Mele Kalikimaka!

Well... Treston and Aiden asked me the other day, "How many more days until Christmas?" I assured them it was a ways off.... then I looked at the calendar!! ;-0 How do we only have two weeks left? I haven't even started any Christmas shopping! Sounds like a fun date for Stephen and I! YEAH!


Here are my latest window paintings! We thought it would be fun to have a fire place to relax next to on "cold" winter nights here in Hawaii! ;-)

I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas Holiday.
Happy Birthday Jesus! Mele Kalikimaka to all!

Butterflys

Kids are pretty creative. Today they found a new toy (after it had been broken!) They wrapped themselves up in their "cocoons" and were waiting for their wings. Treston said he was going to have red wings... and Aiden green wings.

It was good to see them having fun together... the last few days has just been a bunch of fighting. The flu bug doesn't help to bring harmonious sounds!!!

Tubba Bubble Fun!

Yesterday, during tubba time, I realized that they are all getting so big... and they won't be able to have play time together in the tubba much longer. So I thought I better snap some shots of them having fun in the bubbles together.

Treston and Kailea were actually recovering from having the flu (no smiles!).

But, Aiden was feeling great - he had eaten all the pb&j's and had tons of smiles. Funny Kids!

This was fun!!!!

I have always wanted to be someone who could paint pictures. Well, I am no "artist", but I decided to give it a try. And to my surprise... I didn't do too bad. I just wanted to share. Thanksgiving wishes to all!

Treston - Super Marble Man

Ok, so have you ever had the feeling that your kids aren't really learning anything from you. Or that what you try to teach them over and over may never sink in? And then all the sudden... it really sinks in. This is the case with the marble machine. The boys got it last Christmas and have really enjoyed it. However, I am usually the engineer. Well the other day - Treston came running to get me - very excited! He had built this tower all by himself!!! And it worked! He made me watch as he put a marble down to see if it hit every place. I was so proud of him. And the best part is that he felt really good about himself too! I guess they are listening!

Oh - Did Halloween Already Pass? ...

Aiden as a caterpillar! He wasn't really into the trick-or-treating, he just walked around and looked at everyone else.

Kailea as Tinker Bell - as soon as she got out of the car - she was sliding down the dirt hill. So this is the best picture I got that night. Too fun!

Treston wanted to be a Butterfly!! So how in the world do you make a butterfly look manly? I tried. Oh Well! He loved it - especially the face paint. He is such a fun boy (most of the time!)

November 12 - Kaena Point

Kids to the Rescue!

A few weeks ago our stereo was stolen out of our car... so on the way to the hike last week... the kids saved the day! They provided music for us.

A week of crafts! So fun!

I has been a fun week of crafts. First the kiddos made Balloon People. We painted and decorated the balloons and the shoes(which we cut out of old cereal boxes). Kailea had fun painting - she mostly just hugged her balloon. The ghosts were done by Treston and Aiden. I never realized the art involved in twisting a rubber band around something... but they sure loved it when they got the hang of it! They went through an entire box of tissues! Then we made little wood and q-tip sculptures. Aiden got started right away stacking and building whatever came to mind(he is a very artistic little boy). Treston learned a good lesson that everything does not have to be perfect... once he figured out that art is art... he had fun building his works of art.

All in all - a fun time with arts and crafts. I even made a sculpture :-)

A Beautiful Hike!

It has been a while since I have posted one of our weekly hikes... so here goes. This last week we went to Hau'ula Loop Trail. A beautiful almost 4 mile loop on the North Shore of Oahu. It is very close to Laie Temple and the PCC. Beautiful!

The Superstars!

Usually every day (can you imagine the amount of undies we go thru?)... after school the boys decide to take a dip in the pool to cool off. This morning we did computer work and then I left them downstairs to have lunch while I put Kailea to bed. I came down to a quiet house and looked outside... I love to see them playing together and laughing. I was excited to get some pics... without them knowing! They are pretty sure they are the best swimmers ever!! ;-) It is fun to see them learning so much lately. They will sit on the bottom of the pool and hold their breath for as long as they can. I hope they can be better swimmers than I have ever been! Even though Stephen is gone so much.. I know our time in "paradise" will be full of wonderful memories! :-)

What a Bat-ty Day!

We have been home schooling for about 8 months now.. and completely love the fun times we have enjoyed. Every week we do a craft. Ofcourse with Halloween around the corner it is easy to choose crafts for the week. Last week we did black spiders... this week BATS! It was fun. They had a blast running around like bats... I tried to capture a few fun images to share!
I have really enjoyed this opportunity to teach my kids. We know for sure that I will home school until we leave here (in 2010) after that I guess we will see. But hey, I wouldn't mind going to a Space Camp too! :-) I am blessed to have the opportunity to learn so much with my kids.

And God Remembered Rachel...

Conference this weekend was just great! I loved getting up at 6:00 am and having 1 hour to myself to enjoy the talks. My favorite session was Saturday morning. I usually can never remember exactly who said what until I get the Ensign. And then I devour it again. In one of the talks on Saturday morning - it was quoted "And God remembered Rachel"... you may be thinking why is that worth bringing up? I know we all go through trials and those are hopefully the experiences that make us better people. Sometimes through those trials I get so caught up in surviving life from day to day or month to month that we do not realize that God still... remembers Brandi! I am so happy to know that my Heavenly Father loves me and wants only wonderful and pure things for me and my family. I am overjoyed to know that I have an eternal family... and God will continue to remember me. I love the Prophet Gordon B Hinckley; what an amazing man! I just want to give him hugs and tell him thank you every time I here his name.
So if you are having a hard day or a good day... God remembers YOU!
Lots of Love! :-)

Time to Celebrate! Sept 20

Fun in the Sun - Sept 17

WE'VE MADE 6 YEARS! YEAH!!! :-)

Married September 15, 2001

Las Vegas, Nevada LDS Temple

6 Years.. 3 kiddos and lots of memories of great times!

Thank you to all our friends and family! Lots of Aloha!

September 13 Makapu'u Lighthouse Hike

Makapu'u Lighthouse

Koko Crater
Kaneohe Bay
We made it! Aiden, Treston & Kailea

Mischevious Mornings - Must Brush Teeth!

The last few days I have found Kailea Sue on top of the bathroom counter (how is she getting up there?) with a toothbrush and toothpaste. And when I walk in; she smiles and says, "Teeth, please!" I finally got a picture this morning. Thought I could share! :-)

Cookie Time - Little Chef's

Treston and Aiden often help me make lunch/dinner or cookies. Ofcourse cookies are their favorite. Treston often tells me he wants to be a chef and a worker to build a house when he grows up. Aiden wants to be a dancer and a chef. So hey, no matter what I won't have to cook when I get older! :-) I am super excited about that! The one thing I can not understand is... I always help them measure out the ingredients... but the cookies never turn out the way they are supposed to. I am not sure what happens? Oh well...No matter what, they always taste good!

Pretty Little Girls = Heartache for Brothers

Forgot my camera today... but had to tell. We went to the beach today; always a fun time. While we were there a "pretty" little girl came over and started talking to the boys. Treston was the first to be completely stricken with her... followed her around smiling the whole time. (Completely cute!)... well then Aiden decided he liked her too! Treston first, nicely told him to back off; Aiden didn't listen. Treston then took the "pretty" girls hand and they walked along the beach. Aiden again tried his luck at stealing the little girls attention. Treston warned him this time, with a little shove. (Which he got in trouble for). The "pretty" little girl thought all the attention was wonderful... if they fight over girls at 3 and 4... how is it going to be at 15 and 16?! I am scared. As we were leaving, Aiden held my hand to the car and said, "Mom, but I wanted that pretty girl!" All the way home Treston just kept saying, "I will miss that pretty girl!" So, I guess they don't want to marry me anymore? ;-(

Stepping Stones

So yesterday was Kailea Sue's first day in NURSERY!!! What a wonderful stepping stone for us. Kailea has been the most attached little one. Such a joy, but always needed mom every minute. I am sure it mostly because her dad left when she was 5 weeks old and didn't get back until she was 9 months old. I snuggled and held her all the time.. she really was a saving grace for me during that time. I would chase two rowdy (but wonderful) boys all day, and then get to relax while snuggling Kailea. So... she has turned 18 months and actually lasted 1 whole hour without me. :-) This is super great since I have had to try and be the 1st Counselor in the Primary with her tagging along everywhere. It is fun that she is getting older; but also a little sad. She is the last one... the baby! ;-) Being a "single mom" most of the time while going to church has been a huge struggle... but I know the gospel is true and we will be blessed for "enduring to the end!"

Chocolate - How we love thee!!

August 30 - Diamond Head

Todays hike was to the top of Diamond Head Crater. From the trailhead it is a 1 mile (761 feet elevation gain) hike up with 271 steps. Oh so fun... burn baby burn! :-)

After the first 74 steps (about half way up) is a nice little lookout which used to be used as an observation station for the military. We took a water break.

C & Aiden, S & Treston & Mom and Kailea.

Then it was off through a 225-foot tunnel, 99 more stairs, lighted spiral staircase (#of stairs?), through some concrete windows (once covered with camo and such) up 54 more stairs to the top. At the top is the beautiful view of Waikiki Beach. And we were also able to see one of the other Hawaiian Islands - Molokai' in the distance. A great time had by all!

August 23, 2007 - Aiea Loop Hike

This weeks hike was to the very popular Aiea Loop. The kids and I had done the hike about 4-5 weeks ago, and had decided to go again with family. The hike is a loop of about 4.5 miles. It has beautiful scenery throughout; and ofcourse is a great workout. The boys enjoy there bragging rights when talking to others about their "5" mile hike. It is fun to see them feeling so good about accomplishing something so big.

Best of Friends August 18, 2007

Called the kiddos for breakfast this morning... no answer. So went looking for them; all cozied up on Kailea Sue's bed. What fun kids they are.