It's Potty Time!

In the past I have given half hearted attempts at starting potty training with Hanalei. I had my excuses: New baby coming, a big family trip, horror stories from my friends own potty efforts. Well, the time has come.

We started last week and Hanalei is a champ. We watched some videos on YouTube. She was pretty excited about elmo being on the potty. I made a sticker chart that we both decorated. It was time. That first day was pretty messy and lots of tears. We got through it.

Can you tell which part I decorated and which part Hanalei did?

She often gets herself up on the potty and

comes running out to me screaming,

"I did it!"

Outside is where she prefers to do number two

Getting rid of the evidence

If we stay home and just hang out she is 100%. Two Sundays in a row she has been accident free at church which is a huge accomplishment. She gets a little distracted at friends houses and has had some accidents in those situations.

We are still working on poop. She has done it probably three times in the potty. Her preferred spot is out in the yard somewhere. I don't recall getting a dog, yet I am constantly picking up poop. She has come a long way. Not too long ago she would cry when she needed to poop, so I am just happy that there are no more tears.

She is pretty proud of herself, and so are we.

She loves purple anything,

and purple underwear are now at the top of her list.

This might be my favorite picture of all time.

Yosemite with the Rueckerts Part 1

Our trip started off a little hectic. Rusty left his carry on at the gate in Honolulu. So before we could meet up with his family we had to go shopping. Why didn't I forget my bag!? He had two pairs of underwear. Needless to say, we did a lot of laundry.

The first night with the Rueckerts we stayed at this cabin.

Don't you just love this swing?!

While Rusty went off on a grand adventure with his dad, Spring and Rondi,

Kendra and I walked around the village with the kids.

I am sure Kendra and I were more tired after our day

We were constantly surrounded by amazing views.

Here Hanalei points out yet another waterfall.

Cool picture of my daredevil family

Plenty of rocks to climb and fall off of

Yosemite Falls behind them

Waimea along for the ride

Probably Hanalei's favorite part was the bus.

She was very excited to ride probably because

she wasn't strapped in a car seat

We took the bus a lot

Both of my kids were troopers, sleeping when they could

The roots of a giant sequoia

When we saw the deer hanalei was done hiking.

We sent the others ahead to see the sights and

we enjoyed a family of deer

What's the sign for deer?

We told her that they were a family. So she kept saying

"Daddy deer, Mommy Deer, Brother Deer, Sister Deer"

She is adorable

Five gems in this Picture.

One Giant Sequoia, Two deer, and Two Cute Boys

Can you tell they are ready for a REAL nap

Check out the size of that pine cone...and that baby!

While we waited for the bus to take us back,

Hanalei played on these tree stumps

Typical boy, teasing the girls

It was a fun adventure.

We are excited to do it again when the kids are older

Which baby is it?

One of these babies is Waimea and the other is Hanalei.

Don't judge me for putting my little boy in a dress.

It is ammo for when he becomes a sassy teenager.

Summer is here!

It is staying light a little later these days and Hanalei loves to just go play in the sand. We snuck away one evening and were treated to an amazing experience.

The view at three tables was treat enough

But a monk seal decided to nap on the beach to really make the night great

Hanalei acted as if this was a every day thing.

She was completely in her own world until the seal did a big snort.

Then it had her full attention

Me and my "BIG Baby"

She likes to be called BIG lately and in most cases

Big Baby is pretty accurate.

The sunset was perfect just like our night

Mother's Day

I know it was a while ago, but I have been busy, ok fine, I've been too lazy.

Here are the pics with me and my babies!

Rusty got me a beautiful ginger lei. He took Hanalei to the store to buy it and she actually picked it. The purple orchid lei is from church. I love being a mom x2.

It's days like this that make me never want to leave Hawaii

She is getting so fun a t the beach.

I know it looks like a mermaid

but we called it a fish cause she doesn't know what a mermaid is.

Off to do our important work...snail hunting

She is very determined to relocate the snails. She will do this for hours

How cute is that bum. Thanks for the cute suit Aunt Shelly!

In her hand is one of the snails. They are pretty small but full of entertainment

Tickets for the gun show anyone?

Marty enjoying the Hawaiian lifestyle on the SUP

We love our life!

Now when are you coming to visit us?

My Growing Kids

Hanalei...Two Years, Two Months

Loves:

My iphone

movies

swimming with mom

playing in the sand

looking for crabs and snails

talking on the phone, She will say, "Can you hear me?"

books...favorite at the moment Queen of Hearts a valentines day book

singing...favorite is Wheels on the Bus

cupcakes and gum, she asks for them constantly even when there are no cupcakes to be seen

counting things

I think her favorite color is purple because she always is drawn towards it. If their is a choice of colored cups or spoons or shoes, she wants the purple ones.

Hanalei Loves "Clay-Doh" as she calls it.

Granny got here this play-doh kit for her birthday and she can't get enough.

She loves to poke it with tooth picks and cut it with the spatula

A trip to the waikele outlets. There are more of these rides here

than anywhere in the world... okay I'm assuming, but there are a lot!

What's this you ask? Potty training?

We have given it a try a time or two.

We have been successful once while playing outside.

You can guess what's in the bowl...fine I'll tell you. #2

We found this little guy in our house. Hanalei said, "Little 'C'"

She knows her letters A-Z and is now learning their sounds.

She is one smart cookie!

Waimea...Three Months

At his two month (closer to 2 1/2) apt

he weighed in at 13 lbs 5 oz

He is sleeping better at night. He gets real cranky in the evening but thank goodness he takes a binky. He loves to sit up or stand up while I hold his hands. Then he gives you some adorable smiles and if your lucky, a few coos.

Waimea as you can see is getting

bigger and more adorable every day

While Hanalei played outside on the playground,

Waimea decided to take a nap in the baby swing.

Murry our kitty is always with us. He is like a guard cat.

When we go on walks he is waiting at the end of our drive for us to return.

He slept a long time...Heaven
How did I manage to get such a cutie pie

(teddy bear was totally forced into his arms but he had a good grip on it)

Rusty's little brother Marty is staying with us for the summer.

Waimea was Marty's first diaper change

The Kids

Hanalei fights us every night to get in the bath

but always has fun once she is in. She knows it all leads to bed time.

Waimea loves the bath. It calms the beast. He kicks and kicks.

Hanalei got kicked a few times in the bath and says "stop it please"

Can you see those cute dimples?
Her hair is getting outta control but she is reluctant to let me do it.
Her first pony tail...back to the drawing boards

Do you see how massive my boy is?