Summer is Here!

Thursday was Matt's last day at Ilima, ever. A sad thought that we no longer have ties (except for our friends that still work there so we can keep up with all the drama) to the place where we began dating and worked together for 5 years. It is a new chapter and it will be interesting with both Matt and I starting off at new schools in the fall but we have two months to forget about that so we will enjoy summer to the fullest in the meantime.

We kicked off the summer with a bang, We had a busy but fun weekend.

Thursday night after we put the kids down for bed, I me the girls for coffee and a late showing of Sex in the City. It was fun to see the movie but a bittersweet last get together before some of the girls left the island:(.

Friday we went to the waterpark and came home for a quick nap before heading over to the Hoffmans and a final farewell to Mel.

Auntie Mel with Kaela and Abby



Zack's water attire:)


Saturday we hung out around the house in the morning and headed downtown ( for the 3rd time this week) to pick up my computer finally. We decided to try and take the kids to dinner again and ended up having a great dinner at Bucca Di Beppo. Abby loves pasta and there are tons of things to look at there and keep her entertained.


Sunday we decided that we were going to head to the beach at about 8:15 and were out of the house by 8:45. We met up with the MacDonalds to spend their last day with them at Ko'Olina. We ended up staying all day and having a blast. We palyed at the beach in the morning and headed to the pool in the afternoon. Abby and Matt spent many hours in the water and Zack slept a good portion fo the day but he made it into the pool for a bit and loved it. I had lots of time to basque int he sun which was great but I fogot sunblock on my back and have a burn that resmebles one from my summer days in Del Mar when I was 14. I have no excuse but stupidity!

Zack's beach tent


Aloha Claudia & Leevi:(


It is Memorial Day and both kids and Matt are asleep. Ahh peace and quiet:).

Aloha Party

It is that bittersweet time of year again. The end of the school year, which means it is time for summer (YEAH!) but unfortunately that always means we have to say aloha to more friends. This year seems to be a mass exodus! With the Stampfers and MacDonalds leaving plus Melanie and Chris and Kristen we are losing 12 amazing people that have all been such a huge part of our lives out here. Our Hawaiian ohana has become and amazing network of friendship, support and has become a family that we will always cherish. Of course, we will miss them all greatly but now we just have more palces to travel and visit. Germany, New York, PA and Big Island here we come!

We got a great group shot...46 people.
One of the Ladies



Some family pictures



Playing in the sandZack is a chick magnet! The girls can't get enough of him.

Mark, Gavin, Matt and Abby out on the Kayak

Heidi calling up the girls who are leaving:(

Ko'Olina Picnic

With our great friends leaving the islands so soon we are trying to squeeze in every last but of quality time we can before they head out. Friday afternoon I packed up the kids and headed to meet Matt and the crew at the beach for some afternoon beach time and an evening picnic.

It was a nice afternoon and the kids got to run around, which meant all of the adults got their exercise, too.

Here are some random pictures from the week of the kids playing.

Abby reminds me of a little Mexican girl here begging for money with her purse from Grandma and Grandpa.

Zack wide-eyed:)
Abby carrying Elmo like mommy carries Zack

Smiling

Zack is starting to smile here and there. Of course I missed the best ones by the time I grabbed my camera but I caught a glimpse of one. He is getting bigger every day and becoming more and more aware of his surroundings.

The Last Few Days of The Martin's Visit

Saying goodbye for nowMother's Day
Hanging out on the steps that Matt made for Jack to climb in and out of the canal
Dinner on the deck

Big Sister, Little Brother

Some cute shots of the munchkins.

Abby and Zack at 1 Month

A lot of people have been asking me about comparisons between the kiddos. I looked back at Abby's stats from her 1 month visit and she was 22 inches long and 8 pounds 6 ounces. She is 2 inches shorter and almost 2 pounds lighter than Zack at the same age so I can't explain why she looks so much bigger.

Zack's 1 Month Doctor's Appointment

We had Zack's one month appointment today. He is a healthy and tough little boy. He cried for all of 10 seconds when he got his shot and then nuzzled in his daddy's neck and that was it. On the way out the nurse said, "He is awfully quiet for getting a shot."

Zack weighed in at 10 pounds 4 ounces (It makes the endless nursing sessions worthwhile when your little one is healthy!) and is 23 5/8 inches long, which the docotor said was really long. We were kind of surprised to have a long/ tall baby since we aren't the tallest people but the doctor said that growth in the first 6 months are relative to how much he is getting to eat and genetics kick in after that.

Date Night

Matt and I got our first date night since Zack was born. We left both kids with Grandma and Grandpa Martin and headed downtown for First Friday- a monthly event where they opened the art galleries and lots of people walk around. I got to wear earrings since no toddlers would be around to pull on them and carry a purse since no diapers were needed! our first stop was Indigo's for martinis first and really enjoyed the new Espresso martini! We ran into Melanie and Shelly and got to hang out with them and catch up which was great.

Happy Mother's Day

Becoming a mom has given me a much deeper respect and appreciation of all that my mom did for Andy and I growing up and all that she continues to do. I am very thankful to have an amazing mom who has set an outstanding example of how to live and love. Happy mother's day, mom. I love you! Here are some of my favorites pictures of life over the years that remind me of the many lessons you have taught me.

Your kids will imitate you for better or worse so set a great example..and you did:)

Play hard with the family and trying new things together. What a great trip! The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree...I can't count how many times we have dressed the same:)


Get involved in your kids' lives..this is the year you took a sabbatical and were
PTA president
LOVE:)
Travel the world and try new things
Keep working at relationships especially when they are hard. Oh the teen years...I am sorry!!!

Stay active
Appreciate people for who they are..you are so kind and open to everyone you meet

Laugh often

Make the most of the time you have