Hannah-Lulu Luau

Hannah is one! This is her own 'smash' cake made by her Mommy.

She is such a talented and wonderful momma.

We are so happy to have been able to share in Hannah's first birthday luau.

Thanks for sharing your wonderful day with us all.

Lots of wonderful traditional food made by her Mommy & Daddy.

Family, friends and lots of fun.

Pretty Pineapple Princess
Can't wait to watch you grow up into a beautiful young woman.

Did you hear the "Good News"

Beary exciting news around these parts...

We won a CHBC Good News Bear!

We made a donation to the local food bank this year and our names were drawn to win on these beautifully hand crafted custom bears.

His name is Gus the bus driver and he is as cute as a button, just like his new owner, Jackson.

Jackson is seen here chatting up Mr. Mike Roberts, the CHBC weatherman. Maybe a future career in television???

A'Maze'ing Pumpkin Kinda Weekend

It started as a foggy, dreary autumn day with a crisp bite in the air....

Just the most perfect kind of weather for a harvest adventure in Smalliver!

After a delicious breakfast made by Daddy, crisp bacon and warm French toast smothered in maple syrup, we bundled up, put on the boots and headed to our local corn maze. If you have never been to Covert's farm for the maze, you are missing out on some awesome family fun.

Scott and I did not know what to expect as neither of us had remembered ever going to a corn maze. It's more of a treasure hunt than just traipsing around in some muddy corn fields. There is a whole game you play as you wander around the fields and Jackson, Scott and I had an a'maze'ing time. I won't spoil the surprise in case you decide to go. They have some other great play areas for the kids as well as the cute little cafe/coffee shop. Really worth a few hours on a lazy weekend.

Then it was off to Reid's to pick out our Halloween pumpkins. We went with the intention of only getting two, but came away with five. It's hard to narrow it down to only two when there are just so many that you want to take home.

And once they were home, Scott & Jackson set to digging into the big guy to give him a little personality. The laughs and giggles of the day make the memories we will carry with us long after the pictures have faded. Thanks for sharing in our Happy Harvest Day!

Crazy about George and Playmobil

Jackson's most recent obsessions over the last month have been Curious George and Playmobil.

I must admit that I don't mind that mischievous monkey so much as he's cute and always minds his manners. And our Netflix has a few seasons now so we rarely watch a repeat.

And now that he has his own Playmobil catalog, that is his preferred reading material. Forget the Sears Wishbook when this little book has all his Santa list in a tidy little package. I'm sure that I will be needing some tape for a few favourite pages any day now. PS please ask 'Santa's helpers' if you are thinking of getting any Playmobil for Jackson as there is already an order in with the Big Jolly Guy for under the tree.

Of course you never know that he could be into by next month...

Snorkeling for Treasure

All those swimming lessons this summer sure paid off.

Jackson loved to be in the water. No fear of putting his face in time and time again.

He found the mask great for finding his 'treasure' sticks in the water and no saltwater in the eyes.

With a little more practice on the snorkel breathing we should be diving by our next visit to Hawaii with Daddy.

'Firsts' Hawaiian Style

Although it was Jackson's second trip to Oahu, Hawaii, he and Mommy did experience some new 'firsts'. Including our first vacation without Daddy :(

But lots of exciting firsts too!

Like...

Our first vacation with Baby Cousin Hannah, Aunty Joy & Uncle Scott.

Jackson's newest nickname for his cousin...Hannah-lulu!

He was pretty proud of himself for that one!

Jackson-style surfing on his little blue boogie board.

Gotta catch your waves quick, they can be something fierce!

Shave Ice from one of the best little kept secrets on the island.

So 'ono' it 'broke da mouth'.

Getting a little snorkeling in at the Ko'Olina lagoons.

We love the man-made lagoons without all the wicked waves for the little swimmers.

Petting our first goat at the Keiki Zoo in Honolulu.

He said it was a little rough and scratchy.

Watching all the cute hula dancers at the Dole Planation Family Day Celebration.

Mmmm....Dole Whip Pineapple Ice Cream!

Making our first 'sand-angel'.

We'll be making snow ones in just a couple of months at home!

And visiting with all the little geckos in our yard and around the neighbourhood.

Lots of great visits with the ohana in our little beach house rental in Ewa Beach.

Look at all the local yummy sweets; Hupia Chocolate Cake, Lilikoi Cream Pie & Strawberry Cream Pie.

Sorry that Daddy wasn't able to join us after all that planning, but schoolwork comes first.

And so many fun memories to share when we got back home.

Growing Pains

Jackson has been a biking machine. He only just received a two wheeler bike from his cousin, Travis just over a week ago and he has practicing almost every day since. We have gone over all the precautionary rules of safety for Mommy's peace of mind; always wear your helmet, how to slow down/stop and keep your head up and looking forward to see what's coming at you. The last one needs to be reminded constantly as he has a tendency to be easily distracted while cycling (not unlike his Mommy).

Not really sure of this thing called balance to which we keep referring, but it will come. As you may notice, he is definitely in the training wheel stage. But that doesn't stop our little daredevil from wanting to try to ride off the end of a ramp or down a dirt bike hill.

He's our fearless little toughie who's not afraid of falls and scraps. Each tumble results in a quick bounce up followed by 'I'm good' and back on he goes. Mommy on the other hand, waits with her breath held, biting her tongue while he slowing grows up before my very eyes. It's so hard to release him and let him have that space to explore his boundaries but still want to keep him safe and sound without smothering. Oh, the lessons we are both learning during these growing pains...