playing catch up

So we returned from our vacation on Tuesday afternoon, and now it is Thursday night and I am not sure where the last few days went, the kids and I pretty much have been playing catch up on our sleep. So now time to update you on a WHOLE LOT of things.

First of all before the vacation Kali had an Ipu making day for her school at Hau'ula beach park and Angie got some awesome pictures with Brylie, Kaiya and Kali with the finished product:)


For school on Wednesday we went to Kahana Valley and the kids made canoes out of Hawaiian tree parts. They have an awesome shop that we went to and saw how they make Hawaiian hats, wooden bowls and spoons, they showed us how they work with stone and make poi pounders and round stones to play ancient Hawaiian games. pretty cool.

Reunion

We are off to Washington till next Tuesday for my 10 year High School Reunion and my Wood Family Reunion! So I am taking a blogging break until I return. I will miss you all ever more, ever more, ever more:) (name that movie)

Happy 2nd Birthday Kaiya

Kaiya celebrated her birthday in style in Ko'Olina Kai at the private pool. We had a BBQ of hot dogs, hamburgers and ribs. The kids enjoyed their favorite food, Doritos:) We swam, relaxed in the jacuzzi, enjoyed the company, sang, enjoyed some delicious cake, which Melissa made and decorated herself, VERY IMPRESSIVE! Then opened all of Kaiya's fabulous presents. And of course the best present of the day from nana and papa, a new tricycle. In close second, also from nana and papa, a doggy, which she named, "TWO!" How appropriate:) Thanks you Crosby's for a nice celebration of your little angel.

Happy 30th Birthday:)

happy birthday big brother:) Can't wait to see you in a week. I hope you have a wonderful day!










Brandon Jason Wood
husband
father of two handsome boys (Michael and Jayce)
lover of movies (especially super heroes)
enjoys playing video games
has a good collection of music
always happy, optimistic, enjoys life
very caring, big heart
keeps us laughing, comedian
very spiritual, honors his priesthood

I love you Brandon and I am so grateful you are my older brother.
The baby pictures are of their son Jayce, he is almost two months old. So cute:)

Jo Jo

Thanks Hillary for letting me take pictures of your beautiful little girl Jocelyn. I am excited about learning this whole art of photography. It has been cool just by playing around, I am starting to understand the whole "lighting" issue, everyone always talks about. Time now for trial and error. A cute little story. The other day after we left Hillary's house, Kali said, "bye, Jo Jo" then she turned to me and said, "why do we call her Jo Jo, when her name is Jocelyn." I told her it was her nickname. Brylie was outside and over heard us, so she asked me to explain, what a nickname was. I told her for example when I call her Bry, that is a nickname I gave her. She seemed to understand and was satisfied with that explanation. A little bit later the girls were playing and Brylie announced, "OK everyone, you can call me by my nickname, it's Alicia." LOL! So I guess my explanation wasn't as good as I thought.:)

While you were out:)

This is what takes place behind closed doors at the Jones' home:)




























Mike and Angie celebrated their 4 year Anniversary today. (I am pretty sure Saturday is their actually Anniversary date, but the weekends are so hectic.) Melissa took the girls to the beach this morning since it was such a beautiful day. Thanks Melissa. While they played, I was able to chill at home since Tyken took a good nap the whole time they were gone. I got some one on one time with Krew, which was nice. Then when the girls got home, Kaiya went down for a nap and Crystal came over to help me take the kids to the pool which was so perfect. Kali and Brylie excel each time they go to the pool, I just love it. Both of them can now swim a few strokes by themselves. It is so exciting to watch them. I tried to take a few shots of Brylie swimming, I was below her looking up, they didn't turn out quite the way I was expecting, it is a work in progress. Maybe, next time. Crystal was such a big help and it was so much fun having her to hang out with since she has been on vacation this past week with her wonderful family! Hi, McCormicks:) The girls played at Kaiya's house for awhile after Kaiya woke up from her nap and I thought for sure the girls would crash if I put a movie on for them. I was so wrong! These girls seriously went 100 miles an hour for 8 hours straight today. Right before the Wynes got home the girls were playing dress up and acting so funny so I had to get some pictures and I was lucky enough to get some shots of how Tyken and Krew interact right now. Tyken enjoys torchering Krew and Krew just sits and takes it:) No, Tyken just thinks Krew is interesting and like all kids wants to go for the face. The nice thing about having a busy day is that both of my kids were passed out by 8:00 pm.

A Tag for the Kids

I saw this tag on my girlfriend Carly's blog and I thought it was so cute so I decided to ask Kali these questions and see what she had to say, here are Kali's answers:

1. What is something mom always says to you?
put your clothes on

2. What makes mom happy?
when I put my pull-ups on

3. What makes mom sad?
when she needs help

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
she says good morning to me


5. What was your mom like as a child?
putting on pull-ups

6. How old is your mom?
3

7. How tall is your mom?
2

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
check my email

9. What does your mom do when you are not around?
she finds me

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
putting a pull-up on

11. What is your mom really good at?
being nice to me

12. What is your mom not so good at?
saying, "no, no, pushing"

13. What does your mom do for her job?
running

14. What is your mom’s favorite food?
chocolate and brownies

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
because she loves me

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Chuck E. Cheese's

At this point she was done answering questions, and this was the second time today that I tried asking her. Maybe I will try tomorrow to finish up, but I just wanted to get this posted, I think it is just too cute. She kept telling me, mom I am done and I am tired.

17. What do you and your mom do together?

18. How are you and your mom the same?

19. How are you and your mom different?

20. How do you know your mom loves you?

To more fully understand this obsession with pull-ups you must know that Kali is potty trained however, she still has accidents at night time, so we ask her to put on her pull-ups. Most nights it is a fight, she doesn't want to wear them, she wants to wear her panties because she is a "big girl." Luckily we win most of the time, and when we don't, I have to wait till she falls asleep and sneak them on her, which usually back fires in the morning because she is so upset that she woke up with her pull-ups on!

Kali tags Brylie, Kaiya, Drew and Lili