Saturday, December 31, 2011

Day 31: Happy 2012!!


We are spending a quiet evening at home tonight  - as quiet as any NYE can be in Hawaii. Aren't fireworks illegal now on Oahu?  My neighborhood did not get this memo!!!! 

"BOOOOM! BOOOM! CRAAAASH BOOOOOM!" 
(this is background noise)

Of course, party hats are an essential to any NYE even if we will be ringing in the new year with the East Coast and hitting the hay early. 

Last blog of 2011...

Happy New Year everybody! 

Friday, December 30, 2011

Day 30: Finally!

The Christmas Eve jammies arrived just in time for New Years. Boy, were they a hit! As were the 2 ornaments that arrived in the same disneystore.com box, both of which were broken less than a half an hour after they were opened (not kidding). Ugh, boys.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Day 29: Books

Mark has really begun to show more interest in books lately. He likes to bring us a book and grunt and point until one of us reads it to him.  He still cannot be trusted 100% with non-board books, but he is doing much more looking and reading instead of always ripping and eating. 

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Christmas Day

This was our first Christmas morning in 8 years of marriage to wake up in our own bed. 

Here's how it went down: 

5:30am - still dark inside and out. Scott and I are awoken to the sound of wrapping paper ripping. 

"Keaton! Wait!!" 


Keaton had stumbled out of his room and found the gifts under the tree and without waking anyone up, without turning on one single light, without even knowing which gifts were his, he decided to get this show on the road. Thankfully, we stopped him in time, and were able to hold him off until Brumbra and Papa and brother were up and could join in the fun. 



All presents were opened and accounted for before sun-up. Santa came through - big time. Among the favorite gifts: Cranky the Crane, Cars 2 (of course), and sock monkey that dances and plays "Dynamite" by Taio Cruz. 

We headed off to church in our matching sweaters after enjoying Paula Dean's delicious French Toast Casserole (maybe a new tradition?). 
Yeah. I can't stop looking at this picture. I love these boys so much.
I agree with my friend Erin - I wish every Christmas morning fell on Sunday. Joining together in fellowship with our church family, singing Christmas carols, and hearing God's word preached, really helped me to stop and refocus my attention on what Christmas is all about. 

Later that afternoon, we enjoyed a delicious Christmas dinner of ham, sweet potatoes, green beans, homemade rolls, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. 


We spent the rest of the day relaxing and recovering from our meal. Later that evening, we took a drive down to Hickam AFB to see the Freedom Tower all lit up and pretty. 
Oooooooo Aaaaaahhhhhh!


What a blessed day! I'm so thankful to my parents for coming all the way to Hawaii to spend Christmas with us! 
Such a memorable time. 

Happy Birthday Jesus! 

Day 28: Lunch

Here's what happens when Mark is hungry and we don't feed him right away. 
Here's what happens when you give him yogurt and a spoon.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Day 27: Lanikai

We decided to take Brumbra and Papa to one of our favorite beaches today! 

Papa and the boys
We will sure miss them when they leave tomorrow! :-(

That water was COLD today!

Day 26: Air Force One

A terribly blurry shot of Air Force One from the road on Hickam Air Force Base, where Scott works. This was as close as we were able to get, but it was still pretty cool to get to see the aircraft that transports our President. He's vacationing here with his family for the week. Scott and I boogie-boarded just down the beach from his house this afternoon.


Sunday, December 25, 2011

Day 25: Mele Kalikimaka!

...is the thing to say on a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day! 
from the Bubs

Day 24: PJs


The brand new matching pjs that the boys were supposed to open when we got home from church tonight along with their Lightning and Mater ornaments are now scheduled to arrive on December 27th. Oh, well. That's what I get for trying to start a new tradition. They still look pretty cute in the brontosauruses. Happy Christmas Eve Er-body! 

Friday, December 23, 2011

Day 23: Staying up late

We had a very eventful day. You would have thought I would have taken a picture at our play date this morning OR at our first visit to 808 Bounce this afternoon OR at our church's annual trip to Weinberg Village to deliver Christmas dinner boxes and sing Christmas carols. Instead, I have this picture from 5 minutes ago of my spoiled three year old who is staying up way past his bedtime eating popcorn and sneaking cookies and candy from the kitchen.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Day 22: Treats

We have been busy making goodies for the neighbors.
Making candy and cookies with my mom is one of my favorite holiday traditions.
The only problem is... we eat way too much of it. I've gotta get this stuff out of my house!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Day 21: Our breakfast view


This was the view from our lanai this morning while we were enjoying breakfast. 

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Day 20: Christmas Crafts

Paint, glue, sequins, pom poms... 
all kinds of stuff that stresses Mama out, but Brumbra loves to do with these boys! 



Mark was mostly interested in eating the sequins! 

Monday, December 19, 2011

Day 19: Baby Humbug

Don't worry, Mark. I'm pretty sure this is how everyone was feeling at Costco this morning. 

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Day 18: Papa's here!

We let Keaton stay up late to go with us to pick him up at the airport. 

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Day 17: High tea

What a treat! This afternoon, my mom and I had high tea at the historic Moana Surfrider, the oldest hotel in Waikiki. The atmosphere and view were amazing, and the service was first class.
We lingered for two and a half hours, and had such a memorable afternoon!


It was so hard to choose what tea to have. They all smelled amazing! 
1st course: Carrot Ginger Soup
Petit Fours and Champagne 
Our view.

Day 16: Long Overdue

Keaton's been looking pretty scraggly lately. 
I just love his expression here. 
He was super excited about the animals on his apron, especially the giraffe

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Day 15: First Dentist Appointment


Keaton was such a brave boy! Dr. Kim said his teeth were beautiful - no cavities! 

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Fifteen Months

My baby boy is 15 months old today! 

Oh, Marky! This boy keeps me on my toes half the time and on my knees the other half. 


Mark wakes up between 5:30 and 6:00 am. Most mornings, I hear him over the monitor yell, "Bubba!" to his brother who now shares his room. 

He likes his warm "mo mo" (a.k.a milk) first thing when he gets out of bed. 

He's still a very good eater. Tonight he downed almost 3 pieces of pizza! 



He loves to play with trains and cars. Poor kid never had a chance of developing his OWN interests. He automatically loves everything that Keaton loves. He even lights up and dances when the Thomas theme song comes on TV. 

He still does not have many words, but this doesn't mean he's quiet. He's very efficient at getting his point across with grunting, yelling, and pointing.  

He loves to climb, jump off of things that he climbs, and then climb them again. 

He's fearless. 



He chases the cat. 

He "sings" and dances. 

He loves to make people laugh.

He's tough. He doesn't take any crap from anyone, especially big brothers.

 

He is a delight. 

We can't imagine our family without him.








Day 14: New Hairdo

Scott decided to grow his hair out a bit. 

Mark's face was priceless. He really thought there was a stranger in our home!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Day 13: Fresh wound

This is why the boy has never had a professional photo taken. 
Beautiful angelic baby.
Fresh festering goose egg. 

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Day 11: Harmonica Man

This afternoon, we went to a Christmas party for Scott's work. Rick, one of Scott's coworkers, brought out his harmonica and began serenading the kids. They were mesmerized. At first, they just stared, but before long, they were dancing all around and having the best time! It was hilarious! 

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Day 10: Shaka Shadow

I sent Scott and the boys away this morning so that I could get a few things done. This pic was on the camera when they got home. I like it! 


Day 9: Santa

Unlike last year, Keaton couldn't wait to see Santa tonight! He froze up a little when Santa asked what he wanted. This was convenient for me because I could coach him to say EXACTLY what Santa was already bringing! :-) 
As you can see, Mark was not so sure about all this. About 8 seconds later, that worried look turned into a full out bawl for Mama.