Thursday, September 29, 2011
Brace walking
We've seen Ethan stand up with his brace on before bedtime, but we've never seem him stand...and vacuum! Wow. It was amazing to watch him.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Marchants everywhere!
We have been excited for some Marchants (29 of them, actually) to make their planned trip to Oahu. We were even more excited when we found out they were renting a house in the small town where we live. We were thrilled when we discovered they would be just 2 doors down along the beach! Doug's aunt, uncle, cousins (with spouses and their children) came to visit for a little over a week.
When they were pulling into town, Doug had the idea to make them some leis and I jumped at the chance. With help from a few people (letting me pick their blossoms, giving me some thread and needles, and a few pointers), we were on a mission to create leis for all the women in the family. Doug and I met that goal and they were still en route, so we opted to make one for all the adults. It is such a fun Hawaiian tradition.
We welcomed them Friday evening because we used our cell phones as a baby monitor. It was a celebration even though everyone looked exhausted. It was after 1 am their time!
Except Sydney.
At one point, there were a few turtles washing up on shore and eating a little moss on the rocks. There were about 1 dozen turtles right by the shore. We knew because we could see them 'inside' a wave'. I tried to get a photo of them 'in' the wave, but it didn't work.
We hopped in the car and headed to Waimea Bay for some jumping into the ocean. We fed Ethan and Sydney on the way and I had to laugh at their full bellies in their new swim clothes we bought last week.
They have some distinct belly buttons due to their hernias they had when they were born. I understand that most all premature babies have hernias.
I took one look at this rock and opted to keep my feet planted in the sand. It was really fun to watch everyone jump though.
Great form Doug!
When they were pulling into town, Doug had the idea to make them some leis and I jumped at the chance. With help from a few people (letting me pick their blossoms, giving me some thread and needles, and a few pointers), we were on a mission to create leis for all the women in the family. Doug and I met that goal and they were still en route, so we opted to make one for all the adults. It is such a fun Hawaiian tradition.
We welcomed them Friday evening because we used our cell phones as a baby monitor. It was a celebration even though everyone looked exhausted. It was after 1 am their time!
We spent Saturday morning swimming and snorkeling at the beach just behind our house. After getting stung by a Portuguese Man-of-war, we took our kids in for lunch and a nap. Doug thought he would try to get a clog out of our sink and it ended up swallowing the rest of our Saturday. We ended up with a leak but the clog was out and our sink now drains! I told Doug several times, "You're my knight in shining armor' as he crawled under the house trying to get to a pipe to find the mysterious clog. Amazing.
Monday, we went to the Polynesian Cultural Center and saw the night show with the Marchant clan. The show started at 7:30 pm and bedtime was a 7:00 pm. We thought it would be awful but the kids were in heaven! Sydney kept shrieking with excitement. We told them this entertainment was called a 'show' and they were saying "show, show" for a while that night. After every dance they would both look at us and say, "AGAIN!" Too cute.
We headed snorkeling on Tuesday at Turtle Beach. After hearing some exciting turtle discoveries from Adam and Meggin, we hopped in the water only to search for nearly 20 minutes without spotting one. I decided I would float more than swim and see if I was scaring them away. It worked because I swam around a rock and came face to face with a turtle! I was instantly afraid and started to swim away only. I came up for air and to tell Doug that "I found one" but when I looked underwater again, he was gone. After a short minute of looking, we found him and he started to follow me. It was amazing. If the rocks and coral weren't so close to me, I would have hung around longer. Funny how I searched and searched, but once I found a turtle I was afraid and wanted to swim away. He was just SO close!
Everyone had a great time snorkeling for a few hours.
At one point, there were a few turtles washing up on shore and eating a little moss on the rocks. There were about 1 dozen turtles right by the shore. We knew because we could see them 'inside' a wave'. I tried to get a photo of them 'in' the wave, but it didn't work.
We hopped in the car and headed to Waimea Bay for some jumping into the ocean. We fed Ethan and Sydney on the way and I had to laugh at their full bellies in their new swim clothes we bought last week.
They have some distinct belly buttons due to their hernias they had when they were born. I understand that most all premature babies have hernias.
I took one look at this rock and opted to keep my feet planted in the sand. It was really fun to watch everyone jump though.
Great form Doug!
Meggin took the title of the 'only woman to jump' and we all cheered her on. Amazing.
We brought the kids back for a late nap and Doug jumped at the chance to go for a hike with his cousins. They had a great time on a hike nearly in our backyard (well, front yard).
Friday, September 23, 2011
Routine!
I didn't realize how much a routine meant to me. The first two weeks here were a little tough. Without a car or people to see...I was pretty discouraged to be in paradise and not having a good time.
Monday morning, I dropped Doug off on campus at 7 am and set up the jogging stroller. I hit the pavement to some great trails the church put in north of campus along the Kam highway. After a 3.5 mile jog, I decided to walk around campus and found myself at the TVA housing playground. Ethan and Sydney were in heaven and played for about an hour. I met a friend from Tahiti and her son Nenoah. I drove home from campus around 9:15 am and my day was off to a great start! It has come a daily tradition and my friend meets me there every morning. I need to get up the courage to ask her how to pronounce her name because I don't remember it.
Nehoah hopped in a little Japanese girl's stroller and Ethan started pushing him around the playground. It was so cute.
I have found my little slice of morning heaven. My day begins with so much fun that everything is better.
Monday morning, I dropped Doug off on campus at 7 am and set up the jogging stroller. I hit the pavement to some great trails the church put in north of campus along the Kam highway. After a 3.5 mile jog, I decided to walk around campus and found myself at the TVA housing playground. Ethan and Sydney were in heaven and played for about an hour. I met a friend from Tahiti and her son Nenoah. I drove home from campus around 9:15 am and my day was off to a great start! It has come a daily tradition and my friend meets me there every morning. I need to get up the courage to ask her how to pronounce her name because I don't remember it.
Nehoah hopped in a little Japanese girl's stroller and Ethan started pushing him around the playground. It was so cute.
I have found my little slice of morning heaven. My day begins with so much fun that everything is better.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Shark's Cove
We got in the water (with our hair wet) for the first time since we've lived here! Doug coordinated his schedule at work so that he can have Tuesdays off and work 1 extra hour every other day. This makes for four long weekdays with one fabulous reward!
We headed to Sharks Cove for some excellent snorkeling. There were so many colorful fish, it was breathtaking.
The 'beach' was more like tons of pebbles. It was difficult to walk without water shoes and our flip flops weren't cutting it. Ethan and Sydney had a great time playing in the rocks while Doug and I took turns in the water.
Doug thought it would be so fun to walk out into a shallow portion of the cove. He convinced me to join him and it was not worth the pain on my feet walking and crawling over coral while holding a toddler. Doug ended up getting 'bitten' by a spiky little sucker in the coral and one of his toes is swollen about twice it's size. Serves him right for making me come out there. Long story short, I was crawling back (literally) holding Ethan and stumbling so much that a stranger offered to walk Ethan back to shore so I could use both my hands to assist me. Embarrassing.
We went into town to run errands on the way home from snorkeling and stopped at a beach park in Kaneohe to feed Ethan and Sydney. I think this is one of my favorite parts about living here--no matter where you are, it's breathtakingly beautiful.
We headed to Sharks Cove for some excellent snorkeling. There were so many colorful fish, it was breathtaking.
The 'beach' was more like tons of pebbles. It was difficult to walk without water shoes and our flip flops weren't cutting it. Ethan and Sydney had a great time playing in the rocks while Doug and I took turns in the water.
Doug thought it would be so fun to walk out into a shallow portion of the cove. He convinced me to join him and it was not worth the pain on my feet walking and crawling over coral while holding a toddler. Doug ended up getting 'bitten' by a spiky little sucker in the coral and one of his toes is swollen about twice it's size. Serves him right for making me come out there. Long story short, I was crawling back (literally) holding Ethan and stumbling so much that a stranger offered to walk Ethan back to shore so I could use both my hands to assist me. Embarrassing.
We went into town to run errands on the way home from snorkeling and stopped at a beach park in Kaneohe to feed Ethan and Sydney. I think this is one of my favorite parts about living here--no matter where you are, it's breathtakingly beautiful.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Storytime
I don't know who flipped a switch inside of Sydney that causes her to ask me and/or Doug to read a story over and over again, but sometimes I wish I could turn it off. They have been waking up at rediculous hours most mornings since we arrived (4:50 am Tuesday morning!) and we usually let them play while we lay in bed in a semi-coma. The only thing that wakes us from our coma is "please...please" while she holds a book.
We have found several books at Savers (a local thrift store that has amazing stuff--gotta love island living) as well as library books from BYUH. This makes for lots and lots and lots of storytime.
We have found several books at Savers (a local thrift store that has amazing stuff--gotta love island living) as well as library books from BYUH. This makes for lots and lots and lots of storytime.
Have wheels, will travel
Freedom is found in the four wheels on this minivan. Yes, we now own a MINIvan. I have been opposed to such a thing--determined to be an SUV person. After owning a MINIvan for 3 days now, I am falling in love. I think it was invented by a mom.
Tonight we took a Sunday afternoon drive using these wheels when our house was approaching some temperature that is way too hot. We had the brilliant idea to have take some burgers to throw on a grill at a beach park so we didn't heat up our house. We found out one thing:
There are no grills at the beach parks--any of them--for miles. We reached Haleiwa and saw that they did have big bins to dispose of your charcoal though. Good to know...for the next time we try this with our grill that we will purchase.
So, we turned around and headed back home with burgers uncooked. We opted to stop at Turtle Bay Resort and walk around and improvise a meal for Ethan and Sydney. It turned out to be an excellent evening.
We danced in the grass next to the beach with two kids smiling so big.
And took in a beautiful sunset. We then went home and grilled out burgers on the stove after putting the kids to bed.
Tonight we took a Sunday afternoon drive using these wheels when our house was approaching some temperature that is way too hot. We had the brilliant idea to have take some burgers to throw on a grill at a beach park so we didn't heat up our house. We found out one thing:
There are no grills at the beach parks--any of them--for miles. We reached Haleiwa and saw that they did have big bins to dispose of your charcoal though. Good to know...for the next time we try this with our grill that we will purchase.
So, we turned around and headed back home with burgers uncooked. We opted to stop at Turtle Bay Resort and walk around and improvise a meal for Ethan and Sydney. It turned out to be an excellent evening.
We danced in the grass next to the beach with two kids smiling so big.
And took in a beautiful sunset. We then went home and grilled out burgers on the stove after putting the kids to bed.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Backyardigans
We've never watched the Backyardigans, but it seems to fit my life these days--the backyard, again.
They pick up flowers on the ground and run up to me and say, "on!"
We have planes and helicopters (some from the military base in Honolulu) flying overhead often. They love it.
These stairs are to the neighbor's porch. They are shallow steps and they insist on doing this on their own. Minor stress in the backyard for me.
The neighbor's porch. Notice how these railings can keep them from falling off? The fall is about 3-4 feet to the grass. That's not too far, right? (yikes)
A view from the place they love to stand and give me a panic.
Every time I see this smile though, I just let them play while I run around them like a monkey.
They pick up flowers on the ground and run up to me and say, "on!"
We have planes and helicopters (some from the military base in Honolulu) flying overhead often. They love it.
These stairs are to the neighbor's porch. They are shallow steps and they insist on doing this on their own. Minor stress in the backyard for me.
The neighbor's porch. Notice how these railings can keep them from falling off? The fall is about 3-4 feet to the grass. That's not too far, right? (yikes)
A view from the place they love to stand and give me a panic.
Every time I see this smile though, I just let them play while I run around them like a monkey.
Monday, September 12, 2011
New house
We have a new beach house that we are calling home in Hauula.
Ethan and Sydney are warming up to the new home, but not to the shower without a tub. Doug and I have abandoned ship on the showering and converted the double sink into a double tub. They screamed during this 'bath' until we put them each in at the same time. Now they scream when we take them out!
This house is furnished...with too many trinkets and furniture than I would like, but it's still relatively clean, so we're told.
The apartment has 1 bedroom and a large living room that we've converted to a bedroom. It has worked out well.
There is one bathroom just off the kitchen.
Ethan and Sydney enjoy the bedroom. They enjoy it so much they asked to get in their crib today! I brought them toys and then I hopped in the shower--bonus!
We were welcomed by a 'harvest moon' tonight that was beautiful over the ocean. It was very large, but photos never do that justice. We brought Ethan and Sydney to see the moon just before bed (now at 7 pm instead of 8 pm before). Doug put on Ethan's brace while looking at the moon over the ocean. He still wears his brace at night until he turns three.
Ethan and Sydney are warming up to the new home, but not to the shower without a tub. Doug and I have abandoned ship on the showering and converted the double sink into a double tub. They screamed during this 'bath' until we put them each in at the same time. Now they scream when we take them out!
This house is furnished...with too many trinkets and furniture than I would like, but it's still relatively clean, so we're told.
The apartment has 1 bedroom and a large living room that we've converted to a bedroom. It has worked out well.
There is one bathroom just off the kitchen.
Ethan and Sydney enjoy the bedroom. They enjoy it so much they asked to get in their crib today! I brought them toys and then I hopped in the shower--bonus!
We were welcomed by a 'harvest moon' tonight that was beautiful over the ocean. It was very large, but photos never do that justice. We brought Ethan and Sydney to see the moon just before bed (now at 7 pm instead of 8 pm before). Doug put on Ethan's brace while looking at the moon over the ocean. He still wears his brace at night until he turns three.
First Kiss
It is love at first sight. We've been trying to teach Ethan and Sydney to give mom and dad kisses. They are so sweet. Today, Ethan appraoched Sydney and planted a kiss right on her lips--totally unexpected. I asked him to do it again and caught a photo. It nearly took my breath away, it was so sweet.
First weekend
Thursday night, Doug and I sat in our double bed (we have a king-size at home...a bit of a change) side by side and I said, "it is so hot"! That will sum up our first week here pretty well. Without airconditioning, our house has been so hot. I take a damp rag to Ethan and Sydney and get them down to a diaper for nap time and point a fan directly on them so they will go to sleep! It has worked and they are now napping better than they have before.
Friday night, we packed a little picnic and walked to Laie Point. It was a beautiful evening.
We could see our house from the point.
Saturday was Utah football day! We were excited that we had the right channel and Ethan and Sydney woke up from their nap to join us.
Doug gave them Tings--their favorite 'junk' food snack. He let them finish the bag (with our help, of course). "It's football," Doug said...
Today, we took a walk along the beach with the stroller--we turned some heads.
The park just a block or so from our house is filled with tents on the weekends. We hear that the locals will set up and bring generators and this is their version of 'camping' by the beach. It is pretty funny.
The highlight of our first week--Doug and I agreed--was that Ethan and Sydney are completely in love with the backyard. They can roam and discover and go walk to the back and watch the waves roll in. If they're grumpy, we just say "want to go look at the water?"
Friday night, we packed a little picnic and walked to Laie Point. It was a beautiful evening.
We could see our house from the point.
Saturday was Utah football day! We were excited that we had the right channel and Ethan and Sydney woke up from their nap to join us.
Doug gave them Tings--their favorite 'junk' food snack. He let them finish the bag (with our help, of course). "It's football," Doug said...
Today, we took a walk along the beach with the stroller--we turned some heads.
The park just a block or so from our house is filled with tents on the weekends. We hear that the locals will set up and bring generators and this is their version of 'camping' by the beach. It is pretty funny.
The highlight of our first week--Doug and I agreed--was that Ethan and Sydney are completely in love with the backyard. They can roam and discover and go walk to the back and watch the waves roll in. If they're grumpy, we just say "want to go look at the water?"
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