Well, at the rate I am going, I’ll be blogging about the Big Island until summertime. Life goes on, however, and I don’t want to miss recording some of the more recent happenings.

While we were in Hawaii, the long-awaited Citrus Ranch Park opened up down the street from us. We had passed by the previously fenced off park many times on the way to and from my parents’ house. So, when I told k we could go to the park now, she said, “the one with the yellow footballs?” Um, I wasn’t too sure what she was talking about.

When we arrived at the park, she immediately pointed out the yellow footballs…

Ohhh…yes, lemons!

Yesterday we re-installed k’s old carseat so that n can face forward. I think he liked the new view.

For dinner we went to El Pollo Loco. Turns out that n really likes their chicken! It was the first time he really seemed to enjoy his food. We also tried the new steak tacos, which were pretty good. I liked that the tortillas were grilled. After dinner, D wanted to get something from the in-house Fosters Freeze. I left it up to him as to what to order. This is what he came back with:

This is a “large” cone, and it ended up feeding four people!

Of course, k liked eating the chocolate and ice cream (not the cone).

k sportin’ her new bob haircut.

Once the chocolate was gone, n wanted in on the action too.

He also liked the cone at the end.

It was pretty comical to watch us passing the ice cream cone between the four of us.

Cal Football – 7 straight bowl games
Cal Basketball – 2 straight NCAA tournament appearances
Hoosier Football – 0 (last bowl game 2007)
Hoosier Basketball – 0 (last NCAA tournament appearance 2008)

Cal is on its way up with Tedford and Montgomery. Next year’s basketball team might not be that great since there are four starters leaving; however I wouldn’t count out Montgomery. We’ll see about the quarterback play for Cal next year!

I’m still waiting for Hoosier Basketball to turn around. Maybe next year.

One of the most difficult parts of traveling with kids is getting around with all of the STUFF that you need. When I found out that United charges $25 each way for your FIRST checked bag, my first reaction was “forget that!” So, I was determined to pack only carry-ons for our week long vacation. People thought we were crazy (*ahem*–D’s co-workers), but I knew we could do it since 1. we had access to a washer/dryer and 2. we didn’t have to worry about carseats, strollers and pack and plays because D’s parents generously provided everything (a lot of it was saved from the first time we visited, when k was 10 months old). D did his part by only bringing about 3 t-shirts and his ubiquitous khaki cargo shorts. Also, since k had her own seat, we were allowed to bring two carry-ons for her, too. Only problem being that she is too small to actually carry said bags on, plus n still needs to be carried. We managed, though, with D rolling our 2 roller bags, plus a backpack, and duffel, and me carrying n, my purse, and another small carry-on. Luckily, k is pretty good about following us, and not running away, so she was fine walking by herself.

No checking in bags for us!

Waiting in LAX.

The kids were as good as I could have hoped for on the plane ride there. At one point all 4 of us were asleep! The food offered (for purchase only) was pretty sad. I miss Aloha Airlines.

After settling in, we walked the grounds of the Mauna Lani, where we were staying. There are nice pathways connecting the condo to the beach and hotel.

Lava Tubes

Interesting trees

k unsure of the water.

Turtle on the beach.

n taking his afternoon nap.

The Mauna Lani Hotel.

Love these colorful chairs in the lobby.

After our walk we took a dip in the pool, but it was kind of cold. k was still unsure about being in the water. Recognize the floatie?

k was about the same age as n is now during our first trip to the Big Island. Amazing to see how much she has grown.

D’s parents made us HUGE steaks for dinner and we were ready for bed!

According to Wikipedia, “Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value.” Last weekend I “upcycled” a pair of D’s old boxers into a sleeping mask. D was quite hesitant about the whole thing. While I was sewing, he asked if it was some sort of cruel joke. Nope, I was serious (even though I was laughing during the whole process!)

It all started several months ago when D somehow managed to get a big rip in his boxers. He wanted to throw them away, but I saw potential in the fabric so I saved them (after washing them a final time, of course). It’s hard to find fabrics that are guy-friendly at the fabric store. Anyway, I made a checkbook cover out of part of it, but there was still a lot left over, so back in my fabric stash it went.

Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago, when I noticed that D started to cover his face with a blanket or pillow so he could go to sleep while I was still reading in bed. I told him he needed a sleep mask, and surprisingly, he agreed. I thought I could make him one, but out of what kind of fabric? It had to be manly enough, as manly as a sleep mask could be, that is. Then it hit me…his leftover boxer fabric! Yes!

I lined the backside with some scrap fleece that I had left over from my mom. I even used the elastic from the waistband of the boxers for the headband part, so I didn’t have to buy any new materials. Upcycling at its finest. 🙂

Last night Santa stopped in our neighborhood, and he was announced by sirens and a bullhorn. Quite exciting, although k said she was scared of “the white thing”–(Santa’s beard).

n enjoyed the candy cane Santa handed out. Well, at least he enjoyed chewing on the plastic wrapper on the outside of the candy cane since he’s too young.

I made a Christmas tree for k’s dollhouse. I have many more ideas for her dollhouse swirling around in my head, if only I had the time.

Last weekend I was able to complete my set of Tokidoki Yogurtland spoons.

Still working on my state quarter set, though. Two more to go, I think. There is something so satisfying about having a complete set of something.

Saturday morning we hosted 40+ people in our home for k’s 3rd birthday party. The theme was “breakfast” and we invited people to come in their pjs. Unfortunately, it was raining, but everyone made it. We had egg casserole, scrambled eggs, mini pigs in a blanket, turkey sausage, yogurt parfaits, mini muffins, mini quiches and made to order pancakes. I sewed up some favor bags out of a cute flannel print I found at Joann’s that had eggs, coffee, toast, etc. Some of the kids made necklaces out of Froot Loops and Honeycomb cereal. The finale was a “cake” made out of mini krispy kreme donuts. k seemed kind of overwhelmed and was quiet throughout the party. She did blow out her own candles, though. Once everyone left, she was running around and yelling…she has quite the split personality.

I loved being indoors today during our first big rainfall. k says she likes it better rainy rather than sunny.

This year I made stockings for each family member. The plan is to add a little “flair” each year to make them more personalized. We don’t have a mantel, so I made do with Command hooks on our Expedit. Stocking stuffers are my favorite type of gifts to buy. Actually, Command hooks would make good stocking stuffers!

k knows which one is hers.

k’s newest ornament from Uncle & Auntie: Hello Kitty as snowman. Too cute. Maybe she should have an HK collection. I think my collection of penguin ornaments has reached completion. When I started, penguins were hard to come by, but now they are everywhere, so the fun of the “hunt” is not there anymore. I am thinking my next collection will be food/kitchen themed ornaments.

Funny comment by k: After tasting a spoonful of my straight-from-the-can Campbell’s tomato soup, “Mommy, you’re a good cooker!”

Yesterday we had some help in putting up our first Christmas tree as a family. Before, our place didn’t really have room, and I thought k would just knock it down. Now we have to worry about n, I guess, but I don’t want k to miss out now that she is more cognizant of Christmas.

One nice thing about vaulted ceilings is that you can accomodate a tall tree!

Once a year, around Oct.-Nov., I have a craving for pumpkin cheesecake. This definitely fulfilled that craving!

Tonight we had our first Advent family devotional. Still need to work on Advent calendar activities.

This morning we hosted a Kodak “house party” via houseparty.com. I basically just used it as an excuse to get together with some friends, but we were able to make a free photobook, mug, card and prints for free, too. We also passed out 40% off coupons to our guests, so hopefully that will be useful too.

Here is our display table. I sewed a bedsheet cover for our cardtable for a playhouse for k, and just used it as the tablcloth.

Our simple spread of food. There was also puff pastry appetizers from Costco that aren’t shown, as well as a crockpot of pumpkin spice latte.

Each guest went home with a mini loaf of pumpkin coconut bread. I guess pumpkin was the food theme, since I also made pumpkin cream cheese.

We need to have people over regularly…it really motivated us to clean up!

On Friday night we started a family tradition of watching the Peanuts Halloween Special while drinking hot chocolate. k’s questions during the show were so funny…”Is that a boy or a girl?” (re: all of the characters); “Why are they wearing towels on their heads?” (re: everyone dressed up as ghosts); “Why is that girl yelling? That’s not nice.” (re: Sally yelling at Linus about missing out on the Tricks or Treats). Can’t wait for her to watch the Thanksgiving and Christmas specials, which are even better.

Saturday night we went to our church’s annual Harvest Festival. k dressed up as Little Red Riding Hood again because the lovely cape that my mom knitted still fit, and was worth another year’s use. n had an easy outfit too–a baseball uniform sleeper that was given to him as a gift. D wore his Cheerios shirt. I’m not into dressing up, so I just wore black.

Don’t you love how our kids are looking in opposite directions, neither one at the camera? k actually got quite upset right before this picture was taken. Maybe there were too many people? She wasn’t too thrilled with the first few games, but she gradually warmed up. She surprised me by landing a couple rings on the lollipop toss, throwing some bean bags into a clown’s mouth, and squirting a boat with a water gun. She was also into picking out her candy prizes, although she was probably more excited about the non-candy prizes, such as a glow bracelet, and mini beach ball.

“Meet the Pastor” booth. Welcome back from sabbatical, Pastor Ted!

We skipped the dinner because our local real estate agent hosted another pizza party at the community pool. We did buy a boba, though.

k had some popcorn. There was also shaved ice.

k’s never had cotton candy before, so I thought we would let her try it this time.

She’s not a fan.

When we came home, we saw some trick-or-treaters, so I thought we could take k to a couple of houses. We went to one, and they had run out of candy. Then we went to one more, k picked a couple of pieces, and we went home. I think it was just too late. No one rang our doorbell after we came home, either. Time to start thinking about next year’s costumes!