The Rees Family

New York City

2011-11-27T05:43:00.001-08:00

I am truly in love with new york. I have never been there before and we went a few weekends ago and it was amazing. We did and saw so much in the one day we were there I cant wait to go back. We woke the kids up super early and drove up there. It is about a three hour drive. David went to new york on his mission so he knew the ins and outs. We drove around on Staten island for a few minutes. We saw a place David used to live. We parked at the Staten island ferry and took the ferry over. It was neat to see the statue of liberty and to see all the buildings as you are approaching the city.

Our first stop was the WTC memorial and museum. I didn't really know what to expect when we got there. It was the neatest and most touching thing to see. In the museum they had a video of all the rubble, some scenes form the attacks, and video of the clean up. They had some different items displayed like some steel from the rubble, WTC business cards, Keys that had WTC stamped on them like they were file cabinet keys, a firefighters jacket with all the dust on it, and some other things. They have a room that is wallpapered with peoples pictures that died and there is a wall with peoples missing ads. There is a part that has an area were you can write down your thoughts about 9/11. They have a book made of peoples comments, thoughts, words of encouragement and support. Brooklyn wrote a little note on a piece of paper. It was sweet. Then we went into the reflecting pools. It is amazing to me that in this great big city there is a spot that is so somber and quiet but filled with allot of people.

We then headed for some New York Pizza. It was so good there really is a difference in pizza and New York pizza. It was like heaven on a plate. Then we headed the subway and went to times square. I could have stayed there forever. It was awesome. The shops, the people, just the atmosphere. I could have people watched for ever.

Then we walked to the NBC studios, Rockefeller center, were the today show is, walked along fashion avenue, and made it to central park. We walked around there then we took the kids to fao schwartz. That store is so cool. So many toys and candy. The kids each got a toy and we headed back to the subway, then on the ferry and back to our car. It was a great day. The kids did walking most of the time. They did awesome. It was such a great family day. I cant wait to go back and see more.

One of the greatest moments of the day was the kids fell asleep with in minutes of getting back on the road. So it was a whole three hour drive back UN interrupted just me and David talking. It was a great day.

Halloween 2011

2011-11-06T05:49:00.000-08:00

Another Halloween done and I am reminded why I love Halloween. It was nice to experience Halloween with the fall weather. It was a little chilly, the whole neighborhood was out going form house to house. Brooklyn wanted to be glitter witch So I made her a Thule tutu skirt with glitter Thule. It was fun to make and I have to say it turned out really cute. Landon was a Jedi. Simple and easy a Jedi costume with one of his many light sabers. Dawson was buzz light year. Our Halloween was full of a costume parade at Landon's school( he didn't want to wear his costume), a party at the gym, the ward trunk or treat, a family Halloween party with us five, served brains(calzones), blood for your brains(spaghetti sauce),jello with spiders, and we trick or treated in the neighborhood with our friends the Prescott's. It was so fun to trick or treat with there boys just like old times. It is awesome living close again to good life long friends. It was a great Halloween.

Groovy

Cute landon

Our friends the Herd family

Peace out

Cute cute cute

Costume parade

All set to get lots of candy

The base firemen were out giving candy

Such a cutie

Cute glitter witch

Happy Halloween 2011!!

Pumpkin Carving and apple crisp

2011-10-16T07:37:00.000-07:00

We decided to carve our pumpkins while our apple crisp with fresh off the tree apples was cooking. I was very impressed with the kids landon and brooklyn took there insides out all by them selves and carved it all by them selves. David made a darth maull pumpking it looked really really cool all lit up. We have not carved pumpkins for a long time. In hawaii we just painted them. It was a fun night to watch the kids have fun and to top it off with homemade apple crisp. Hello Fall I have missed you the last 8 years.

Nothing like carving pumpkins in pajamas

AHH the good stuff inside

Carving the perfect face

Our perfect pumpkin family

Family fall day

2011-10-16T06:39:00.000-07:00

The weather was perfect for our day planned to go to the pumpkin patch. We went to the same farm we went to when we picked berries this summer. Our friends the moores came with us. We went to the pumpkin patch, picked apples, and took a hay ride. This farm is teh greatest find. It is called larrialnd farms. It is about 35 minutes away.

Always has to find the most perfect pumpkin

After we found our pumplins we went over to the apple orchard and started picking. At first we were just going to get a few apples just to eat but they said they had a good kind that is good for baking pies with. So we decided to load up split the cost with our friends so we can make some applesauce and try to make some apple pie filling. The kids thought it was cool to just pick and eat an apple. I think dawson had his share of having more then his share of just trying one like the farm says.

Taking his third or fourth sample

Brooklyn and Hailey

that's alot of apples

After the apples the moores headed home and we decided to take the kids on the hay ride. Itw as a 20 minute hay ride through the forest were they had story book characters all throughout the forest. It was a classic hay ride a big tractor puling you in a big wagon full of hay.

thanks to brooklyn for the picture

such a cute kid

Our reward for all the apples yummy

Fishing Rodeo

2011-10-16T06:10:00.001-07:00

The first weekend in ocotber there was an event on base called a fishing rodeo at the lake. We were very excited to take the kids fishing. We didnt catch any fish but we still had fun. They stocked the fish with rainbow trout a few days before. When we got to the lake ther wanst really any good spots and the lake was very mossy. It was such a cold cold day. It was 55 degrees and windy. This was the day me and david realized we have no long sleeve shirts. Needless to say we went to the mall and looked for some warm clothes that night. Despite no fish caught we still had a fun freezing time.

Brooklyn loved the night crawlers

all three fishing

MMMMM Blake Shelton

2011-09-11T10:30:00.000-07:00

A month or so ago we got a base newspaper. In there is said coming next month Blake Shelton concert. There was no mention of needing tickets. I didn't want to get my hopes up but in the back of my mind I was hoping it was going to be a free concert. I was full on prepared to camp out for this. Just like my mom has taught us to camp out for the 24 of July parade. My mom taught me many great things and one of those happens to be how to camp out for good things. every 24 of july she camps out for the big parade in utah. She stresses about it and gets nervous the day of if people are getting there spots before they are suppose to. Well I was kind of that way. I told david to drive by the field in the afternoon just to check out how bad the crowd was.

We took dinner over to the field about 5:30. The kids thought it was so fun to run around with other kids. We got a good spot. He cam out and played about an hour. It was the best hour ever. He sure is nice to look at and his songs are really good also. We met up with some friends there and had a good time. It was awesome!!

Brooklyn and sierra loving the concert

trying to get the perfect picture with Blake shelton in it

Love this guy

Dawson all ready for a concert

Dear Brooklyn

2011-09-11T04:32:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Brooklyn. I cant believe that you are seven years old. It makes me feel old to have a seven year old. You woke up very excited for your special day. You took cupcakes to school to share with your school class. I asked you what you wanted to do for your birthday and you said you wanted to go to the creek to look for frogs and go to golden coral. Your two favorite things to do. For your friend birthday party you had a baking party. Grandma Diane made aprons for you friends you invited. You picked out the fabric and grandma made them for you. they turned out very cute.
I still remember very vividly the day you were born. The newness of everything. So excited to have you hear but not knowing what to do with a little baby. You really are such a light and a joy in the family. I cant imagine not having you in our family.
You are a great big sister. There are times that Dawson will cry for you when you are at school when he is sad. Before Landon started school he would ask when it was time to go get you. Whenever you have money to spend you always want to get something for Landon and Dawson. You are always thinking of them. On times that me and you have had some girls nights you always talk about your brothers how much you miss them. You always rush right back to playing with them when we get home. You love to have sleep overs with them on the weekends. When your friends invite you over to play you always ask if one of your brothers can come. You are always bringing home extra things for them. You are so thoughtful.
You are an excellent student. You are always up and ready for school. We live close to the school and you love walking to school. Your Friends come and pick you up and you love walking to school. It is fun to see you greet your friends every morning and walk home with them.
Friends is something that you make very easy. Every were we go you make a new friend. At the pool this summer you always made new friends. There is always someone new outside playing because you have invited them to play. Every time we go to school for something you always say to Hi to everyone you know or many kids come up to you saying HI Brooklyn.
You are so easy to please. Right now you are taking dance and an art class. You are taking the art class with your good friend kyla. You and kyla are two peas in a pod. You love everything girl and sparkly. You love to play outside, you love to be around your friends, you love orange chicken, you love being anywhere your dad is, you love to bake, you love to make things, you love to play with your littlest pet shops, you love to do make-up, you love to go swimming, you love animals, you love anything sweet, you love to be around people, you love going to movies, you have a love for life.
I cant imagine our family with out you. You are such a fun person to be around. You are always making us laugh. I love being around you. You can definitely make any bad day happy with your sense of humor and your style. We love you so much and cant imagine our life with out you. I hope this year brings so much joy and happiness. I hope you continue to enjoy and explore all that is around you. have a great year at being seven. We love you so much
Love your family

Kindergarten

2011-09-04T06:22:00.000-07:00

Oh MY My My were is time going. Landon is in kindergarten. He started this week. He was so excited on the first day of school. I heard him in his room saying yes today is school I get to go to school. He was ready with is backpack on for about an hour before we had to go. We live across the street from the school so it was long wait until it was time to walk across the street to school.

His teachers name is Mrs. Suda. She is really nice. Just what you would think a kindergarten teacher would be. A happy fun person with hugs for all the kids. After the first day she said I just love landon. He is such a good kid. He is the poster child for wha a student should be. Landon is the sweetest boy ever. He just melts your heart with is hugs and his smile. I hope this year he has a great experience, makes new friends, becomes more confident in himself, finds a joy in learning, and has alot of fun.

Landon is my little buddy I miss not having him with me all day. He is the sweetest little guy around. Good luck in school buddy!

All set to go to school

Hurricane Irene

2011-08-28T13:08:00.001-07:00

We were pre-pared with batteries, flashlights, games, junk food, comfy pajamas,water, blankets, and everything else we were going to need for hurricane Irene. Well I have to say the pajamas got used, the junk food was eaten, games were played, and two days of hanging out as a family in the house. We were pre pared for power outages and we didn't even get that. We had alot of wind and very strong wind. I am glad it wasn't much worse. So we had an earthquake earlier in the week a hurricane this week. This leaves me thinking what is someone trying to tell me?? If it is to stop drinking so much diet coke the answer is no and keep mother nature coming.

In all seriousness we are very lucky that is was a big storm were we are. We were prepared for the worst and got some good days at home all together as a family. I will take that any day.

Cant really tell but it was dark and gloomy

How can you not play in the rain when its rainign so hard

Play

in the rain

2nd Grade

2011-08-28T12:29:00.000-07:00

I cant believe that Brooklyn is in second grade. She was so excited and ready to start school. This year her school doesn't have uniforms so we had a ball shopping for school clothes. When we moved in as always Brooklyn had instant friends. Her friend kyla lives three houses down and Ashely lives one house down from us. Her teacher this year is Mrs. Teal. She is going to a brand new school. So far she really likes school we have only had three days of it. She is getting way to big for me. I told her she should go back to Dawson's age and she says no way.

Brooklyn, Kyla, and Ashely

Brooklyn and Kyla

She looks so grown up!!

I do have to say I love that she can just walk to school beats getting everyone in the car

Best of Friends

2011-08-28T12:08:00.000-07:00

From this 2008 to.............

I cant say it enough when we were in hawaii we made some great lifelong friends. Friends you know that you will have in your life forever and ever no matter how far apart the military and life take us. Our second day in hawaii a cute family of chantell, brian , and cordon who was 16 months old at the time came over and introduced ourselves. They saw that we had utah liscense plates and thought we proably had to be LDS. They lived the next street over from us. At the time brooklyn was 7 months. These two quickly became the best baby buddies. They are only 9 months apart adn from the begining they became unseperable. We were very lucky and fortunate to become good friends with chantell and brian. We did holidyas, dinner, switched babysitting,hung out alot, you name it we did it together. I had landon and a month later chantell had brenton. Again these two became best buddies. The four of them were unseperable and unstoppable. It started turning out that david was gone when brian was gone for work. So there were alot of times were the kids would play, me and chantell would order our favorite food and talk. We watched each others kids while we just the husbands and wifes went to another island. Boy of boy was I so sad when I found out that they were moving to maryland about two years ago. To say that I was devestated is a good way to put it. I couldnt believe that my good friend, mu crutch, the kids best friends, were moving. Well 1 1/2 years later we found out we were going to maryland as well. I was very excited. So here we are back in the same state and the fun has begun. Me and chantell had some good pool time this summer, a girls night, and finally the kids got back together for a sleep over. It was so fun to have these boys over. I think of them as my nephews. I would do anything for these two boys(the whole family acutally). I am so glad that we are in the same state even though it is only for a year they will be here. I will take it and enjoy it.

This!!! 2011

Camden Yards

2011-08-28T11:53:00.000-07:00

It was LDS night at the orioles game in august. We could get tickets for six dollars. That is a total still for a MLB game. I was excited to go and see the famous Camden Yards baseball field. It was a very nice field. Of course I didn't get any pictures of the field itself I was to busy admiring it. It was really historic. It was red brick and very old and historic. They had a play area that the kids could play at. Landon is just like his dad and is all about watching sports. He wanted to stay with dad while I took Brooklyn and Dawson to the play area. It was a really fun night and at an awesome price.

Bowie Baysox

2011-08-14T14:52:00.000-07:00

Not sure what the mascot is you just call him Bowie

The minor league team had navy night. We took the kids and it was another great time we have had here. We sat in general admission and the kids were able to play on the grass area. There was fireworks after the game. They had them to music and it was allot of fun. The booms were a little loud for Landon. After the fireworks they let the kids run the bases. Landon didn't want to do it but Brooklyn and Dawson ran them. The even better part was that the game was FREE!!! I cant complain there.

Fireworks way to loud

Hard to see but this is dawson getting to home plate

Brooklyn after home plate

First time to DC

2011-08-14T14:30:00.000-07:00

The other Saturday we decided to go park in Dc and just walk around and see what we could. We thought if we make it to a museum awesome if not then we will just see were the day takes us. So we parked by some of the monuments. We went to the Jefferson memorial and the Washington monument. We then walked over to the Smithsonian and went to the Natural history museum. We took a ton of pictures at the museum. I don't really feel like going through them. Just know that it was a really cool museum and a lot of neat stuff. My favorite room had to be the one that had all the fems and jewels and the hope diamond. It was so neat to see big diamonds and Gems. It was fun to see so much history. To also just take the day as it came. It was a great Saturday afternoon.

Washongton Monument

The hope diamond

Lariland Farms

2011-08-08T05:26:00.000-07:00

The farmhouse from the fields

While my mom was out here we found a farm that I had heard mentioned that was really fun to go to. SO we headed up to lariland farms to pick raspberries and blueberries. It was so much fun. It was so so hot and humid but we got alot of raspberries and blueberries. I chickened out with the kids I mean I had to take care of the kids in the car and cool off for a few minutes. My mom just kept on picking. She is like a machine when she is on a mission. When the kids were picking blueberries they were grabbing them bu the handfuls and eating them. They were so yummy. When we got home we made raspberry jam and then froze the rest of the blueberries and raspberries. It was such a fun afternoon and to know that it is only a short 25-30 minute drive away.

Dawson getting blueberries

Landon getting some raspberires

Lucky Landon

2011-07-25T12:53:00.000-07:00

As we were leaving Disneyland a guy. Well I call him a guy he was probably or 18 or 19. He had a huge bouquet of balloons. He came up to Landon and said can you hold these and just took off. Landon was in heaven. It was a huge bouquet of balloons.

Landon alwyas has girls around. Either brooklyns friends over or girl cousins that are brooklyns age. Well Luke is 4 and him and landon are inseperable. They are two peas in a pod. There were many sleepovers in utah with these two, alot of star wars on the WII and alot of wrestling. Notice the shirts had to come off for this hard core wrestling.

Little Mermaid

2011-07-25T12:44:00.000-07:00

Me and the kids went down to st George with my mom to see my niece made perform at tuachan. Her singing and dancing group is so cute. They did a little performance before the show. They were playing the little mermaid this season. I was lucky enough to take Brooklyn to it. My mom watched the boys and took them on a date. Brooklyn loved the show. It was a really good production of it. Afterwards they had the cast out you could meet and take pictures with. It was such a fun night just me and my favorite girl. I don't do it enough little one on one time. We sure enjoyed our self and the show. Here are just a few

King Triton

ursula

Aeriel and Prince Eric

Star Wars Party

2011-07-25T12:34:00.000-07:00

Landon's birthday was while we were in Utah. We had a little party before we left. I wasn't going to do anything big just a small get together with his cousins. He wanted star wars party no surprise. As I got looking I saw how cute ideas were for totally cheap. So we had make your own pizzas and Yoda juice. The toppings on the pizza were things like Vader veggies, pad ma peperoni, obi-won olives,chewbacca cheese. I found out how to make light sabers that were so cool. It was pipe insulation. It comes in black then you take duct tape to decorate the handle so everyone has there own light saber to dual with. The cake I made was a dueling light saber cake. It was an awesome party I do have to say

Legoland

2011-07-25T12:19:00.000-07:00

We went to legoland for one day after Disneyland. It was cool to see all the things made out of Lego's. The kids liked the rides and Landon was in heaven seeing all the star wars scenes made out of Lego's. It was another fun filled amusement park day

Bubbles

2011-07-25T12:06:00.000-07:00

My friend Ashely is so crafty and always has fun ideas. We were having a water day one day and she brought over some bubble wands she made. They made the biggest bubbles. The kids were entertained for ever. All it was to make them was yarn and wood dowdles. So simple and fun for ever.

Tracy Aviary

2011-07-25T11:47:00.000-07:00

Davids birthday fell on a Friday. We had plans to go out at night. During the day we decided to go to tracy aviary. I hadn't been there for ever. We thought we were getting suckered into paying more to feed the birds. We got to go inside the cage and feed these really pretty birds. I am not a bird person. l think they are the dirtiest animals ever but I was impressed. They gave us apples to hold in our hands. The birds would come just eat out of there hands. It was cool and worth the extra three dollars a ticket.

Bees Game

2011-07-25T11:26:00.000-07:00

One of the funnest things we did that was on Davids list of things to do in Utah is go to the bees game. The day that we went it just so happened that my sister in law and brother were going for her work. My friend Ashely and her family came, Millie and bodie, mere, and us went. We got to the ball park and Bodie was given free tickets into the park, that night they were having a beach theme. If you sat on the grass they were having incentives. So we sat there and we all got free 10 min massages, we were on the jombotorn singing the 7th inning stretch with big buddah from fox 13, we got free cookies, and the best part of all is we got free tshirts. It was a fun night with allot of free stuff. Thanks to mere for pushing her way through the crowd to get us all a shirt. Almost all that was there in our group scored a shirt.

The kids

Dawson beign swong around by uncle bodie

Dads Beauty pagent!

2011-07-25T10:52:00.000-07:00

My dad was up for an award in June. It was the entrepreneur award of 2011 in Utah. He was in the health category. I was so glad that I was able to be there on the awards night. My dad kept calling it his beauty pageant. We got to get all dressed up and my dad wore a tux. My sisters and sister in law Tami(we missed janece dearly this night) went shopping for the dress. It was so fun to get out with the sistees and do some shopping. We all found the perfect dress to wear.

The night of the "beauty pageant" it was at the salt lake convention center. We meet there and had a great night. The only bummer was that David wasn't there. IT was a fun night with my family the adults and my mom and dad. The best news of all is that my dad won. I am so proud of him. I see how much work he puts into his work. He has always been a hard worker. He loves what he does and the people he sees every day. So dad good job on the "beauty pageant" and congratulations at earning the 2011 entrepreneur of the year award for health care. Love you dad and I am so glad I was able to be there and share the night with the family.

The whole gang missing david. I cant believe I didnt get a pictures of just the girls

Dad accepting his award Way to go

My good looking brothers

Janece always making us laugh

My big brother tyler. You are never to old for your big brother

Something you dont see everyday mere in a dress

Disneyland 2011

2011-07-25T09:33:00.000-07:00

We took the kids to Disneyland in may. I am so far behind but I will catch up. We meet some friends there that we knew in Hawaii. IT was so good to see the giliam family. Disneyland was awesome. The kids had such a good time. We were there for three days then we did a day in legoland. It was fun. There are a tun of pictures so I will try to narrow them down. The world of color show is amazing. We saw a good deal of characters. There is not much to say other then we had so much fun. Three days of fun, good times,greasy food, ice cream treats, and three tired kids at the end of the day. Awesome!

St. George FUN!!!!

2011-05-31T16:55:00.000-07:00

We went to st George for a week just the five of us. We had such a fun time. We stayed at my families condo that each sibling gets a week in. We were also able to spend time with Davids dad ad his wife terry. We did some hiking, some pool time, jumping jacks, David went four wheeling with his dad, my friend Ashley and her family came down for the weekend, played in the water fountains at the city center, walked around the temle and the visitors center, and much more fun. We were to busy having fun that I didn't have my camera at a lot of activities we did but her are some of the times I did. I love st George!!!

Grandma and Grandpa Webster

2011-05-31T16:40:00.000-07:00

Being in a military ward in Hawaii was great. It was great to meet so many people but sad when it was time for friends to move on. The support the ward gave each of us military was awesome. Our ward was made up of military and locals. There was a great missionary experience that I benefited from. It was a senior couple missionary that was to serve in military relations. They were to help the military with a focus on the deployed families. They came over for the first time while David was gone they gave he kids coupon books from McDonald's. They told me that they were here to be the kids grandma and grandpa and they were. They also were there to help if need be. They came over a few times to visit while David gone. They always had hugs and smiles for the kids. They let them climb all over them and just listen to them. They came over and started sharing rootbeer floats with us. They would come over when david was home also. We grew a great fond of them and the kids loved there grandma and grandpa webster. When it came time for us t leave they called to see if they could come see us. We stayed in Waikiki for a few days before we left. They happened to call the day we were going to a magic show at the hotel. We told them what we were doing and they came down and came with us. They are a couple that really meant alot to our family. The kids always smiled a little brighter when they came over when david was gone. They told us many stories of the people in the other wards that they were helping as well. I know that not just my family was benefited from them but also many others. The kids and us will always remember our second grandparents the websters.

early birthday party

2011-04-22T12:52:00.000-07:00

happy Birthday Buddy

Landon will b 5 on may 16. I cant blieve he will be five. I decided to do an early party since we will be traveling on his birthday. He wanted a friend party with his friends from school and his other friends. So we did an early birthday party at the bowling alley. He wanted to go to the bowling alley. We went to the bowling alley for a game of bowlig then headed to the park for a pinata and cupcakes. Of course the party he wanted was star wars. I got a darth vader pinata and tried my best to do star wars cupcakes. It was fun to have a party for landon with his own friends. He has completely come out of his shell since starting pre-school. He has meet some good friends.

landon, wyatt, and kown

black frosting with silver sparkles

can he be any cuter????

darth vader amigos

All done

2011-04-13T18:49:00.000-07:00

I have been waiting three years to post this and write about the last three years I have had. David is all done with submarines. I cant tell you how thrilled I am about this. I want to write down the good times and the bad times we had while David was gone. I want to look back on all this and say I can do it. I can do hard things.

Simple facts:

Davids first trip was the summer of July 2005.

The longest I didn't hear from him at one time was 42 days.

He visited some cool places, Japan, Guam, Singapore, the Philippines.

The longest he was gone at one time was 4 months.

His last trip was in august of 2010 and lasted until November of 2010.

The longest he was home in between trips was 6 weeks.

Out of1095 days in three years he was gone about 700 of those.

He missed Dawson's 1 and 2 birthday, Brooklyn's 6 and 7 birthday and two Christmas's.

I was fortunate to go visit Utah three of the times he was gone. Before Brooklyn started school.

Things I conquered while he was gone;

Taking the kids camping with our ward twice by myself

traveling on an airplane three times just me and the kids

trying the MAC flights

my fear of killing cockroaches

Mowing the backyard

Taking the garbage can out every Monday and bringing it in every night

Keeping the kids quiet in sacrament meeting

Oil changes and other car maintenance

Just a little snip it of what I think about the last three years

When David first started subs I had no idea what to expect. I was so full of positive gusto and guilt when he first left. I felt guilty the kids didn't have there dad around. I had guilt that I wasn't going to do a good job. I had guilt anytime the kids cried for any reason. I had guilt thinking that I could call my mom, sisters and friends when I was having a bad day. The first day David left I remember so vividly. He gave us all blessings we took him to the airport then got the kids panda express since that is their favorite. Came home put a movie on for the kids, went upstairs and balled my eyes out and called my mom. I felt like I had a huge mountain in front of me and I had no idea how to tackle it.
I tried to wake up each day with so much gusto to just relax about the little house stuff and just go have fun all day everyday. It was a fun summer. M friend Ashely came out to see us. It was so much fun. This was the first time I took the kids camping for our ward camp. My friend chantel was husband less to so we helped each other out. I have to say it was very empowering and awesome to do it. Everything was still so fresh and new I still felt a little overwhelmed but we did our best.

As the next trips came and went we got into a groove. I realized what it was like to not hear from him. Every time I got an email I think I called my mom and told everyone. I cherished those emails that I got. Obviously you don't have the best communication when they are in a sub under water. The first charisma's we spent apart I was in Utah because I was not that strong to do the holidays by myself. The second christmas apart we stayed here. That is one holiday I wont forget. It was the hardest thing I have done in a long time. I have always had a great group of friends here and a great support system but it was still the hardest thing I have had to do. On the other hand I have a whole new appreciation for the reason we have Christmas. I have had to ask for help and take huge step out of my comfort zone. There are definitely days that I wont forget and here are days were I was is tried and grumpy I wish I could forget because I was so tired and grumpy. there were alot of proud days were I was happy for how things were going. There are distinctive days I remember were when I was at the end of my limit a friend would stop by, someone would call, or something would happen to turn things around. I was in good hands while David was gone.

Every time David was gone Landon went through something. He wold throw up at night for the first week, one time he got cold sores on his gums, he got a rash all over once, poor kid is so sensitive and internalizes things differently. All the kids were great through it all. I often think that they helped me more then I helped them through it all. When they are all I had and I was all they had it brought a new approach to things.

David is the greatest. I hated being apart from him. It made me very humble how he had things set up for us while he was gone. I grew a deeper apprecaiton for him and all that he does for us.

I am glad for all that I learned, thee trials and the good times we had while David was gone. I am even more glad to be all done.

A memorable way to end spring break

2011-03-30T16:47:00.000-07:00

Me and shirlyn ended our trip in Utah and decided our best try and getting a military hop back was to drive to california to travis afb. It is outside of fair field California and by Sacramento sort of it is like 40 minutes away from Sacramento. Shirlyn was awesome at finding a car rental that would do a one way from utah to california. She picked up the van for us and we were off for the long drive back to california. The kids did great in the car. we were doing really well on time so we decided in Reno to let the kdis get out at chuck e cheese and play around. Thank goodness we did because as we started up donnors pass it started snowing and they told us there was a big crash at the top and they were only letting locals through. So we turned around went back to the town of Reno and found a hotel. We were both so glad that we let the kids get out at chuck e cheese or we would have been in the snowy mess in the mountains.

LOVE TO BED JUMP

When I checked into a hotel there was a couple on front of me who said that they were on the mountain and were forced to turn around because of the snow. They were making cars turn around and have chains put on if you had them. They said that a semi in front of them was Jack knifing. Crazy stuff. So Tuesday we woke up with a new outlook there was a flight from Travis to hickam Hawaii that had 73 seats. We were sure we would get on so we made our way to the store to get hains since all the highway reports said that f you were going into Donner pass you needed chains. We set out and of course since we had bought chains and listened to reports it was sunny skies in the mountains. We did see alot of snow though. It was taller then the car and some road signs.

one more long ride in the car

donnors pass

so much snow

We made it to Travis and thought we were for sure gettinng on the flight. Well needless to say we didnt. There was a delay from a few days ago so there were a lot of people trying to get out so we headed to the hotel were he already had a two night reservation. The next day we were trying to decide what to do. Travis didn't have anything good out for a few days and the hotel didn't have any rooms available for the weekend. There was a lady we meet at travis that told us about a military fare site for tickets so we got some for the next day out of Sacramento. We decided to make the most of it we took the kids to the jelly belly factory and hit up some outlet malls. The jelly belly was fun to go and see. The kids had fun sampling flavors like booger,bark and canned dog food. My personal favorite were the chocolate dip ones. The chocolate orange ones were delicious.

Thanks shilryn for asking me to do the mac flights with you. It was a great spring break and it was a great week spent with you getting back. It was a great "girls trip with kids."

Fun on spring break

2011-03-30T16:14:00.000-07:00

While we were in utah I really didnt have anything big and specific to do except shop, find a love of raspberry diet coke, eat at cafe rio, hang out with the family, have the kids play with there cousins, go to st george, go to disney on ice, and just relax. It was a great ten days. There was alot of laughing, eating, and just having fun

Disney on Ice

luke and landon loved playing star wars lego

the boys playing games

silly dawson

brooklyn at my parents new condo in st george

the girl cousins

laughed alot

Sprinng Break 2011

2011-03-27T19:32:00.001-07:00

The gang

My friend shirlyn wanted to go to Utah for her brothers wedding which happened to fall over our spring break. Her husband deven is in Washington D.C. right now and she wanted to go to the wedding She asked if I wanted to take a mac flight( a free military flight on there cargo planes). I had done it before and didn't really mind it so I said sure I am always up for a trip. We really lucked out and got on one that went all the way to salt lake city Utah. When you fly the mac flight or space a or taking a hop. It is all the same thing. There are 6 different categories. Since we were traveling with out our spouse/sponsor then we were category 5. There were only 25 seats and we were a party of 7. We were very nervous and I think we both lost sleep for about 2 nights. usually the chances aren't good if there aren't alot of seats. We were thrilled when we were the only ones that when they said who is gong to salt lake city we shouted as loud as we could we are. we got a few stares. I guess salt lake city isn't a hip place to go. There were two other girls that came on the flight. So total there were9 of us on the plane. It was so cool. It was one of the greatest airplane rides. The kids laid down and slept therefore I was able to lay down and sleep. The kids could run and walk around. Me and shirlyn just talked as the kids were walking and running around. The crew was very fun with the kids. This plane was a re-fueling plane. They were re-fueling four f-15 through out the flight. The first time they re-fueled that asked if Landon wanted to go see it. He was the only one awake. So I took him to the back of the plane, went down a few steps, and laid on a single person mattress with the open air only a few feet away and a big asuare door that was open that we could see the f-15 fly up to the plane we were in get refuel up and then fly off. Really the coolest thing ever.

the F-15 flying up to the plane

almost to our plane

It only took 5 1/2 hours to get to salt lake from Hawaii. We landed at the air national guard base. It is around he airport. When we landed and as we were waiting for our families to pick us up the kids thought the snow on the ground was the coolest thing ever.

Our plane

who has snow for spring break?

Ft Meade maryland

2011-03-27T19:25:00.000-07:00

Well it is official orders have been written and signed. We will be leaving the great state of Hawaii and moving to Maryland fort Meade. We are very excited, nervous, scared,anxious, all sorts of emotions going on right now. I am ready for the change. I am really looking forward to the history out there, the things that we can show the kids out there that we don't have in Hawaii, meeting up with old friends that are out there, ready for David to not have to be on a submarine, ready to get a fresh start with out him coming and going, and many more opportunities that hawaii us out there. I will deeply miss our friends and our support system. Our friends out here are our family. As of now we are leaving the first week of may and will be in Utah for about 40 days then David will leave and head out to Maryland and set up with housing. Then the end of June me and the kids will fly out to Maryland. It will be a great journey.

Great Aloha Run 2011 1 hour 28 min 43 seconds

2011-02-22T16:34:00.000-08:00

The Great aloha run is a run n Honolulu that is 8.15 miles. I have always wanted to do it but never have. It is every year on presidents day. This year there was 27,000 entries. I was one of them. I signed up back in January. I thought if I am going to do this I really want to do this. My friend shirlyn gave me a training schedule and I was set. I used to fun about a mile and think I was going to die so I really wanted to give this a try. When I did my long runs Saturday it was neat to see me go farther then I thought and to see my time. The first time I did 6 miles I was so proud of myself. It was very empowering for me to set a goal and work hard it. I could tell when I was pushing myself and not really pushing myself. sometimes I would hate when the alarm when off since during the week I would get up so I would have enough time to run and shower before we had to leave the house at 7:30 for school drop offs. I stuck with it and I am very proud of myself.

February 21 2011 came and I got up at 3:30 to eat breakfast and get ready to go. There was a group of us that was doing it together. Laura was the driver and she came and got me and chantell(she was visiting from out of town. She used to live in Hawaii I have known her since the day we moved here). We wen and picked up Tricia and shirlyn and we were off. Of course we were stuck in traffic for way to long but it was just us girls so we didn't mind talking the morning away. We parked at the stadium were the race ended, got on a bus that took us to the start, had a bathroom break, heard the race start and we were off. We started together but we are at different levels so we had the meeting spot at the end.

The finish line is inside the stadium so u run through a tunnel then end in the stadium.. As I crossed the finish line and was being headed to were we were suppose to be I heard a cute little voice yell mommy! I look up to see Brooklyn waving her hands frantically and shaking some flowers they had for me. Then I saw David, Landon, and Dawson. Talk about a proud moment.

I am so lucky to have David he was so supportive of me the whole time. I took my phone with me and I told him I was going to call him but not talk to him when I entered the stadium so he would know I was in the stadium. I was a sweaty mess and I had my phone tucked into my tank top and I was nervous the battery was going t get wet so I happened to be holding it at this time and about mile 6 when I needed a good boost I got a text from David that said Go Amanda. Just what I needed.

I am proud of myself for working at a goal and seeing the hard work pay off. I had 3 different times in my head that I wanted to finish in. When I crossed the finish the line clock said 1 hour 40 min 22 sec. I was kind of upset because I felt that I was working so much harder then that but I felt like I really pushed harder then that. Then today I checked my email and there was an email that said I could check my time. So I entered my race number and it said 1 hour 28 min 43 sec. I totally forgot to factor in I didn't start at the start line right when it started. I started about 7:15. I was so excited since my time I wanted was less them 1 hour 30 min. I was so happy and so proud of myself.

It was a neat experience all around. To see how I was running from when I started to the race day was awesome to see how I was gaining more endurance. i will never forget finishing and hearing Brooklyn's little voice saying mommy and looking up and seeing David and the kids all waving and with smiles. I will also never forget and cherish the time I had with my friends in the morning I have made such great friends here I get sad to think about leaving them soon. We were all there for each other and stayed until we all finished. It was just a really bet experience and I am so glad that I can say I did it!!

The finish line

laura, tricia, chantell me, shirlyn

we only had hone cameras at the begining so we had to get a good sweaty pic at the end

showing off our legs

Leslie comes to town

2011-02-12T16:58:00.000-08:00

My sister leslie came to visit for a week. It was so much fun to have her here. we did alot of laughing, drinking diet coke, soaking up the beach in the sun, laying out by the pool, pedicures, outlet shopping,fire pit on the beach, grilling at the Hale koa and the fireworks,shaved ice from the north shore,getting all caught up on days of our lives( I am a little addicted again thanks leslie), the swap meet, and we had so much fun. Thanks for coming out leslie it was totally wicked and sure do love ya

submarine leaving Hicam Beach

smores on the beach

best buddies

Dawson in his own world waiting for the fire pit

The beach we went to to do the fire pit and smores had so many turtles. You could easily walk out to them. I was tryig to get a picture with le and the turtle in that you could see, If you look close enough you can see a turtle shell.

It was fun to have leslie here and I am totaly lame and didnt even get a pic of me and her. I guess we were having to much fun playing.

Party Time for Dawson

2011-02-12T16:42:00.000-08:00

Dawons party was fun. super cheap, and my sister leslie was here to celebrate with us. For his birthday we had his party at the burger king playplace on base You seriously cant beat them setting up, 10 kids meals, and the cake or $50.00. The kids just played and had a fun time.

birthday boy

excited for presents

the guests

MMMMM Birthday cake

Happy Birthday Dawson

2011-01-17T15:16:00.000-08:00

I cant believe that you are already three. Time is going by way to fast. This year Dawson dad was home for your birthday. He missed the last two so it was extra special this year. It was on Sunday this year and it was stake conference so that means a vacation day for us(just kidding well sort of). You love balls and kicking so we got you a soccer ball and a net,you got some playdoh, and some toy story three toys. You love the movie toy story three. If I pt that on you will watch the whole thing. That is one way I know how to get things done while I know you are going to be in one spot. You still love your blankey. You don't go any were with out it. You love fruit snacks,hot dogs, mac n cheese, chicken nuggets, gogurts,suckers, gum, apples, bananas, and pretty much any food.

You have two modes destruction and crazy. I wonder what goes on in your head when you do things like trying to jump from the top bunk to the floor while saying to infinity and beyond,pulling chair over to the stove to see you mac n cheese cook, out of the blue start your own bath,run around like a crazy person, destruct anything in your path, think that when the van door opens it is a ride to hang onto the door handle, wear your rain boots and call your self woody,and many more things that just show your true personality. I love when you are tired or sic you will let me hold you with your blanket for ever. I love those times you let me do it.

You are such a joy to have around. I couldn't picture this family with out you. You always make us laugh and keep us on our toes. You are a great brother to Landon and Brooklyn. You love to play star wars with Landon and littlest pet shop with Brooklyn. We love you so so much.

You brighten our days everyday. You are a joy to be around. These last three years have been full of fun adventrues and hair pulling for me with you. I look forward to this year as you grow,explore, and learn so much more. Love you dawsey

Goodbye 2010 Hello 2011.

2011-01-09T17:42:00.000-08:00

This years for new years eve my and my friend shirlyn decided to go out with a bash. Have a disco party. We reserved our community center and went to town and had such a fun night. The invitation stated that disco attire was not required but highly recommended. I loved David's outfit for the night. I was so bummed that this was the only good picture I got of his killer outfit. We had different stations set up. You could play rock band, karaoke, eat allot of yummy food, and my favorite was the disco ball pinata that I found. I didn't get a good picture of it but it was awesome. Made my whole day when I found it at party city.

Groovy outfit David

tearing it up at rock band

Girls karakoing the night away

thanks Angela for bringing the karaoke machine

Yummy Food table

Santa brought David the xbox kinect. It has been lot of fun to play. We played dance central and sports game. They were both a big hit. Shirlyn don't kill me for putting this picture up. At about 11:00 we had tried to get the kids to lay down to watch a movie. I don't think the parents won that one. We had about 15 kids all trying to lay down and watch a movie in the media room. While the kids were watching a movie the adults turned the night into a dance party .

Good times

Punch Punch Punch

all she wants to do is dance dance dance

We had such a fun time. We have the greatest friends out here. Thank you all for coming we missed friends that couldn't make it. Thank everyone for bringing yummy food to share and there best dance moves. We made party favors for the party. This was a new years eve that will go down in the history books as the funnest new years. Happy 2011

Great group of girl friends

Party Favors

Cant wait for the changes in 2011

ice skating and Caroling

2010-12-26T19:58:00.000-08:00

This year for Christmas eve we decided to go ice skating. It was allot of fun. We met our friend the cox's for some ice skating. The place is called the ice palace. It did feel a little wintry in there but the second we walked out the doors we were welcomed to the blazing hot sun.

They had a portion for the kids and they had walkers for them. They were really helpful. If you had a walker then you couldn't go out were the other people were. It was nice that the kids weren't getting ran over by bigger people.

Little Dawson

Walking on the skates

Dawson not ready yet to walk

all set to go

There she goes

Landon doing great

oops fall down

Christmas eve night our friends invited us over for the some caroling, It was fun walking the neighborhood and singing songs all being in good company. We are very fortunate to have such good friends, It was a little sentimental as we were walking through the neighborhood with our friends as this will be the last Christmas's in Hawaii. Being surrounded by such good friends. After we were caroling we had brownies and ice cream.(my kind of dessert). The kids were able to play one last time together. Then back home to put the kids to bed and wait for Santa to come.

caroling in the neighborhood

all the kids having dessert

Good night and merry Christmas

More big island part 2

2010-12-15T21:45:00.000-08:00

The next day it was rainy,cloudy and foggy. We went on some small hikes. We went into the lava tube that was cool. It was a big tube/cave that you walk through were only a few hundred years ago lave flowed through. When you are not in the lava tube you are walking through a rain forest. It is really gorgeous.

Entrance to the lava tube

I was playing around with our camera and didn't take it off the black and white setting OOPS

walking around

Inside the lava tube entrance to some more caves/tubes you can explore

Since it was raining and foggy we decided to just do some little walks rather then full oh hikes. We saw some excellent views of the crater.

lookout

After we played around in the park we went to Hilo and went to a waterfall. It was a very pretty waterfall.

rainbow falls

It was such a great three days and two nights that me and David had. It was nice to not have to worry about how the kids were doing since I knew shirlyn was taking good care of them. Did I have to call them once yes and did I make cards for them to open each night from me yes. It was a wonderful time to spend time together. We talked allot and laughed allot. We had our share of relaxing as well. We kept it very simple which was so nice. When we usually get away overnight when we are in Utah we always plan a nice place to stay a nice dinner and Nice event. I am grateful that David treats our time away like that but it was so nice to keep it basic and simple. It was nice to just be together. I have missed him more and more each time he has to go to sea. It was great to sit back and relax and know that I was in the best company I could ever ask for.

The big island

2010-12-15T20:49:00.000-08:00

We have some great friends out here. My and my friend shirlyn were talking about switching and doing little getaways for our husbands. We started talking about it in October and we both planned ours and the time came for us to take ours. David was out to sea as I was planning ours so it made the anticipation ever more since I couldn't tell him what I was doing well.

Pool side at the Hale Koa

It was a much needed R&R time for us with how much he has been gone away. We spent the first night in Waikiki at the Hale koa. We were going to hike diamond head but got down there and come to find out it is closed on the weekdays. So we checked in and went and laid by the pool. Then we went to the Ala moana mall shopped a little then we went to dinner. The next day we headed to the big island. We flew into kona and drove to the volcano national park. There are some military cottages there. Our first stop was to see the temple. It is a small temple but gorgeous just like the rest of them.

Kona Temple

We thought it would be nice to drive around the island a little bit. It is so green and the contrast between the green and the lava rocks is really cool. We made a few stops along the way. One was a black sand beach. It is really cool to see black sand beach. We also stopped at a look out point were we saw a guy enjoying the good life with his stuffed pig hanging out of his car,

off to the water

Chill in with a pet pig awesome

We got to the volcano national park and stopped at the steam vents. There was a walkway we took that looked into the crater. It was cool. The setting was perfect it was cloudy and started raining and to drive down the road and see the steam coming out of the ground was really cool.

steam vents

The one thing I really wanted to do was See the lava flow into the water. There was no visible lava flow that day. Darn it. We went to a museum that has a lookout point and at night if there is lava flowing you can see the seam light up. It was really cool. Just as we got to the sot it was bright red and pink and orange. We stayed there a few minutes then as we were leaving it started to die down and it was changing colors like it was when we first got there so good timing on our part.

the many glowing pictures I will just spare you to look at one

The military cottages at the park are the way to go. They are cottages that have fireplaces. They have one bedroom up to three bedroom cottages. When we pulled up the first row of cottages were decorated with Christmas lights. It was really cool. Since it was cold(had to buy a sweatshirt since conveniently forgot mine and Davids), rainy, foggy. It was nice to get a change of weather and really felt wintry with all the fog and rain. The night we were there it was rainy and cold. We put a log in the fireplace. It was nice to say that while living in Hawaii we had a fire in a fireplace once.

All ready for Christmas

the front room of the cottage.

Christmas fun

2010-12-12T09:42:00.000-08:00

We were lucky to have my dad out for business. He brought my mom out with him. They stayed an extra day and we celebrated Christmas with them. It is always so good to see family It made it feel more like Christmas with them here visiting.

We meet my mom at the mall to ride the candy cane express train. I love being down at the mall this time of year. even if there is nothing to buy it is just fun to be amongst the shoppers, the music, and the decorations.

We took the kids down to the city hall to see the lights. It is nice to not have to get all bundled up to go see the lights. They have a big Santa and ms clause in sitting at the fountain cooling off with there feet in the water. Inside the foyer of city hall they have Christmas trees that the different departments have decorated. They have a hallway at the back of the building that has different wreaths that people have decorated. It was a fun night.

1st annual BOOTS shopping trip

2010-11-21T14:51:00.001-08:00

Since Brooklyn is the only girl i have been thinking about a tradition that me and her can start doing together. She always asks to wear my boots she loves them. She has a pair of cowgirls boots that she wears even with her swimsuits. She loves to put my high heel boots on and wear them all around. So I love a good pair of boots and she loves boots so I thought lets start every winter season me and her will go shopping at the mall all day to find the perfect pair of boots for us. When I told Brooklyn this she was ecstatic. She was so excited that she was going to pick out a pair of boots and go shopping at the mall.

For an event like this we couldn't just go the mall closest to us we went to Ala moana mall. It is in Waikiki's and honestly home sweet home to me. We found the perfect pair for Brooklyn. I took advantage of the old navy deal of the week with a pair of Adora boots as they advertised.

Black high heel boots

We hit all the good stores, the Disney store, Claire's, chocolate store, clothing stores, Lego store, and the funnest store we went into was sephora. I love this store.

so many choices to choose from

Make up beautifully applied

Had to try on the nail polish find the perfect color

I had such a fun time with Brooklyn. She is such a fun girl. Every store we went into her eyes got big and it was followed by oh my gosh mom look at this. She got her boots at the first store we went to and she wore them all day. We got there about 11:30 and left at 3:30. She didn't even complain of her fee hurting until we got in the car. She could have gone for ever. It was a great way to start are boots tradition. I might not be able to wear my pair much out here occasionally a rainy day. It was such a fun day with Brooklyn and I cant wait for next years boots day.

veterans day parade

2010-11-21T14:03:00.000-08:00

On veterans day the schools are closed out here. There is a parade through the town of wahiawa. There is a great family in our ward the Kim's. They drive a train in the parade they were looking for families who had a parent deployed or new members in our ward to ride the train. So we got to go on the train. The kids had a good time. They thought it was so fun. After the parade they had a carnival at the park. They had bounce houses. rides, food, and booths. It was a fun way to celebrate the military I sure have a deeper appreciation and pride when veteran's day comes around

all aboard the train

BFF's Brooklyn and Gracie

Gotta love the big slides

carnival rides

Halloween fun

2010-11-02T23:15:00.000-07:00

This year it seems like we stretched Halloween out for a week. The kids had parties at school, we had a friend, party, the trunk or treat, regular trick or treating, and Halloween activities at the library. The kids had fun I tried to snap pictures at all the events but some of them I realized I am very out numbered. I also have to note for journal sake that Landon wanted to be Darth Vader. So about a month ago I bought a costume. Out here if you don't get things when you see them the stores run out and they don't usually get them in again before the holiday is over. So we had it all picked out did everything I could to not have him wear it so it would be nice and fresh.

On Friday (two days before Halloween) we went to target to find me something. I am not one to dress up so I just wanted to hat or something I could use my regular clothes with. Well target had there stuff discounted. There was a pirate set of accessories for $5 with the discount. Landon wanted it I thought a great dress up for him. Well low and behold no more Darth Vader. The rest of the weekend he was a pirate. I remember we had an incident like this last year. So I think I will put off Halloween costumes until the very last day next year. Yeah right I get so excited when I see the costumes they will end up each having like three costumes each. One paid at full price and the other ones bought right before Halloween.

We sure had a fun halloween.

library festivites

Dawson throwing a fit.

no napping for a few days to much partying

Hallowen crafts

Trunk or treat

Abbott Party

2010-11-01T19:32:00.000-07:00

Our friends the abbotts know how to throw a party. They were very generous to open there house to all the mayhem of kids, food, and costumes. IT was a fun night were the adults had a good time and the kids were around all there friends. Thanks for the fun night abbott family

Eating yummy food

Cowgirl, Deven(actually just shirlyn), grapes

love these girls

Howdy!!!!

scary ghostman landon

Sports

2010-11-01T16:28:00.001-07:00

Landon has been taking sports at the YMCA on Saturday mornings. They teach them the skills and techniques for each sport. Right now they are covering track and field.basket ball, and baseball. He is having so much fun. I am so glad that he is starting to do things that are just for him.

you cant catch me

run landon run

potato sack

Hit homerun

Fireman Landon

2010-10-16T21:28:00.000-07:00

Landon's preschool is the greatest decision I have ever made. I hesitated at first since he is gone every day for four hours. It has been the best thing for him. He has gained self confidence which is one thing that I really wanted him to do. He is such a sweet boy and he has a shy side to him. The age Brooklyn is in now it is girl scouts and gymnastics for her. It is always Brooklyn being invited to birthday parties, her friends coming over. I feel like Landon is kind of over shadowed. I wanted him to gain his own thing. So he is doing very well. I couldn't have asked for better teachers for him.

The pre-school was going to the fire station. I took Dawson over to my friend shirlyns house. I was all excited to have a fun time with just Landon.

To start things off I went to the wrong fire station OOPS. Thank goodness the fire station they were out is only a short drive not even 2 minute drive away. So I got to the right fire station just as Landon was up to hold the hose and set the fire out. They had a wood playhouse they put on fire and they had the kids hold the hose to put it out.

Fires out

too cute

How are the kids suppose to not be scared of that coming at them in a fire to help them??

The fire engine

On a cheesy note after this field trip It made me realize again(this happens often) how grateful I am that I can do things with my kids like this. To be able to go meet Brooklyn for lunch at school, help at Landon's preschool, have quality time with Dawson in the morning, get them from school when they are sick, be there to pick them up from school, hear all about there good and bad days, and everything that comes with raising the three best kids ever. I am very thankful to David for making it possible for me to stay home with the kids. Right now life is good. Now it would be much better if daddy was here with us but I will take the three best kids for now.

pumpkin Patch

2010-10-16T21:01:00.000-07:00

This year brooklyn is in girl scouts. We meet up at the pumpkin patch with the troop. It was fun. Your choice of a punpkin patch is pretty slim out here but we still had a good time. We listened to a farmer talk about the farm, went on a hayride, then went and picked our pumpkin out. The kids had a fun time. It was a great way to kick off the last weeks before halloween.

The hay ride

Can she get any cuter???/

2010-10-14T00:44:00.003-07:00

Brooklyns First Grade Picture

Sorry for the bad picture of a picture.

She sure is a cutie

Kole Kole Hike

2010-10-12T19:10:00.000-07:00

I am not sure of this is the name of the hike or not but it is at the back of schofield base. It is just a little hike but it has a good view. The kids had a great time doing it. There is one part you can go to a little meadow or you can go to a higher part. To get down the high part the kids had to "butt slide" They thought that was the best. It only a 15 minute drive, and easy hike and we don't do it often enough.

The witches rock

sibling love

view from the top

another view from the top

Butt Slide

Butt slide

a fort of trees in the grass area at the top

Kids not wanting another picture taken

Destructive Dawson and loveable landon

2010-10-12T18:54:00.001-07:00

Landon is the sweetest boy. Today I went and picked him up from preschool and his little cubbie he had flowers he had picked for me at recess. So sweet. He is always just go with the flow kind of kid. He loves to help out. He loves when my friends baby comes over. His name is Dylan. The other day when he was over he was really tired but didn't want to take a nap I was doing something in the other room and I heard Landon talking to Dylan. I walked back in the room and this is what I found.

So Sweet

Dawson on the other hand is a crazy crazy boy. He is into everything. He has been getting into Brooklyn's new helmet. He wears all over the house. He runs into everything and he is a monster. His latest thing is to growl at people like at church during sacrament meeting to the people sitting around us. I had to snatch a picture.

Mr. Destruction

I love both my boys. I love how different they are and how they are the best buddies.

The lighthouse

2010-10-11T00:03:00.001-07:00

The view from the top

We went hiking up to the makapuu'u light house. It is a fun hike and the kids did awesome. It is a 2 mile paved trail to the light house. It is all up hill. Coming down is the fun part. It was fun to just be out seeing the beautiful scenery and just hangin gout with the kids and my sister.

broke out treats even before the car started

Everyone in and buckled in

a little windy

waikiki and the Hale Koa

2010-10-10T23:37:00.000-07:00

Snacking on cheetos

they are the natural kind so that makes them healthy right??

My sister meredith came out for a week. We had so much fun with her. It was perfect timing the kids were out of school so for the last week we just played played played and pretended we were on vacation. Our first day we went to the hale koa. It is a military in waikiki. It is so fun and relaxing there. The kids love the pool and the shave ice. Well the beach is right there and mere loves to boogie board. So we did some boogie boarding and some relaxing pool time. We also played tourist and rented a four person paddle boat. It was a lot of fun alot of hard work on the legs but a fun time.

We saw a turtle while we were paddleing around

Love the water

six days of being spoiled

2010-09-24T23:37:00.000-07:00

I got the best message on my phone the same day we dropped David off at the airport. My mom called to see if she could come visit for 6 days. Um let me think about this of course. My mom is the greatest. We had such a good time with her. It was one of those visits that was just awesome. We did alot, she did alot to help me out and she spent alot of time with the kids.

It just so happened that the weekend she was here was the same time that our relief society had been planning a retreat at a beach house. I am the enrichment coordinator for our ward so there had been alot of planning go into this. Since David is gone I was just going to go up for the fireside on Friday night. When my mom realized that it was the weekend she was going to be here she said you go overnight I will watch the kids. It was such an awesome blessing in disguise for me. It was a great retreat. The speakers were great, the atmosphere was excellent, and the people I was with was just awesome.

jen, maidy, tricia, me, laura

The snack table

Setting up beds for some little sleep

this is only a small section of the beds not including bed rooms and the other house

Well it wasn't all work for my mom. I do have to add that she did the laundry, folded it, bathed the kids, cleaned the kitchen, made me some banana bread(yummy) I can never make it. It never turns out,spent quality time with the kids, put them to bed, watched them overnight, and many other things. We decided to go have some fun. We took a drive around the island to the windward mall. This place is awesome for kids. There is an indoor play area, a glow in the dark mini golf, a pet store, and a bounce place. So the kids had a great time. We just let them play play play.

It was an awesome six days to have my mom here. She is the best ever. Thanks for comign out mom and spoiling us we had a great time. Come back real soon. My laundry needs to be done and folded.

The party

2010-09-11T10:42:00.001-07:00

I think it is safe to say we had a successful time celebrating Brooklyn turning six. A party at the bowling alley then cupcakes and a pinata at the park. On her birthday day I took cupcakes to her class at school. It was a great week of celebrating

Birthday Girl

The guests

Sweet Shoes

Having fun

Presents

Pinata and cupcakes

The loot from the pinata

Birthday girl being sung to at school

Birthday Girl

2010-09-11T10:25:00.000-07:00

Brooklyn you are six years old now and I cant believe it. You are such a sweet girl. Right now you are in first grade. Your teachers name is Ms. Kawamura at wheeler elementary school. You are taking gymnastics twice a week and you love it. You will practice outside on the grass, the trampoline, and you will move the furniture in the family room to do your gymnastics. You are really enjoying barbies right now. You love love all things girly. Purses, jewelry, make-up, nail polish, and anything shiny and glittery. You love to be outside. You have loved to play outside since you were little. You love cooking and trying to make recipes. You love Landon and Dawson. You are a great help to them.

Me and your dad are so lucky to have you in our family. You have such a sweet personality. You always have such a big hug and a smile for everyone you greet. I love going to do things with you. You have an outlook on life that is magical to me. You see things for more then they are. You always want to cheer people up and help people when you see them.

We love you so so much Brooklyn. You are always keeping us smiling. You are just a happy ray of sunshine. We hope that this year brings so much happiness and joy to you. Happy six years old. We love you

My new make-up artist

2010-09-11T10:21:00.000-07:00

How can you not want him to do your make-up now? Move over girls at sephora this little make-up artist is going to make it big.

Good citizen

2010-09-11T10:12:00.000-07:00

At Brooklyn's school they have a character trait each month. They learn how to be a good citizen by using these traits. Some of them are respect, responsibility, and the one for august was citizenship. Brooklyn was chosen by her teacher to be the good citizen of the month. She was really excited when I read the letter from her teacher. during lunch time they have a little award ceremony they get the award and a little treat. She is a great kid! Proud of you Brooklyn.

First grade recipients

Way to go Brooklyn

Moanalua Gardens

2010-08-22T12:02:00.000-07:00

Since school started our weeks seem to go by so fast. With Brooklyn doing gymnastics twice a week, more homework this year, and Landon having papers to do for preschool it just seems so busy during the week. I like to have my nights scheduled with homework, dinner, bath reading time and bed time. So I have told the kids that if we have a good week during the week then on Saturdays they can pick something to do. Last Saturday it was the bounce house place at the mall. This week with a little bit of persuasion by me we went to moanalua gardens. It is just a big garden that has a huge koi fish pond and a duck pond.I kept telling the kids that they could feed the ducks. Of course we get there and there is a sign that says no feeding ducks only fish pellets for the fish. I would have let the kids just do it but there was a worker fixing cleaning the pond.

There is a big tree that they used in a Sony commercial so there was a few stops by some tourist to get a picture with the famous tree. There was a couple groups having picnics. It was a nice quiet place. The kids had fun just running around.

Duckies

king Dawson

Running away

This is how I caught these two walking around

Totally Priceless

The cutest things you will ever see

2010-08-16T14:57:00.000-07:00

My friend Jennifer Dennis took some pictures of the kids. I think they turned out great. Thanks Jen. I know what you are all thinkingL the cutest kids around they must get there looks from there mom. Well they do!!
I love these three amigos.

First grade and a preschooler

2010-08-09T22:46:00.000-07:00

Well I cant believe that I have a first grader. There is no way I am that old in my mind I am still 21 but I guess that is not the case.

Brooklyn started first grade last week the same day that Landon started preschool. At school they have to wear a school shirt but on Friday they can wear what they want so I waited until Friday to take the school pictures. Her teacher is Ms. Kawamura. She seems really nice and Brooklyn so far really likes her. Today we had spelling words and 3 pages of homework. So much for a slow start to the school year.

First Grade 2010

Landon is in preschool. He goes Monday through Friday from 8-12. He loves it. He still gets a little nervous when I drop him off but we have only been at this a week so far. When I go to pick him up he is playing with another group of boys. He tells me he has made friends at school. Usually landon is the quiet one that is by himself. His teachers are Ms Sara and Ms Deena. They are really nice and have a great set up. They send home homework folder home every Thursday. It is just simple stuff but Landon loves it that he gets homework just like Brooklyn. I love to see him come out of his shell. He talks about his friends and the whole way home he talks about what he did.

Best I could get out of Landon

So now that school is in our mornings during the week consist of getting up, making lunch for Brooklyn, getting the kids up, making breakfast, getting Brooklyn to school, getting Landon to preschool, me and Dawson go to the YMCA I work out Dawson goes to child watch, go home shower and run errands with what time is left over, go pick up Landon, go put Dawson down for a nap, then go pick up Brooklyn. On the bright side we do have a carpool going in the afternoon so that helps. It is crazy crazy it is a good thing I love my car so much and there is enough cup holders to hold all the diet coke I drink to keep me going. It is a crazy busy stage that we are in now but I wouldn't trade it for the world. It means so much to me that I can be the one to take the kids were they need to go and be there when they get home. All in all things are pretty good right now. Except to have daddy gone

Ready set go in the morning

Summer Getaway 2010

2010-07-26T10:20:00.000-07:00

I took the kids to a getaway down in Waikiki. The timing was perfect. David left the day before so it was a nice distraction for a few days. There was no worrying about housework, dishes, the phone, and all the other daily things that come up.

We got there on Monday afternoon. We were in the new remodeled part of the hotel We had a new room that had a view of the ocean. It was very nice.

The view from the balcony

We went straight to the pool after we got settled in. The kids had so much fun in the pool. It has been so hot here lately it definitely felt very nice. That night Laura and her little boy Eric came down for dinner. we took dinner to the park at the hotel. While we were there Brooklyn found a frog. She is always finding creatures of some sort. The kids played and played some more. After heading in for the night me and the kids had fun jumping on the beds, eating junk food, and playing with the camera.

Always finding creatures

climbing a tree

My two favorite boys

Cute girls

Just us

We got up Tuesday and we went to see the penguins at the hotel right next to us. Then the kids said they wanted to go to the pool. We got there about 9 in the morning and didn't end up leaving until 5. We took a short break to switch out our pool stuff for our beach stuff. we were at the beach for about 15 minutes and the kids said they wanted to go back to the pool. We again had dinner at the park. After that we went to the arcade room and finihsed the night off with a piece of cheesecake from the cheesecake factory. A great day in my book.

Keeping it cool.

Getting used to the water

Brooklyn told me she was chilaxin

Cooling off with a shave ice yummy

Jumping in

The penguins

the kids kept asking to go back and see the penguins

It was such a fun three days. There was no worries no cooking no cleaning. Just hanging out enjoying each other and the sun. It was a well needed few days of relaxation and fun. These three are the best kids out there.

Hang in there kids almost done

2010-07-18T17:14:00.000-07:00

I found the kids like this the other morning watching cartoons

Well well well today is another day that we dropped daddy off at the airport for a few months. The nice thing about this one is he has this long one then just a short one. It is nice to say that we are almost done with this chapter of our lives. I want you kids to know how much I love you. You three amigos help me out so much while dad is gone. There are many days that I feel very inadequate for this challenge. I get tired and grumpy and pushed to the end and at the end of the day you guys still love me.

I want you to know how thankful I am for you three. You three are the best kids I know. Brooklyn you will be starting first grade and Landon you will be starting preschool. You both seem so excited for this school year. Dawson looks like it will be me and you for the mornings. Brooklyn you will turn six while daddy is gone. He is sad to miss your birthday again but he has told me several times how proud he is of you. You are just a sweetheart. You certainly have your daddy wrapped around your finger.

Daddy is very proud of you three and how well you handle things and help out while dad is gone.

We will have our good days and our bad days and always know that no matter what the day brings that I love you and I sure am trying to give 110%.

I have some fun stuff planned while dad is gone this time like our stay cation for three days down in Waikiki, possibly some visitors, more trips to the water park, serious beach and pool time, movie nights, sleepovers, and many more things that will come up.

We are almost done kids we just have to hang on and keep on working together to get through this. You three mean so much to me thank you for accepting this challenge with me and getting through it with flying colors.

So lets fill our glasses with diet coke well milk for you guys grab a cupcake(chocolate with vanilla frosting yes this is my favorite treat) that we deserve and lets get to it we are almost done.

Mall tram ride June2010

No matter the Distance

2010-07-18T16:48:00.000-07:00

A good family friend of ours moved away from hawaii about 3 1/2 years ago. It was hearbreaking. This family david had known since california. I meet them when we moved here. Our first day I got here they brought us over dinner. The lived just up the street from us. They are the smith family and they are amazing. Me and bri would walk every morning with the kids. It turned into us ending up at a park and just talking all morning while the kids played. Me and bri started a preschool together. Good memories of creat and learn preschool. Mike and david went spear fishing almost every weekend together.

One weekend me and bri went to maui no husbands and no kids just us girls. It was one of the best weekends of my life. Bri is more like a sister then a friend. She is so thoughtful, so kind, sweet, so creative, a great scrapbooker. She is just amazing I have learned things from her that I wont forget. She gave such great advice that I wont forget either.

Well they moved to washington DC to do some training then onto china to work at the embassy. They have been there about a year and headed to utah for a trip to see family then they came here to have a vacation from the vacation.

Well last monday I pulled in to my house and there on my front porch was bri and her family. I was so so excited to see them. Since bri knew they were moving to china we joked about the purses you can get there. Well she showed up with my very own coach purse.

have to show off the purse

We went up to the beach and had dinner it was so much fun to see them. When they moved trent had just finished kindergarten and garrett wasnt even in kindergarten. Now trent has been baptized and garrett will be in first grade. Dawson and zach werent even in the picture yet.

Dawson and Zachary

The kids just picked up playing together like they used to.

Landon, Trent , Garrett

Brooklyn and the boys

It was so great to see them and it really goes to show that no matter the distance a true friend is always your friend.

july 2010

Thanks being such a great friend bri not only to me but to my family. I cant wait until we see you next. Hopefully it will be coming to see you. I cant say enough how greatful I am to call you my friend. I cheerish all that you have taught me. You have been a great example to me of what it means to be a great mom, friend, wife and person.

The wahiawa Possie

2010-06-20T13:58:00.000-07:00

The boys

The girls

The whole team

The cute kiddos

missing dylan from the picture

We sadly had our last get together as we say goodbye to one of our possie members. Audra and bobby are moving to washington. I get sad just thinking about it. We have all been friends for three years now and it is so sad to be seeing audra and her family go. All three of us girls have laughed alot together, cried alot, shared some secrets, stayed up way to late, had treat wednesdays,spent way to much money on shopping trips together, sipped alot of diet coke, and learned so much from each other. The boys have sat back numerous times and just let us girls do our thing, watched the kids while we had girls nights, played halo into the wee hours. The kids are all so close. They have done alot of playing together, started school together, when they are all together they are inseprable, learned to share together, and have had so much fun together. This is a bunch that we will alwys be in touch with. We love you gilliam family. If i say anything else I will be a blubbering mess. Good luck and we already miss you. Thanks for being such great friends.

Good ol time

Just up the road

2010-06-06T11:51:00.000-07:00

On memorial day we meet up with some friends for hanging out at the beach, fire pits, grilling, yummy food, good friends, and a really fun time. we were up at haleiwa ali'i beach park. It was the perfect day for the beach. I cant believe that this beautiful place is just right up the road from us. We have been there so many times but this day it hit me just how lucky I am to raise my family and live in such a great place.

Yummy snores on the beach

Playing with a turtle behind

Good friends

Bright sun but yummy food

I live in a great place. I am so lucky to have made such good friends here. It has been sad to see many go bri and chantell we missed you. I am so lucky to have my kids meet so many great friends. I am one lucky girl to live in such a great place and have such a great family!!

May 2010

A little piece of heaven

2010-05-31T15:33:00.000-07:00

Greatest place on earth

Well it is officially summer here. Brooklyn finished her first year of kindergarten. She did a great job and is all ready for first grade. To celebrate the end of the school year and a kick off to summer we found some beach cabins thanks to the recommendation of our friends.

They are over on the other side of the island in kaneohe at the marine base. To make it short it is called K-Bay.

view from the deck

another view

They have 2 bedroom cabins that are right over the beach. They are built off the ground so the view is amazing. The deck has a table and lounge chairs. Each cabin has its own beach area/cove. The one we had had a little path down to a little cove. I moved a lounge chair down there and was in heaven. Brooklyn snorkeled for the first time and loved it. Landon tried it but got a little scared. Dawson and Landon loved playing on the rocks and the shallow water.

First time snorkeling

So many treasures to find

We had a grass area that had a picnic table. The kids had room to play and run around. Each unit has a charcoal grill so David grilled some hamburgers with bacon and pineapple. They were so so yummy. We borrowed our Friends fire pit and we roasted marsh mellows at night.

Silly Silly kids

After the kids went to bed me and David sat on the deck and just talked and played games. It was so nice and relaxing. In the morning the tide was low. So our little cove was more like our own tide pool. We saw fish, lots of crabs, an eel, and a sea cucumber. I started to day off on a lounge chair and a diet coke and it cant get any finer then that.

It was so nice to hang out relax, eat yummy marshmellow popcorn, play games, and just sit back and enjoy my family and the great place we live in. We are hoping to go back to these wonderful cabins and stay more then a night. They were heavenly and so so cheap which makes naything a little better.

Happy Birthday Landon

2010-05-21T18:49:00.000-07:00

Landon turned four on may 16. I cant believe that he is already four. Time is just flying by. I remember when we were in our tow bedroom house with Brooklyn and Landon some days in the beginning thinking how am I going to do this. Here we are four years later and Landon is the sweetest little boy. He is my little buddy. Landon right now loves mac n cheese, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, he is a huge star wars fan. Everything to him is a light saber. He watches the movie anyone at least once a day. He told me that my sister should name her baby boy Darth Vader or anakien. He has been in primary now and is starting to enjoy it. He was so proud that he gave his first talk in primary. Volunteered for it all by himself. He really wants to play football. He loves his scooter. He is so easy going. He loves to run errands. He loves to sit and cuddle and give hugs. He is just such a sweet Innocent little boy. He has the cutest laugh that can brighten any day. We love you so much Landon

We went the easy way on his party this year. We had it at the play place at burger king. We rented out half of it. It was so easy. It came with the cake and kids meals. Landon said he wanted a star wars birthday do I had a star wars game for them. Throughout the play place David hid star wars characters. Then they had to find them with there flashlights(aka light sabers). It was so fun and easy. The kids had a great time.

getting all set up

the presents

The cake

landon covered his eyes the whole time we were singing to him

Lucky 7

2010-04-26T09:44:00.000-07:00

Happy anniversary David. It really has been 7 years??? It has been a great 7 years and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I never would have thought being at Krista's house that one night would have changed my life the way it did.

Thank you for giving me a sense of security, a sense of accomplishment, confidence, the three greatest kids I know, providing for us, for never raising your voice, making me laugh, fixing my dinners that I burn(and they turn out so well after you take over),making it so I can still visit my family frequently, knowing when I need a break, working so hard for us, listening to me when I tell you the great deals on the shopping, knowing when I need a fountain diet coke, the calls during the day to say hi, teaching and showing the kids how to treat there mom, all the lessons you daily teach the kids, making me feel so loved so mucb when you are gone, for showing me my worth, for making date night a priority, eating the popcorn I am always popping at night to watch our shows weather you want it or not, for making the yummiest Alfredo sauce, for making it so I can stay home with the kids, for helping me reach the goals that I set, and for always making me laugh.

I love you David hope you will be home soon. These last 7 years have been wonderful. We have gone through alot of separation time thanks to the good Ol military. I wouldn't trade this time and the things that I have learned for anything else. Happy anniversary!!

Staples

2010-04-25T10:41:00.000-07:00

Good Ol Dawson

The perfect day was happening yesterday. We had some errands to run like get the car washed, get some things at Costco which included a new book. Treated ourselves right to a big diet coke and we headed up to the pool at tripler. Tripler is the army hospital. They have the coolest and most relaxing kiddie pool around. We were there for about 2 1/2 hours. The kids had been playing I was reading my book and soaking up some sun and enjoying watching the kids. Dawson was standing on the ledge of the pool to jump in. His feet came out first and his head hit the edge of the pool. I went over to him and saw blood on the head. I took him to our stuff put a towel on and the blood just kept coming. Talk about knowing how to clear the pool out!

Since we were at the pool the lifeguards came over and took over which was very nice. The next thing I know the fire dept is there, the police man in there, they are calling for an ambulance. Now the ER is just down the hill basically from were we are at. They kept telling me that sine he has a head injury he cant ride in the car because he cant be unattended. Seriously just down the hill form were we were. I could have walked there. Anyway the EMT checked him out and said he didn't have to go in the ambulance. So after everyone asked a million questions to me and Dawson was checked out we headed down to the ER. After three long hours at the ER we walked away with one staple in his head. This is a sight I don't think I will ever forget me and the kids walking into the ER in out we swimsuit cover ups and bright red faces from the sun. It was classic.

All the kids were real troopers. Landon and Brooklyn were great. They were entertaining themselves and each other. Dawson was a champ he was a tough guy. After since we were all so good I told the kids they could pick out any treat they wanted. On the ride home we all enjoyed our treat and I had to wash the day down with another diet coke!

I treid to get a closeup of the staple but that wasnt happening

School Spirit

2010-04-25T10:19:00.000-07:00

The other night Brooklyn's school had teacher and staff night at McDonald's. It was a fundraiser. Some of the teachers and the principal were going to be there. All Heard about from Brooklyn how she wanted to go and her teacher was going to be dressed like Ronald McDonald. That was worth going to see for me.

Once we got there Brooklyn was right on the corner of the street was "Rhonda McDonald" a.k.a Ms Tereoka waving the cars in to help out wheeler elementary. Now that is school spirit.

Brooklyn and Ms. Tereoka 2010

My Dad

2010-04-16T15:26:00.000-07:00

My dad is the greatest. He is such a hard worker and no matter how many hours he has worked or how many plane rides he has taken to get from were he was to home he always makes us kids fill like we are number one to him. With my dads work he comes out to Hawaii. How lucky are we??? We usually see him for dinner. A few days ago he was in town so we had a picnic at the beach with him. It was fun the kids love seeing there grandpa. Ever since then when ever the kids see an airplane they say it is grandpas. It was just nice to see my dad and talk to him. Thanks for making time for us dad and the dinner. Me and the kids had a great time. Thanks dad we love you. Come back for business real soon.

grandpa and the kids

When I told the kids we were going to see grandpa Brooklyn said that she had to get her prettiest dress on

no duties today

2010-04-16T15:12:00.000-07:00

The other week was just one of those weeks. we were busy with stuff and it seemed like the kids were going to bed late every night waking up early. Things were not running smoothly. So me Landon and Dawson were on our way back from the gym I got a wonderful idea that I would get Brooklyn out of school early and have no cares the rest of the day. It was a much needed break for all. So with the hose, swimsuits, a two dollar ball for each of them. We said who cares to the rest of the day and enjoyed it

little cold

the water commander

fun times

Kid Party

2010-04-03T21:06:00.001-07:00

The decorations

waiting for the guests to come

The treats after pizza of course

Dancing to The Hannah Montana Movie

What is all this for??

Brooklyn's cheer team was having an end of the season party. It was on a Sunday and I didn't want to take them on a Sunday. So I didn't say anything to Brooklyn thinking she will forget it right??? Silly me you tell Brooklyn something and she remembers it for ever. She even told the junior primary that she wasn't coming to church because of her cheer party. I could not let her down. So I called some of her friends and some friends for Landon thinking that the girls could watch a girl movie(Hannah Montana) and the boys could play upstairs something like air hockey or some boy thing. Well they all wanted to watch the movie. When the girls wanted to dance Adam wasn't quiet sure why you would want to dance through a movie. Some boys just don't get it when a girl needs to dance with her friends she needs to dance.

The kids had a fun time. Brooklyn even picked out her party dress. It is fun to see the kids with there friends. They have made some good friends here.

what girl doesn't need a good girlfriend???

Dumpster Diving

2010-04-03T21:00:00.000-07:00

To know Dawson is to love Dawson. He has got the cutest personality that does get the best of me sometimes. If he wasn't so stinking cute. He is at a fun age right now were he is putting two or three words together. He has the cutest personality that is starting to show. No matter how much of a mess he makes or what type of monster he is I love him to pieces.

I walked into the kitchen and saw him sitting on the balloon eating a pancake that came straight out of the garbage. GROSS!!

yes that is the same apron he had on earlier in the week he wont take it off

Good ol Dawson

Lunch date

2010-03-31T15:59:00.000-07:00

Me and lanodn went out on a little lunch date. Thanks to shirlyn who watched dawson so I could take landon out. He choose what he wanted to do. His favorite things, a cheesy roll up from taco bell(the best .89 cents i ever spend),the fun factory, top it off with frozen yogurt. This frozen yogurt place is so cool It has like 16 different flavors and you can put as much in the cup as you want then they have about 20 toppings plus a fruit bar you can add onto your yogurt. It is called menchies and it is so yummy. Deep down I get very excited when the kids pick menchies.
Thanks for the fun date landon. It was fun to spend time with you. You are the best little buddy around. LOve ya landon

yummy lunch

Good Score on skee ball

enought tickets won for a squirt gun.

Way to go landon

Yummy treat

who doesnt look like this when they clean?

2010-03-31T15:54:00.000-07:00

Now that is talent to mop the floor in High Heels

Now if I could just teach him to do the bathrooms!!

Reflection

2010-03-28T23:14:00.000-07:00

I have had some time to reflect on some things lately. David has been gone about two weeks now. Usually it takes a few days to get back into the routine of things but for some reason this time it has taken me allot longer. The kids have been fabulous so I cant complain there. They have made me smile and laugh so much lately.

I have been thinking that in the next few years there will be more changes that are made. We will hopefully be making our way back to Utah. This mean a whole new transition for us as a life.New job for David, new environment for everyone. New school for the kids and new friends. As excited as I am it will be sad to leave the life we have had in the military. (no this is not happening anytime soon any were from 1 year-4years from now) The friends we have made have been incredible. With the moving around I have really found out what and who a true friend is. With that comes the down side of friends always leaving. I have a really good friend who is set to move here in June. It just kills me every time I see a good friend leaves not only for me but for the whole family. This is a friend were the wife's are close the husbands do stuff together and the kids play.

I don't think that I would have such a strong hold in the church if it weren't for were we are now. I have always enjoyed church and have followed the church but I have had an eye opener being in different wards. I have really had to see what certain things mean to me being out of a "Utah ward". I have learned that no matter what state I live in there is always a group of friends waiting for me.We have such an amazing ward family up here in the wahiawa third ward. They are great people.

I don't think i would have my kids right now if it weren't for the military and the benefits we have. I am truly blessed and grateful to have not had the burden of financially having a baby. I was able to have my kids close and get it over with which was important to me. I don't know who I would be with out them. Each one just holds a different part of me. I could go on and on about all of them. I have learned so much from them. They help me through these times more then they know. They always know how to make me smile. They are such great kids. I hope I can return to them how much they give to me.

I have lived some neat places. Monterrey California and Hawaii I cant complain. The places we have lived have been amazing. Such neat places with so many opportunities for us in each of them.

Now I know this may sound like I am packing up the house and leaving soon but like I said we aren't. Every time David goes I see that this is not how we want our life to be so it is even more apparent to me that this is not what our life is going to be like. When he is gone it is like there is a neon flashing sign saying just get through this this will all be over soon.

David is so great. He is a wonderful provider for us. He loves me more then I can say. He is always treating me with the up most respect. He sees me in a way that I hope to one day see myself. He is so selfless, he is helpful, he is kind. he is good looking, he gives me a sense of security, he knows me so well, he is righteous, he is patient with me, he is always there for me, he knows how to make me laugh, he knows when I have had a bad day before I say anything, he is so fun to be around, he is a great father, he is always taking every opportunity to teach the kids, he loves his kids, he is always spending time with them, he is great to see when I need a break, he is so patient with them, he is very understanding, he is simple, he enjoys the small things, he is a great husband, he puts me and the kids first.

I am really not sure were all of this is coming from. I guess I just wanted to document some things that I have been feeling lately. It has been a struggle these last two weeks but I know that we will get through this one and be ready for the next one. I am glad that I can say not to many sub trips left.

What all this comes down to i think is even though this is a little struggle I ma having right now I have just listed a whole bunch of blessings I have gotten from it. I am blessed right now to be were I am and to be experiencing the things that I am. This makes me love this man more and more.

Splish Splash

2010-03-28T21:38:00.000-07:00

The weather has been so nice here. It has been hot during the day and cool at night. It is perfect weather. This weekend we headed over to the splash park. Of course when we got there my camera dies. I snapped a few before it died. Who ever invented splash parks is a genius. They are so fun for the kids.

A little cold

stealing snacks before we even get to the car

1st annual sistees vegas trip!!

2010-03-13T09:23:00.001-08:00

The sistees have taken over las vegas. Well not really but we did tear it up in las vegas the first weekend in march. We laughed alot, ate alot, shopped alot, and had so much fun all together. So there are six of us that make up the original sistees. Me and my four sistees and two sister in laws. We have some sistees that are adopted in like tamis sister kim, melissa, ashlee, kelly but this trip was just the original six.

In november we deicded that we were going to go to see bon jovi n las vegas. I was going to be going to utah for a dear friends wedding and it just worked out thanks to the help of my mom who came out for the week to be with the kids. Well the concert sold out. So we didnt get to see Bon Jovi this time.

Les and Bon Jovi

maybe next time.

On thursday me, janece, les and millie drove down to st george. Tami flew down to las vegas that day and mere had to work until friday so she flew down on friday.It was so fun to take a road trip. Davids dad Duane and terry were so nice to let us crash there on thursday night. Thanks again so much duane and terry for letting us stay there. We kicked off the trip with a trip to cafe rio in st george on thursday night and laughed our way through the office. On friday we got up and drove to las vegas. We meet up with tami. Tami got the condo at the Hilton grand vacation club for us and it was a great two bedroom condo. The sun was out so we headed down to sit by the pool. we talked and took litte naps. Friday night we got all ready to go do some shopping before we got mere. There were alot of good deals that were found. After we got mere we went to a buffet of course. Our waitress carol was the funniest lady. We had to get her in our picture

Flamingo buffet with the best waitress out there carol

Friday night we spent walking around the strip. You can sure see alot of different people out at night in las vegas. There was a little slot machines done that night not big winners but les, janece and mere had fun.

Big Ballers

Big money Big money

On saturday we went in n out of course. It was crazy busy as always and so yummy. After that we hit up some outlet malls that are so great. We lost ourself in a shopping frenzy for about three hours.As we were back at the condo getting ready to go for the night we had a momumental clothing event happen to mere. She put on a flowered shit and a cardigan. We all thought she looked cute but she thought she looked stupid. At least we got it on camera.

Super cute mere

Then that night we headed out for dinner, some more walking around the strip, some cheesecake factory cheesecake to go, and some more laughing.

OHH LAA LAA millie

Janece taking a little rest

Did I say that we laughed alot this trip???

So it was such a fun weekend. I am so greatful that I was able to go to las vegas with my sisters. Thanks mom and david for being with the kids. I cant wait for our yearly trips to las vegas. These girls that I have as my sistees are the best girlfriends that I could ever have, they are always helping me, listening to me, making me laugh. I know that in these girls I have true friends in all of them. Thanks for a great weekend and just to mention a few little jokes that we will be talking about for years to come: our buddy kevin, carol, millies bag of "treats" for the roadtrip, seriously who brings a bag of vegetables on a girls trip?, the handicap pass, millie yelling things out the window,and who can forget the lucky cricket.

Las Vegas 2010

LOVE!!!

2010-02-14T22:27:00.000-08:00

Since today is valentines day I just wanted to tell four of the greatest people that I know that I love them. Happy valentines day!

David, I love you more then I can say. You are the greatest ever. I know I say that alot but I really do mean it. I see all that you do for me and the kids. You work so hard for us. You sacrifice so much for us. Having to be away from you while you are on your sub trips has been a trial but you always have a way of supporting me, comforting me, letting me know that I am doing the best job. I am so lucky to have you and to have you as my husband. You make me a better person. I am so lucky to have you working hand in hand with me in this phase of our lives. I love you so so much. Thanks for all that you do and for always spoiling me. Not just to day on valentines day but everyday. I love you

Landon you are my little buddy. You have a smile that can get you anything. You are just a sweet little boy. I just want to hold you all day and hug you. Which you would probably let me do. You are so fun to be around. I love to see how much you look out for Dawson. You are always taking care of him, helping him out, sharing with him, and just being a good brother. You have a ball of energy that just goes and goes. You have the cutest laugh. It always puts me in a good mood.

Dawson two words come to mind when I say your name Monster and Mess. you are such a cutie. You are always messy. No matter how much I clean you up you are dirty the next second. You are at a fun stage but an exhausting one. You love to know were Landon and Brooklyn are. You bring a lite to the family that we couldn't do with out.

Brooklyn you are quiet the fashionista, You are always putting the cutest outfits together. You have an excitement for everyday simple things that makes me really sit back and see things the way you do. You are a great friend to all your friends. You are always watching out for Landon and Dawson. I miss not having you here everyday when you are at school. I love your zest for life and all the things that you encounter. You are so thoughtful to others. I love you so much.

I hope my family knows how much I love you. You kids and David mean so much to me. I hope you always know it not just today but everyday!

Week of Play

2010-02-14T22:07:00.000-08:00

Me and millie

I have counted down for months for this. My sister millie is her visitng for two weeks. I am so excited. Thank you bodie for sugestiong the idea for millie and mckenize(my cute neice) to come out. We have been having so much fun. We have played alot, ate alot, and laughed alot. The timing couldnt be better. Brooklyn has had five days off of school so we have taken advantage of the fun play time. We have been very busy doing alot of stuff and we still have another week left. These are just a few things that we have done.

the ZOO

Beach Time Galore

shaved ice form matsumotos

Lots of hugs

Grilling at the Hale Koa

fireworks on the beach
dont forget the cheesecake from the cheesecake factory

Good Citizen

2010-01-31T18:02:00.000-08:00

Way to go Brooklyn

This month brooklyn was chosen to be the good citizen from her kinderagrten class. She was so excited. It was so cute we were invited to her school to the assembly. The kindergartners sang some songs then they handed out the awards. She was so proud and she has been working hard at school. She is such a good student and a great kid. The timing was perfect david got to come to the assembly. Good job Brooklyn.

Proud of sister

couldnt be more proud

H-O-O-R-A_Y

2010-01-31T17:47:00.001-08:00

Cutest cheerleader

Brooklyn has wanted to do cheerleading for a while now. I was a little nervous becasue it takes up two nights plus the games on saturday. Call me old schol but that is alot for a kid I think plus I feel like landon and dawson just get pulled around from place to place. Anyway that is my soapbox. So she started a few weeks ago. She loves it. Everyday she asks if it is her cheer day. When she got her uniform she was pover the moon. Then she got the pom poms and it was all over. She is having such a good time. Saturday was the first game they cheered at. She was in heaven she did so good she cheered so lod and was really having a fun time. She was cheering, kicking, and shaking her thing. She was having a real fun time. The team they cheered for won the game proably because of the good cheering she was doing. Way to Go team!!

practice before the game

dribble it pass it we want a basket

Blessed and Spoiled

2010-01-31T17:18:00.000-08:00

Home away from Home

Well about a two weeks ago I got a call from David on a Tuesday saying that he would be in Hawaii on Thursday morning. So excited. Well again I surprised the kids and woke them to me saying hurry get up kids we have to go get daddy from the airport. Oh we were excited. I feel so blessed that we had the chance to have David come home for a few days. It was just what we all needed.

David is the greatest husband and father around. He is so great with the kids. He spent the days giving me time to myself. I went to lunch with some friends with no kids. Shopping, relaxing, naps, and whole bunch of other stuff. He took the kids on errands with out me, had some good date nights with him thanks to some great friends, a trip to chuck e cheese, the fun factory, and other fun stuff. It was so nice to have him home for a few days. So we all got spoiled while daddy was here. He is the greatest. I hate having him gone and being away from him but it makes the times that he is here that more special for us. Thanks for spoiling us while you were here David we love you!

Happy Birthday Dawson

2010-01-16T09:09:00.000-08:00

Happy birthday Dawson I cant believe you are already two. Time has just flown by since you were born. You are such a great addition to the family. Brooklyn and Landon love you so much. You cant help but to love little Dawson.You have started putting two words together. You can say many words. You don't like to sit in the stroller you want to be walking right up with the your brother and sister. You stay right by them when I do let you out of the stroller. You still love your blanket. We don't go anywhere with out it. You love balls and hot dogs. You can play with a ball for ever. You have started to enjoy Landon's scooter. You can ride it fairly well. You used to not like the ocean but now you love it. You love to take baths. You love to jump on the trampoline with Landon and sit with brooklyn on the couch to watch a show.

You definitely know what you like and don't like. You will let us know if you don't like what we have given you. You love to be outside. You love to be in the powerwheel.

You are such a happy little boy. you are always trying to help out with putting the laundry away, putting the dishes away, taking things to the garbage, and putting toys away.

You have grown and developed so much the last six months. I cant wait to see what this year has in store for you and all that you will learn. Our family wouldn't be complete with out you Dawson. We love you so much. Happy Birthday

I love these kids

2010-01-06T18:37:00.001-08:00

I cant take the credit for the picutres. Thanks Jen Iove them

Happy New Years!

2010-01-03T22:43:00.000-08:00

This new years eve I took tje kids to see a movie. Then we stopped by and picked up some thai food for dinner. Dawson ws tuckered out so I put him to bed and then me, landon and brooklyn did sparklers. After that we played some games and hung out. It was really fun. New years day we went to the aquarium and on a picnic. The kids had a good time and of course I did not take any pictures. It was a great way to start the new years anyway.

The last week or so I have been thinking about some family goals I want to make rather then resolutions. Every year it seem sto be the same I resolve to get better and so many different things, I resolve to loose those last ten punds that are always there. It seems like I do good the first few weeks then it just goes away after that. Well I decided to make some family goals. Some that we can all work on. I have come up with these.

* Simplify ( dinners, outings, errands, things the kids are involved in)

*I think Simplify is more the motto I want to live by this year

*More confidence as a wife and mother

*Add a little something to the small holidays

*Better at Family HOme Evening

*Having the kids do chores rather then me just do it becasue I know it will get done how I want

*Being more content at my house when david is gone

So I know these might seem like small goals but for me they are what I am striving for at this house. I hope you all have a great start to a new year. Happy New Year Everyone

christmas eve

2010-01-03T21:55:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer I thought I had more pictures then I did from Christmas. I took alot of video but I am not sure how to upload them.

On Christmas eve we had a fun filled day. We went with our friends to the Hawaii Bowl. They had some free tickets. It was fun to go see the game. I am not sure who was playing but the kids had fun with there friends.

You are one lucky Guy Eric

The Girls

That night we went to our Friends shirlyn and devens house. They had a yummy dinner if bread bowls and Audra's yummy soup, salad, and desert. The adults had a white elephant exchange. There were some presents that had us blushing. Audra and Bobby brought some great gifts.

We had a very special guest came by. He had presents for all the kids. Brooklyn was over the moon because Santa asked her to hold his reindeer bells. She still talks about that.

Fancy Party Dress for the Party

It was a fun Christmas eve. On Christmas we opened presents. Hung out playing with our toys then we went to our friend Laura and Eric's for a yummy dinner and games. Thanks everyone who made this Christmas a great one. One thing was missing though. Daddy, Hopefully next year he will be here. We love you dad!

Merry Christmas Daddy!

Christmas time fun

2009-12-23T21:45:00.000-08:00

We have been busy with fun activites this christmas season. Here is what he have been doing. Hope your holiday season has been filled with fun stuff as well.! Merry christmas

Santa Train

Brooklyn school christmas Program

Christmas Program

Cookie Party with Friends

Lights Downtown Honolulu

of course my batteries were dead after this picture

Some people can build snowmen but here in Hawaii we build Sandman

Okay acutally shirlyn and the kids made it we just took the credit

5-6 Months

2009-12-23T21:27:00.000-08:00

Well here we are 3 weeks into David being gone and I am just updating this. It has been crazy crazy around here. You would think David just left and it was soon Christmas or something! HA HA

It is time again for David to be out to sea this time until may so depends on how you count 5-6 months. He should be home in may. I hate being away from him. He is the greatest person I have ever met. He is so great with the kids, he is such great friend to everyone he meets, he is a great husband. I really feel so blessed to have him as my husband. Even when he is away I still feel like I am the most loved woman out there. I still feel like no matter what type of day we have had here in Hawaii I know that thousands of miles away he is thinking I am the greatest person out there. Probably the cutest to ( I just had to throw that in there for my own self esteem).

I didn't think that being married would take me were I am today. I truly couldnt be happier to be were I am today and having the adventures that we are having. As hard as it is to have him gone I am constantly learning new things about the strength I have and what I really can do. The kids have been so great I really cant complain about them Again I think that reflects on me. Okay just kidding. I feel like I rely on the kids so much. They brighten my day so much. I feel like when David is gone I am all they have to get them through this and right there I want to make it the most positive thing for them.

Now this might get a little mushy so just skip on if its not your style,

David, Were ever you have pulled into port and you are reading this I want you to know that I love you so much. As it has only been three weeks since you left I feel like things are going good. I feel like mentally and emotionally I am doing good. I hope you are doing well and taking care of your self and hanging in there.

You mean so much to me. I cant picture things with out you. Thank you for always putting us first. The kids miss you dearly. They always ask if it Landon's birthday yet. You are a great dad to them. I see so much of you in the kids everyday. I see all the things that you have taught them. They are so lucky to have you.
I miss you so much. I hope this time goes by fast. I cant tell you enough how much your confidence in me while you are gone gets me through the rough days. Thank you for trusting me enough that I know I can do this.
I love you so much I cant wait to see you when ever that is. Good luck out there. I love ya

Chasing Turkeys

2009-12-05T18:23:00.001-08:00

In utah we went with davids dad (Grandpa Duane) to Zions Canyon. We went on a hike along the river It was fun. The kids had so much fun just being out and free range of running. Grandpa Duane kept telling the kids that he knows how to chase and catch turkeys. So the whole hike brooklyn kept asking for the turkeys. We finally saw some on our way out of the canyon. Grandpa Duane has a certain style to catching a turkey you have to crounch down, get your arms out, and chase saying gobble gobble. Oh the kids had fun. I couldnt stop laughing so the picures are a little funny. The kids were so excited to chase turkeys

The hike that we did is called the river walk. It is 1 1/2 miles each way. It is a paved path that goes along the river. It is so pretty in zions this time of year. The kids had such a fun time hiking, looking for animals. and throwing rocks in the river.

Resting Spot

Grandpa Dad and the Kids

Christmas Lights

2009-12-05T18:05:00.000-08:00

Every time we have gone to utah in the winter time we always say lets go see the lights at temple square. We never do and so this time me and david were determined to get down to see the lights. The lights are so pretty. we rode trax down which was so fun. Then we walked around and saw all the pretty lights. The kids had a good time. Dawson wasnt to sure of everything but he was a trooper.

It was seven years ago on dec 26 that david propsed to me. So for momentous reasons we had to take a pciutre at the exact place he proposed. We havent been to see the lights since then. We handed the camera to a wonderful and cute photographer named brooklyn and this is what we got.

Who would have thought 3 kids 7 years later????

Family Pictures

2009-12-05T17:22:00.000-08:00

We took some family pictures at the beach a few weeks ago. We took them with our camera and using a friends tri-pod. They turned out pretty dang cute I think. So in case I dont get around to christmas cards whick hopefully I dont slack that one off consider this our chirstmas message. Have a wonderful and safe holiday season and a happy new Year.

Rees Family 2009

Brooklyn was our photographer on this one

Vacation!

2009-11-16T08:35:00.000-08:00

The time has come and I am so excited. We will be leaving tonite for two weeks to go to utah. I am so excited to be able to have our whole family together while we go on a vacation. It will be so nice to visit with family, eat at some yummy places, and just hang out all together. Since we have been married we have never been with our famioy for thanksgiving. I am excited to have thanksgiving with my sisters and also thanksgiving with davids family. I am truly thankful that we are able to all go as a family especially this time of year. So I will share all of our many adventures while we are in utah. Happy thanksgiving to all!