The BIG recital...just for Grandma & Grandpa far, far away

Mom can't believe we paid close to $70 for this costume,

but I kept my opinion to myself because

Ame really liked it! I guess it did go along pretty well

with the song/dance they performed.

Plus, after seeing some of the others-some were definitely cuter,

and others were definitely NOT!
trying to wait patiently b4 it was time to head
backstage.
Mom went early to save seats and dad brought the boys
just in time for the performance-almost missed it
because he forgot their tickets and to hurry home to
get them. Quinn's dad and Ame's cousin Ella also came to
enjoy the show!

Ame has been debating whether or not to continue with

dance or try some others things. The decision became even

harder when they gave her a SPECIAL note on her last day of class

inviting her to try out for the competition team.

Being in competition would limit her options to try other

things-music/sports, and if we pursue that

route it is A LOT more $$$$$ and time.
But no matter what, we are super proud of our great little dancer!!

(Ame is front and center-in case you can't pick her out)

Sounds great...

I just signed up for this, it SOUNDS like a great idea: www.utahsrealdeals.com
Get your Utah Kids Club family membership for 1/2 off with Utah's Real Deals. For just 6.00, each family membership gives you discounts to over 100 family fun centers. Buy one get one free at Boondocks, Hollywood Connection, Fat Cats, Mulligans, Sparetime, Olympic Oval, Laser Assault, Treehouse Museum, Scera Theatre, Showtime Utah, tons of rec. centers, deals at the Planetarium, Aquarium, Hogle Zoo, Ogden Dino Park, Cherry Hill, Seven Peaks, Jumpin Jacks, Jump On It, and sooooo many others. You'll also have access to the website with a calendar of special events featuring 20+ activities to do Daily with your children, most of which are FREE. As well as access to the Kids Eat FREE calendar. We even throw in 2 FREE kids meals at Applebees for you!! You Only Need One Membership for your whole family. The membership card is "transferable" meaning that Grandma or even a babysitter can take the kids. The discounts can also be used for mom and dad. There is no age limit. One family per card, no sharing please. We don't require you to buy an annual pass--Each membership is on a month to month basis and can be cancelled at anytime. By ordering through Real Deals, you will recieve a certificate that can be redeemed online to recieve 1/2 off your membership for as long as you like!!

A grateful mother

I can't say I was super grateful at 5:30am

when Kaipo came into my room crying to tell me

he had peed his bed (something he hasn't

done since he started potty training). What a choice day to do it,

especially to start this mom's day off great!

After that episode, things turned around.

I threw all his sheets/blankets in the washer

and then we all crawled back in bed for awhile.

My kids love to make me breakfast in bed,

and Mother's Day is no exception-and on this day

they actually gets daddy's help, so I get more than

just toast or cereal :) There was no relaxing though

since we have 9:00 church. Here is the beautiful lei Quinn got me

(he also got one for his mom). I love this tradition,

especially because I know he didn't just run out

last minute to pick up some flowers, but it took

some planning ahead to get it ordered to arrive on time for ME! I LOVE the kids homemade gifts from school.

They get so excited to bring it home and then

keep it a secret from me until MOther's Day!

Here is the note on the back of Ame's card.

And coincidentally they both made me
fridge magnets.

I have wanted a cruiser bike for awhile and got it

today. Ame and I are excited to go on lots of bike rides

together. Kaipo may join us sometimes, those will just be

A LOT slower rides!

We spent the rest of the day in Provo with Quinn's mom

and family-eating, playing games, eating, relaxing in the

beautiful weather, eating, and the kids driving their moms crazy!

Hope all of you Mother's had a FANTASTIC day!

I am so grateful to be a mother, even though most days

my kids may wonder if I really feel that way.

I can't believe b4 the year is through I will be a mom of 4!!!

***What a blessing***

And quite a bit of craziness!

Friends Reunited

On Saturday we went to Salt Lake to see one of QUinn's really good friends Ivan. They grew up together & were snowboarding buddies for years, and Ivan has since moved to Washington. But Ivan's mom, Pam (who was like Quinn's 2nd mom) still lives in Salt Lake, so we all got together at her house for brunch. It was great for the guys to reminise and catch up. Believe it or not these two both use to have LONG hair. As you can see Kaipo's makes friends instantly and is very affectionate!

Ash being silly-trying to pose

the kids all had a blast hangin' outside, playing with this old tree and running wild

it was such a beautiful, crisp day

Ivan's mom, Ivan, his daughters-Amethyst(11), Sophie(3) and Ivan's wife

what are we looking at???

This would be some attempts at getting close-ups pics of the STAPLES Kaipo got in his head last night. He was being his crazy Kaipo self, fell and hit his head on the edge of my dresser. That thing started bleeding like you wouldn't believe! I was scared, and so was he seeing all the blood. His back side was covered with blood b4 mom could get a towel on it to apply pressure. It did stop bleeding rather quickly, but the gash was pretty deep. Luckily he continued to ACT his crazy, normal self, so we were pretty sure he didn't have a concussion. Luckily Quinn was home and did some research online, asked Kaipo some memory questions, and then we called the hospital. I did end up taking him about 8:30pm to the 24 hour WEE CARE PEDIATRIC. He got 5 lovely staples right in his head, no numbing or anything. The Dr. did give us the option of applying something that would take the edge off, but he would still feel it, plus we would have 20-30 minutes for that to kick in, so he suggested we just do it quick. After Kaipo charmed everyone in the office with his smile and personality, he shed some tears & screamed when he realized what was happening. Who could blame him?? I mean STAPLES in your head! I think I would scream too. But he was very brave, got a handful of suckers and has been fine ever since. Now he thinks it is pretty cool that he has actual staples in his head. We have to go back in a week to get them taken out, but the Dr assured us it hardly hurts to get 'em out. I sure hope he's right! And luckily Kaipo already has a buzz so they didn't have to shave any of his head.
I just can't believe we haven't had to do anything like this b4 now!
Cross our fingers we don't have to again for at least a few more years!!!

Kindergarten Program

This morning Ame had her end of year

Kindergarten Program.

Ame and Irelyn
Her simple part:
Everyone is special, wouldn't you agree

They sang A LOT of really cute songs

It was a great length and not to long.

Nothing like some programs that just go on AND ON...
Way to go OUR shining star!

Can't believe this school year is almost over.

Then we will have an ALL day 1st grader-WOW!

Some pampering

I don't do things like this for myself very often, and I have NEVER had a pedicure. But have always wanted one. This being the week of Mother's Day, I thought I deserved it, so I made myself an appt for a Spa Pedicure. It was fantastic-from the scrub, to the hot wax wrap, to the hot rock massage. I don't know what was best. But it sure was nice!! Now I just need a tan on those WHITE feet :)

house update...going to be done SOON

We went and visited our house on a Tuesday evening and WOW is it finishing up quickly. They tell us now it could be done as early as June 7th. The outside is mostly complete, except the front door needs to be stained, the garage doors put on, and whatever they do to the foundation along the bottom. Oh yes and they are putting in our front yard. The inside has cabinets, paint is done, lights fixtures & doors on. So it is definitely moving quickly. It is exciting to see it all taking shape and coming to its finishing stages!!

one to remember

I am not very good at remembering to document things my kids say, but I just had to jot this one down:
The other day Ame and I were on our way home from her Hula lessons and the traffic was terrible. I had the radio on and a commercial was on about chewing tabacco. She was obviously intently listening because she started asking questions about tabacco. And we discussed that it is the same thing that is in cigarettes and that some people like to chew it instead of smoke it. I was trying to give just enough info to answer her questions but not go into too much detail. So she was quiet for a minute and then said, "Isn't that the stuff dad like to eat?" I said WHAT? And she said, "yeah the hot stuff he is always putting on his food". I thought for a minute and then realized she was talking about TABASCO. I had a good chuckle inside, but tried to not laugh out loud too much because she gets so sensitive about making mistakes and someone laughing AT her. I just responded, honey no that is tabasco and is NOT the same thing. She said "oh yeah" and got a huge look of RELIEF, knowing that her daddy wasn't eating TABACCO...the really bad stuff :)

Nursery Rhymes and more...

This week Ame's class has been learning about

nursery rhymes and each of them was given one

to memorize and share with the class. Here is

Mary, Mary quite contrary, how does your garden grow... They also had a nursery rhyme party that everyone got to dress

up as their favorite one and they played several cute/fun games.

Here is Ame's friend Irelyn as Little Bo Peep's sheep
this game was humpty dumpty sat on a wall-
each of them got to decorate their own egg and let 'em
have a great fall
London Bridges falling down

and that was the nursery rhyme fun
*****
the boys were feeling left out of the pictures-

so here is Kaipo in his homemade Batman mask

and Ash being silly

using Kaipo's Spiderman reusable lunch bag

as a hat

someone SPECIAL is having a birthday

All of us

including growing baby Hanamaikai, want to wish YOU a

Happy Birthday!
We hope you know how much you mean to us, and even though you are far from us (in person) at this time, you are never far from us in our hearts!

WE LOVE YOU!!

The kids have a message for their SPECIAL grandma, who is too far away to get these cards in person (and since their mom didn't plan far enough in advance to get them sent in the mail).

Grandma you should feel pretty special, because Ame has become very NERVOUS and STINGY about performing Hula. Just ask Jason who asks her to do it everytime he sees her! She has just gotten so much more self conscious, which I don't know why because she really has gotten quite good and looks so darn cute when she actually does it! (hopefully I can convince her to do it for her Kindergarten talent show coming up at the end of the school year)

Sorry, I tried and tried to figure out how to turn this around. I guess you will have to get a kink in your neck while you enjoy this one (or turn your laptop sideways). Note-to-self: DON'T FILM WITH CAMERA VERTICAL! Cannot rotate it like you can a picture.

Ame decided it needed to be MORE professional, so she had to add some real costume pieces, before she could do her next dance. ENJOY!

The good and the NOT so good

Just a few short weeks ago my dear friend here in Riverdale was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She had been having severe headaches and dizziness, which finally took her beyond OTC med's, to seeing a doctor and then to get an MRI. Everything has been a whirlwind for her since then, and if you interested in reading more or hearing the whole story you can visit a blogsite that has been set up for her: http://amiracleforjodibrown.blogspot.com/ Pictured below is Jodi (in the chair) and her mother. Her mom happened to be visiting for conference and a family baptism, at just about the same time all this began for Jodi. I can't imagine if it had been at a different time for her. Her parents live in Hawaii and her dad is the president of the PCC. But luckily her mom has been able to stay indefinitely and provide help and support in ways only a MOM know how.

Since all this has happened so quickly and has been so overwhelming, her neighbors graciously threw together a quick, last minute, but just perfect smalll party for her little guy, Daven (who is just a month younger than my Ash).

Thank goodness he is oblivious to the challenges his mommy is facing and was able to enjoy his party. He is such a sweet, cute little guy! Funny his brother is trying to block someone else from blowing out the candles, while his other brother is helping Daven blow out the candles.

we were grateful to be able to join in on the fun of cake, cotton candy and spending time with our wonderful friends!

(Kaipo looks as though he is praying, but I must have just snapped on that one second he was blinking, and getting ready for another burst of energy)

we're rounding it off

Ash has a message to share...

I just had to include this picture too.

I used this when we announced my pregnancy

with Ash. I just love to see how much these two

have grown up. They were soo cute and little!

After having a miscarriage last year,

we were much more hesitant to share the news

this time. We even waited until just recently

(after I went to my 1st Dr's appt) to

tell family. But now the word is out that

our family is rounding off to the even #

***6***
I don't know if we are READY, but

we are anxious to see who will be

joining our family.

I am especially excited to find out that

a few other dear ones are also

taking on this fun adventure at the

same time as me.

Some facts:

• I really thought I was having twins-but that thought was confirmed negative (relief)
• I am 11 weeks and my Due Date is November 12th
• I feel as though I have NO room to complain in comparison to others, but my pregnancies have gradually gotten harder (as far as nausea and how I am feeling)
• I am definitely getting the akward belly growth earlier this time
• thankful for the profound thought of my daughter who said to me when she found out we were having a baby "this must be the baby who wasn't ready to come last time"

AND THE ADVENTURE BEGINS!

Wild Animal Adventure

Today Kaipo's preschool took their last fieldtrip to the Hogle Zoo. We couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather. Just right to break out the tank tops (that Ame has been begging to wear) and flip flops. Karli and Kaiya joined us, which for me worked out really well. At least I had a third hand or another eye to scope out and help keep track of Kaipo. This was the ideal set up, which worked out for a small part of the time. Ash didn't last long in the stroller, but Kaiya did (mostly because Karli wasn't about to carry/chase her all around-and who can blame her). Luckily this day of LOTS of walking didn't put Karli into labor. Although if she had to bend down at the zoo or turn around in the car a few more time to pick up the binkies that Kaiya kept throwing on the floor, that just may have done it! As tiring as it was for you Kar, we are so glad you joined us!!!

Thankfully Kaipo made sure to get nice

and wet before we even really started our adventure.

Iwas too slow in getting my camera out.
Just seconds b4 this peacock had her
beautiful feathers spread completely out, and it really was spetacular!
Ash giving some love or licks (or something) to the Rhino

Kaiya looking so cute and sweet!

Luckily she was THIS good the whole time,

right Kar?!?!

Lunch time...look at Karli go.

I told you, you would LOVE this shot!

(check out Ash watching her)
Ame was excited because some her
buddies skipped school to come on the fieldtrip as well.
(her friend Breklyn is on the left)

Kaipo getting creative with the elephant bones

THIS was a great show

these bears were being VERY playful and having some fun for all to see!

All the animals were out enjoying the

beautiful weather as well.

We were glad to get to see the giraffe's

UPCLOSE outside instead of in the stinky indoors :)

Another kindergarten friend, Ms Michelle's daughter, Kamayla.

And here is the whole group of kids.

Other than not being able to ride the train

because it was closed for the day,

the zoo trip was a lot of fun!

Our family pass doesn't expire until the end of June,

so if anyone want to join us b4 then, just let us know.

HAPPY SPRING!!