MORE Fun WITH Cali Cousins

This past week was filled with LOTS more fun

with cousins, Evan and Kyle.

We visited temple square-got a tour from

Valar (my parents cute friend from India)

and then afterwards we spent some time

at the Church History Museum

which has a discovery area for kids,

and they had soo much fun there. I LOVE this picture of Kaipo and Valar.

He thinks she is pretty neat and is soo intriqued

by her (I love that this picture captures that).

After our teomple square visit
WE got to have our turn with the cousins.
Kyle and Evan had a sleep over at our
house. We fit in as much fun as possible!
First the kids had some Wii time...

then we went to the park and had an

evening pizza picnic AND lots of PLAY time

each of the kids took a turn

on these crazy spinning cups

after the park, it was home for

popcycles, and even a movie and popcorn.

the next morning it was time for some

swimming...

this lady in our ward who opens up her

backyard to whoever wants to come

(every thursday), has an

INCREDIBLE yard with a pool, tree/clubhouse,

swings, trampoline, hammocks, and

even a fish/duck pond. Quite an amazing place!
When I told Kyle she had a

TREEHOUSE he was soo excited!!

We had soo much fun with Evan and Kyle.

They are such sweet, polite boys!

Their momma and papa should be very proud!!

We were so thankful WE got to have them

stay with us for part of their time here in Utah

and that we got to spend soo much time

playing, getting to know them and

making memories!

Primary PaRaDe

Thursday evening (in honor of pioneer day),

the kids had a primary parade.

They got to decorate bike, scooters,

whatever they planned to ride, and then

parade down the streets of the neighborhood.

Kaipo couldn't decide between skates
or scooter, since his bike had a flat
(and dad was not home to fix it)

after the QUICK parade, the kids
all gathered for root beer floats

can't beat that for a fun AND hot summer night

way to go girl

I forgot to add this with the last post, but after seeing several of her cousins do it, Ame was determined she could jump off the high dive too. As scary as she thought it would be to, and after several attempts...

~SHE DID IT~

She had quite the cheering squad, including her cousin Jake (I LOVE his reaction in the video).

Way to go Girl!!

2 days of fun!

On Tuesday we met my mom, cousins Evan & Kyle

(they came back w/my parents from Cali for a 2 wk visit),

Karli and her girls, AND LeAnne & her kids, for a fun

filled afternoon of swimming (and of course eating).

As you can see it was enjoyed by all!!
the kids in the lazy river

b4 we all packed it up for the day

(Karli had already left by this point)

we got the kids to sit still for some funny face pics

Then on Wednesday, we enjoyed our yearly visit from

our dear friend Jamie and her kids (and a few extras).
There were a total of 11 kids in the house.

It was a bit crazy, with just a few melt downs,

attitudes/arguments, but all in all the kids

had a blast and us moms got to

talk and catch up (and even a little remeniscing).

We all hope that one day Jme and her family will

make it back to Utah TO LIVE so we can see each other more

than once a year. Until then, we will just look forward

to our once (or twice) a year get togethers!!

~Love ya Jamie~

the kids got to make mini pizzas for lunch

who doesn't like pizza, especially when you get to

make it just how you like it?!

then after running wild for a bit, the kids calmed down

enough to make some smores. SOme were not so sure about

the sticky treat, but most of them gobbled it down!

SUmmer Fun, with friends and family...

it just doesn't get any better than this!!

MMMMMM......

Each Sunday we usually make a different treat.

SOmetimes we try something new.

We made a real good one this time...

indoor smores

SOOO easy and MMM....good!!

great job Kaipo

Kaipo has given a few talks in primary, but this time he was determined to do it ALL BY HIMSELF. After practicing only a few times he had it memorized! We are so proud of you Kaipo and the smart, amazing boy you are!!

4th of July WEEKEND

It seemed like an extra long celebration weekend this year.

With the 4th actually falling on Sunday,

some city celebrations were on Saturday,

and ours in Layton actually were on Monday.

So we went and did lots of things, in many places.

We started Saturday with what has become

a tradition (going on 2 years now)

and visited Riverdale for their parade.

It starts with a kid bike parade and our

children would not let us go without their bikes,

so they could also join in the fun! And then we planted curbside to

watch the parade, and collect lots of that wonderful

taffy candy that all the floats seem to throw

(come on, can't they throw anything else???)

Ame of course LOVED watching

the cheerleaders. I think I can see what

is in our future with her?!

Ash, just hangin' out being his CUTE self

waiting for some more awesome floats

and entertainment to come by...

oh yes, a few floats did pass out a different

treat (thank goodness)

After the parade we went and visited with

our old neighbors, whom we haven't seen for quite

some time. It was fun to chat, catch up & see how much
all the kids have grown. I wish we could have visited with

ALL our Riverdale friends, but with a baby and tired, hot,

hungry kids, visiting time was limited.

That evening we just hung out as a family,

went out to eat & did some fireworks at home.
Sunday evening we had a BBQ with Quinn's family

(no pics unfortunately). We always have fun

hangin' out with all the Hanamaikai Family!

Kaipo got to stay and have his FIRST official

sleepover, all by himself! He thought that was pretty

cool and all grown up! The kids just don't get the

opportunity very often, because then there is the

dilemma of who's going to return the kids home

(cuz none of us parents want to drive an hour).

But Quinn was gracious enough to volunteer to go

pick Kaipo up & bring him home, that is of course

after he got in a round of golf with his brother.

(Such Sacrifice)

Monday morning I ran in a 5K with

some friends from my neighborhood.

It felt great to finish & in good time (28 minutes).

Last night we met up at my parents, and Karli's

family too (Jason is in Bear Lake with LeAnne's family)

for another great BBQ. Just can't get

enough of the grillin' in the summer!

I guess this get together was more of an early bday

party for me, since my parents

are going to be in california later this week.

It was a BEAUTIFUL night, and we all

enjoyed relaxing and being outdoors.

Of course mom grilled up some great food

and made some of her awesome

homemade ice cream.

Nalu was entertained by this simple

plastic cup, for quite a while.

Ame LOVES visiting with grandma and grandpa.

She can pretty much talk them into anything,

and this time (among other things) she even talked grandpa
into playing some soccer with her and Ash.

Ash and Kaiya played together with some

loud and annoying toys (we were laughing cuz they

are the donated toys to grandma that we all don't

want, for those very reasons).

Kaipo just explored, often disappeared to

who knows where and ran around the yard.

It was a great end to the nice LONG

Holiday weekend!

Thanks mom and pops for the

invite and the scruptious dinner.

And most of all thank you so very much for

the SURPRISE BIRTHDAY SERVICE.

That really was so kind of you!!

grandma time

Friday we met my mom at North Shore

Swimming Pool in North Ogden, to take the kids swimming.

This place is just right for my kids and their vaired ages.

This was Nalu's first official swim and

he LOVED every minute of it!!

My kids never tire of the idea of a picnic.
No matter how grand or small it may be,
they just get excited about it!

Kaipo showing the BIG muscles he

is getting from all the grapes he eats.
I think there is a connection

between muscles & grapes isn't there?

we've also conquered some fears this

summer as well. In the past Ame has been quite

hesitant of the deep water, but since she

took swim lessons this year,

she is soo much more confident!

And Kaipo is finally tall enough this year to

go on the BIG KID slide, all by himself!

We LOVE our time with Grandma,

especially when she spoils us with

swimming and ice cream treats!
SUMMER TIME IS THE BEST!!!