Jessica & Zachary

Jessica and Zachary spent part of their summer in Hawaii with us. Jessica is now a senior in high school.....I know its really making Henry feel old. Proud but old none the less. We were chauffeured around the island by a teenage driver. She took to the island streets like a pro. Zachary is a sophomore and is now taller than Henry. This is what happens when you have children. They become taller, faster, and smarter than you....at least that is what they like to think. They both seemed to have a good time and I hear rumor that they wish to return soon. Here are some of the highlights of their trip...along with their 2 younger brothers.

Matsumoto's Shaved Ice

Kaneohe Bay

Makapuu Hike

Maunawili Falls Trail

Sunrise at Bellows Beach Park

Family Portrait with Bob Marley

Local boy

The Kids

Jessica and Zachary both picked up surfing much quicker than Henry or I did. Remember what I said about them being faster and smarter....showoffs!

Handsome Devils

Hanging out with cuzins

Harassment

After being harassed by many about my lack of blogging, I have returned. This will only be a glance at our summer, in my efforts to stay on track. Somehow, time can just slip away. My parents came to visit and so did Jessica & Zachary. I tried to pick the best pics but its just hard when you have such good looking subjects!

John & Audrey (aka Dad & Mom) on the Atlantis Submarine tour.

Hiking Makapuu

Look Mom, no training wheels!

Ty and I enjoy spending most of our days outdoors.  With the mild weather here, it's hard to resist.  We bought him his first real bike in January of this year and then also added a balance bike to help him learn.  He loves both of the bikes and rides them equally.  As seen in earlier posts, he has already ridden without his training wheels.  But soon after, I had to put them back on the bike.  I'm ashamed to admit it but my son watches too much TV.  At times like this, I'm glad.  Ty watched the episode of Tigger and Pooh where Darby was learning to ride her bike without training wheels.  After the show he looks at me and says "Mom, I want you to take my training wheels off.  I want to ride like Darby."  I asked him if he was sure and he went outside and helped me take them off.  It has been a little over a week now and we are still riding without training wheels.  He is getting better at stopping but we are still working on pushing off.  I believe that this is a blessing and a curse for me.  We walk/ride everywhere around our neighborhood.  Somehow he always catches me in slippers (flip flops) and I'm pushing Troy in a regular stroller.  Something's got to give.  I need to upgrade to a jogging stroller or a bike trailer b/c of the pace he's going .  Regardless of my predicament, he is enjoying the new found freedom and is getting better everyday.  (Sorry about the videos but it was hard to catch him on the bike in motion.)

Sandbar

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, we went with some friends to the sandbar in Kaneohe Bay.  They rented a boat and we sat anchor on the sand bar in the middle of the bay.  It's a gorgeous spot to relax, hang out with great friends and enjoy some awesome food.  The tide was a little high that day but the water was still only knee deep in most spots.  During the summer, there is actually dry sand that you can walk on.  Henry and I had a great time and are looking forward to our next trip out to the sandbar.

Ty drove us back to the docks.

The whole crew

Bath Time

Since Troy is now able to sit-up independently, we gave Ty and him their first real bath together.  Troy was in hog heaven with all the boats and being able to splash his big brother, not to mention Mom.  I have a feeling that these two are going to turn into fish soon.  

Cute Pics

These are some of the latest pictures of the boys.  I haven't been as active with the camera as I should, but we are all alive and doing well.  Ty is now in the "WHY" phase.  It is great that he is interested in the world around him.  Although, his questions are a vicious cycle which never fully get answered.  Troy is now 6 months old.  He can sit-up by himself and loves to stand in your lap.  He isn't crawling yet but is my little rolly-polly.  Troy is starting to babble da-da and ma-ma.  I'm sad to admit that I hear da-da more often.  The video is of Ty riding his bike without training wheels.  He finally let me take them off and for 3 days he rode around the neighborhood with only some minor spills at stopping.  He is defiantly faster without them.  After the third day, he wanted the training wheels back on.  This was back in March and they are still on today.  I know that he is capable of riding without them but he is not so confident.  I'm sure that in time he will want them off and I will be chasing after him, yet again. 

Hanging out with Kita!

Fishing for "The Big One" with my family.

Sand angel

Three years old!!!!

For Ty's 3rd birthday, we filled his room full of balloons and streamers.  He awoke on his birthday to a fun filled day.  He came down the stairs carrying balloons....only to find his birthday gifts waiting to be played with.  For birthdays, we really only give one big gift.  Seeing as grandparents and relatives tend to go overboard.  We gave Ty another bike....this one is called a mini glider and helps teach a child balance.  I can already see improvement when he rides the one with training wheels.  I can tell that it won't take him long.  I had planned to take him to the zoo or aquarium on his birthday but all he wanted to do was ride his new bike.  We had his birthday party at the beach and friends/relatives joined us.  I figured that we wouldn't get many opportunities to have his party outside considering it is in Febuary.   Henry's family helped us throw a great island style party.  Thanks again :)

Pan-Cakes!

Mom, can we go outside now!

Make a wish!

Happy but tired parents.

Uncle Mel & Troy

1st Hawaiian Birthday

Aloha