Mele Kalikimaka

Mele Kalikimaka.... Hawaiian Style Christmas was so fun.  The kids, parents, grandparents, auntie etc. all had a blast going to the beach and the pool every single day.  Being that the kids only left the condo complex 5 times in 12 days, I would say the trip was a huge success.  We are so fortunate and grateful that my parents have their place on Maui and open the doors to all of us. 

 Nora met several new friends.  One of their favorite past times was searching for crabs.  She is holding one above (it's dead, don't worry).  They did catch several live crabs but released them.



Haleakala Crater



 Got sand?

 Two of the nights, we had a bonfire on the beach-so fun!

 Pete attempting the sand board....

Clearly I haven't posted in awhile...How come my photos are not the correct way?

Oh boy! I have been a royal slacker...

Oh boy… Do I have some catching up to do! For the past several months, I have been trying to wrap my head around updating the blog. It has been so intimidating due to the lack of posts I have done since Henry was born. Boy, do I feel guilty about the lack of posts… Anyway, I made the decision to make a quick update post and not worry about catching up as that has been my biggest deterrent in updating the blog.
We have been busy as all get up just like the rest of you. The kids are growing up far too fast. The enjoyment they bring to our lives is unexplainable. Nora is still a fun loving 4 year old (sniff, sniff, she will be 5 in less than 3 weeks). She enjoys Kanani (her American Girl Doll) the most out of anything she has. She tucks her in for bed each night, has Kanani join us for dinner and plays with us. The outfits are a fun thing for her too… her mixing and matching abilities need some improvement but she sure knows how to dress her. Nora is still in dance and loves it; especially the social piece with her girlfriends. Sunday school is also a big enjoyment for her. She remains in swimming and can pretty much swim on her own now. Pete has been taking her on Monday’s so unfortunately, I have not been able to see her progression as much as I would like to. She is moving to Friday’s next session so I can get caught up on that element of her life. Nora is a social butterfly and a loving and funny girl. We are so fortunate to have her in our lives.
Hank… How is Henry/Hank 17 months today? Where did the time go? He has been walking since 12.5 months and now is pretty much running. His first word we thought was Nora (ora) but I think in all honesty it was ball which was muttered around age 1… Of course mama and dada were said a little bit before that but ball or ora was first. He can say: no, ball, hi, pee ew, co co (for Chloe), down, up, uh oh, that (with a point of a finger), Bumpa, num num (for food) and a few others that escape me at this moment. He thoroughly enjoys emptying out drawers, mainly the Tupperware drawer but my makeup drawer and the junk drawer have been emptied a time or two. The love he has for Nora amazes me. He hugs her the minute they see each other in the morning and kisses her with a “muah.” His face lights up when he sees her. She is fairly smitten over the big guy too. Speaking of which, he is 24 pounds and Nora is 31 pounds…hmmm boys are bigger than girls! Henry is a total flirt and will go up to anyone and say “hi” and give them a cheesy smile. Henry also loves his shoes and everyone else’s shoes… He has an arm on him too. He throws with his left hand and can launch a sippy cup across the kitchen-watch out!
Well, that is a miniscule update and snap shot to our lives. A few pictures are below but not nearly enough.

Bringing in the New Year with some of the neighbor kids

Christmas...

OOPS, I forgot to mention that Nora had to have her 2 front teeth pulled out on December 8th due to the trauma of 2 face plants between ages 1 and 2. She was a trooper and the Tooth Fairy rocked it. Mirabella and Nora brushing their teeth at a sleepover.

Moments before the removal of her teeth

Chanhassen Tree Lighting

Thanksgiving 2011

Halloween 2011. N and H went as Annie and Daddy Warbucks

Chanhassen Fire Department

Nona surprised the kids on Christmas morning

Hula Girl

Hula Girl, February 20, 2003 – October 1, 2011

“God needed Hula Girl’s help so he took her to heaven.“ Nora, age 4, October 1, 2011.

It has been over two weeks since Hula Girl’s death and I am still struggling to put anything into words about her life and about her last days with us. The content below is not the most grammatically correct or in the order in should be… the words are my thoughts as they have come to me.

On my April 16, 2003, my 27th birthday, Hula Girl became part of our family. When I came home from work, there was “spot shot” sitting on the kitchen counter and the cutest and sweetest little golden retriever sitting outside with a pink and purple bow around her neck. Pete brought home the golden retriever puppy I had wanted for so long, Hula Girl. Not only did I get my puppy but Chloe got a little sister. Pete and I were instantly in love with Hula. Chloe on the other hand, enjoyed her at first but after a few hours gave us a look like “when is she going home? She is really annoying.” Those feelings quickly changed and Chloe and Hula became the best of friends, despite the fact that they both had very different personalities.
Hula Girl was carefree. She just wanted you to be sure to let her know when the party started so she could be there when it started and to stay until the very end. That was the case up to her passing when she was lying on the floor in our family room with the kids laughing and playing around her. Hula loved to be part of everything. At dinner she would lay on the floor beneath our feet just in case something happened to drop her way. At the lake, she would be where the action was. When she wasn’t with the action, she could be found down at the lake and she would look up from the dock to the deck and give us a look like “seriously guys, its’ flipping amazing down here, get down here and play.” Hula preferred to plop into the water rather than jump for a ball or other toy thrown out for her. Chloe always beat her to retrieve whatever item was tossed unless Pete held Chloe back. However, Hula usually came back on the dock with the toy in her mouth acting like she retrieved it as she would steal the toy from Chloe after Chloe made it close to the dock. Entering our house was always fun. Hula would come to the door with a “present” for us. At first she would bring my underwear or bras but that changed once we had kids, she then would bring dolls, shoes, chewed up diapers, toys-just about anything to get someone excited about what she had. Once you grabbed it from her, she would gnaw on our arms. She did this for our guests too. It was her “hi, how are you? Want to play? Hang out?” Hula really was low maintenance despite having to pluck her eyelashes from time to time, bringing her to the vet for attempting to eat a wasp nest or having ACL surgery. She was the perfect golden retriever. As Pete said after she passed, “she died with dignity and grace just like she always had.” Hula was always my “protector” even 2 days before she passed when another golden, Marley was in our driveway and wanted my attention…. If she thought any person or dog was going to interfere with our relationship or if she thought someone may be getting too close to me, she would growl at them and show her teeth. It was a sweet trait but one we were concerned with when we brought Nora home from the hospital. Fortunately, Hula took on double duty and protected both of us. There were times when Nora was a baby that Hula would growl at the person holding her or getting to close to her. Speaking of babies, when I was pregnant with both kids, Hula (Chloe too) would lay her head on my stomach and just listen to the kids. It is a feeling that I will never forget. Hula also enjoyed lying on our driveway while the kids played. It brought such joy to her to watch them have fun and to enjoy the weather even if it was blazing hot or freezing cold. I hear chipmunks in the morning when I let Chloe out now and it reminds me so much of Hula. She would chase the chippies out of our yard and our garage, she would trap them in our hose reel and sit by the reel and bark and whine until the little victim would brave an exit. There are so many delightful memories that I could share. My eyes just get too filled with tears to write anymore.

Hula Girl’s life was cut far too short. She was 8 years old when she passed. I can still smell the scent of her hair and feel her soft coat going through my fingers. I still can feel her squishy lips being squished by me. The scent of her head and the soft fur on her head that I would rub my face into each day is the part I miss most. It was the last embrace we had, me laying on the floor next to her nuzzling my face on to her head and telling her it was ok to go, telling her how much I loved her, thanking her for being the dog she was, loving our family and teaching me that unconditional love is for real. As much as her death was far too quick and she was way too young, I am forever grateful that she did not have to suffer. When I am old and gray and ready to go to heaven’s gates, I will await Hula running to me so I can kiss her head again.