Aloha from Maui!

We just returned from a fantastic week in Maui with Sho's parents and brothers.  Thank you to Bachan and Jichan for such a great trip!

Ben was fascinated with the slugs so when we walked in the morning, it took awhile to get where we were going because he wanted to stop and touch each one.  

Ben wasn't that interested in putting his face in the water, but he still enjoyed the pool atmosphere!

Kara, on the other hand, loved the water and swam every chance she got.  By the end of our trip, she was jumping in and swimming across the short length of the pool.  Perfect timing because swimming lessons start next week and she is so excited!

Jason loved all of the attention and enjoyed both the pool and the ocean water.  He also started to stand on his own...

All of the kids loved spending time with Uncle Gregg and Uncle Ross... 

It didn't matter if it was beach time or pool time...



Or just walking around and enjoying the sights...

Everyone had a great time. 

And of course there was shave ice... Kara continued to try new flavors and was always up for taking a bite from others to make sure she wasn't missing out.  Though Ben used to only get rainbow shave ice, he now has a new favorite - rootbeer float!

Kara said her best memories were swimming in the pool with her family... and Ben said "me too".  Aloha!

Livin' the Country Life

The weather was so pleasant after dinner, we decided to spend a little time outside.  Though Jason is usually on the move and eager to crawl, stand and find something to pull on, he was content to just sit on the grass and enjoy being outside... I also think he was a little unsure about the grass, but I like to think he was just chillin'. 

Ben was happy to run around, blow bubbles and look for rollie pollies. 

 

Kara was excited to find a lady bug and she hoped to keep it as a pet, but finally she decided it was better for the lady buy to stay with its family and friends.


There is nothing better than seeing the kids happy and smiling and exploring and just being amazed by the the things around them.

After our time outside, everyone was in need of a bath.  And for the first time, all three kids got in the tub together and they had a blast!  Jason loved all of the attention and reminiscent of when Jason was younger, Kara and Ben both would ask, "can you turn him towards me now?"



Hope you find the joy in all of life's little wonders.

Do Your Best!

Our preschool had a bike-a-thon and we were happy that Ben learned to ride a bike just in time...

Unfortunately, this happy photo was before he started... When the bell rang to start, the kids all started to pedal, Ben started to cry.  He was worried someone was going to run into him.  We did a few laps together and finally, towards the end of the twenty minute round, he was able to do a couple of laps on his own.

Kara biked with some girls in her class and they were all smiles at the start line.

And then it was game on!  Kara biked for a solid twenty minutes, not stopping for a water break (even though it was over 90 degrees) or even to give her mom a high five!  She was concentrating and determined... and she did 60 laps!  She's eager to see if she did the most laps of all the girls at school.  We told her that what's most important is that she did her best, though we would definitely be amazed and excited if she did end up doing the most laps.

And then there's Jason who is just growing up so fast!  It seems like he just learned how to crawl and now crawling is so last week.  He wants to stand up and cruise around holding onto the furniture.  Is it me or does he look so much older as he stands with one hand down by his side?  Only nine months.... but still no teeth!

Visit with the Deas

One of the perks to living in the Central Valley is that we're so much closer to our northern California friends and relatives!  Over the weekend we went up north and one of our stops was at Anna and Marc's.  Our kids kept asking, "when are we getting to Evan and Justin's house?"  Kara and Ben loved playing with Evan and Justin and all of their toys... Jason was happy to be in a play area where nothing was off limits, unlike at our house.  And Kara had her first "date"!  By Sunday afternoon, Kara and Evan were holding hands around the house and Kara giggled when she told us that they were on a date... How does she even know what a date is? 

It's so much fun to see all of the kids together... and it was so much fun when they all went to sleep and we got to have some fun of our own! 

Adult chocolate milk.  Yummm....

We Love Legoland!

The kids are really into Legos, so we decided to take a day trip to Legoland.  Everyone had a great time...

I did say everyone!

Kara liked making her own car and watching it go down the ramp.  She was so careful to put it in the center aisle, in the center of the aisle and when she let it go, she'd jump and jump with happiness as her car made it to the finish line.

Ben loved driving all by himself.  We worried that he wouldn't get the concept and that he'd be sitting in the car, just watching everyone drive by... but it turns out that not only does he enjoy driving, but he's a good driver!  Most kids drove in a straight line or into the sides, but Ben did a slow serpentine down the straight-aways and just when you thought he was gonna hit the side or run into another car, he'd turn just in time, making us all smile.

Poor Jason... he didn't have much of a chance to be out and about.  And when he saw these Legos, he must have thought he hit the mother load... but all he heard was, "no, Jason, not in your mouth."  But it didn't stop him from trying.

And in Miniland, the kids got a chance to see New York.  Uncle Ross pointed out all of the sights so now they're ready for the real thing!  Gotta love the adventure of Legos!

A Big Party for Mommy!

The last Saturday in April is always a huge work event, the Donate Life Run/Walk in Fullerton.  Since I didn't feel like it would be right to not have the kids with me on my birthday, everyone came to Orange County and Uncle Ross even flew into town to help entertain the kids.  The kids saw the set up on Friday and Kara asked others, "did you see all the tents for my mommy's birthday?"

Kara made me a birthday button so many people wished me a happy day :)  I got lots of great cards and gifts.... the most memorable was the rollie-pollie bug from Ben.