Ash's favorite

One of Ash's favorite things to do is Puzzles.

I will find him several times a day,

doing this same puzzle. He puts it

together and then takes it apart,

again and again.

We have some word puzzles

that used to be his favorite, but now

it is this one.

I know one thing to get him for Christmas...

MORE PUZZLES!

A Trip with Grandma

Grandma frankie was kind enough to take

the kids out for the day, last Saturday, to Antelope Island.

Sad to say I live soo close to it and have never

gone there myself. But from what I was told,

after their trip out there, it is quite the place.

A definite must see! Despite the look on Ame's face,

the kids said they had such a fun time,

and Grandma spoiled them with souveniers and trinkets.

From what I was told, they had a hard time

getting Ash off of this Buffalo.

That's a surprise!

Ame hard at work, learning to sew.

According to Ame there were little cottages
that they got to go through, that were there
b4 antelope island, and you could see how they
use to live back then.

Grandma said it was hard to ever get pictures of
Kaipo. I had such a hard time believing that...hahahaha

Ash and Ame playing dress-up

Grandma trying to keep track of the kids,

and being soo patient!

Thanks Grandma for giving the kids such

a wonderful, educational experience.

And giving this mom and break!!!

Relections

This year Ame really wanted to enter the

Reflections Contest,

which allows kids to share their talents

in various categories of Arts, including Dance.

So she shared her beautiful talent of Hula.

The theme was, Beauty Is...

for Ame it was,

Beauty is in the hands.

So they had to turn there stuff in sometime in October.

Then the Monday b4 I had the baby I got a phone call

asking if she could share her talent at

the awards night which was on Wednesday,

the day I was to be induced. I told the lady I

couldn't promise anything, and explained my situation.

After having the baby on Tuesday, I left it up to

Quinn, if he wanted to take her.

He did, and of course she did outstanding.

She received the Award of Excellence

and will be advancing to Council Level-whatever that means

(but I know this is a state-wide competition).

So we are very proud of our girl, for her

confidence and desire to share her beautiful talents!

the day of firsts

Grandma Frankie was emotional as she held

our precious boy for the first time

(she has been amazing and soo helpful this whole week-

I don't know what we would have done without her)

on our way home from the hospital

we picked up Ame from school, so SHE was the

first to see and ride next to him in the car.

then at home...

each of the kids got their own turn

to hold him for the the first time

and each of them were soo proud and excited

especially Ash, who is officially no longer

the baby of the family

first day in the house full of craziness

first nap at home

and his first sponge bath at home

(this was the day after he arrived home)

and MANY more firsts to come

Baby Hanamaikai #4....naming STILL in progress

(I should be getting some extra rest, but I figure that once I get home, quiet time to get this story written down, may be hard to come by)

So here's the story of his arrival:

I had a Dr's appt on Tuesday morning and was only dialated to about 3 1/2, despite the strong but irregular contractions I had been having the day b4. So we discussed all the last minute details for my scheduled induction Wednesday. All along I have been predicting I would

have him on my own, and a mother's instinct is always right! Because around 2-2:30 I started having SERIOUS contractions, and decided I better start keeping track of them cuz they were

getting pretty regular. They were 10-15 min apart, but I was sure like the previous day

they would just go away. QUinn had class to teach up at Weber State @ 5:30 and kept asking

me if he needed to cancel class. I just kept responding I DON"T KNOW...As it got later in the day I called my sister, just to warn her of what I was feeling and told Quinn to just go to class,

but to keep his phone close. Meanwhile we had made plans for Quinn's mom to come up that night to stay with the kids, since we were suppose to be at the hospital early the next morning.

I got the kids dinner and baths early, JUST IN CASE. And then there was a knock at the door.

It was Frankie and I guess quinn had mentioned something to her about me feeling contractions and so she decided to head up early. Once again thanks for a Mother following her instincts. I finally listened to my own body and called quinn. I told him he better get home-he said "Are you sure, I can be done in like 45 minutes?"Good thing I said, NO come NOW. He made it home and we gathered up a few things, Ame said a beautiful family prayer, and we headed out the door. It was now sometie after 7:30pm. We got all the details taken care of to be admitted, and the nurse checked me-I was now at 5cm and my contracts are less than 5 min apart. They started TRYING to get an IV in me, somthing I have never had a hard time with, but for some reason today was my lucky day to get poked like 8 times. Those things are soo painful!! Anyway, Karli arrived and we got on Skype with my parents. I got an epidural, my water broke, then my Dr arrived and checked me. I am now at a 6. Meanwhile we are chatting away with my parents and quinn is doing what he does best at this point...searching the internet for NAMES :) The nurse kept adjusting the baby heart monitor on my stomach because she was having a hard time getting a constant heart beat. They decided they needed to insert a monitor in the baby's head. So they go to start that process and found something else instead...THE BABY'S HEAD!!!! WHAT? Karli and Quinn are both looking and can't believe it, as well as the nurses. DON'T PUSH is what they are telling me, as they frantically try to find my DR. I could tell that nurse was nervous SHE would be delivering this baby. Lucky for her my dr hurried in and our precious little boy slid right out!! Without even one push from me. Is that that a crazy story or what?! I mean I could have probably had this baby without an epidural and still felt minimal pain. My dad joked that we shouldn't get charged full price because no one had to do much work. I know anyone who has had long, hard labors is HATING me right now. But that is the story of how our little guy came into this world. He arrived at 9:30pm (yes less than 2 hours after we got to the hospital), was 5 lbs 7 oz and 20 1/2 inches long.

And here he is:

he was so alert, but at the same time mellow from the minute he came out

Because he came so quick, karli and quinn were unprepared with cameras. But luckily THEY remembered to pull them out, because I was still in shock that it was over. And because of the new hospital policies the kids have only seen their brother via skype. But whe are hoping to go home tomorrow to meet them! Quinn promises baby will have a name b4 he goes home????

Halloween-round 2

Ame had a little Halloween Party at school,
and since quinn was home working (and Ash was napping),

Kaipo and I headed over to join the party.

Ame and her buddie, Emma

I HAD to add this video clip, just for

Grandma Asplund.

This is a song I remember as a girl, from my moms

classroom. Except I remember mom played this one,

back in the day, on a record player :)

*Witches Brew*

the song got interrupted towards the end with

the classroom intercom, but you get most of it.

Unfortunately I don't have many pics from

our LONG Halloween Day in Orem.

(I thought the craziness of THIS day

was going to for sure put me in labor-

but as of Monday morning I am still prego)

So saturday we headed down bright and early for

the baptism of our great friends daughter,

Skylar. To make the day even more special,

it really was a beautiful SUNNY day,

which was especially nice after a

snowy COLD week. After Skylar's baptism

we headed to our second one, for cousin Ella.

Her baptism was just a special, and is

getting Ame excited for HER turn next year :)

We were so grateful it worked out so we could be

apart of these 2 girls extra special day!

Quinn's sister just bought a new home,

so we all headed to their

house for food and just hangin' out after the baptism.

Somewhere amist everything going on, Kaipo

started not feeling well. Which made for a not-so-fun

day for HIM! We all know it is unlike Kaipo to lay around,

with zero energy, but that was him most of the day.

He got a few bursts of energy, which didn't last very long.

He slept twice throughout the day, didn't eat much at all and instead

threw up a few times. He was pretty much just miserable!

What a fun Halloween huh?!

We debated just heading home, and let

Ame and Ash trick-or-treat there, but Ame SOOO

wanted to go with her cousin, so this is what we did.

Ame headed out with Ella (isn't her Cleopatra costume

so cute..by the way), while Kaipo took a cat nap in the car.

He woke up and wanted so badly to go out,

and after he walked a couple of houses,

then QUinn carried Kaipo on his shoulders the rest of the way.

So it wasn't the most ideal Halloween experience, but

we made it work the best we could for the kids.

Ash of course loved the second round of trick-or-treating too!

As fun and memorable as THAT day was, I am glad it is over.

Now it is onto the next BIG event...

so sensitive and sweet!

This is what was waiting on my pillow last night... Oh my Ame, what a sweet and sensitive girl!

How can she be this cute one minute and

earlier in the evening yelling at me

that I am NOT in control of her and to

STOP being her boss!

Oh the emotions of girls...

I know I was NEVER like that, and

am still not!! (hahaha)

wish I could have known...

Some dear friends of ours lost someone

very close to them this past week.

I didn't know him myself,

but after reading about him,

I wish I could have.

Here is their blog and I would urge you

to visit their site, if anything to hear this

beautiful song:

How Can I Be

http://2djs1mc.blogspot.com/

Trunk or Treat

Saturday Night our ward had a trunk or treat,

and since Quinn and I are on the committee

we couldn't miss it. Plus, the kids would

have never let us anyway!

It was really well planned and put together.

Here's the kids b4.

I was glad I got these pics because

as we were getting ready to go Ash

was screaming to have the whole

costume OFF, and the mask NO WAY!

Ash is our friendly skeleton

(a hand-me down from Kaipo at his age)

Kaipo chose his scary skeleton costume.

It was suppose to glow in the dark,

but not so much. Although it is quite

creepy looking!

And Ame is a pop-star.

Who you may wonder???

Most would think Hannah MOntana,

but mom told her to refer to someone

else, plus she couldn't really pass for that blondy anyway.

So she changed her mind all the time

as to who she was-Miley Cyrus,

Selena Gomez, Demi Lavato...

The youth took care of the carnival part,

with games and a thriller dance. VERY

well done too! There was also tons of

chilly & breadsticks, hot dogs and cider.

here they are performing

THRILLER
SOme adults joined in on the dress-up
and went all out. Quinn was who else
but Tiger Woods (real hard for him huh),
but he did gets lots of comments.
And me well lets just
be grateful I made it there :)

then it was off to
TRUNK OR TREAT
b4 everyone froze their tails off!
Ash learned the art of
BEGGING for CANDY real quick!!!
who could say no to this cute little guy!

AHHH the candy!

Talk about going ALL OUT,
well for the trunk or treat
this guy had the back of a commercial van
all decked out spooky and the kids had
to enter to get their candy.

Another couple did cotton candy for
their treat. Who do you think was
the favorite among this crowd???
Not me and my boring bowl of candy, that's for sure.
SO it was a really fun, COLD night.
And now we have our first round of
too much candy already, which will
magically and slowly disappear
before we get round 2!!!

Fall Fun Favorites

Some of the things that have become favorites for our family

at this time of year, and tradition I guess:

#1 making candy apples

(some to enjoy and some to give away)

#2 taking a hayride to pick pumpkins

these kids were serious searchers for

that PERFECT pumpkin

waiting for the haytruck to come back and get us

we had actually attempted to do this

last weekend, but the line was TOOO long

so we just bought some pumpkins.

We drove by the place after Kaipo's soccer

game and found good luck and NO line.
SO this time was all about the hayride

and the FREE pumpkin you get to pick!

#3 pumpkin decorating

for this mom-painting pumpkins is WAY

easier, plus the kids can actually do it.
I leave the carving up to dad, if

he chooses to attempt it.

Kaipo's is a vampire and Ame's is a witch.
Ame did hers all on her own, but Kaipo

WANTED help. He has become quite the little

artist, but also gets very frustrated when

things aren't just right. So mom helped a bit.

We even glued on vampire teeth, although you

can't really tell and it doesn't look much

like an actual vampire-HE was happy with it!

we did this while Ash was taking a nap,

much easier with the older two!

with all these activities, I don't know how I

haven't gone into labor yet????

Go Silver Lions!

I have to say I wasn't convinced Kaipo

was going to be much into soccer,

especially after watching his first game.

I know... not a very supportive mom.

But he proved me wrong!

He still had several dazed and unfocused times

throughout each game. But his improvement

from the beginning of the season to the end

was tremendous!!
He became quite protective of the ball, either

in front of the goal (I think he has potential

as a goalie), or at times he thought it would

be better to just sit on the ball!

He learned to use defense whatever way he

could think of :)

This is what I loved to see...

Kaipo RUNNING AFTER THE BALL.

Way to hustle!

Here's the team doing their final cheer

at the end of the game...

GO SILVER LIONS!

And we'll end with a video clip of an

almost 2nd goal...for the season.

He dribbled the ball down the entire

field, and then his aim was just a little

bit off. Such a good try Kaipo!!

And now we take a break from soccer games

until the spring (we are excited gma and gpa

Asplund will be able to come see him play)!

BUSY saturday!

Our saturday started with our usual soccer game.

But today's game was extra special for 2 reasons:

1. daddy got to come (he has been teaching a saturday

class this semester so he has missed every other game)

2. Kaipo scored his first goal!!!!!!

I don't know if it was because QUinn was there,

or the extra bribery-for a milkshake if he made one,

either way we were sooo proud of him!!!

*Way to go Kaipo...we knew you could do it*

After his game mom headed to Bountiful with

the kids to a clinic to receive H1N1 vaccinations.

I expected a wait, but NOT what we got.

The line was wrapped around the outside of the building

twice and we ended up waiting over 2 hours!!!

I debated whether to stay or not and do it,

there was the possibility of another clinic tuesday,

but that was only IF there was any vaccinations left.

Plus I knew we are suppose to be getting a storm

monday-tuesday, so I didn't want to be possibly stuck

waiting in the rain another day. So we waited it out...

the kids were soo good considering all the time we had to wait!

As we are getting the shots (mist actually) they inform me the kids

have to return in a month for the other half of the

vaccination. PLEASE don't make me wait in

another 2 hour line next time. Especially since

a month from now I will have another one in tow!!

We finally headed home around 2:30,

and both the boys fell asleep .

I promised the kids a hayride and pumpkin picking,

so after naps we headed out to do that.

When we arrived, the line for the hayride was soo

long and I wasn't about to stand in another line,

not even for 10 minutes, so we picked out pumpkins

and headed home-of course the kids were disappointed

they didn't get the hayride! Maybe another day?

As if all this wasn't enough to make our Saturday busy,

(and this pregnant mom extra tired)

QUinn decided it would be a good idea to take a lei

to the mission farewell we are going to tomorrow

(at our old ward). Since it is pretty impossible to find

flower leis last minute-in Utah-in the winter,

Quinn instead found a flower shop where

we could get some orchids, and then I could

make the lei??? I wasn't quite sure about this idea,

considering I have only made a few in my lifetime.

Didn't turn out half bad, even if I do say so myself.

Glad to know I can still make 'em if need be!

******

So I have gotten the lei made, kids to bed,

my Sunday ironing done, church bag packed

and instead of blogging I should be in bed.

But now that I can check updating my blog off my list...

I am going to sleep like baby!

I probably won't be that lucky,

but I am still soo ready to hit the hay!!!!!

Swine FLu Scare...up close and personal

So I just found out that Kaipo's preschool teachers son

has the swine flu. She has said she will do everything in her

power to quarantine him and keep all surfaces sanitized,

but will leave it up to us parents if you want to

send our preschooler. Well of course I know my

decision-being pregnant with new baby to be born soon,

I just cannot risk it for sure!!

But I am just wondering....

HOW LONG DO I KEEP HIM AWAY????

What is your opinion? I think I will also call my Dr

and see what HE recommends.

Scary though, wouldn't you say??!!

This is the first time I have felt

REALLY nervous about it, knowing

Kaipo was just there yesterday!?!

I will have to watch him closely for the

next couple of days!!!!

kids survey...getting to know you

I am stealing this idea from Jamie, because Ame was reading their blog with me and wanted to do it too. She insisted she type all her own answers so here she goes:
Ame'lia Kiana Kealoha
October 10, 2009 – Age 7
1. My favorite TV show is:Hannah Montana
2. What I like best about myself is:Im in 1st grade
3. My favorite thing to eat for dinner is: Pizza and hamburgers
4. My favorite color is:green
5. Other kids think I am:fun to play with
6. My favorite song is:party in the usa
7. What I like best about my mother is:she hlps me with things
8. My best school subject is:art
9. My favorite video game is:Tv/disny.com
10. When I have to work around the house I:cleen my room
11. What I like best about my father is:he gets us mony
12. I like my teacher when:she reads us sily storys
13. My favorite movie is:another cinderella sory
14. I think my bedtime should be:9:00pm
15. When I have free time I like to:play with my frends
16. When I grow up I want to: be a dancer
17. I like people who:incerig me
18. What I would like to change about me is:to be 8
19. I do not like people who:boss me around
20. If I had lots of money I would:go to hawaii
********************************************
And of course whatever BIG sister does, Kaipo wants to do too.
Kaipolani Kelii
October 10, 2009-Age 4 1/2
1. My favorite TV show is: Zack and Cody
2. What I like best about myself is: that I am good at drawing things
3. My favorite thing to eat for dinner is: pizza
4. My favorite color is: blue
5. Other kids think I am: their best friend
6. My favorite song is: boys are back (HSM3)
7. What I like best about my mother is: that she's cute..........awe what a sweetheart!
8. My best school subject is: my letters
9. My favorite video game is: nickjr.com
10. When I have to work around the house I: clean up my room
11. What I like best about my father is: that he's handsome
12. I like my teacher when: she teaches me my letters
13. My favorite movie is: HSM2
14. I think my bedtime should be: at 8
15. When I have free time I like to: play outside
16. When I grow up I want to: be ironman
17. I like people who: give me treats
18. What I would like to change about me is: to stop being naughty
19. I do not like people who: be bratty
20. If I had lots of money I would: buy gum and fly to India (to see gma and gpa I'm guessing)

*this was fun to read and hear the answers my kids gave-sometimes it was hard not to influence or suggest something for their answers, but this was all them!

soo cute!

A friend in my ward just had a baby a couple weeks ago. She posted these pics on facebook, so I just had to check out the website where they came from:
http://kelliwillardphotography.blogspot.com/

Aren't the baby ones (my friends baby is Mia) so cute and creative!
My question is HOW do you get a baby to sleep NAKED while taking these kinds of shots???