February Mash-up

It seems as if February, the month of "love" doesn't really get all the attention that it deserves in our house hold. I blame it on the fact that my birthday is just a few days before, so unfortunately it always gets clumped together for me. But a celebration regardless is still a celebration! yay!

So yes, on the 10th I turned 28! 

(ahhhhhhhh)

so far I feel exactly the same. 

phew...

we celebrated with dinner and hot tubing! 

I also got this cheesy card from Cameron which I absolutely adore and tickets to James Taylor in April. Can't wait to make a little weekend out of it.

But seriously, if our hearts could talk, I'd bet they'd go on and on about how perfect they are for each other.

Anyway, we are so alike, his original plan was to take me to Disneyland for 5 days! JUST US!!!! But, when he asked the "babysitter", there was no way she could handle the kids and Layla (who only drinks breast milk) for that long. I'm glad, and it wouldn't have been the right time, BUT major brownie points for trying! 

 I Love you Cameron!!!!

Valentines came and I had the bright idea of making cookies for Marcus' and Lohena's class. Man, this took me forever. Literally hours....never again. Next year i will not try to be cute I will resort to those little box cards and I will tape a fruit snack to it!!!! Oh, yes I will.

I "mustache" you a question. Will you be my Valentine? 

They were super cute though huh?!? 

Dang you pinterest!

 My Valentine's "attack". 

I LOVE this. I have this hanging in our room and you can write whatever you want on it. The other morning I woke up to this. Hahaha...Love you...fatty! 

"Stache Bash"

A day before my birthday I hosted a small get together/baby shower for my friend and class mate Rosey and baby Nehemiah. Of course it was a mustache kind of party and we all had a blast. So glad we could all get together and congrats Rose on your bundle of joy!!!

100 Days of School

A few weeks ago Marcus celebrated his 100th day of school. Everyone had to complete a project having to do with 100 days. Tank you interest, his project was a huge hit!

Happy 5 months

Happy 5 months little Lady.

18 lbs and 28 inches. For her age, she is the average size of a 9 month old.

I love her gummy smile, her eye lashes. her mellow personality, the few long, wispy little hairs on her head and everything about her! 

I love you Layla xoxo

Throw Back Thursday

Since today is Thursday, I want to show you some of the cute pictures that have come back to my attention in the last few weeks.

This is Cam & I back in 2005, at the Lakers game at the Stan Sherif.

I remember we were just barely married.

My beautiful girlfriend U'i posted this one of us in high school at birthday bash, not too long ago and I just about died. I couldn't even remember where it was. She had to remind me and I just laughed and laughed. So shame.

All 3 of us #mormonmommies!

As a little girl, I was #1 fan of this guy right here.

Every great memory growing up definitely involved this man, my papa.

I love you papa!

Ok, this is not a picture throw back but definitely a throw back!

I bought this the other day off of Amazon for the kids. They think it is so cool! Plus they need to learn about MJ!

Lohena's First day of Preschool

Lohena's first day of Preschool

1.22.13

Makakilo Baptist

Remember this kid?

Well he started school today.

Not because I wanted him to but because he was sick of being at home and not having his own friends. At least that is what he told me. 

My two boys couldn't be an more different and I love that. It keeps me on my toes as a parent.

The Lord is constantly reminding me of how different these two spirits are.

Sure, they may be brothers but they are completely different and they should be treated as such.

Just because I went through this whole process I mean same school and all, doesn't mean anything. It's like a whole new adventure...again.

He was so stoked to start, he didn't even say goodbye. 

He loved every moment and according to his teachers made lots of friends very easily. 

Lohena-

I love you so much. Please use that energy for good and enjoy being the little

 social butterfly that you are.

I love you,

mom 

xoxoxo

4 points

We started Soccer again and I just have to share this little story.
Marcus' team won 4-0 on saturday morning.
Marcus was the only one who scored.
I don't know when and how it happened, but we have ourselves a little beast.
And the best part is Cameron and I just laughed, I mean some were dog lucky shots,
and the coach was going to make hims switch teams.

Good job son!
And to think he did it all for an Icee.

Layla 4 mo

What a pleasure it is to be this little girls mommy! (I hope I am still saying that when she is 16) She is so calm and happy all the time. I love her so much!

She is weighing in at 18 lbs and 28 inches long.

Off the charts for both height and weight for her age, or an average 9 month old.

She can roll and sleep through the night. She coos and laugh out loud. It's so cute. She likes to sleep and is always down for a good time.

Love you xoxo

Christmas 2012

As always, Christmas sneaks up on us. And once the Holiday's hit, this mama is crazy busy. So let me get you caught up to speed.

Our Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon) hosts an annual Christmas dinner where Santa makes a special appearance. It was so much fun and the kids were so excited to see him. Look closely, see how we have a "Hawaiian" Santa. Well, Marcus caught on to that rather quickly and said, "That Santa has the wrong skin!"

They still told him what they wanted, and when they got their little goodie bags, Lohena peeked in and said, "Hey! This is not Gak! (what he asked for)"

These kids I tell you. 

I grew up never really believing in Santa not because we are Grinch's but mainly because we were really focused on our Savior and I think, as you parents already know, it's hard work. So we made sure to merge our traditions. We shared about Jesus Christ's birth and left notes and cookies for Santa as well.

Thank you to all you contributed to make this Christmas fantastic. As always it was exhausting and fun and the kids got way too much. I hope you all had a great Christmas!!!

If you didn't get one, here was our Christmas card. 

Thank you to Alana Yates Photography for the awesome photos.

Palehua Christmas Party 2012

Kids Workshop

December 2012

The Fire truck Santa brought that they sleep in every night.
(If you look carefully you can see their faces watching tv!)

Gingerbread Houses

Mauka Lani Elementary P-3 2012

Letters to Santa

Wicked!!!!!

Last week Wednesday Cameron and I, along with the rest of my family and close friends enjoyed 4th row seats at WICKED!! Oh Yeah! That's what I said. We sat 4th row middle and it was absolutely fantastic. The story line was great, the singing was amazing, I was nostalgic of my childhood and my date was not too shabby either. I used to watch the movie at my grandpa's house on repeat. Literally. I wish I could go again. Oh wait, and the best part....wait for it, yep; NO KIDS!!!!!! It really doesn't get any better than that! 

If you ever get a chance, see this show! 

Love, love, loved it!

Washington Family

This November we spent Thanksgiving in Washington with our friends and family. We were so fortunate that Cameron was able to take off 3 weeks. It was such a nice vacation and break from our everyday life that we struggled to come back to reality! I kept joking that we were suffering from PVD-Post Vacation Depression.

Anyway, the cousins picked up exactly where they left off, screaming, playing and running around the house. Between the two brothers, there are now SEVEN grand kids. So needless to say, it was a riot. I hope we can do it again soon!

L-R

Layla-3mo, Sela-10, Lohena-3, Marcus-5, Liam-4, Miles-7, Scarlet-5mo.

Scarlet & Layla

Layla & Daddy

Heide Cousins and Great Grandma Margit

Sela & I

9

Nana and her newest grand babies

to infinity and beyond

December 10, 2004

Laie Hawaii Temple

Eight years ago today, Cameron and I were sealed in the Laie Hawaii Temple for all time and eternity. We rushed to the temple that morning after Cameron's last final and made our vows together in front of close friends, family and God. Eight years ago we chose each other forever. Although it hasn't always been glitz and glam, we are surviving and finding joy in the journey (I'm pretty sure that is the definition of marriage).

Husband, 

Thank you for being the man that you are. For having an awesome family, (you really can't take any credit for this one) whom I love. For being even tempered (although it can be annoying), for working hard to support our family and for always putting us first. Thank you for going along with all the little plans I have and plan with out letting you know. For dealing with my crazy. Thank you for being able to fix cars, bikes, sinks etc. and build whatever I want. For having lots of hidden geek talents that come in so handy. Thank you for loving to be a kid like me, and acting so goofy. For daydreaming and spending time talking and wishing that we could be in Disneyland again. For having big dreams and goals and for seeing them through. I have NO doubt that you will accomplish all that you want to. I hope that you instill these characteristic to our children. Thank you for being so patient with them, when Lord knows I can't. Thank you for being a good father, for loving them and watching them to give me a break. Thank you for always having my back in parenting. Thank you for honoring your priesthood.  And thank you for understanding and supporting my love for volleyball. We may not be the most lovey, dovey couple, but we are without a doubt best friends! You are the first person I can't wait to tell all my drama or good news to. The shoulder I cry on, the one I laugh with and my everything. I am so thankful for you and our three beautiful, crazy children.

Here's to 8 crazy years, and a million more to go.

I love you!

xoxo

3 months

Layla

11.26.12

This post is a little late because November came and went. It was a whirlwind of FUN visiting family and Mickey Mouse. But in the midst of it all, this little beauty has turned 3 months. She is so sweet, she smiles at everything, giggles out loud, poops like a champion and is beautiful. She makes our little family complete.

Hawaii Theatre

Last Wednesday we took the kids to their very first opera, Cameron's too; The curse of Lao-Ling. It was short and and sweet and very cute.

It was the first time any of us had been to the Hawaii Theatre. A gem nestled in the heart of China-town; glowing with bright lights and immaculate tiled walls and gold trim. The audience was filled with children and they were encouraged to participate. Since the opera only had three people, (yep, 3) every performance they ask for six volunteers from the audience and they teach everyone the songs so we too can participate.

Marcus and Lohena loved it and I was very proud of Cameron for keeping an open mind.

I want to thank my daddy for making it a point to expose us as young children to the arts and wonderful world of music and theatre. I am so grateful that I have been able to experience some great and creative performances like, Fiddler on the roof, Phantom of the Opera, Honolulu Symphony, The Nutcracker, Lion King, front row James Taylor concerts and so much more; and I hope to do the same for my children. Next month we are going to see Wicked and I am so excited!

in my bed

Sweet baby girl. 

She found her way into my bed...again. I am such a zombie.

I remember with Marcus, I woke up and changed him, fed him burped him, rocked him and an hour later finally fell back asleep only to do again a few hours later. 

And now, I have no idea what happens. 

Poor third child. 

xoxo

Look at these squish-er-in--ers.

(Lohena, Layla & Marcus)

Halloween

I know that you have seen pictures of the boys dressed as Spider Man, but I needed to document this. Yes, Cameron is a Giant Nerd; I am a #2 Pencil and baby girl is a Spam Musubi. Until next year...I love Halloween!

Mr. & Mrs. Conway

Layla's first flight 2012

Last weekend, Cameron, Layla and I went on a small weekend getaway to Palm Springs. This was Layla's first trip and a much needed trip for Cameron and I, especially me! Side note, she did awesome!

Anyway, we flew up to see one of Cameron's childhood buddies, Scott get married. Scott was also in our wedding line, and we wouldn't have missed it for the world. It was so nice to be a part of this special occasion and share and enjoy in the love and fun that this couple and their families had to offer. Such a gorgeous bride, wedding and evening.

Me and Layla waiting for the wedding to start.

The gorgeous wedding reception at The Parker.

Cameron and Scott.

Fairy Tale Reception

Cocktail Hour

Adorable favors. 

Yes, I slipped into a pair of slippers as the night went on. And I sat at the Alice in Wonderland Table.

Photo booth fun. 

Although we didn't know anyone there, and I don't know the groom very well, and this was my first time meeting the bride...AND Cameron made me stay at the Holiday Inn (which was the bomb) we had so much fun. It was a small intimate gathering filled with people who obviously loved this couple. 

In this life I hold tight to those few friends who have stuck it out with me throughout the years. Those who have shared tears and laughs, even toys and boys. There is nothing like picking up exactly where you left off, as if time has suspended. Friendships like these are far and few and worth holding dear to the heart. I have met so many great people and cannot wait to see our new, old friends again soon. 

Congratulations and best wishes for a long, love-filled and prosperous marriage!

*I forgot this photo in the original post.

**They are having their first dance to song, "Kiss the Girl" from the Little Mermaid! So stinking cute!