflix: Diego played non stop!

Then, Cade played with his pillowcases! 

We decided to get out of the rainy weather, and headed to a park to have a picnic. On the way, we noticed the Kula Country Farms was open. This is the same farm we come to and pick our pumpkins in the fall. On the way home from the park, we stopped in to check it out. 

Beautiful view!

Cade checking out the plants for Daddy to grow! 

Look at those sunflowers- we'll have to come back when they're all in bloom!

Riding the bull!

Goofy kiddos!

There was an area to pick strawberries, but we have our own little patch at home, so the kids weren't really interested. Plus, I think Daddy would've been a little offended! :(