Memorial Day BBQ

For Memorial Day weekend we went to my Aunt Carol's house to BBQ. I left with the kids to get here early and set up the pool so they could play during the day until grandma finished work at two. I can't imagine the torture it would have been for them to wait that long since they were asking to go and swim at 8 when they woke up. So I packed up their bikes, some food, the pool and we headed out. The kids swam for awhile, ate, swam some more, and then Auntie Nomi arrived with Rachel. Rachel picked Sio up and dumped him in the pool, but when he started grabbing onto her and pushing her toward the pool I think she regretted underestimating his strength. He latched onto her leg and kept shoving her so hard backwards she went straight down into the pool. After that he got her a few more times and she threw him a few more too. She must have won his heart because he went and picked her a flower for her ear. After that we ate dinner and roasted marshmallows. Alekisio is a pyromaniac so he and I roasted marshmallows and they had their first taste of smores. Isabelle pretty much just wanted to scrape out the chocolate. I on the other hand didn't realize how long it's been since I've delicious gooey roasted marshmallows.
Moving here for the next year and being separated from Aisea was a really hard decision and we've been reminding ourselves daily why we're making this sacrifice. And although I know hawaii is absolutely beautiful and we miss the ocean my heart feels absolute peace when I see the sun setting on a farm's huge open field surrounded by woods. I truly missed it. I hope everyone enjoyed their family as much as we did ours. And I hope you took a moment to remember the soldiers and their families that make huge sacrifices daily just for us.

There's no place like home!

That's why we took the kids to the zoo. The first thing we did was take the train to the primate building. Of course I forgot we had a camera but we saw some monkeys cleaning each other, chasing each other, and doing nothing. The kids really liked watching the gorilla eat cardboard. Next we went to the dinosaur exhibit which scared Alekisio to death. We told them they weren't real but he wasn't buying it. They moved you know and fake dinosaurs don't move, or spit water at you, which was really hilarious and I got on video but can't figure out how to upload it from my Flip. I think the best part was monkey island. I let Alekisio know he would fit right in so we could leave him there, but he wanted to come home with us.

Soccer Superstar!

Since moving to Grandma's house in Ohio Alekisio was soooo excited to play soccer. He felt so special going to pick out his own cleats, socks, water bottle, and bag. Aside from tennis Alekisio hasn't ever played a sport or participated on a team so I was curious to see how he would do. He had one practice before his first game and I think he did pretty well. He was the first to score a goal and the smile on his face couldn't have been bigger. The best part was right after that when he just missed the goal by about six inches but landed in the goal himself, hitting the post and scraping his arm on the way in. He got his first soccer injury and was so proud. Right after that every time he stole the ball he just kept running in the same direction the ball was going and scored for the other team. I guess we never explained to him about the goals so after a couple times with us screaming, "Turn around!" and an explanation at half time he finally got it. The first time he got the ball after half time we screamed to turn around and he did! After the game he came over with a huge smile on his face and said,"Mommy you yelled to turn around and I did!". There's such pride in his face after he accomplishes something it makes me feel super proud.

last week with daddy