She's 12!

My baby girl (okay so I call them all my babies...gotta stop) turned 12 on November 21st. She is now a young woman...in the church that is. She was so excited to leave primary and join the ranks of young womanhood. She is having so much fun.

Like usual we took her out to lunch to the restaurant of her choosing...Olive Garden. Unfortunately, it was such a busy day that our celebration was later that night with an ice cream cake. I did buy candles this year, but unfortunately I lost her present and didn't find it 'til 2 weeks later. So I don't ooh so bad a s a mom, we did buy her a couple other presents to make up for the lost ones so she actually got double the presents. her good friend Clayton brought her brownies that he had made and a card.

I love this girl. She is such a great help to me especially with Kekoa. She is like his second mom and he adores her. I can always count on her to help me out whenever I need her, or to go shopping with me (as long as it's not grocery shopping only). She is growing into such a wonderful young lady, moodiness and all!

Welcome Fall

Oh September and October how you have come and gone. Why can't I keep up with the passing months? It's not like I'm extrememly busy with 4 kids in school, 2 in football, and one is soccer for a very short time, activity days, and an eternally unclean house.

This is, by far, my favorite time of the year...the weather cools down and the kids are actually excited to be going back to school, and the leaves start turning colors of yellows, reds, oranges, and shades in between. LOVE.IT.

John had his birthday in September and I started the post and then got tired of sitting at the computer. Story of my blogging life. Anyway, we did nothing spectacular for his birthday. Birthdays were never a big deal at my house and I've sort of kept that tradition alive. We did go to a concert on a houseboat though which just happened to fall on his birthday week. He let me count that. Lame of me, I know. But the concert was fun. Just a small houseboat concert at night on the Columbia River. It was cozy and had such great ambience. It was also nice to go on a date during the week and kind of take a break. It was a concert by Sarah Sample, whom neither of us had heard of. But we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. That's why I love this man. He is always willing to do whatever. If I want to do it and want him to come, he is there (well, I do have to beg and plead for him to come hiking with me on Badger Mtn., but other than that and running with me he's great!). The kids made a banner for him to surprise him when he came home and we had delicious homemade maple butter blondies...one of his favorites.

Happy Birthday Babe! You ARE the best!

Along with September comes football season. Israel decided he wanted to play this year after skipping last year. He's doing great. He's a lineman where there is no glory, but he's good at what he does. Often times the opposing team will put two guys on him or he breaks through the line. I love it. Now the competetive side of me wishes he would crush some kids but I have to remember it's not high school or college just grid kids. I don't think that kid has a mean bone in his body anyway...definitely takes after his dad.

Love his smile!

 Israel's fans.

We also STRONGLY encouraged Wyatt to give football one more year. I didn't want him coming home after school and doing absolutely nothing or worse, play video games. So he did. He hated the first few weeks of football, but from what his coaches have said, he was a hard worker anyway. Always giving his best effort. About three weeks ago he was put up on varsity and he was excited! He was playing both varsity and JV. Numbers at Pasco High are small and several kids play both Varsity and JV. He was excited to wear the varsity jersey. He played in two games. In his last JV game, after catching the ball for a first down, he was tackled and fractured his collarbone. Of course, he thought it was just sore, and asked to come out of the game but they had no replacement for him so he played a few minutes more. Next day, the doc confirmed my suspicions and he is now out for the rest of the season. He was bummed, and we were bummed for him. But the great thing is that he's planning on going out for football next year. Here's hoping.

 Taken with my iPhone so forgive the picture quality.

 Wyatt and TJ
 
Varsity...Friday night lights! Sunnyside game

 Fans...Kekoa was cranky because we wouldn't let him climb on the stands. His life is so rough!

Finally free!!

This year we have 4 kids in three schools. Wyatt at the High School, Tealani at the Middle School, and Nyah and Israel in Elementary. It's a little crazy with the different schedules but we're getting used to it. John was also hired as McGloughlin Middle School's new principal this year and he is loving it. It has been nice to have him home at 5:30ish almost every day as well as the weekends. No Friday night sports or Saturday school anymore...LOVE it!!

Israel has decided to be in band this year and play the trumpet also.He's really liking it, but now that means I have to get Nyah to school. I guess it forces me to get out of the house early and not lounge around in my pajamas all morning...like I'd ever do that!

After I drop Nyah and Korissa off, I take a little detour home sometimes and walk to the park so Kekoa can get outside and play before it gets too cold.

Fall  never lasts long enough for me.

July Flies By...

Well, once again it's been awhile. So much fun to have in the sun so no computer time for me. Here is a recap of our July...

The 3rd

Kekoa's birthday. I can't believe the little guy has already turned one. Time has flown by. He's already been walking for two months and jabbering away for just as long. He's quite the family entertainer as well. Maile and Cliff came up for the weekend so we had a little celebration with some homemade ice cream cake.

He was a bit grouchy so as soon as he had his ice cream cake and threw around his new toys, he was put in his crib for naptime

This little guy, although he's been a little hard to handle at times, has been such a blessing in our lives. Thanks again to a wonderful birthmom who gave us this opportunity.

Independence Day

Well, as I said, Maile, Cliff and their little family came for the weekend of the fourth. The morning started off with a 4th of July breakfast and activities at the church. Unfortunately we got there a little late so we got the leftovers of breakfast, which were a bit cold.

 My cute nephew Maika.

 Israel and his buddies Maika and Tula'i.

 Te'alani and her bud Lavea'i

 Isn't he just a cutie?

John serving pancakes...Jaden Perdue.

 

 Trying to push Aunty Maile's stroller...

 ...and Tula'i wasn't having any of that so he told Kekoa that he couldn't push his sister's stroller...

 ...obviously he wasn't too heart broken about that and "strolled" off.

 Our parade goers...Kekoa, Lavea'i, Israel, Maika, Tula'i Kalena, and Nyah.

 This is who we came to see in the parade...our trumpet playing Te'alani. Poor girl, it was sooo hot!

 The prettiest trumpet player I've ever seen. Let me tell you that it was not an exciting parade to watch and as soon as Te'alani passed us we were out of there!

Later that day we went to the Fa'amausili's for a BBQ.

 Holding my niece Leilani.

 Kekoa deciding he needed to come and give her a hug

Daddy's boy.

The Fano's visit was a bit short for us and we wished they could have stayed longer but a little visit is better than no visit. Come again soon Fano's, we miss you!!

9th

Hope For Clara

Some dear friends of ours were just dealt some harsh news a couple months ago...their youngest daughter Clara, 2yrs old, was diagnosed with cancer. Since then they have been spending most of their time in Spokane with her as she undergoes many kinds of treatment which include Chemo and radiation. To help the family, a run/walk was put on for her. The attendance was incredible and you could feel the love and support for Clara and her family. It was overwhelming. We took the entire family and we all had a great time. I ran (so I could train for my upcoming Ragnar) while John walked with the kids and Wyatt ran with TJ. It was great! Loved every minute of it...almost, not the part where I was out of breath which was most of the time.

 Waiting for the walk to begin

 Part of the crowd before the race listening to Brian (Clara's dad) give a thank you speech. It was so touching. They are a great family and have the best support from both sides of their families. It's incredible!

 I think John was given the camera to take photos so these were the only two he got...Te'alani and Kekoa and a not so pretty one of me running. No more camera for John!

Here's hoping you get well soon Clara!

The 15th

Wyatt turned 15. one more year until dating age. Time sure does fly by. Doesn't everyone look so enthused about his birthday. Even Wyatt was not excited. He really wanted and expected a cell phone but we are still torn about that decision so he got a punching bag and bball shorts instead.

 Once again I forgot that we didn't have candles.

Pool Time

Our wonderful friends let us use their pool a lot! My kids love it and so do I, especially on HOT days and even on not so hot days. I usually don't take pictures of the kids in the pool because I've got so many and who needs another picture of someone swimming in the water for the 100th time? But it was a perfect day to play with the settings on my camera and I loved the way some of these turned out.

Going home after a day of swimming.

July26th-29th

John had a conference in SanDiego so I decided that I would go with him and take Tealani and Kekoa with me. The hotel was free so why not? The motive for going was to take Kekoa down to see Jess. So we drove to Olympia ,so the other kids could stay with Aunty Yvette for the week, and we flew out of Seattle. I was really worried about how Kekoa would be on the flight but he was fabulous! So here's what we did...

Tuesday...chilled with John (he flew in from Pasco earlier than us) going out to eat at cheesecake factory. Yummm

Wednesday...While John was in his Conference Me and the kids went to Uale and Leanna's house to hang out with Lee and her kids. Went to the beach all day. It was overcast for the most part but when it cleared by 1:00 it was awesome. Got a little burnt. Tealani had a blast hanging out with Faryn and her friends. Went out to eat with Uale and Leanna and Kim Mahaffey (John's vice principal).

Tealani stayed the night.

Thursday...Picked up Tealani and went to Legoland. Met Jess there and spent most of the day there. It's overrated. Glad I spent money taking one child and not the entire brood. It was great hanging out with her. Kekoa was in his normal spirits, stubborn, and running around everywhere. Went to dinner at her brother Jason's and had a great time getting to know them and eating good food. Kekoa acted like he owned the place.

 I thought the mini cities were the best part of Legoland. They had Las Vegas, DC, New York, New Orleans and then they had an entire Star Wars theme with all the different worlds. Amazing.

Thought this sign was hilarious.

Friday...flew home. Almost didn't get through the LONG line to get through security but a freaked out mom with two kids, one being only a year, helped me get sympathy from the security guard who was checking the in the business and first class passengers. He let me go right through. So grateful.

It was a good trip and I'm glad we went. Tealani was the best. Don't know how I would have made that trip without her.

And I think that does it for the month of July.