Visits

Like usual when Gams or Pops visits, the time just flies by and I don't take nearly enough pictures. Whenever I'm around family, the camera goes away because I really want to enjoy them. Then I'm sad that I didn't take enough pictures. Such is life.

Pops came for Pickles wedding and Gams came with GramiLini. It was so wonderful to see everyone. It was wonderful to see both of my parents looking happy. I haven't posted much about their divorce. It's kind of strange for me. I understand it and I support it and their happiness. But still it's kinda strange to have "MOM" and "DAD" and not "MOM AND DAD".

Pickles wedding was awesome. I haven't had that much fun at a wedding in a long time. I got to dance with the kids and with Peter. Nico and Abra looked really happy.

Aside from the wedding, photography and the Westin have slowed down a lot. It's been a rough month and I think next month will be more of the same. But bookings are coming in for later so I'm optimistic that this is just a little lull and I'm grateful that I put some money away when I was really busy. During this lull I'll be able to work on my dad's website, my website, and launch a new website that came to me in a dream.

Peter and I have been CrossFitting 3 - 4 times a week. LOVE IT. It's changed my life. We are doing a 30 day paleo challenge with other members. We're on day 3. Feeling awesome.

Anyway.... it's been a bit since I've posted pics so here we go!!!

Kai's Maui Tumblrs Class doing tug-o-war - boys against girls.

Kai's Fireman jacket from Gams (he is in love with it - he even sleeps with it)

Cruz loves his too!

Ry and Auntie Emi made leis together

The monkeys got to ride on Uncle Koa's motorcycle!

I dropped my iphone in the sink at a photo shoot. It died. Peter put it in rice and revived it.

Nico and Abra being goofballs

They are both so pretty!

Super awesome paleo find - coconut butter from Nikki's (order online)

Took Pops out for birthday breakfast with this little dude in Kula

Cruz looks like such a big boy!

Antique Roses growing in my garden

2.5 mile run/walk in half an hour - not too bad.

Cruzer at Launiupoko

Ry and Kai Boy at Launiupoko - I'm a dunce and didn't take any of my mom or Lini

Peter rocking the Kettlebells at CrossFit

The kids singing happy birthday to Pops

The tile mural at Makawao School - she's so big, yeah?

Me and the little snuggly dude

iPhone 5 = better phone camera. Had to have it.

Monkeypants was pretending she was a puppy dog

It was raining in Napili and I was under a banana leaf

Kai smushing his nose against the screen. Silly boy!

He climbed up there all by himself. Can you see how proud he is?

Now he's playing cowboy

Cruz was very determined. Future CrossFitter!

They made a rocket ship and their jammies were space suits.

Me this morning after 4 rounds. That is total # of box jumps.

A Moment

I know... haven't been posting a ton. I do have a lot of pictures to share of our daily lives and of Nico's wedding this past weekend.

But today I had to write about my morning - a moment - that I don't ever want to lose.

Peter worked the overnight shift last night, which meant that it was just me home to get the kids up and Ry to school and Kai to preschool. Cruz slept horribly last night, which made for a challenging morning. Kai didn't want to wake up for school at all - and here we were trying to get out the door to walk Ry to school.

I walk her just about every day. Sometimes Peter does, but mostly it's me and her. We walk down our little street and cut through a driveway, cross the little bus access street, and walk right up to her classroom.

This morning, Kai was a mess. I made him get out of bed so we could walk Ry. Cruz was a mess cause he was tired but wouldn't sleep. I dragged those two boys down our street while we walked with Ry. When we got to the driveway shortcut, Ryenne said, "Mommy? You know what? I can walk myself from here. The brothers are giving you a hard time." I told her I would stand at the end of the shortcut and watch her - and reminded her to check both ways for the bus. She walked to the end of the driveway, turned around and waved, checked both ways, crossed, and disappeared into school.

I stood there with two puddles for boys at my feet and cried. Her first time walking to school by herself. What a big girl. I'm so proud of her.

Wedding Day

Yesterday my little brother got married. I honestly haven't seen him so happy in a very long time. It was so wonderful to watch him. He hasn't had the easiest life or the easiest relationships (current one included). But they both were so lovely yesterday. It was a beautiful wedding. Love you so much Pickle!!! Welcome to the ohana, Abra!

(more pictures to come - this one is just to tide everyone over)

Snob

I'll admit it... I've become a food snob. Long gone are the days that I would make a breaded, frozen chicken part with a box of rice-a-roni. That used to be my specialty. And with other foods like it, it was no wonder that my hormones were completely out of whack.

It has been really awesome to meet our farmers. To go to the veggie stand and buy veggies that you can see are growing all around you. To buy the eggs that are in so many hues of brown, tan, blue, white, and grey from chickens that can eat as many worms as they want, and to buy meat where you can actually taste a difference. It's true - I've become a food snob. And I have been LOVING learning how to cook. LOVING IT. I hope these kiddos know how much love goes into the things I make them. Sure... they still get their Komoda donuts and the occasional Happy Meal. But I try... I really do... to make good things for them in this house.

This afternoon we transplanted our seedlings to the garden beds. We have spaghetti squash, lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, chard, cabbage, celery, and carrots. I hope they all make it. The kids have been so excited to watch all the seeds sprout.

Last night I started a stock pot with ham hocks and water and made broth. Today I added a ton of veggies that the kids picked out along with some Portuguese sausage and raw colby cheese. Ryenne AND KAI ate their entire bowl. I was so impressed. I hope that I'm setting a good example for them.

Shave Ice Date

Look at these three. They are so silly. Of course the boys refuse to look when I try to get a picture of all three. Of course Kai has his slippers on the wrong feet.

We met up with our friends Noah, Irene, and Paige for a shave ice date in Wailuku Town. The kids had a ball. And there were windows painted with awesome cars so of course we had to grab a picture!

Very Interesting

We recently switched Kai from the big Valley Isle Gymnastics to Maui Tumblers, which comes to his school and is much smaller and more personalized. He is excelling and going upside down, which he was struggling with.

I was talking to his coach, Paul, and explaining why Kai is a little more reluctant than the other kids and explaining some of his tactile issues. We were discussing the CFL bulbs and also the fact that Kai got a (excuse my language here) shitload of vaccinations all at the same time - actually the day after his lightbulb accident.

Paul told me that his nephew also had the same vaccines at the same age as Kai was (17 months), and within 6 months he looked as if he had Downs Syndrome and now is severely autistic. He told me that I am so lucky that we got Kai healthy. I told him about the sauna therapy and he told me it was amazing. I left that day in tears. I AM SO LUCKY I GOT MY BOY BACK. So incredibly thankful.

In Awe

I am still in awe every single day to be back on Maui. I literally pull over all the time just to soak in a sunset or watch some waves. Or just feel the wind. It's crazy, I know. But I'm so grateful.

Tonight's sunset was EPIC. I was on the way to Kaanapali to pick up a pizza for the kids (we're sleeping over in Napili) and I cruised up to the Kapalua Airport to catch the sun. The sun setting over the water is so incredibly therapeutic.

Cotton candy clouds over West Maui

Sun setting from Kapalua Airport