It's a Good Life

It's a good life for Treston's monkeys. I'm going to try to document their lives for when he's all grown up. My mom mentioned that I had a favorite stuffed animal when I was little but I've never seen a picture of it. I want TJ to look back and see his favorite things. :)


Here's 1 or 2

This and That

Life has been crazy, as usual. John is deploying for the Philippines next Sunday so we have been out playing in the sun enjoying the last few weeks he's home. Hopefully I'll have a lot more time to post once the hubby is gone.

Here's a few pictures from the past month or so.

Lydia's school celebrated May Day today. It's a HUGE production when all of the grades perform hula dances. Lydia was adorable. Hopefully I'll be able to post video soon.

We went to Panda Express after for some yummy food after. Treston was more interested in the soda.

Really, can he be ANY cuter!! Love him!

My man. I'm going to miss him. It's been a long time since we've done 7 month apart and I'm not looking forward to it.

John giving Addi a few bowling tips. :)

Date Night

I miss Minnesota. Not because of the weather (obviously) and not only because of my friends and family, but I miss the time John and I used to spend together. To say we took advantage of the live-in babysitters is an understatement. We did everything we could. Basketball games, plays, dinners out and lots of movies. We could go to a 9:00pm movie with no guilt and YaYa would keep a watchful eye over our sleeping little ones. Now our date nights consist of the Thursday night line up on NBC (love me some Office and 30 Rock) and board games. John won't play me in Risk anymore, I don't blame him, I am pretty awesome. So this weekend we busted out Life. He ended up winning but I have to point out it's only because he had no children and got rich on a gamble and won $500,000. I'll make my comeback.

The BIG 30!

I can't believe John turned 30! He worked most of the weekend so we just stayed home and kept the celebration simple this year.. The pinata was a big hit with the kids and grown ups alike.

Love you, babe! Happy Birthday. :)

Love These Kiddos

My little man

Play Time is the Best Time!!

End of 2010

Christmas break was a blast. My girlfriend Autumn came to visit and we spent the week driving around Oahu finding fun things to do.

Autumn and I went to the Polynesian Cultural Center for the Ha Breathe of Life show. It's amazing, a must if your visiting the island.

These guys are from the Waikiki Aquarium.

Macadamia Nut Farm

We ate some seriously yummy shrimp!

Have you seen anything cuter. I love my boys. Bellows Air Force Base.

Christmas

Hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Visit with YaYa

I'm not sure how most people feel when they're separated from their mothers but for me, it's terrible. I feel like half of me is missing when we're not together. Being so far away isn't fun!

Anyways, we were so excited to have her. I'm counting down the months until I can, in good conscious, pester her to come back.

Love ya Mom!

One of those days

I really shouldn't....but I'm going to!

John and I have gone back and forth about getting a dog for a long time now. Just this past year I had to pawn off my poor kitty, Nala, to my mom. We've been moving so much and she was getting to old to deal with it.

We've been researching breeds and have decided (95% sure) on a boxer. I am completely aware of the headache this doggie will inflict, especially when it comes to moving again. Part of me knows how stupid an idea it is, but part of me is REALLY excited. I've picked out names. I've mentally prepared myself for the cost (dang, puppies are expensive) and I already have it's place in bed all picked out (next to me so I can use it as a pillow when it's bigger!!).

I think it's the whole hormonal drama about not having anymore babies is rearing it's head...but that's ok. The past 9 years I've either had a baby or a cat to snuggle with when John is gone, but now I have neither. It gets lonely.

So wish me luck people....I think I'm going to need it!

My Quarter Life Crisis

So, anyone who knows me well knows I tend to have a mini melt down every few years. Right now I'm in the throws of one. There is just so many things going on I feel like my brain can't keep up.

Shall we make a list? I think so.

* My dear 1st born, Lydia, is having surgery on Thursday. Nothing major, just a tube removal. John was able to take time off to take her since I am no good at hospitals. I'll spare you the whole story, let's just say that last time she had surgery I ended up on a gurney. Now I'm having major guilt over my inability to be there, and have been beating myself up about it since we scheduled the procedure.
* I'll be having surgery in the near future, probably sometime in November. Again, I'll spare you the details. Let's just say that after we won't be able to have any more babies, since I'll be missing a key organ to do so. Now, we were done having babies anyways, but that hasn't stopped my crazy breakdowns about it. I'm a hot mess. My poor husband, he must want to move out for the next few months. Which brings me to...
* John is one of the people slated to go to Afghanistan in December or early spring. Need I say more?
* To top it all off I have decided I want to live on base, which people, is going to be a colossal pain in the butt. So, sometime next summer I will be opening up boxes and unpacking...again...for the 4th time in under 2 years. I will try not to complain too much, since this is my doing. All the hassle will be worth it. I'll have central air, free water, a new washer and dryer, room for my mom:), and a dishwasher. Plus, I won't be driving 20 minutes to base almost every day. It's for the best.

I could go on but I'm already feeling the need for a good cry and a nap so let's not. I know everything will work out, it always does.

Enough with my pity party.

Anyone else excited for Halloween?! This is the first time ever we've had to worry about the kid's costumes being too warm, not the other way around. Hawaii is pretty awesome. :)

It'll Be All OK (Soldier's Song) YouTube Exclusive Original Song by JC V...

Love this song. Makes me cry, but I still love it.

Deployments are so hard.

Adventures in Hawaii

The other night I skimmed through this entire tour guide and tagged all the places I'd like to go to before we leave. There are a ton of places not listed in this book that are worth seeing so I'd thought I'd share my thoughts for those of you planning a trip to the island or just bored enough to read my blog.  

This weekend we went to Kailua Beach Park. It's looks exactly how you think a beach in Hawaii should. Long, white beaches with turquoise water. It's beautiful. We looked at a few houses in Kailua but they were a bit out of our price range, so we ended up a few miles to the west. There is a bird sanctuary (Popoi'a Island) just a little less then a mile out that you can kayak to (or swim to like my crazy husband). It wasn't too crowded for a Saturday morning and was mainly populated by locals. If you come to the island and stay in Waikiki you are missing out. The windward side has a ton to offer.

**I just wanted to add that I haven't  photoshopped any of theses pictures. The water is really that blue**

After the kids were worn out we jumped in the car and headed towards North Shore. I have been craving good Mexican food for awhile now and we had heard about a place called Cholo's, so we decided to check it out. I am so glad we did b/c it was delicious. It's a bit expensive for Mexican food but what isn't in Hawaii. A plate of shrimp tacos with beans and rice will run you about $12. Well worth it.

On our way home we stopped by a place called Matsumoto's,  known for it's snow cones. Our guide book says that they'll put you in a sugar coma and let me tell you, they were right. They were so good. We just ordered rainbow flavored but they have a ton of options, you can even add ice cream. This place was super busy but once you try it, you understand why.  3 large snow cones (trust me, you only want a medium) and 3 stuffed cone toys for the kids cost us $20. Can't wait to try more.