Cruising with Silvia

A few weeks ago, my good friend, fellow BYUH Volleyball player and college roommate, Silvia, came to visit for the day. She currently works for the Princess Cruise line Ship. We took the kids on board and they had a blast; even Cameron left work to participate in the all-you-can-eat buffet, and ice cream bar, the huge game and kid rooms. We toured the vessel, filled with a casino, dance halls, theatres, marriage chapel and pretty much anything else you can imagine. Needless to say, the kids had a blast. Thank you aunty Silvia, we love you! I hadn't seen Sil in almost 5 years, so it was really nice to catch up. She was in my wedding line, and she is one of my best friends, like picking up where we left off. Love you! XOXO

Pretezel Tree Trail

Last weekend was just so nice, we decided to go on a family hike. One of my goals this year was to see more and do more in Washington. So, we took the kids to the Pretzel Tree Trail. It is a short loop (0.1 mi. to be exact with a 1 foot elevation) filled with storyboards that tell the story as you go. It was actually very cute and perfect distance for Marcus.

picture jars

i saw this cute idea in a magazine.

Pots and Pans

There is nothing better than a new set of pots and pans, unless of course you can get them for FREE!

A friend of ours, his father-in-law was a former CEO of a popular cooking line in the 70's called, Rena Cookware. They were cleaning out their garage, when they found boxes and boxes of unopened cookware. They didn't know what to do with it all, so I graciously volunteered to take them in and give `em a good home! :)

Thank you Ken & Ruth!

Kiss of Death?

If you know my dad you will not only laugh out-loud at this picture, but you will agree that this picture captures the very essence that is my father. This hard-working, business man knows how to hang up his "Aloha Shirt" and rock out to Beatles Rock band. He is constantly surprising us all by volunteering to take me to the swap meet on a BUSY Saturday morning; he has been seen venturing out to Walmart, by himself; and even takes credit for fixing things around the house. But best of all he does a fantastic "daddy dance". {you'll have to see it to believe it!}

Well, the other day my mom sent out a mass text message about poor dad. Poor, because his lip was swollen. Why? Because a centipede bit him. Yup...a centipede bit his lip! I know, I know, How?  He was snoozing on the living room floor, and mom summoned him upstairs. Before he got up to leave, he rolled over to grab his glasses. Wouldn't you know it, he rolled right on to the centipede (who may have also been snoozing) and it stung him right on the lip. I guess you could say it was his own dang fault. Love you dad!

Hope you feel better daddy!

Happy Mother's Day

"He who is our Eternal Father has blessed you with miraculous powers of mind and body. He never intended that you should be less than the crowning glory of His creations."

~Gordon B. Hinckley; One Hope: Messages for Women

I absolutely LOVE my mother. She is one my best friends, some one I can trust, count on, look for guidance, suppot and know, will always love me. She is the total embodiment of the true Aloha spirit. She gives and gives without thinking twice, putting herself last. She has a strength that is only born through discipline and earthly and spiritual experiences. She is constantly growing and sharing her experiences with her children, helping us to learn. She has a great style and fashion sense and always makes me laugh. She is a cool grandma who is game for anything. I am so thankful for her and hope she knows how much I missed her and love her on this special day.

I am so thankful that I live so close to my mother-in-law! Before I moved to Washington, I barely knew her. Today I can say, I love and respect this wonderful woman. She took us in and cared for us until we got our feet on the ground. She loves my children and is always giving to them and us. I enjoy talking with her and listening to the stories and advice she has to offer. She is always thinking of us and giving, not to mention she is a great cook. We "drop" in on her to see her a few times a week, and usually stay to eat all her food. Thank you for all that you do! We LOVE you!

Three other great and influential women in my life.

{Hannah Kamoe, my maternal g-ma, Janet Durrett, my paternal g-ma, and Margit Kobory, Cameron's maternal g-ma}

Now that I am a mother I truly understand of the unconditional LOVE I have for my children and how I would SACRIFICE anything for them. What a wonderful gift it is to be trusted with Heavenly Father's angels. It is a privilege and we must always remember that. Treat them with love and respect, nurture them and instill good values at a young age; I have had great examples! I love my children and my eternal family.

Happy Mother's Day!

A Legacy through Food

This is "tutu" with Marcus, when he was a baby. She is such an important part of our family. She is the rock and strength that holds us all together. She loves life, her 6 kids, 21 grand kids and 12 great grand kids (I think I got `em all) She is extremely talented. If you know her you will agree. She quilts beautifully, weaves lauhala extraordinarily, and is without a doubt the best cook in the family! She has passed down some of her awesome recipes, and I am so thankful that I get to share them with my family.

Marcus and I made tutu's monkey bread the other day for dinner. What better fitting than monkey bread for a bunch of monkey's? When Cam came home he said, "Wow. Where did it all go?" Marcus and I just looked at each other and smiled! :)

We LOVE you tutu!

momma's boy's

Yesterday Marcus had ear surgery. He is doing GREAT! I was told he would probably sleep all day and possibly even be loopy; boy were they wrong. He came home around 8 am and by 8:05 he was back to himself-jumping off the couch running around being CRAZY! The poor boy had 100% blockage in his ear! No wonder he spent so much time in time out...he couldn't hear! HA!

Anyway, he is recovering quickly, very quickly and little Lohena, who isn't so little anymore is trying to walk. Yesterday he took one step and fell over. YIKES!! I just LOVE these boys!

Daddy's Happy Day!

Cameron with "baby blue"

May day is Lei day in Hawaii; but in our family, we know it as Cameron's birthday.

Happy 30th Birthday to the best husband and dad in the world.

To a man who has it all: a beautiful wife :), wonderful children, a job that supports our family integrity, personality, and a funny humor. Thank you for all that you do. We hope your 30th birthday treated you well; and we look forward to spending many, many more with you!

{Marcus decorated the cake.}

Love you xoxo

Meet the Beast: Update Part 2

This month, we were able to pay off "the Beast" as you just saw. I will have to say, I saw that some of you voted against me (don't worry I won't hold it against you) it certainly seems crazy; radical, and unconventional. It is, and yet so SIMPLE!

As soon, as we get the title, I will post it for you all to see. One less debt just means more cash in my pocket!

I just wanted everyone to know that Cameron and I accomplished this on 1 income and without changing our lifestyle. You do not need to have a lot of debt to utilize the 101 program; and it will still work for you if you have 3 homes (mortgages) and 16 cars (loans)! It doesn't matter who you are and what your situation is. This is not a pyramid or multi-level (been there done that!) but and education where you learn how to pay off your debts quickly and without using your savings account.

We went from "what did you buy?" "how much was that?" STRESS to serious peace of mind. A simple common goal and knowledge that keeps Cameron and I STRESS FREE and one step closer to our goals.


www.101financial.com/camkam

Update: Meet the Beast

Here's the Match-Up Update:

The Challenger
The Beast

AKA
The Bank-with secret weapon: The Loan, designed to to stick it to you!
Purchase price: $12,847.60



vs.


The Contenders
CAMKAMFAM
The defending Champions

Left on the loan: LAST PAYMENT SUBMITTED THIS MONTH!

I know that the time is winding down, and I haven't forgotten!

We purchased the Beast, the F-250  sometime in mid-November, confident to have it paid in full by May; we have been using the 101 Financial system. We are excited to report that we will be making the last payment this month!! And we did it all by following the 101 system and without tapping into our savings account, at all!

Follow us on our journey and I'll keep you posted.

Prepare to be shocked when we accomplish this!

www.101financial.com/camkam

My New Ride

My new (but old), red, FREE cruiser bike

from freecycle.org.

Just in time for summer.