Mark and the Vacuum

Mark has this thing about the vacuum cleaner. Every time we turn it on, he smiles and laughs like we just started playing a game.

He chases it around the house like he's on a mission.

 I hope he still likes this "game" when he gets a little older. This vacuum obsession could come in very handy someday...

Manoa Falls Adventure

Manoa Falls is a hike we've been wanting to try for awhile now, but were always hesitant as people have told us it can be a bit muddy, slippery, even a little dangerous with kiddos. Inspired by the Weiperts' experience there, we decided to go for it! We knew not to go after a long week of rain, because the trail would be extra muddy. It had been a fairly dry week, so Saturday seemed like the perfect morning to go for it.

By the time we got there, the weather was already not looking so great. We drove through a few sprinkles here and there on the way, but there was no turning back now. 

And we're off!

Mark enjoyed the ride, as usual

Notice how clean and DRY we are! 

After about 10 or so minutes of hiking - downpour!! We walked in rain for at least another 10 minutes. Just enough time to get the rocks on the trail extra slippery, puddles full, and the mud extra SQUASHY!! We just had laugh. Had we known these would be the conditions, we probably would not have tried it that day. We had an adventure on our hands!

This is what most of the trail looked like

Keaton was such a trooper, hiking the whole way in sweatpants and crocs (his only shoe alternative to flip flops). He had a blast splashing in all the puddles, getting us even more drenched than we already were. We pretended we were hiking around Misty Island in search of Thomas and the Logging Locos. We crossed the "Shake Shake Bridge" and found plenty of "Jobi Logs" to shunt back to Sodor. (Everyone reading this without a little boy is scratching their heads, I know. That's okay.)

Manoa Falls

We made it! 

It's fun to get a little DIRTY every once in awhile! 

Playgroup

We have been so blessed to be a part of an amazing playgroup this past year.

Playgroup is a ministry of Kailua Christian Church and is totally FREE. 

We love it as it gives us: 

1) a fun activity to look forward to every Friday morning

2) structured environment for Keaton to learn and play with other kids 

3) friends and fellowship for Mom and Keaton!

Friday was our last playgroup for this year. :-( 

Of course, I forgot my camera. So thankful to Diane and April for taking some great shots. 

Mark loves playgroup too! 

storytime

Since it was the last day, we let the kids play in the water for the last hour. They had a blast!

Mark getting in on the action! 

Happy summer everybody! 

8 months

It is really NOT COOL how fast these months are going by. I never cease to be amazed at how much Mark changes in only one month.

He's definitely on the move now... crawling on hands and knees, pulling up and cruising.

Here he comes...

And there he goes...

He's into EVERYTHING!! I'm thinking about bringing back the "play pen" idea...

Loves my cookbooks! 

Loves anything he can rip apart
and eventually try to eat...

Still a good eater. He's working on some chunkier textures now as well as a few finger foods.

He's discovered himself in the mirror and he is quite enamored!

He's sleeps OKAY. Down to 2 naps a day, and USUALLY through the night. Unfortunately, being the 2nd child, we can't always be home for both of his naps, but he always he finds rest somehow. Here he is sleeping with his buddy Ezra in the stroller at MOPS.

 I like to call this new trick the "sitting jump." He only pulls this out when he's REALLY excited. It makes me laugh.

Starting position

and UP!! 

Love this boy!!

New friends and Re-acquaintances

When you live thousands of miles of almost everyone you know, it is always exciting to have someone from the mainland come visit. Kat and I graduated from Covenant College together, and thanks to Facebook, we reconnected this past year. Her husband Eric is a doctor and had a one-month rotation in a hospital in Honolulu in April. We were able to hang out with them several times while they were here. We had so much fun getting re-acquainted and meeting each other's families. Her daughter Sterling is 10 months old and such a doll. Both Keaton and Mark really liked having her around. :-)

We were able share our experiences in Hawaii and "show them around" a little bit of Oahu. I have to say they have inspired us to get our butts in gear and explore Hawaii. They saw more of the state in the month that they were here than we have seen in a whole year of living here! 

Of course, we had to take them to our most favorite places -  Lanikai Beach 

Sterling was not so sure about the sand...

Mark, on the other hand did not give up until he was covered head to toe. I was cleaning sand out of crevices for days! 

So glad we were able to share in your Hawaiian adventure, Kat! Come back anytime and visit!

Another party!

After the birthday party on Saturday, we got to celebrate again at Ala Moana beach park
with our friend Sam Kupsky who shares a birthday with Keaton.
Sam's dad, Greg is a historian with Scott at JPAC.

Sam is such a cutie pie. His birth was quite a surprise to Greg and Amanda last year, as he was born only a few weeks after they moved to Hawaii (Amanda was not due until June). It has been so much fun to watch him grow and thrive in his first year. 

Keaton was excited to see Sam eating his cake!

Sam was so sweet to share his party with Keaton. Keaton even had his own cake! Of course, I'm kicking myself for not getting a picture of the birthday boys together.

It was such a peaceful evening with the ocean breeze and the waves crashing in the background. 

A perfect ending to such a very fun day! 

Keaton is 3

Okay, so wasn't this just yesterday?

My baby is not a baby anymore.

Just look at him. He's a BIG BOY now!
A big 3 year old!

We had so much fun planning his first "friends" party. God blessed us with beautiful weather.
It was a perfect day for a party.

No surprise, we went with the Cars theme. 

Here's a rundown of the festivities:

First there was some playing

Then we played "pin the missing headlight on Mater." Keaton won!

Then lunch.

Then swimming!

 

Then some singing and serious cake-eating! 

Keaton's face was absolutely priceless when his friends were singing to him.

Too much partying for Baby Mark! 

Wow! Such a fun party! 

Such a special person to celebrate! 

I love you Keaton Ray! You are a gift from God!

 Happy Birthday!