Happy Birthday Benji!!!

Last week was Benji's birthday. He turned 7. I can't believe how big all of my kids are getting. Benji is one of a kind. He has the best sense of humor and fills our home with much laughter. We love having him as part of our family. We are so proud of him. We love you Benji and hope you have many more happy birthdays!!!

Ok ok so my art work is not as good as my husbands. Matt was on a business trip for Benji's birthday so I was on my own with this cake. For those of you who might recognize it as the Baku bowl I think I did an ok job. At least Benji liked it.

Benji wanted to go golfing for his birthday so before Matt left he took him golfing. I wish that I had pictures to show you , but they didn't take the camera. Benji said that the best part about golfing that day was that dad let him drive the cart.

Kahana Bay -- Kayaking

There is a great little beach about 1 mile from Matt's parents house called Kahana Bay. It is a great place to take families. It is a bay so the waves are not that rough, but rough enough to enjoy many activities such as kayaking, surfing, boogie boarding. All of which we did in the two days that we spent there. It stays shallow for quite a while so the kids can play. One of the things that we did is kayak. It is a blast.

This is a picture of Mati and two of my nieces, Allie and Libby. They decided to play it save and kayak on land.


There is a great lazy river that flows into the ocean. We started kayaking there to get the hang of it. It is very smooth and not too deep. This is Mati waiting for Matt to get in so they can sail away.


Matt's dad showing Brendan how to do the paddling all by himself.

Matt and I were finally ready to brave the ocean waves.

Matilyn wanted to brave the waves too.

We had a great time. There was only once that the kayak actually flipped over. Unfortuately it was when Matilyn was in the kayak with Matt, but that didn't stop her from going again. I will post more pictures of the other activities that we did at Kahana Bay in later posts.

Happy Birthday Brendan!!!

Brendan turned ten this week. Nothing like the birthday of one of your children to make you sit and dwell on the years that have past you by. It seems just like yesterday that he was born. Brendan is turning into such a fine young man. We are very proud of the things that he is doing and the choices that he is making. We love you Brendan and hope you have many many many more happy birthdays!!!


Our kids always get to choose what kind of cake they want. We have done everything from Snow White to Harry Potter and everything in between. Brendan let us off the hook this year by choosing a theme for his cake that made his cake the easiest one we have ever done. He wanted the LA Galaxay's soccer field. For those of you who didn't know, Brendan loves the LA Galaxy.


This is a look at the gifts and cards before they were opened. Thank you to all of our family and friends who were thinking of him on this day. He got some amazing gifts. Everything was Brendan to a tee.


This was the gift that he wanted most. The one and only Ripstick G. He has already got the hang of it. It has pretty much replaced his bike as his mode of transportation.

Hawaii -- Waikiki

We just got back from a fabulous family reunion/vacation in Hawaii. Matt's parents have lived in Hawaii now for about 13 years and although we have gone over there as seperate family units several times this is the first time the entire family has been there together, all 27 of us.

We were there for a total of two weeks and it was absolutely wonderful. We had a great time. We did a ton of fun stuff. I will post pictures of the trip in sections so as not to bore you with the 500 pictures that I took.

Let's start with Waikiki. This is a picture of Matt and the boys in downtown Waikiki just outside the International Market.


Matt's brother Danny and Taylor waiting for the surfers to pass by.


Mati testing out the water.

This is Matt and my sister-in-law Lindsay listening to their surf instructor. I wanted to take pictures of them actually on their surf boards, but the instructor took them so far out into the ocean that we could not see them. However, they both said how good the other one did and that it was a blast.

Benji took surf lessons as well. His instructor was awesome. He stayed on the board with him the entire time. I will post pictures later of Benji standing on the surfboard.

Brendan trying to catch a wave on the Boogie board.

More adventures from our trip to come.

Bear Lake

Our Family just spent four days at bear lake with my family. My parents rented a cabin so that we could all stay together. We had a great time. We played games, golfed, played in the lake, had a birthday party, relaxed, laughed, and got caught up on what was going on in everyone's lives.

Taylor decided he wanted my nephew Korben to bury him in the sand so with my help we were successful.


What a hottie!!!!

Benjamin cooling off in the water.

Mati and my neice Taryn taking a break from the water.

Taylor and Brendan racing for the frisbee.

Deep in a frisbee game.

A race to shore.

We ate amazing meals at the cabin. Taylor made some amazing breakfast rolls. My mom fixed a great picnic for the beach and my brother is king of the grill. He made an amazing pork loin that was to die for. Thanks Mike.

We rented this cute little bike for an hour and rode around the lake. It was a great time.

Roasting marshmellows is always a big hit with everybody.

We had a great time. I can't wait to go back.

You just can't win them all!!!

Brendan's soccer team hosted a soccer tournament last weekend. They played really great and in the five games that they played Brendan had 4 goals. However after a very hard fought championship game they lost 3-2. I think the pictures speak for themselves. We love you Brendan and think you have a great talent. You will get them next time. GO RAMPAGE!!!!!

Year End Recital

Last week was Benji and Mati's dance and tumbling recital. That did a great job. It was so much fun to see how much they had progressed since the beginning of the year.

Benji and Mati after the show.



Benji tumbled to the theme of Star Wars



Mati tumbled to Everybody wants to be a Cat.

Mati did two dances. This costume was to Oompa Loompa and the other to Back to the Future.

Here are a few video clips of Mati. The clip of Benji tumbling won't upload so I will have to figure out what is wrong with it and post it later. I have been trying to get it on here for four days. They would not let me film the actual performance so I had to film the dress rehearsal so please don't mind the teachers talking and walking around.