Sunday Best

It is so fun to have a girl to dress up on Easter morning! I love bows, patent leather shoes, matching hats and hair accessories, white purses and tights... maybe this is why God gave me a girl. However, I often need to remind myself that Easter isn't about all of the above, or the delicious chocolates and sugar coated goodies we like to pass around. We celebrate Easter to remember and honor what Christ did for us on Easter day.... gave us eternal life!! An amazing gift that means more to me than frilly dresses each year. Something I hope Haven will also come to know and understand as each Easter passes...

Teeth!

As you can see, Haven is showing you her new teeth. She now has two on top and four on the bottom. However, her top two side or "eye" teeth are about to push through any day! Haven will be glad to show you her teeth while proudly saying, "teeeese" , which of course, is her word for teeth. She can also successfully manage to pronounce the following: cheese, keys, please, all done, hi, ball, ba-ba (bottle/cup), on, off, mama, dada, papa, GG (grandma Gayle), nana, and continues to use her sign language as a means of expression and communication as well. We were in the clinic this last week for a 15 month check-up and she still hasn't reached the 20 pound bench mark, weighing in at just 19 pounds, 13 ounces still. She is now 31 inches in length. Haven is very active, strong and always has to have something to occupy her little hands and mind. She definitely keeps me on my toes!!

Easter Morning....

Haven found TWO Easter baskets waiting for her this morning! She is so fortunate to have two loving grandmas, uh, I mean, Easter bunnies that love and spoil her!

Hard boiled egg

Haven cracking, peeling and tasting her first hard boiled Easter egg!

Easter Hunt!

This weekend we celebrated Easter with my family, who drove from Cle Elum, Wa (parents) and Havre, Mt (grandparents). We all enjoyed watching Haven run around the yard on Saturday picking up her Easter eggs that were filled with a one or two jelly beans or M&Ms. She quickly learned that the ones that rattled, had goodies inside!! It was such a beautiful weekend in Missoula - we really lucked out on the sunny, warm weather!

The Kawaguchi Family

Before heading over to Maui, Nate and I were able to stay one night with Tony, Beritt, Noah, and Maia Kawaguchi - our good friends whom we first met in California, but are now living on Oahu after being called to start a church plant there. They are doing great and are packing up to move into a new home right across from the beach. I can't wait for our next visit!

Whale Watching!

Seeing the humpback whale up close and personal was incredible and literally, breath taking! We were fortunate to see a few breaching (jumping out of the water) as well as a few frolicking mothers and their calfs. The mothers are nursing their babies for the long and cold journey up to Alaska where they will feed and accumulate fat storage for their journey back to the warm Hawaii waters.

Luau at the Feast of Lei Lei

When in Hawaii, one must attend a Luau. We really did enjoy our ocean side table with an incredible view of the ocean. There were six courses of food: each reflecting the variety of Polynesian cultures represented in Hawaii. Each food course was accompanied with performers presenting the song and dance of the specific culture. It was very entertaining!

Biking down Haleakala - Maui's Volcano

We woke up at 2:30 am to experience sunrise at Haleakala National Park. We were at the very top of Haleakala crater - Maui's largest volcano - and then preceded to bike downhill with a group of 10 other tourists. It is spectacular to be above cloud level while watching the sun slowly creep above the horizon to reveal Maui with vibrant light.

The Hunters

Ever since Nate went spear fishing with a local Hawaiian three years ago, he just can't wait to jump in with his snorkel and spear fishing gear to see what he can nail. This year, both Nate and Matt really outdid themselves by spearing a spotted eel. This thing was UGLY and STINKY! And of course they became local celebrities at the hotel since everyone wanted to get a picture with the guys who speared the eel. Kamille and I were content to just snorkel and look at the fish rather than shoot at them.

Nate's Surprise...

I have such a great husband! Nate sent me on a scavenger hunt beginning with the Hotel pool-side server and ending at the concierge with a variety of messages and instructions. I finally ended up at the beach where he was waiting beside a little mound of sand where I was told to dig (instructions that were given in his final note). What I found were a pair of diamond studs! Ever since we were married I have been telling him that the next nice piece of jewelry I would like would be some diamond earrings... every girl needs a good STUD. hee... hee... hee...

Maui Wowie! We love it here!

Nate and I were able to be fancy free in Maui for last week (3/7 - 3/14) with our dear friends - Matt and Kamille Bayless. We were all able to enjoy the sights, the great weather and the fun fellowship kid-free thanks to some fabulous grandparents. We were all ready to leave the cold, winter weather of Montana and Indiana to wear our shades while cruizing in the Jeep. FREEDOM! =0)

Discipline already?!

We are currently in the middle of teaching Haven the meaning of "NO" and following it up with a small squeeze or pinch on the arm if she decides not to listen. She is beginning to test boundaries and see if mom and dad are serious about the "NO" thing. Currently, she enjoys screaming at random times (especially in stores and public places) and dropping food off her high chair. Nate and I try to remain consistent and tough... but I am sure there are a few books I need to be reading about this discipline stuff!!

Fun in the sun on the Cali coast

Haven was lucky enough to spend an afternoon at Newport Beach with Nana and Great Auntie Dea. From what I was told, she wasn't too fond of sand between her toes or waves chasing her...