Visit from Grandma

Grandma Kathy (aka "Grandma Moo Moo"-name affectionately given to her by Sam when he was a baby) has been visiting us for the past 2 weeks. She has made Sylas giggle a lot during her stay. She is planning on taking the kids to see Santa tomorrow, I wonder if he will be dressed in his traditional garb, or if he will go for the more appropriate outfit of a Hawaiian shirt and board shorts. We have had lots of fun times including today when we visited one of our favorite spots, the Lavender Farm. We attempted to take a picture for the holiday cards and gosh, professional photographers really do earn their pay. It was a circus trying to get all 3 kids look at the camera! I think next time I will try a glass of wine in one hand and a camera in the other. Here are some photos that capture the ordeal:

We will try again tomorrow!

Thanksgiving 2009

This year has been full of things to be thankful for.

Everyday I am thankful for the sun rising (actually this picture is of the sun setting, sorry I can't get up that early!). I really am thankful for the sun rising, not just because I know that the sun will bring me warmth and remind me that I am not freezing in Minnesota anymore, but because the new day will give me more time to experience life and all that it brings. There is always something to learn, teach, or just be a part of.

Sylas getting ready to eat pureed turkey, squash, and mashed potatoes. Delicious! I am thankful that he eats well and is always grabbing for the spoon.

Sam and Sophie proud of their Thanksgiving Skittle Turkey Cake (not too fond of pie, they DO NOT take after their mother!). I am thankful for their creative minds and joyful spirits.

When the day begins, it is always filled with activity of my children. I am thankful for the opportunity to experience childhood again, although not personally but by observing daily three children grow. Their wisdom and outlook on life is unclouded and has a clarity that is sometimes difficult for their mature(ha, ha) mother to immediately see. Thank you Sam, Sophie, and Sylas for pointing me in the right direction!

This year when Sylas joined our family, I started an entire new chapter of my life which resulted in even MORE things to be thankful for! Sylas multiplies the love in our family. I am thankful for the way that Sylas looks at me and smiles, the way he clutches tightly to me as I carry him, and the way he calms when I hold him. I am indeed thankful for all of our family, friends, and unknown new friends who have shown support to our family in many ways, including following our journey through my blog. I am inspired and educated by reading the blogs of others, thank goodness for their writing. I am thankful for my dear husband who is always there to make me laugh and inspire me with his dreams.....I could go on and on. Gosh it almost sounds like I am accepting an Academy Award or something!

The picture above was taken a few days ago when we traveled to an island that is only 45 minute boat ride away. We had never been there, yet we look at this island everyday. We stayed upcountry in a lodge with wood burning fireplaces. You probably wonder, who needs a fireplace in Hawaii? Well, this place was cold..ok not really.. but it was compared to the other parts of Hawaii. It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to, horse-drawn carriages, croquet, wild turkeys running across the lawn, tiny little town, and orchids everywhere. Like I said before, we look at this island everyday, but have never realized the unexpected treasures and beauty it holds...hmmm...makes me think of so many things in life.



HAPPY THANKSGIVING and THANK YOU!!

Happy Bday Daddy!

Brett had a birthday last weekend and the kids joined forces to make a cake. They had their share of licking the batter spatula/bowl and thank goodness did not get sick (raw eggs, I always cross my fingers). Here is the bday picture.

We also went to the county fair with the kids. It was dusty and dirty and a whole lot of fun! In the midwest, I always have a big greasy corndog at the fair. Although the fair here does have corndogs, I instead went with Kalua shredded pork, cabbage, and rice. Salty good!

In honor of Brett's bday, he and I went ziplining. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this, it is basically when one is suspended by a harness that is attached to a pulley hung on a steel cable. After being strapped in, you pray that you survive, jump (or get pushed) off a platform, and zip high above the treetops through the mountains. For myself, who is deathly afraid of heights, it was good to face my fears, and yes, it was fun. I am so glad that I did it....so glad that I will never do it again!