Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!

Our first year in Valdosta was a good one. Highlights of the year include Makenna starting preschool, Mike making Major, and Shane being sweet as ever. We celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary, Shane's 2nd Birthday, and Makenna's 4th. We never made it to Kauai this year, but hopefully we will very soon. We did make a few trips to Florida, and one to Little Rock, and I got to go to Japan to visit Janell, and recently Colorado to visit Andrea and for my friends wedding. We had great visits from both our parents, lots of friends, and right now Kevin is here staying with us.
Last night Mike's uncles Rick and Larry came by for a quick visit also! It was nice to catch up. WE had dinner and just stayed at home and talked story. Here are a few pics:






To celebrate New Years Eve, Mike and Kevin went to Tallahassee, FL to hang out with Tony L. I decided not to go because of the kids,and so that Mike could have "guy time", since I got to have girl time when I went to Joanna's wedding. . So I am having a quiet new year and going to bed early. Ill write more next year! Happy New Year!

Christmas 2008:Jennah,Mike,Makenna,Shane,Kevin

(blog by Mike) It was a pretty mellow Christmas this year. I picked up Kevin from the Jacksonville airport in the evening on Christmas Eve (great planning bro!), and we celebrated the following morning around 10 a.m. since Makenna slept in late for once. Shane got a Spiderman big wheel, a toolset, and a Star Wars learning computer. Makenna got a Vespa scooter style bike, a Hello Kitty mini house, and a Barbi telephone. I got a coffee maker, Jennah got a Bose Soundock for her Ipod, and Kevin got a lump of coal for planning a flight that arrived on Christmas Eve! Ok, not really...he got two lumps of coal. We took the kids to Wild Adventures the day after Christmas since G.W.B. gave me a day off--and as further punishment for his Christmas Eve offenses, we dragged Kevin along. Here are the photos--all photos of Kevin withheld at his request...

Great day...

Yesterday was fantastic for many reasons:

-Jennah came home from the wedding
-The drive to and from Atlanta was uneventful and the kids were great on the ride
-Donna is better than originally expected
-Shane is doing more sign language now
-The Chargers won and Denver lost, meaning next Sunday night in San Diego, it's Denver vs. the Chargers: winner take all--the winner goes to the playoffs!
-I won the championship in BOTH my Fantasy Football leagues! That means I just won $650...complete domination!
-The kids are happy and healthy

Merry Christmas, Mike

Fun Great weekend!

Congrats to my cousin Jaime who had her 3rd baby boy!!!!-

Daelin Kaleihiwamanu Grace

December 18, 2008

8 lbs. 1.8oz.

22 inches

8:16am

He's sooo cute!



I had a blast at my friend Joanna's wedding this past weekend! It was so great to hang out with my friends and have some fun. I got to see Andrea and Joanna, who I haven't seen in over a year, and also Pam. The 4 of us had fun, memorable times.




Me and Joanna


Pam, Me and Andrea


Me and Pam


Me and Andrea!

Makenna, the star

Makenna's Christmas program for her school was tonight, and she was so cute! Her class were sheep, and they sang a cute song. I was happily surprised that Makenna did great! She didn't see me in the audience ;)
Mike had to fly tonight so he couldn't make it unfortunately. Here are a few pics and video clips of her.






My little sheep








and a random pic of her with her antlers and red nose, she LOVES Rudolph!

Christmas Festival Fun

Saturday, Dec. 14th. A rare post by Mike. Yesterday was busy, as we went to a Valdosta downtown "Jingle-Bell Festival" at Drexel Park by VSU around 2pm and then to the "Festival of Lights" at Wild Adventures from 6-8pm.

Makenna and Shane got to see Santa at the park, and we waited for about 40 min in line for a horse carriage ride before giving up. We ended up spending one whole dollar, so it was worth it. The kids got to play with snow, which was Shane's first snow experience. We built a 6 inch tall snowman (which Shane surprisingly did not immediately destroy), then went to the petting zoo, where Shane had the most fun--he was trying to poke the rabbits just like he points to them in his books, much to the alarm of the rabbits themselves...I had to block his blows a few times to avoid bunny injury and/or destruction. He cried when we left the animals, and Jennah cried when we left the snow (just kidding Jennah). Makenna was happy to see Santa--it was pretty cute.

At Wild Adventures, the Festival of Lights was actually nice, and we may take the kids back again with our free pass and maybe force Kevin to go as well. The place was well lit as you can see from all the photos below. Makenna had fun with the fake animatronic Rudolph and posed for a picture with it (see pics). It was pretty freaky looking but she loved it. We also bought her a Rudolph doll she sleeps with now like a security blanket. Jennah and Makenna cooked a marshmallow over a fire in the park and made/ate a Smores, and I froze my ass off.

Sunday - Chargers score twice with 1:13 left in the 4th, including an onside kick recovery, and win the game 22-21 just after I speak to my parents. Playoffs are still a mathematical possibility since Denver lost too!


Shane obviously having the time of his life.


"Don't crush it Shane, it's Frosty Jr."


Shane marches me to the rabbit front lines to attack.


Makenna: the candy cane queen.







My beautiful family.


S'mores.


S'more s'mores.


Makenna loves Rudolph despite the freaky Burl Ives TV Rudolph adaptation.








Shane and I soak in the lights.

Random December Pictures

Me and Makenna, Girl time- Getting ready to see the Nutcracker! But we never made it - Makenna was too Scared!


Santa Shane


Caught the kids sleeping like this on Makenna's bed.


Look at this cute Nativity Makenna made in School! I absolutely Love it. She was so proud of it too! Definitely a keeper!







Shane Just chillin:

Video Clip from Makenna's birthday party

Makenna's Birthday Party

Today we held Makenna's 4th Birthday party, and it turned out pretty good! I had a blast planning it. My theme was Pink and Brown Polka dots, and it was really fun to decorate. I made all the food: sandwiches, mini pigs in a blanket, meatballs, roast beef roll ups, veggie pizza, and taquitos. For drinks I served Chocolate and Strawberry milk (to go with the theme) and sodas and juice. Makenna is just like me and Mike though - you can totally tell she does not like being the center of attention! Here are a few pics

Main table, I forgot to take a pic with all the food. ;(

Cupcakes I made!

Sandwiches with decorative paper holders, Thanks Martha Stewart!

Limbo time!!

Pin the Candle on The Cupcake







Pinata Time!




Fishing for Goody bags!











Birthday Girl!



Messy SHANE!


Time for presents!











We TRIED to get a family picture!


Playing with her new presents!



Pooped after party!