MLK day at the Beach

We're having a bit of a drought here in Hawaii. Which means great weather! Usually winter brings days and days of gloomy, gray, weather. This year has been beautiful. We took a day last weekend to enjoy the sun with our friends Carrie, Brian, and their son Mason. We hiked out to Shipman (Kea'au) Beach. Babies were loaded in backpacks and off we tromped through the forest.

At the beach we enjoyed the cool, shallow water, honu, and the kiddos.

We're grateful our friends could join us. Thanks to Jen for the baby backpack. Thanks to Katie, Phil and Gus for the baby float. Thanks to mama nature for such a lovely place. Authome!

Memories of Dad

My dad was born on January 21st 1941. He would have been 69 this year. Here are just a few of the wonderful sayings or "Jim'isms" that linger in my head from the years and years of him repeating them.

"I was feeling good, but I'll get over it."

"Rounding you kids up is like trying to catch a fart in a windstorm."

"Shit fire and save matches."

"Want in one hand, shit in the other; see which one fills up faster."


When he didn't know the answer to a question..."Don't start me to lying."

While driving..."hey Jean, open the trunk, this guy(tailgater) wants in."

I miss dad. He was such a character with his coffee, quesadillas, PBS television, and the same ol' saying. If he were here he would advise me against getting chickens (I wouldn't listen and would probably regret it). He would hate being dragged to Hawaii with mom to visit Miley. He would love Miley to pieces but act like he didn't.
We're hoping she doesn't get dad's ears, toes, or fingernails, but that his wit, memory, and love are copious traits.

Happy New Year

Two Thousand Zen

We had a little fire and a lot of bacon greese to bring in the New Year.

I guess that really isn't zen...but we're shooting for zen throughout the rest of the year.

Happy Christmas

We're in Milford for the holiday. We've spend a peaceful, snowy, flavorful, warm, Christmas with the West family. There was snow on the ground when we arrived. There hasn't been another storm, but we still got to go sledding. The run was a fast and bumpy ice-capade. FUN! Miley didn't like to be in the snow on her own (crawling). She did enjoy sledding in mommy and daddy's arms. Weeeee!

We've spent most of our time cozy inside by the fire listening to Christmas music and laughing with the family. When we get together, giggles abound. Miley cracks up at cousin Ry. Shanti (dog) also makes Miley laugh.

Miley got a heap of goodies for Christmas. One favorite is the pink peep suit. This warm fuzzy thing is perfect for wintery frolicking. It also turns her into a fashionable peep (ya know the Easter marshmallow candy).

Authome Christmas

We are in California with Dick and Nancy Auth for an early Christmas. Thank goodness for Gandmas, Grandpas, and Aunties to spoil a little girl (and her parents).
Miley got a plethora of great gifts. She got some adorable holiday jammies and warm clothing. Her favorite toy is a toy phone that speaks the numbers when she touches the buttons. Needless to say it isn't Timber's favorite toy. He does, however, love the baby backpack Jen got us. We can pack Miley up in this thing and head out on the trail. My favorite gift is a book of Twas the Night Before Christmas. Nancy, Dick, and Jen recorded themselves reading the book so that when Miley opens a page, they read to her. It is so sweet.
We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas meal together. Today we just got to hang out and visit with wonderful friends. We wish we could stay longer, but we are headed up to Milford for a white Christmas with the Wests. We are happy we'll get to stay with Dick and Nancy for a couple more days before we head back to the islands.

Thanksgiving Camping

No Turk N Surf this year. That was the three year tradition of camping at Pine Trees on the Kona side. We would make a great Thanksgiving meal on the beach and spend the weekend snorkeling and enjoying the sun. Unfortunately the camping scene at that beach changed (development), our plans changed as well.
We spent the evening at the Lewis' house. Jaime's mom and Mark made a great spread. I loved playing with baby Betty.

Then on Friday, we drove over to Kona side and went camping with Dave, Bahama, Eban, Angelica, and Sean. We planed on hiking into a beautiful grove of palm trees that Unky Dave has camped at in the past. Luckily there was a 4-wheel road to the area and Eban went for it. So we got to enjoy a short hike with just water and baby.

We found a secluded site amongst the Keawe trees. Michael and Maraya joined us that evening for star gazing.
The reef in front of our site stretched out into the sea. We could walk a short distance to the sandy bay and snorkeling. Most of all, we simply relaxed and enjoyed being outside in dry, warm weather. (It had been rather rainy over on the Hilo side.)
Miley loved the tent...and rocks. Timber and I appreciated our friends hanging out with her while we snorkeled and played together.


We had a wonderful Thanksgiving...we hope you did as well.

Celebrate!

Happy Birthday

Grandma Nancy

We love you!