My Ian

Another few things that Ian like to say that I must write down otherwise I'll forget.

I was sorting out the laundry and noticed Ian was in the bathroom going through a lot of toilet paper, wiping at his nose.
Me: Ian, it might help better if you blow into the tissue instead of just wiping.
Ian: No, it won't help.  Its not snot its just a lot of goo.

Sorry if that's gross, but for me it was funny that he calls his drippy nose goo.

Last night he did one of his words that just makes me want to hug him so tight and tell him to never grow up and stay little forever.

I put in a movie for him in my bedroom that he wanted to watch.  I needed to go shower, Isabel was playing elsewhere, and Shaun was fixing something so it was just Ian.

Ian: Mommy, will you stay and watch the movie with me so I won't be a lonely?

For some reason he says A Lonely, not alone.  He separates it and adds the ly.  It is the most adorablest thing that he says, with a sweet sad voice.  So precious.

Its Beginning to Feel A Lot Like Christmas..

Ian and I are in the car driving home.

Ian: "Mom, I want to listen to Jib Jab".
I figured with my hearing impairment I might I have heard him wrong, but sure enough, that was exactly what he said.
Interpretation: "Mom, I want to listen to Feliz Navidad".

The kids love watching and listening to the Christmas Jib Jab videos with their faces on the dancers.  Then the day before, Feliz Navidad came on the radio and sure enough the kids started swinging and dancing exactly like how the dancers do on the Jib Jab video.  Loved it.

My 32nd Birthday

This year for my birthday Shaun wanted to take me on a Shark Tour at North Shore.  Only time available was an 0600 slot (that's 6am for non-military personnel).  So we dropped the kids off with some good friends of ours to stay the night, and set the alarm for 0415 so we can be there at 0530.  Of course I was a bit out of sorts when we woke up and was definitely not able to eat much, but I did mange a piece of toast and peaches.  And just so you know I did prepare myself with Dramamine an hour before so that it is coursing through my bloodstream in plenty of time for the boat ride. 

We arrived just in time and boarded the boat with just a touch of light in the sky.  Shaun and I sat at the front of the boat since there was no where else for us to sit and soon discovered that we were going to get quite wet before we even got in the water.  The waves were huge that morning and causing us to dip up and down like a roller coaster.  We were being splashed on and rained on.  3 miles out we finally made it to the buoy for the boat to anchor to. 

I kept asking Shaun "didn't you tell me that morning time was the best time to see sharks because the water is really calm in the morning?".  The waves were still causing the boat to lurch up and down, and was starting to feel a bit nauseous by now.  Shaun and I got up and looked over the side of the boat, and there they were.  Big, huge, multiple wild sharks swimming around.  Crazy!  Alas, seeing the water rising up at me and dropping so suddenly was the last straw.  Heave, ho!  I lost it.  On the same side that the shark tank was on. 

Whoops.  Felt a little better though, for like a split second, and then made it to the other side of the boat before I lost it again.  This happened repeatedly, for the entire time we were on the boat.  I would slowly make my way to the end of the boat, and kept telling myself "if I could just get in the water I'll be fine".  At one point I saw Shaun step to the side and did a little heave, ho himself.  I thought he drank a whole bunch of water and then spewed it out to make it look like he was throwing up just to make me feel better that I wasn't the only one, but.. I was wrong.  He was really sick himself, but luck guy felt better after only one session of throwing up. 

Slowly I got myself ready to go by making my way to the tank which was ready for me to get in. As I'm trying to pull my mask on I told Shaun "I don't feel so good" and pretty much collapsed.  Shaun and the Captain picked me up and laid me down on a padded bench to rest and recover till we were back on land.

Later on, Shaun told me that I wasn't the only one with a sensitive stomach.  Pretty much the whole tour group was out for the count.

I was so excited!  I couldn't wait to see the sharks.  Oh, well.

Undercover from all the water coming down on us on the trip out to the sharks.  Unbeknownst to me Shaun was already feeling a bit sick. Can you tell?



Love this guy!




This was when I started to get really sick.  Blah!  I hate throwing up.



We capped off the day with a movie and seafood dinner.

Ordered delicious snow crabs, and not so good steak combo.  I even got a free birthday dessert that was yummy.

Thank you, Shaun, for yet another unforgettable birthday.

Ian Turned 4

My sweet little Ian turned four August 6th.  We already had this big Pirate Party for him on the Mainland so we did this quiet family birthday event on the actual day.  He asked to go to Chuck E Cheese so off we went.  Cheese pizza and rootbeer was his request, but he didn't eat or drink any of it till afterwards when we were in the car.  He kept running around and doing all the games, he was too busy to think about eating.  On the way home I picked up these gourmet cupcakes at Safeway, and I have to say WOW!  They were good.  Really good.  Ian had a small bite off the top and he was good (sadly I finished it for him later).

Happy Birthday my sweet wonderful Ian.  You make me smile every morning when you wake me up with your "its morning time" routine.  I love that you let me hug and kisses you all I want, and you hug me so tight back.  I love how easy it is to make you smile, and laugh.  I love how kind you are to everyone, especially your sister.  I love everything about you.  Don't grow up too fast?  I want you to stay my little boy forever.

Back to School for my 1st Grader

My sweet little Isabel started school Monday!  In 1st grade!  She is so grown up, and pretty, and adorable, and I'm not just saying that because I'm her mom.

Finally Home!

After a two month long vacation in Washington and Utah I am finally home and can start the blogging again.  I'm seriously cringing at the idea of going through my 400+ pictures and videos that I took, and organizing it all for the blog.
 "I..., I will triumph"
Meg Ryan, in ________ . (who can guess what movie?)

Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day!

And a thank you to all you Military soldiers for sacrificing yourself for our country.

Mahalo!!

Memorial Day was spent at the Grandparent Elton's house with lots of cousins running around.  It was a fabulous, beautiful day.  It couldn't have been better.  Except if Shaun was there with us.

First order of the day was to go for a swim with the Bug King handing out nectar for all the little ones.

After a quick rinse our kids were treated to a spa service by grandpa Bill.  Totally awesome style.

There were lots of bikes riding back and forth.

Once the kids worked up a good appetite Grandma Chelle had a wonderful BBQ feast ready for us.  Hotdogs, Hamburgers, potato salad, fruit salad with lemon whip cream, a variety of chips, and rootbeer/cream soda.

The bubble machine was a huge hit.  The kids played with that thing forever!

Obie eating the bubbles is probably the Mann way to do things.

Gathering wood for the fire pit so we can roast those marshmallows.

Totally Posers.

All 10 grand kids, and happy as can be with Grandma Chelle's brownies.

The newest edition to our Elton Family, little Miss Hazel.  Only 4 weeks old.  So precious.  So wish I have another one.

Gorgeous!

Marshmallow Monster!

Peter started this new "tradition" of spinning the kids on the tire swing with his own flair to it.  Then he caps it off with a magic show.  Totally cool.

Homemade Hill Ride

Finding joy and happiness in little things is truly a fabulous idea.

Shaun came up with this idea to ride the kid's old plastic tricycle down the hill, and the kids just absolutely loved it.

Ian's 1st Soccer Pratice

I found a sign up for a Mini Soccer team for kids 4-5 years old.  I just had to sign Ian up for it.  Plus it was an awesome deal, just $20 that includes a t-shirt for the boy and a parent, and a sweet little Nerf soccer ball for them to practice on.  He had his first practice at Alimanu, Hawaii and just was the cutest thing ever.  The program is just to teach the kids the basic of soccer, to just give them a bit of an idea what it is all about.  Of course the next time we went he didn't want to do it anymore.  We'll keep trying, no rush, but it was still fun to see him running around with the other kids.  A great preview for whats to come.

Ian at his first soccer practice at Alimanu, Hawaii.

Like father like son.  Notice how big the shirt is on Ian?  It was the smallest they had, and it didn't help that he was also the smallest in the group, but still so adorable!

Listening to the coach

They are all running over to the coach

Can't have soccer without the team pile up and cheer.  Ian is in the middle.

He did that all on his own.  He is one cool dude.

My Fantastic Week w/ Sarah!

With Shaun being gone for so long I put out an SOS to all my family and friends, and Sarah, my sista, answered my call.  She was able to get an airplane ride out for just herself, and leave her four sad children behind with her husband, for one of the best week ever!

MONDAY: Sarah arrived at 2:30pm, leaving behind a snowstorm and entering a warm tropical paradise.  Gave her the tour of my home then took her to Ala Moana Mall to look at all the fun stores and get some things at Macy.  Then grabbed some food to go so we could sit out on the beach for her first sunset.  Missed it by a few minutes, but we still enjoyed our food (Hawaiian for her, Panda Express for me), and listening to the ocean waves.

TUESDAY:  Sarah was up bright and early (time change) and headed out with me to do my Stroller Strides.  She did an amazing job for a girl who hadn't exercised in a long time.  So amazing that her body just wouldn't let her keep up with her enthusiasm (she threw up like a princess, very quietly and off to the side.  I didn't even know till I caught up with her.  In her defense the time change, plus the heat wasn't making it easy.).  We went to my local recreation pool afterwards for a much needed time in the sun.  After a clean up, and rest at home we picked up Isabel and went on the Waimea Falls Hike.  Very lovely, sunny and quiet.  Sarah was even brave enough to take my kids out for a swim at the Falls.
On our way back we enjoyed delicious Sno Cones (w/ ice cream of course), and a sandwich at Maui Mike's.  Best place ever!

WEDNESDAY:  We took Ian to Gymnastics, and did a little shopping till Isabel got out of school.  Its so much fun shopping with Sarah.  She likes to take her time and look at everything and just stroll along.  I always just run around and grab what I need and out I go. 
Izzy got out early so off we went for our first day at the beach at Waimea.  And guess what!?  It was overcast, and windy.  The waves were huge and crashing on top of our stuff.  We debated whether or not to just leave or stay.  We stayed.  While I took the kids exploring along the beach Sarah, brave girl, swam out in the ocean, saw some whales spouting out water and enjoyed a bit of tumbling around head over heals as the waves dragged her back in the ocean.  Had pizza for dinner and watched Off The Map, a TV show I like watching.

THURSDAY:  Today was souvenir shopping.  First I took her to the Fabric Mart where there is row upon row of Hawaiian fabric.  Next door was the Craft Store that sold foam mold Hawaiian flowers (the kind that you see tucked behind every Hawaiian girl's ear).  Next I took her to the NEX so that we could get a good deal through the military.  She got lots of fabulous stuff to take home.  Once Isabel got out of school we headed downtown Honolulu to explore the Hilton Village and walk along the beach boardwalk.  We were able to stay just long enough for another beautiful sunset.  I decided I wanted give Sarah the Genki Sushi experience.  She was such a good sport.  The service was horrible and the food for the first time was very sub par.  Not how I wanted it to go for her.  She did like the spicy endame I picked out for her!

FRIDAY:  I kept Isabel home for school so we could try once again to get a day at the beach with out the overcast, windy, rain following us.  We choose wisely by beaching at Ko Olina.  What we weren't wise about was our sunscreen.  We got horribly burnt.  Sarah and I had a very well cooked stomach and thighs, while my kids had ruby cheeks and noses.  The sun felt good at the moment!  We just are still suffering for it now.  Before we headed back I wanted to see if the Black Pearl from the Pirates of the Caribbean was still moored at the docks next to Ko Olina.  Avast, matey!  Ther' she blows!  Argh!
Later I got a babysitter for the kids so Sarah and I could have a girls night out.  We headed back to Honolulu, but due to traffic didn't make it in time for us to eat at this restaurant, instead we ate at a food court and headed back the other way to catch a movie.  We had to stop at this store first that makes Hawaiian quilted purses and bought a beautiful blue purse for Sarah.  We cross over to the theatre only to find that they were sold out.  We race back to Aiea to see if they were sold out there, and luckily they weren't.  Unfortunately the movie stinked! (Beastly was the name and it was beastly to watch).

SATURDAY:  I took Sarah over to the Kaneohe side to show her the beautiful mountains and scenery.  Couldn't see them because of all the rain!!  I did show her the stairway to heaven though.  After a long lovely beach drive we finally make it to BYU/Polynesian Cultural Center area.  We got a delicious shakes at the same MacDonald that we went to as kids last we were here together.   The Laie Temple was next, and as we walked around it felt wonderful, peaceful, and calm with just being there.  We had to visit the Turtle Bay Resort since we stayed there as a family when we were little and wanted feel the memories again.  Yep, it brought back a load of memories.  We enjoyed a dinner over looking the ocean with some surfers out on the waves while we were there.  The day wasn't done yet.  We stopped by the Dole Plantation next.  We didn't feel like spending money on the tours so we just walked around the store (bought a big bottle of burn lotion that's supposed to decrease your burn by 68%, it worked pretty well I think).  Sarah bought pineapple ice cream for the kids, and I got some cinnamon roasted macadamia nuts.  Oh!  Was that stuff good.  So, so good!  Mouth watering now.
We did take a walk around the grounds and found a koi pond that were jumping on top of each other just to get the food you could throw in.  Crazy!  Sarah made this hilarious interpretation of a koi fish eating that had me cracking up so hard I had tears running down my face.  She is the funniest girl I know.
After a few fun pictures we finally headed home, and watch Miss Congeniality.

SUNDAY:  Enjoyed a moment of rest and some aloha spirit at my ward.  I started crying in Sacrament because I forgot just how much I missed singing with my sisters in church.  And also that this was my last day with her.
Because it was her last night I took her back to Ko Olina to enjoy one last beach sunset.  It was beautiful and sad all at once. 

MONDAY:  Super sad!  I really didn't want her to go.  To take our mind off of her leaving we thought we'd check out Pearl Harbor just to walk around the grounds, not the boat ride.  It has changed drastically.  Very different from when we were here last as kids.  Way cooler.  I took her back to the Fabric Mart and the Craft Store for some more flowers and fabric.  Then off we went to the airport.  We were a whole hour early so I sat with her for awhile and we talked about many things; how much fun we had, what are plans are at home now that things are back to normal, and plans for our next trip to be together. 

Thank you so much for coming out to be with me, Sarah.  You are a fabulous, brave, and hilarious woman.  I am super proud to have you as my sister.  Love you to bits and pieces!!