Ward Party Success

I was called to be the Ward Activities Director a couple months or so ago and right away had a big event to plan for-Our Ward was organized 6 years ago and so they traditionally have a "Ward Brithday Party" every year, which I had to plan this year. I spent several weeks trying to get my committee to have a mtg and had little help. But over several weeks I was able to get enough support to get plans made and it all came together last minute. We played games and had ice cream and cake. Everyone seemed to have a lot of fun and I had lots of positive feedback afterwards. I thought the stress of this event would definitely put me in labor, but no such luck!

Newest Addition

No, the baby hasn't arrived yet, but we finally traded in our Altima for something a little roomier. I was a bit sentimental about getting rid of our car, maybe because it is something that has actually been a stable part of our family. But after much contemplation on what we should get to replace it, we decided on staying in the 'Nissan' family and get a pathfinder. Ours is similar to this one but is the same pewter color (not red), as our Altima was. It is a perfect size car, with the added 3rd row. So we are ready (at least car wise) for the little "nameless" boy to join us.

Girls Day

Saturday was a japanese holiday, Girls Day.
Grandma Frankie was soo great to plan a big celebration, to try and teach the little grand-daughters (Ame, Keilani, Ella) and their moms some traditional things. She bought each of the girls their own doll, to display and bring each year to the clebration. The girls are young and may have had a few too many ants in the pants, but I sure hope we can continue this tradition, as well as many others. Down the road a few years, they will remember and think of their heritage fondly!

Ame loves her grandma Asplund

We have been fortunate to have my parents around quite a bit lately, which the kids LOVE!
My mom took Ame on a walk and to the park one day. Ame loves to play "Cinderella", "School", and anything she can talk my parents into. The are soo good with Kaipo and Ame. They play so creatively and are so great at "being kids" with them, which of course gives me a bit of relief just when I need it sometimes. Thanks so much mom and pops for being such wonderful grandparents. We can't wait to have you living sooooo close!!!!

A BIG day for our LITTLE spiderman

Tuesday Kaipo turned the big #2! We had such a fun party for him, with some of our close friends and family. Jungle Jim's Playland seems to be a big hit for us these days. The kids had a blast! We sure appreciate all who attended and so enjoy the cherished times we get to spend with the ones who are dear to us.

Kaipo definitely had all the help he needed opening his presents!
Of course for a two year old, anything beyond a couple of presents is way to overwhelming. This birthday has been pretty much a week long event. I have actually brought out his family presents one at a time, over the past few days. He seems to have appreciated them more that way. There is one more he hasn't opened which I may just save until we move. There is really no room for the big fort in our house now. Besides, wouldn't the kids like something new, in their new house?!

Tumbling

Ame recently began taking
tumbling. She is having lots
of fun and is actually taking
to it quite naturally. She is in the beginning class, which is mostly 3 year olds. The teacher said as soon as she picks up on the basics she will move up to the next level. She says "it is hard work" but that she really likes it!

House update........

Well here is an update on our houses-
The picture below is Ame helping my parents paint the basement of the house we are currently in. We are finishing the basement to hopefully get more $$ when we sell it soon!
The other is an updated picture of the progress on the home we are building. The brick work is all done and they are in the process of doing the stucco on the outside. The inside is ready to begin painting, then cabinets.
The timing in all this is a bit tricky-selling our
current home, packing & moving into our new home
and of course.........a new baby! If I don't think about
it too much I am fine, but when I do the stress definitely
begins to build!!!

Family Fun!!!!!!!!

As you may have already read on my sisters blogsite, we had such a fun day on Saturday. We went to Jungle Jim's, which I discovered a few years ago, at a friends birthday party. It is such a fun place for the kids and even the parents! Quinn joined the kids on a few rides. About all mommy got to do was stand on the Merry-go-round. Not only did we have a blast, but we had so much fun spending time with our family (unfortunately we don't get to see them as often as we'd like). We cherish the special times that bring us together!

My brother, Jason and his family are visiting this week. While Jason was working today his wife, LeAnne, and their kids came to visit. Jake is staying to have a "sleep-over" at our house. Ame really loves her cousin Jake and even though they don't get to see each other very much, she has made quite a connection with him. They get along really well for being 2 years different in age and boy/girl. As far as Kaipo, well he is happy playing with anyone and everyone! He just isn't too gentle with the babies. Sorry Zach. And that makes me a little nervous with a new baby brother coming soon.......

SLEEP CHALLENGES

Well this is the latest with Kaipo and his wonderful bedtime/sleeping habits. The past week or so, the routine is: he gets out of his bed as soon as I leave the room, pounding on the door and yelling for mommy or daddy, I return 3-4 times continuing the same process and firmly telling him NOT to get out of his bed. After a while it becomes quiet, so I listen at the door for any playing or movement. Nothing I can hear. Later, I went in to check on him and this is what I found. Of course it's dark and this is how he'd finally given in-falling a sleep while reading a story. This chair is just next to the door. He is still in his crib. I know as soon as he started climbing out I should have switched him, for his own safety. But he seems to be an expert scaler, cuz we have not yet had any accidents or gotten hurt. I guess the next step is to put him in a "big-boy" bed and see what that does. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Birthday Surprise

I have wanted to do this for a while, mostly for an anniversary, but looking ahead to our next anniversary with a new baby in the house, I didn't think it would be a good idea, so....
I blindfolded Quinn and drove him up Ogden Canyon Sunday night, to stay at this bed and breakfast. He was so confused when we finally arrived in the dark, in pretty much the middle of no where, and he took his blindfold off. Of course we chose THE COLDEST time to head up the canyon. Those who live in UTah know how cold it has been. But our room was toasty warm! We had a quiet, relaxing time together. Quinn's dad, his wife, and daughter graciously agreed to stay overnight with our kids. This little getaway couldn't have come at a better time, just as quinn is
beginning a really stressful semester of work, school and a new calling.
Happy Birthday Honey!

Inside and out

of the old

colonial

house. It was

a lot prettier

outide the

night before w/

the lights on.

But we were just

anxious to

get inside

cuz it was SOO

COLD!

This is a picture coming down the canyon the next day. It was really cool, this waterfall was mostly frozen, but also actually still had a bit of running water.

what a week!

OK, I know everyone has their challenging lives, so I really have no room to complain, but this has been a tough week. Quinn started a new semester of teaching, which is two classes. 1-MWF 7-8am, 2-T-TH 7-8:15am. Then he dashes to work to be there by 9am. So although his day starts an hour later than it used to, it continues 2 hours longer. Making everyday a 12 hour day. Plus he is taking a class Th. nights from 5:30-8:30pm. It is an advanced level class so he can hopefully have more teaching opportunity when the dean of Weber retires next year.
We are in the process of getting out of the "one car" bubble, but when quinn's pressing schedule haven't got one yet. So me and the kids have been carless ALL WEEK. On top of it all Kaipo got sick tuesday and has had a rough week. So the picture is a good dipiction (sp?) of how I have been feeling. Luckily my kids give me lots of loves to help me through these longs days.
Quinn is wonderful for all he does. I admire him greatly!

100 things you may or may not know........

Quinn posted the list for me-thanks honey. He just forgot a title or intro.
Many have already done this. I was hesitant just cuz I thought it would be a real challenge to come up with 100 things about myself. But I did it.

1. I LOVE to cook, bake and try new recipes.

2. I am always looking for ways to make food “low-fat” & healthy, but still taste yummy.

3. I have a major “sweet tooth” and love chocolate desserts.

4. I really like to bargain shop and am soo proud when I find a good deal.

5. I feel major stress when my life and everything associated with it is not organized.

6. I hate being late or when other people are late (unfortunately my husband doesn’t have the same conviction).

7. I need to slow down and spend more time just thinking.

8. As a good friend shared with me, I don’t want to blink and life be over.

9. I have learned a lot about myself from being a wife and a mother, but still have soo much more to learn.

10. I definitely need to develop more patience.

11. I don’t take criticism well, even when it is from someone who loves me (I am working on it though, honey).

12. I hate to inconvenience anyone & never want someone to feel I am taking advantage of them.

13. I NEED to have close relationships and am sad when I feel like I have been forgotten.

14. I often feel very alone and left out.

15. I am an emotional personal & cry easily, I think I definitely inherited that from my mom.

16. I love being pregnant (most of the time), delivery and the whole process.

17. I think baby feet are soo precious.

18. I hope I always keep a close relationship with my children.

19. I hope my kids are best friends, now and throughout their lives.

20. Watching my children having fun and laughing makes me feel happy.

21. I wish I was more artistic.

22. I tend to be too serious and need to learn to laugh more.

23. I really wish I would have continued playing the piano, so I could teach my kids.

24. I soo wish I could sing. Hopefully my kids will inherit that gift from their dad.

25. I love to watch those cheesy dance movies, i.e. Save the last Dance, Honey, etc. mostly because I love dancing & wish I would have pursued that skill. It would be so fun to teach it.

26. I want my children to have so much more talent than I do.

27. I get jealous so easily of others abilities and talents.

28. I am often too scared and too self-conscious to explore my talents or try something new.

29. I love hearing songs from the past that bring back memories.

30. I wish I was more outgoing. I think I used to be, in my younger days.

31. I love to exercise. It helps me feel good about myself and relieve stress.

32. I got a new elliptical machine for Christmas. Its great!

33. I wish I did more things outdoors.

34. I feel lazy a lot.

35. I wish I was as passionate about something as my husband is.

36. A clean house makes me feel soo good (even though it doesn’t last long).

37. I played the flute for 7 years, and what is to show for it now? Blame it on mom and dad they sold my flute. I’m sure I’d still be playing it if I had it.

38. I hope I have a child who inherits my blue eyes.

39. I would love to live in Hawaii again and have my children grow up rich in culture.

40. I love to put on my PJ’s. It makes me feel soo relaxed.

41. There is nothing like the feeling after both of my kids have just gone to bed. AAHHH

42. I hate the spider veins on my legs. They seem to get worse with every pregnancy.

43. I envy my family members who have a natural tan year around.

44. I love the summer and find laying in the sun so relaxing.

45. There is nothing better in the summer than homemade ice cream

46. The snow is beautiful from inside, but I don’t really love it too much otherwise.

47. I think rain storms are beautiful. The smell after one is just so distinct.

48. I miss being able to walk across the street to the beach with my daughter.

49. I wish the world was filled with the Spirit of Aloha

50. I love Palm Trees and all that they remind me of.

51. My religion is the foundation for who I am, it guides me and I cherish it.

52. I love breakfast food for any meal.

53. There is nothing better than my mom’s homemade food.

54. I appreciate ethnic food and like trying new things.

55. I hate to be cold, especially my feet.

56. My favorite color use to be blue, now it is red.

57. I love and appreciate that my daughter has become such a good helper.

58. I am fascinated and amazed at how much my children learn, grow and change everyday.

59. I miss my 6^th grade class from last year.

60. Some days I think it is easier to go to work than stay home.
61. I am VERY appreciative my husband works 3 jobs, so I can stay home with our children.

62. I admire my husband’s ambition.

63. I wish I didn’t just accept being average, but that I had the drive to be outstanding at more things in my life.

64. I love to people-watch. It is soo fascinating.

65. I appreciate a good nights’ sleep. They won’t last much longer.

66. I really like to do crafts, even though I am not very good at it or creative.

67. I wish life could just slow down and not be so fast pace. That is one thing I really miss about living in Hawaii.

68. It’s disappointing to me that I have lost contact with people that I was once close to.

69. I am sad my mission has become such a distant memory.

70. I hope my husband and I can serve a mission someday together.

71. I would love to be able to visit other countries and cultures.

72. Although I’ve moved a lot, I’m grateful for the places I’ve been, the people I’ve met and what I’ve learned from them. I would never want to change what we have done.

73. I look forward to living somewhere for more than a year.

74. I don’t take one very often, but there’s nothing like jumping in bed for a nap.

75. I really dislike cleaning the bathtub/shower.

76. I love the feeling of a clean car, inside and out!

77. I appreciate more & more everyday the upbringing I was fortunate to have.

78. I don’t like the color pink for myself, but do for my daughter.

79. I am thinner now than when I was in high school.

80. I wish I was still a natural blonde.

81. I have never broken a bone.

82. I am very impatient once I have an idea in my mind.

83. I love wearing hats, it’s so much easier.

84. I think it is fun to get really dressed up, I wish there was more occasion to do so.

85. I definitely prefer slippers/flip flops over shoes and socks.

86. I would rather be hot than cold.

87. I hope to be as successful as my parents.

88. My fear is that my husband or kids die first.

89. I love the beauty and gesture of a flower lei.

90. I pop my knuckles and have done it since I can remember. I wish I could stop!

91. I love summer nights-warm, long and peaceful.

92. A professional massage is the best thing in the world-thanks to my sister-in-law.

93. I’ve never had a pedicure.

94. Sometimes I wish I wasn’t soo cheap.

95. I love to eat out, but not so much with kids.

96. I never went on a real honeymoon.

97. Ever since I have been married we have been a one car family.

98. I love when my kids wake up in the morning and just want to cuddle.

99. I’m striving to be more loving and affectionate, in word and action.

100. I feel eternally blessed for my family.

OH Kaipo!

It feels like a lot of our blogs lately have been about our little boy, who continues to keep us busy! Well here is another story to just prove how much FUN he really is.

As I mentioned previously we spent the night in Provo, Saturday. We stayed at Quinn's mom's house. Of course the kids went to bed late after being wound up from having lots of fun AND on a sugar high. I thought that would be maybe mean they would sleep in a little, but Kaipo's 6:00 bell rang and he jumped out of the porta-crib to find the early morning party (as usual). We had decided we wanted to go to our old ward in Orem, which come to find out didn't start until 1:00pm. Not the greatest time for early risers. So after an extra LONG morning of chasing Kaipo around grandma's house, trying to keep him out of the sinks, stopping him from completely dumping out all of the salt and pepper shakers, and just everything else possible a little 2 year old can get into-we headed to church and fortunately had a nice meeting (while Kaipo slept) & had fun visiting with old friends. But, needless to say we were all tired and still had another party to attend- Jimmy's(our nephew and cousin) one year birthday. Everyone was just sitting around eating, talking and the kids were all just playing, BUT I eventually realized there was no sign of Kaipo. I went searching and saw the bathroom light on, the door shut and heard the water running. NOT a good sign! I opened the door and there he was sitting on the counter, lathering up his hands with soap, soaking wet and the sink was filled TO THE RIM with water. Another minute or so and we would have had a much bigger mess to clean up.

At times the thought crosses my mind: I sure hope our next little guy is really mellow and layed back, but then the poor boy would just get run over by his two older siblings. Now that isn't really a fair wish for him, is it!?

Some family fun

We spent Saturday night down in Provo. Quinn's step mom had a birthday, so the whole family went out to eat some yummy mexican food. Kaipo of course had to try on the birthday hat and had a screaming fit when we had to leave without it.

Sad Snowman............

Well we had another BIG storm and it dumped quite a bit of snow in one day, so of course the kids begged to go play in it. After a few minutes of watching them, I felt bad and decided I should join them. So I packed on the warm clothes and headed outside. We made a mini "something" I guess you could call a snowman. When we asked daddy to bring out somethings for his face, well we did get a carrot nose and then a bowl of candy. So this snowman had eyes made of tootsie pops.
I was glad I made the extra effort to join the kids. We had fun and I even got a picture WITH them!

Resolution

My mom recently pointed out that we never post any blog with pictures of the parents only the kids. Which I admitted we are terrible of getting pictures with us in it. So that is one of my resoltions this year-take more pictures of our family, not just our kids. She commented people may begin to think the kids are parentless or that we are divorced because you never see us together. Don't worry mom, ALL IS WELL at the homefront!

Don't tell Daddy.............

Hopefully Daddy won't look at this blog. He doesn't really love the idea that Kaipo likes to do everything girly that his sister does. Today was a first for the dress-up clothes, usually it is just the shoes. Mommy thought it was quite funny so she just had to get a picture of it. I guess he is our prince and Ame is our princess. Hopefully Kaipo will develop his own BOY interests in the near future to share with his little brother.

What to do????

I thought I was out of the woods with mischievious Kaipo and climbing out of his crib, but a couple weeks ago he started doing it again. Now everytime he wakes up, he gets out of his bed, with no problem or injury (thank goodness). On top of that, he has also figured out how to undo the safety knob covers. So not only is he out of his bed, but he is also out of his room. Which at nap time is no big deal, but at all hours of the night and early morning, not soo good. Mostly because I don't want him roaming the house while the rest of us are asleep, getting into trouble or even worse something potentially dangerous. It wouldn't bother me so much if he was just out of bed at 5:30-6am, as long as he stays in his room and plays, so at least I don't have to get up that early (since quinn has already left for work).
So I was wondering if anyone has seen any other kinds of knob covers besides the brand Safety !st, which come as two seperate pieces that snap together. I know with Ame I had some covers that were one piece and just slid on the door. Unfortunately, I don't have them any more. I have searched high and low, but only find the same brand every where I go. If anyone has seen or knows where to get the one piece covers PLEASE let me know.