Oahu & Maui - PARADISE

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We enjoyed 10 days in Hawaii. Two days in Oahu with our friends, the Kawaguchis. Then the rest of the time on the beautiful island of Maui with my parents. This is where we LOVE to vacation. Here is why: shave ice, laying out in the sun, warm nights (don't even need a cardigan), spear fishing, great seafood (yes, Haven is eating caviar in one pic!), snorkeling, our condo at the Westin Villas with the heavenly beds, the pirate ship at the resort, fun activities (we tried zip-lining this year!), tropical flowers and trees, shopping in Lahaina, the aloha spirit, wearing our summer clothes three months early, virgin daiquiris (for me), Mai Tais (for Nate), coming back with a tan... paradise.

Valentine's Weekend

We spent Valentine's weekend at my parent's house. Since Kara was with us, the girls headed to Cle-Elum to show our love to mom and dad! It happened to be the weekend of a special education fundraiser - the Father's Daughter's ball (titled, "Heroes and Heartbreakers"). We enjoyed the special event with Dad, or Grandpa Mark, depending on who you ask. Haven danced the night away in her special party dress. I love to dance too, so Haven and I got our groove on together!

Baaaaaa!

A few days ago the girls and I went to the Glidewells house where they just had lambs born next door a week prior. All the kids jumped right into the pen and chased after the lambs in order to get a good "pet". We enjoyed our time visiting the fluffy (and smelly) barn yard friends.

Parker

Parker is a very smiley baby... I think her middle name, Joy, is rubbing off on her! She is crawling now and pulling herself up to a "plank" position - for you yogies out there. She just learned how to click her tongue and likes to give us little musical numbers when she is in her carseat driving to our next destination. I just love her!

We had auntie Kara here last week (Philip's wife) and just LOVED our time spent with her. She took all these amazing pictures and is enjoying success as a photographer in Niceville, FL where they live. Check out her website at: www.flataugraphy.com

Haven

It has become very apparent to me and Nate that Haven embodies everything that is girly and takes her title, "Princess", very seriously. In fact, Nate is already prepping Parker to be more of a tom-boy since Haven lives out the princess role with such gusto. Her outfit seen above is exactly what she put on to play with. She is really into the layered princess look and is creating her own style with everything tool, sparkly and bejeweled.

Girly news...

Haven is constantly talking and figuring life out in every way verbal. She has one pitch - it is high (think Minnie Mouse) and loud. She never stops talking, and I find myself getting so excited for bedtime to come just to experience a quiet house. She enjoys being in control at all times (wonder where she got this from) and I often have to remind her that she is not the mommy. She likes to try to get away with disciplining Parker. "Parker - No! We don't pull hair!"

The other day, I was eating an ice cream cone after a play date at McDonald's. This was after Haven had chosen and eaten her treat - a yogurt parfait. I wasn't going to share since, at this point, we were driving home and I did not want to try passing the ice cream cone back and forth. She then, in her "I am mommy" tone, stated, "Mommy, I am going to tell Jesus that you are not sharing!" Well, at least she knows who the moral authority is... oh, brother.

We just had a 7 month check-up with Parker. I accidentally forgot about our 6 month appointment and had to reschedule. I forget things a lot now... but that is another blog entry. Parker is 15 lbs (20%) and 26 3/4 inches long (72%). She eats three solid meals a day now, and is crawling backwards. She loves to get herself stuck in corners and under furniture. She can push herself up to a sitting position and I am prepared to see her start crawling forward at any point. Nooooo! I feel like I am losing my little baby! Crawling just adds a whole new dimension... wondering if I have the energy for that yet.

Valentine Party!

Haven and I hosted a Valentine's party today. We had lunch and then cleared off the table and made valentines for anyone who likes glitter glue, feathers, heart stickers and lace doilies.

Daddy Time

The girls LOVE spending time with daddy. Haven loves to make forts out of blankets, and Nate is a pro at creating the perfect "rocket ship." They have a blast together and I can't explain what joy it is to see him love and adore his daughters. I guess that is why God gave us two...

Bath time

Both girls love bath time together. Haven can sing her little heart out with an adoring audience - at least at this point since Parker is more interested in getting her mouth around all the bath toys. Such cute faces! =0)

Big Sky, Montana

Wow. Big Sky was an incredible visual experience for me. I couldn't believe how beautiful and clear it was this past weekend. You could see for miles and miles and miles... I was able to hang out with my hubby while he had to attend a orthopedics conference. The girls stayed with Nana and I was free to play and ski for the first time in EIGHT YEARS!! I guess living in Southern California and having babies stalls the ability to hit the slopes. It took a day to feel comfortable on those two long sticks again, and the second day I was whizzing down the hill without fear or thought of breaking my legs. Nate, of course, snowboards like a pro. He was very patient with my constant switchbacks down everything green and easy (I did manage one blue run by the end). I loved it. We already have decided to take Haven next year and get her on the slopes when she is 4. I swear everyone shorter and younger than me were beating me down all the hills. Not fair... but so cute!

If you click on the title of this blog post ("Big Sky, Montana"), it will take you to Big Sky Resort home page.