Kohala ranch evening

Kahua Ranch in Kohala equals Heaven on Earth. It's so beautiful! On the 4th of July, Christian's childhood friend got married, so we headed back to the Big Island. These green hills go on for miles! To make it an even more magical place, it's nice and chilly and you can see the coast right down the hill! Average low 70's mid 60's maybe? Night time colder? Christian would know. Anyways, what a perfect place to have your wedding reception.

Bundled up!

Visiting the horses.

This was our firework show! Front row seats. He was great!

Ian and Ambre.


Christian and Tristan watching the slide show. Tristan liked the music so much he had to get down and dance.


Congrats to Ian and Ambre!

16 months

"Mom, I can empty your clothes all over the bed. I can do anything I want".

This post is a little late, but very necessary! I need to recognize my little 16 month old who has changed so much...and to vent a little. Sometimes writing about it all makes me realize that it's not as crazy as I think and I can actually laugh about it. This blog is very therapeutic for me sometimes. :) Anyways, here are some of the 'adorable' things that our little toddler has been up to lately.

• T started climbing out of his crib. It was really scary at nights because we thought he would hurt himself. We weren't sleeping much because we were trying to keep our eye on him. No more 'cry-it-out' naps in the day time because he can just hop right out. I tried setting up the porta-crib thinking that it would be harder for him to jump out, but he was out in less than 2 seconds. (I watch him on the video monitor). He has mastered his escape; he pulls himself up with his arms, throws his legs over the rail, drops his legs and hangs on the outside of the crib, and then plops on the floor. We decided to put him in a toddler bed, which he has taken to nicely and is less frustrated in, but he is now free to roam out of his room when he wants. He ends up in our bed the last stretch of the night, not fun. Hopefully we will get it all figured out soon!
• Now that T is more free, naps in the daytime are even more difficult. Car seat naps and then transfer to his bed is the only way now.
• New words! "uh-oh", "quaker?" (aka Cracker), "mama?", "dada?", "Hiiiii". Everything he says ends in a question.
• The other morning I turned on Fraggle Rock for him, went in the kitchen to make him some breakfast, he followed me and saw what I was doing, then he ran back to watch his morning show. About 2 minutes later I went to bring him his breakfast and he was already sitting in his high chair, sitting straight up, watching his show and waiting for his breakfast. Apparently he can climb into his high chair now.
• He started swim lessons and can now blow bubbles in the water and kick his feet. He loves his swim class!
• He's obsessed with his Dad. I feel like he's a little sick of his Mom, just a little. Dad is WAY more fun!
• Nobody really warned me about terrible ones! He throws awful tantrums now, kind of uncontrollable. He goes limp and screams. Maybe he's teething hardcore, it's always hard to say. Or his lack of sleep is catching up with him!
• He is so high on life and I love it. Curious about everything.

Although frustrated with the boy most of the time, we still can't get enough of him. He seriously is so much fun and so dang cute!

anna's pond... and beyond

Our last day with Courtney on the Big Island, we decided to go for a hike. We headed up to Anna's pond, and we continued on to this other waterfall (I'm going blank on the name, actually, I don't even remember hearing a name)- (that's because it's known as 'the place'...per christian's update). When we got to the falls, we saw some crazy (soon to be nude) people jumping from the rocks. We noticed at the top of the waterfall, there were smaller waterfalls, with little ponds. As tempted as we were to join in with the hippies, we decided to walk over to the ponds on top.

About 1/2 into the hike. It was too green to not stop and take pictures.

Spotting the falls on top.

We found a slide! You can tell by Christian's face that the water was a little chilly. He's so brave!

He slid down several times and loved it. He was the only one that wore his suit, otherwise, the 3 of us would have been more than happy to jump into that ice cold water. wink.

On our way back. I have to admit, my favorite part about hiking is the way back. It's all down hill!

beach 69

While on the Big Island, we went to Beach 69, one of my new favorite beaches over there. The sand has these little tree coves which makes it feel like your own private beach, and also adds a lot of shade! The waves are calm for baby T and there are some semi fun snorkeling spots.

This swing, that is probably not meant for adults (we find that out later) was calling my name.

So I jump on.

As did Courtney (Christian's sister). I convinced Christian to jump on with us as well and that's when it snapped. He landed flat on his back, just as this little girl arrived to get in line to swing. Sad for her. Sad for Christian too! I'm sure it was the combined weight of the 3 of us that did it in.

Tristan just woke up and is trying to process where he is, while snuggling with his Tutu.

Still in the zone.

T dips his feet in the water and lets us know that he's ready to get in!

"Dad, just let go. I can handle this!"

the great outdoors

Like most toddlers, Tristan is most content outside. He could wander around and explore for hours. Two weekends ago we went to the Big Island for a visit and spent most of our time in their great big yard. Tristan could get lost in this yard! My dream is to have a big yard one day, to let this wild animal loose. We have a little yard but since we are higher up in the Valley, our yard slopes, and it's really scary. Tristan plays in it sometimes but I'm always afraid that he's just going to roll right down it and get hurt. Until I get my big yard, we do parks and the beaches.

Picking wild flowers.

Skateboarding with Dad. He is ready and focused.

So happy. Life couldn't get any better than this.

"Dad, you blow my mind! you are so good!!"

Little stinker. You can tell by this picture that he rules our lives.

Playing with Dad.

California highlights

The main purpose of this California trip was to try and be there when Brookie had her baby, so I could meet baby Joaquin, and be there to help them as much as I could. The timing of Joaquin's arrival was perfect. I had about a week to spend with Brookie before her little man came. And a little over a week after to chill with Joaquin. The only problem was that I was sick for part of the time, and so was baby T, so it kind of ruined my plan of bonding with baby J and relieving the tired parents when I could. I did my best. Meanwhile during some down time, T and I tried to keep ourselves busy. Here are some highlights below;

Tristan reunited with baby Ben. This is when they last saw each other.

Tristan modeling in baby Joaquin's clothes. These may be 3 month old jeans? ha ha.

Lots of swim time with Papa.

Being teased by Aunt Chelcie. I think he liked it though.

Cousin love. Reconnecting with cousin Von.

All 4 cousins together. Taking this picture wasn't easy. Von, Addi, and Joaquin were just fine, it was my son that was trying to escape the whole time and wouldn't hold still.

Since T and I were in town, as well as my Grandma, my parents decided to celebrate their Anniversary with everyone! Sad for them but they did just get back from a Cancun trip so they were ok.

Me and Grandma Flo.

Our attempt at getting a picture of all of us out at dinner, minus a few.

We did a few more things that I don't have pictures of, like going to Disneyland with T and a couple of friends. He LOVED it there! It really is a magical place, the only place that can wear him out and make him sleep! I was sad but excited to come home. We missed Christian SOOO much while we were gone. Two and a half weeks is a long time. Thanks for the fun times family. Hurry and find another excuse for us to come back and visit sometime soon!

Baby Joaquin

I don't think I have seen a more beautiful baby! His jet black hair with those perfect lips. He's gorgeous! My sister, Brookie, gave birth to Joaquin Ashton Gonzalez on May 31, 2010. Stats: 7 lbs. 11 oz. - 20 inches long. Brooke was a champ during the delivery. I ALMOST made the cut to be in the room when he was born but Brooke got stage fright last minute and requested only my mom and Mando be in the room, which I totally understand. Brooke and Armando are amazing parents! I just love this little boy and wish that I could have had more cuddle time with him while I was in town, but unfortunately I was sick for half of the time, and Tristan (my little leach) was sick as well. I can't wait to watch him grow! Welcome to the family sweet little Joaquin.

Congratulations Brookie and Mando!

mommy's little helper

So much to catch up on, but for now I will leave you with these two pictures of my little helping hands. I don't think I could bake without them. Many pictures to come from our recent trips!

Sneaky little fingers.