Morning at Moanalua Gardens

Yesterday, I took the girls over to Moanalua Gardens to feed the Koi and just enjoy the beautiful afternoon.  We had to cut our trip short because Hadley was in desperate need for a nap.  This morning I decided to take the girls back because they were asking to feed the fish again, plus Clayton(Trey's brother) had never been and I figured he'd enjoy the scenery.  It was a beautiful morning, perfect to spend some time outdoors with the family!

Riley & Hadley get a kick out of feeding the Koi fish.  I seriously think they'd stay for the entire day and watch the fish and ducks.  Of course Hadley kept watching the Koi eat the fish food and she got nervous when the big ones would open their mouths.  She kept saying, "bite me."  It was pretty amusing!

 After feeding the fish we got smoothies and then walked through the park.  It was a perfect day for a nice stroll through the gardens.  Emrey passed out in her stroller...must have been all the fresh air!

We spent a good two hours at Moanalua Gardens today.  It was a great time and we all enjoyed ourselves.  I think next time we'll take a picnic lunch so the girls can stay and enjoy the beauty even longer!

New Years Eve

It's amazing that New Year's is already here!  I swear, the years go by faster and faster the older I get.  I feel like I just had Emrey and yet she'll be 1 in five months.  We hung out for most of the day and prepped for our New Years Eve cookout that we were having in the evening with some friends.  The girls were busy getting to know Trey's brother, Uncle Clayton, who arrived Friday evening.  Riley is always  quick to warm up to new people because she loves to receive attention!  Hadley on the other hand is a little firecracker and it takes time for her to warm up to new faces.  Emrey, she's just a smiley little thing and is usually happy, unless she notices that I've left the room!  

Friday night, when we were outside with the kids, our neighbor knocked Hadley over and she fell flat on her face.  She busted her lip open pretty good.  Her mouth was filled with blood, I thought it was going to result in a hospital trip.  Luckily it wasn't too bad, but her lip was messed up.  It's a good thing I wasn't planning on a new year family photo.  

Our cookout was a fun time.  We planned an ornament exchange for the kids.  Each of them picked a name out of a hat and exchanged ornaments.  Riley was lucky, because she got a princess ornament plus a princess Belle doll.  Her gift giver broke the ornament only rule!  Hadley received a Buzz Lightyear ornament.  My friend Sara is so crafty and hand painted Hadley's ornament which  made it extra special!

We had all kinds of food to eat and everyone was pigging out!  The kids all played until normal bedtime.  I took them inside, bathed them, tucked them in, and then went back outside to continue celebrating the New Year.  I was impressed with myself because for the first time in 4 years I stayed up until midnight.  We had a great time ringing in the new year with our friends.  

Three Sweet Girls

Here are some shots of the girls just messing around.  Emrey is a point now where she likes to stand up and hold onto whatever is around her.  I came into the room from doing laundry and found Riley dancing around with Emrey.  Emrey was giggling up a storm and I immediately ran for my camera to snap some pictures.  

A completely happy little girl!  She melts my heart!

Riley melts my heart too with her sweetness!  She's a great big sister!

And my little firecracker make my heart melt too!  

Merry Christmas 2011

This year was a very Merry Christmas.  Trey and I woke up before any of the girls did.  So we came downstairs and had a cup of coffee and anxiously awaited for the girls to wake up.  It was about 7:30 and they were still sleeping and Trey couldn't wait any longer.  I was thinking what a wonderful gift it was that they were still asleep!  I walked upstairs to wake them since their daddy couldn't wait any longer, and Riley was just waking herself up and then I heard Hadley.  I walked into Emrey's room and she was passed out.  I didn't have the heart to wake her.  So, Riley, Hadley, and I walked downstairs and they were beyond excited when they saw all of the presents under the tree.  

Riley saw her bike and immediately hopped on!  She was so thrilled to have a bigger bike.  I was thinking it might be a tad too big for her, but she cruises on the 16".  Hadley was overwhelmed by all the choices of gifts to open.  And everything she opened she wanted out of the box right away before she'd move on to unwrapping the next gift.  It was so much fun to watch Riley & Hadley open their gifts and see the excitement on their face after each and every gift they opened.  

Emrey woke up around 8 o'clock.  So then Hadley & Riley both wanted to help Emrey open all of her gifts.  Emrey was more entertained by all the wrapping paper.  She tried to eat every piece that she tore off.  It was a blast to watch her experience her first Christmas!

After all the excitement of opening gifts, we had breakfast and then I began cooking our Christmas meal.  I made turkey, green bean casserole, homemade mac & cheese, potatoes, and stuffing.  It was a feast in our house and smelling oh so yummy!  We had a fabulous Christmas here in Hawaii!!  Riley is already talking about next years Christmas!  Thank you to everyone who sent gifts.  We are all very appreciative of you thinking of our family.  Merry Christmas!!

Photo Shoot

Every year after Thanksgiving I attempt to get pictures of  the girls so that I can put together Christmas gifts for the grandparents.  I remember how I thought it was tough with two kids last year.  This year proved to be very difficult with three kids!  I worked up quite a sweat trying to capture the girls smiles.  It is no easy feat to get the three of them to look at the camera and smile at the same time!!  I ended up with some good shots though!  I was tickled pink with the results!

Thanksgiving

So, not only did Trey miss Hadley's birthday, but he's also missing Thanksgiving with us this year.  This is another bummer, especially because Thanksgiving is one of Trey's favorite holidays!  The good news is that he's not alone, he spent his holiday with a friend and his family this year.  The girls and I also got to spend Thanksgiving with friends.  It was nice not to have to celebrate the holiday alone.  We went over to our neighbors house and enjoyed a yummy turkey dinner with a house full of friends.  Everybody brought food to eat so there was plenty to go around.  We all ate until we couldn't eat anymore.  I even attempted to drink a glass of wine with my dinner.  After two sips I was feeling all hot and sweaty, I couldn't drink anymore.  Apparently, my alcohol free body I've had for the last 4 years couldn't handle the wine!  The kids had fun spending the afternoon with their friends.  I asked Riley what she was most thankful for and she responded with "my mommy and daddy."  Ahhh, I love her!!  She made me tear up a bit with that response.  

I am thankful for my husband, three daughters, our home, our health, and all of my family and friends.  I am a lucky lady and have so much to be grateful for!

Happy 2nd Birthday Hadley!!!

 My second little girl turned 2 today.  My oh my, how time does fly!  Hadley has definitely been a firecracker since she was born.  Very much a mama's girl too.  She's a loud little girl who isn't afraid to be heard.  I love everything about her, even her unwelcomed sauciness at times.  Hadley is quick to put a smile on my face, even if I'm trying to discipline her.  She's just got a way from turning rotten to innocent  & sweet very quickly.  Hadley is one feisty little nugget and I love her so.

I had a little birthday party for her with her little friends.  It was a Toy Story theme because Hadley is a Buzz Lightyear fanatic!  We all enjoyed some pizza, the kids played games, jumped on the sofa, ate some cake, and opened presents.  It was a fun evening filled with friends, laughter and love.  Hadley had a blast.  My favorite part was watching her reaction when she unwrapped her presents.  She replied, "AWESOME!!" after she opened every gift!  It was too funny.  A big thank you to everyone who sent gifts and helped celebrate Hadley turning 2!!

There was one important person missing today though, Hadley's daddy!  Trey has been in San Diego for about two months now.  We did talk to him today and he got to watch Hadley open her gift from us.  It was a bummer that he wasn't able to be here, but it's all apart of the life we live.  I'm just happy that he got to see her through the phone.  You have to love technology!!