The Picture Says It All

May 2009 be full of happiness, peace and lots of FUN!

Joy

Joy has been the word for the last week and continues into this week. We have had so much fun being together, sleeping in (yes, K has slept..albeit in our bed...until 6:30 or 7 most mornings), playing with toys, playing with friends, eating yummy food, taking naps, enjoying the sunshine, visiting family, you name it. Still on the list....play in the snow, play more, eat more, nap more, laugh tons more.
Here's a few shots from the last few days....

Merry Christmas

From our family to yours!

Comic by Rex Babin

May your celebration be full of peace and tremendous joy.
Love, J, T & K

Meet Our Family

Sheba, Timi, Kainoa and Me

If you haven't already...make sure you visit ElfYourself soon.

Meeting Santa

Like most toddlers, Kainoa has never been interested in meeting Santa. This year, though, he's done a great job. Still a little nervous and whispers when Santa talks to him, but there is a wonderful awe in the way Kainoa looks at him. He's starting to "get" the magic and power that is Santa...it is truly so much fun.

We have friends with children that are doubting Santa's existence and that makes me sad. I must admit I still keep a glimmer of hope that Santa will surprise me on Christmas morning...and he never fails. My parents and grandparents do a great job of keeping Santa's spirit alive and I only hope we can do the same for Kainoa.

The Elf works!!

Meet Flugal.

He's our resident elf and he reports back to Santa Kainoa's good and not-so-good behavior. After a day of "challenging behavior"....I remembered the Elf. Whipped out the book, re-read the story and reminded K of Flugal's (K's name choice) job and let me tell you...all I've had to say is "Flugal's watching." Magic! True Magic!

Elf on the Shelf

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas....

We were BUSY this weekend....

Fantastic Tree Farm

Harris Tree Farm

Elmo Makes Music

We had a great treat this morning....Grandma and Paka took us to see Elmo. It was so much fun.

We had fabulous seats and the show really kept both Kainoa and cousin A entertained. Plus, the schedulers got it right...a 10:30 a.m. show. PERFECT!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are so grateful for..... and our families, our friends and our health.

Really?

This morning, at O-dark:thirty, our always charming son came to our bed and said:
K: My tummy hurts.
Me: Do you have to go potty?
K: No.
Me: Do you have to go poo-poo?
K: No. I have to eat pancakes.

Enjoying Fall (it is Fall, right?)

Yes, it's 75 here today.....we've spent the last two days out in the sunshine. It was so warm yesterday Kainoa reminded me to bring the sunscreen! It's been fun getting another few days out of our favorite summer clothes.

We're also trying to get ready for Christmas. I am committed to mindful spending this year....no impulse shopping that totally sends me over the budget EVERY year. I'm not yet at the "frugal" stage...but I'd like to be. I really want to teach Kainoa about all the wonderful traditions and stories of the season, not the over-spending and "gotta have's" that seem to permiate our society. Last year, I remember franticly searching for "that toy" I just had to get, but never found. This year, it's more simple. This year, we will enjoy the lights. We will enjoy reading the stories. We will focus on family, baby Jesus' birthday, making yummy treats for the neighbors, making presents that mean something and will capture this particular Christmas.

We also tried to take advantage of the glorious sun and get our Christmas card picture...here's a sneak peak (through 'out takes'):

VOTE, please!

Regardless your political views, please remember to take the time to perform your civic duty (how lucky are we!!!) today. Please be thoughtful and intentional in your decisions. Please think about the impact of your decisions, not only on yourself, but your children, your neighbors, your friends and the rights guaranteed to all by our constitution. Polls are open 7 am - 8 pm. To find your polling place, go here.

Halloween....Part 2

What a fun day! Kainoa has been so good.

You may remember last year's catastrophe of a costume. But, this year....he was all bat! He loved wearing his costume and when it was time for bed and time to take off the costume, he proudly informed us that he wasn't done wearing it yet!

We live in a wonderful neighborhood on a tucked-away street, so there was little traffic and only a few children (much quieter this year....maybe due to the rain?). So, it was a perfect first trick-or-treating experience for him. There was one house that was "too scary" but they were wonderful and came out to him.

After visiting our neighbors, Kainoa, Officer Punkinhead and I sat on the front porch handing out candy to the couple dozen children that came by....K was very generous....even giving treats to the adults that accompanied the kiddos.

Halloween....Part 1

Happy Halloween!


I've decided I have a very funny son....or silly parents (probably both)! This morning, when Kainoa woke up, I reminded him it was Halloween. The first words out of his mouth....seriously...were "Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet." Thanks Grandma & Paka :-)

Here's my Hawaiian. Bare feet and all.....

At K's school, they get to wear traditional dress-up instead of scary or commercial costumes. Unfortunatly I don't have any traditional Taiwanese clothing (bad mama), but we do have LOTS of Aloha wear. So, Kainoa is honoring his Hawaiian roots today.


Stay tuned for tonight's costume.........

Happy Family Day

Two years ago today we were holding Kainoa for the first time.

Time has flown by....enjoy the show.

Fall Fun

A Northern California tradition to usher in fall.....A Trip to Apple Hill

While I was only in the midwest for a few years, some of my favorite memories include trips to the cider mills.....oh, and those doughnuts! And, I remember going up to Paradise to Johnny Appleseed days. So, I was pretty excited to hear about Apple Hill near Placerville. Last year, we took little Kainoa, but it was damp and cold and waaaaay too busy (we went late on a Sunday afternoon). So, this year, we marked it on the calendar, took advantage of Kainoa's "early to rise" attitude and headed out early this morning. Brisk air, beautiful sunshine, no crowds, fresh doughnuts and LOTS of acorns. Absolutely perfect!

Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month

This post is in memory of all the angels

that have graced our lives.

Matthew, 10/17/05

For more information about pregnancy and infant loss, please visit:
March of Dimes
Sharing Parents - Sacramento
Stirrup Queens
Empty Cradle, Broken Hearts

We've been busy ushering in Fall.
Sorry I haven't written much these last few weeks.
But here's why you come by, right......

Watch me climb, Mom!

Our sweeties....sleeping.
Yummm....cake.

Have you boo'd your neighbor?

Yes....it's that time of year again!

What is "Boo'ing"?
Boo'ing is a fun neighborhood activity usually done throughout the month of October. You leave a surprise on a neighbor's door step, ring the bell and sneak away....they open the door and find your special treat. They, in turn, make a treat for two more neighbors and hopefully it goes on and on with everyone getting and giving a Halloween surprise.

With your treat (home made or store bought...I even saw complete "kits" at Target) you leave a poem explaining the tradition and the "rules" as well as a sign for the receiver to put in their window letting other neighbors know that they've already been boo'd.

Here's last years "Boo" I'll wait until later this month to post pics of this year's package.

Kainoa is beginning to understand the "ding & dash" concept....but has more fun seeing the neighbor smile when they find their surprise.

To find variations of the poem and "I've Been Boo'd" signs, check out the resources below:
http://organizedchristmas.com/youve-been-booed
http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/halloween/l/blhalbooed.htm
http://www.myfolsom.com/Boo/

Have fun!

Higby's Grand Opening

Today was a special day for Uncle Scott and Aunt Nicole.

Higby's Country Feed had a Grand Opening Celebration for their new HUGE store. I really wish I had photos of the old shop so you can see the change. The new store is beautiful and full of so many things I never knew I needed.......if I had a horse....or a cow....or sheep....

Kainoa had fun at the kid's table with cousin Todd.

Sheba got a few new treats.

In addition to all the fun and games, we were treated to a very yummy lunch of tri tip sandwiches, roasted goat (oh. my. goodness.....soooo delicious), homemade macn'cheese, a tasty dilly mac salad and enough cake to feed all of Dixon. What a great day!

Corn plastic? Who knew?? Did we win the big prize?Playing in the hay.