A Hawaiian Christmas

We spent this past Christmas in the delightful rays of the Hawaiian sunshine.  We were spoiled.  Oliver woke up and immediately went to the beach, jumped in the ocean, and wrote in the sand.  Ansel crawled all over the shore (making a snail trail in the sand) and then he'd head for the water.  He was going non-stop.  You should have seen the kid's knees; by the end of the day, they were as dirty as could be from climbing all over the place.  Jess and I basked in the sun, relaxed, enjoyed good food.  But best of all, we enjoyed good company since we were there with Jess' family.  Jess' parents made it possible.  We did everything from open ocean kayaking to snorkeling to hiking to enjoying a pineapple ice cream cone (or Dole whip).  Before we left, Oliver asked, "Will home be sunny like Hawaii?"  I think - no, I know - we all wished that it would be.  I don't think any of us were ready to leave.

We wake up super early (due to time change) and took in the beautiful sunrise, it was worth it

Ansel and Jess up at the summit of the Makapu'u lighthouse hike


Our view at the top


Enjoying the splendor that is Hawaii


Oliver climbs a huge tree!


Lots of good times on the beach in the sand


Look at that pineapple!


Palm Circle is a sight I love


The sunset at Waikiki

 
This kid loved crawling in the sand, he even had a few bites but decided it was not for him

signs that you're getting older

- the new surgeon being introduced on the sign outside the nearest hospital graduated with you in high school
- a picture and career update of a fellow you worked with at your college library is in the University Alumni magazine
- college students look like ninth graders
- the dorm you lived in as a freshman has been torn down

I can't believe I've had this blog for 6+ years.

Then, 2007

and Now, 2013

9 years

Jess and I recently celebrated our ninth anniversary.  Nine years of goodness.  Jess cooked a restaurant worthy dish of panko-crusted filet mignon with fresh rosemary potatoes and fresh oranges.  In fact, I think I preferred what he made over a restaurant dish.  This guy can really cook.  And this guy is one top-notch husband.

Reunion Time

This past month was my family's reunion. We spent most, if not nearly all, of our time on the beach. We went to the beach for the first two days, then had a chance to drive up north to visit Jess' bro and his wife (such fun!), and then every morning I'd ask Jess if he had anything else he'd like to do. "Go to the beach" was his answer. It the rest of the our family's and the others families' too. We all had a great time, and when we left the sand for the last time, we lingered, we took more pictures, we soaked in the setting sun. Reunions are always a wonderful time, and this one was no exception.

Ansel takes a bath in the bathroom sink

Beach umbrellas and boogie boards a must!

 

Oliver and his cousin search for cacti as we make our way down to the beach

 

 

This guy couldn't get enough of the water

 

Sun soaked and enjoying our last day on the coast

Birthday fun with gazpacho

We recently celebrated Jess's birthday by visiting a good restaurant downtown.  Grandpa & Grandma watched the kidlets so we could go on our own, just the two of us (thanks!).  My favorite thing we tried was the deliciously fresh watermelon gazpacho with avocado.  I'd like to try to duplicate it in my own kitchen.  After dinner we went home and shared cake with family.  Turns out being 31 is a lot of fun (wahoo! for cheesy but very true poetry).

p.s. you will notice all kinds of paper, letters, and other such scrapes around the house in this photo.  This is our house on a regular basis, as Oliver is in the stage of creating numerous pieces each day, everyday.  I gather it up each evening and place the stuff that hasn't made it to the walls, in a pile on the counter.  I am at the point where I'll have to use the doctor's record policy, that is, only throw things out that have been around for seven years, when it comes to saving stuff.  He'll remember something that he's created two weeks after doing so, and can be bummed to discover I've thrown it out.

Sun Paper

Thanks to my sister for this cool stuff perfect for a summer's day.

Happy Fathers Day

This guy here is a great dad.

Happy Fathers Day to good fathers everywhere, including the ones I love!

4.01 K Business Run

My brother-in-law came up with a run that’s 4.01 kilometers, goes down Wall Street, begins with clever business banter, and is run in business attire.  Jess participated in the event a few years ago and this year it was my turn.  It was a good time.  The onlookers to the event were one of the best parts of the race; that, and the clever comments that came from the event organizers and participatees.  I couldn’t stop laughing while running.  We ran through the Salt Palace, some with coffee cups and keyboards, others with notepads and office tech gear.  I just came with a dress (light blue, below) and running shoes.  The race finished at the Gateway fountain with grape juice.  The organizers never know if they are going to keep going with the event, but it just keeps coming back each year.  I have to yell "success!" to that.

photo courtesy of said brother-in-law

Snapshot of our little fam

With these beautiful June evenings we can't help ourselves from spending them outside and using the nice light for some quick pics.  In this first photo, Oliver wanted to take a pic where he was very tiny. He got quite a kick out of how small he was in this photo and how his parents just couldn't believe it!

Memorial Day beach visit

For Memorial Day this year, I was determined to get to the beach.  We went with friends a couple of years ago and had such a great time, I wanted to make sure we went back.  Unfortunately, youth conference for our stake coincided with this trip, so while Jess found himself on a bus with 100+ youth, Oliver and I hung out with my brother and his wife and baby at the beach.  We had a wonderful time!  It was great to hang out with family.  Needless to say, we missed having Jess around, but I guess that just means we'll have to do this again soon!

Enjoying the sun and the sand, and missing Dad

Oliver on the same beach, in the same swimming suit no less, in 2010 and 2012.  Man, how that kid grows!

Three!

Recently, Oliver turned the big 3.  For days before, we reviewed the date of his birthday and how old he'd be.  He was so excited.  He enjoyed his presents and loved the cake.  We had a small, last-day-of-preschool party with cupcakes and a train ride.  It was a great time.

I can't believe this kid is 3.  Lately, he's really been into imagining and we've had lots of adventures right in our apartment.  He still loves letters and numbers (in fact, the letters on the wall in the pic above were enjoyed just as much as the gifts he opened) and he can pick up the words and the tune of a song like no other.

Just this morning, we went to get his 3 year-old wellness check-up. To prepare him for a potentially terrifying time, I told Oliver that the doctor wouldn't be giving him shots but would just be letting him know that he was healthy.  So, when the doctor checked his ears, Oliver responded, "I'm healthy!"  When he checked his eyes, "I'm healthy."  The heart, his lungs, his reflexes, the same.  And, later this afternoon, when he went to take off the band-aid from the finger they poked to check his iron levels, he declared, "My finger is healthy!"  Hoorah for that!  And hoorah to 3!

Cherry Blossom Afternoon

The cherry blossoms came early this year, so Oliver and I hopped on the metro to get down to see them before they blew away. We walked the tidal basin and took in the beautiful sight on a truly splendid day.




Nothing beats spring blooms, and the blossoms in our neck of the woods is no exception. Next thing we've got to do is fly a kite!

He did it again folks

This past weekend was the Lantern Festival in our neck of the woods. As always, it was full of good conversation, great food, and excellent entertainment. As always, there was a Lion Dance. I didn't think it was going to happen this year, but some of the young men from the branch wanted to do it and so, Jess brought them together for a quick practice and the performance was impressive. And as always, they were one young man short, so Jess ended up standing in. This time, he was the back of the white lion and hoisted the young man performing the head onto his shoulders for the finale. The red lion young men did the same. It was superb!

This is something I enjoy every year.

Is it 2012 already?

Yes, in fact it's the 9th.

I guess I'm surprised because we didn't do any celebrating of the New Year around here. Instead, we were on a plane heading home from our Christmas vacation on a couple of red-eye flights.

But before that, Christmas time was grand. We spent it with family and whenever I get with family I have a really good time. And that's not all, I got to see friends, eat good things, and relax. This photo pretty much sums it up for me.


That's right, this year in my stocking I received a Forever Lazy and a Faux-Snuggie. It does not get any better than that. And for those of you who are wondering, yes, I have worn the Forever Lazy around the house and I enjoy it quite a bit.

Then my sister came to visit us here and it was lots of fun. On a beautiful day in January, we visited Great Falls. Here she is showing Oliver and her daughter an insect of some sort.


2011 was good, on with 2012!

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas

Lots o' lights + beautiful evening = magical

Oliver with the lights at the DC temple grounds

Christmas goodies and some

So I've been baking a bit around here. My first holiday treat, chocolate mint cookies:


I can down 5 or 6 of these delicious treats and not bat an eye. The mint in them makes me think I am eating just that, a mint, and so the fact that they are basically brownie batter rolled in powdered sugar does not even figure into my conscience. I have never used mint extract in my cooking. This is the first time. And while the cookies were good, I think I may have my small bottle of peppermint extract for many years to come.

While baking I decided to take some photos of Oliver testing out the cookies. Here is the one I took before I dropped the camera:


And here is the one I took immediately after:


The camera really seems to lighten up every photo now. Jokingly, I told Jess that we will definitely be documenting a "white" Christmas this year with our broken camera. He immediately responded by getting on the internet and researching possible new cameras. At least we've had the one I broke for 4+ years. C'est la vie.

Two favorite guys

Oliver is a fan of Sesame Street, and as such, Sesame Street characters. His favorite is Big Bird. In the photo below, Oliver is taking Big Bird ice skating (his ice skates were an old pair of shoes). From what I could tell,, they had a really great time and were both really good at it.


And the other day, we were watching an Old School Sesame Street and in the episode Snuffleupagus comes out and tries to say "Hello" to people in the neighborhood but everyone is so busy, they don't see him. He walks down the sidewalk saying, "Oh dear, nobody sees me."



Here is Oliver acting the part. He uses his blanket as the trunk, and when it's not in his mouth, he makes his voice scruffy and says, "Oh dear."


Classic.

Thanksgiving comes, soon!

This morning I got up and decided I needed to start making pies . . . I am that excited for Thanksgiving.

This year, I'm going to attempt meringue pumpkin pie. However, we promised to bring apple pie to our friends' house, so I am not really sure who is going to eat the pumpkin meringue pie I make. Still, I am making it!

And we'll save our traditional cranberry sauce recipe that we usually make for Thanksgiving and make it for Christmas this year.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

The above photo is of our little family last year on Thanksgiving. Not much has changed, in fact I'm wearing those pants today and I think Jess wore that sweater yesterday! Oliver however has grown out of that shirt.

Apple Picking

A few weeks ago we went out on a beautiful October day and picked apples. It was delightful.


Oliver and Jess walk down the row of trees


Oliver loves our picks


Can you see Jess in there picking only the best?


Oliver reaches high for a delicious apple