Weight- 16 lbs. (54%)

Height- can't remember but (93%) 

My sweet little Jade is a little over 6 months old. Seriously WHERE IS THE PAUSE BUTTON? This little girl is too much fun. I LOOOOVE THIS AGE!! 

-She is always happy to see me. Especially when I get her from bed. Her arms and legs start going crazy and she has the biggest smile on her sweet face. Makes me feel so special.
-We have had a break through with the car. She doesn't cry as much. Finally! That was torture for us all and now if she starts to cry Beck will say, "NO Jade...no crying!" and I'm amazed how many times it actually works. Plus we can distract her with toys and snacks. So driving is much more pleasant these days.
-She can sit up. Roll around. And push/scout her way over to whatever is in front of her. Every once in a while she will get on all fours and start rocking back and forth. I think we will have a crawler soon.
-She used to love to cuddle...but not anymore. Maybe one of these days i'll get a cuddly baby. She just wants her paci and blankie to fall asleep. She will literally push me away from her until I put her down.
-She just started taking a bottle. I'll give her one every other day or so, just to get her used to it. Plus I feel like after I feed her she is still hungry. So i've been giving her a little more through out the day.
-Is so patient. She lets her brother poke, pinch, touch, lick, blow, squeeze on any part of her body and she will just sit there.
-She is a talker. She will look me right in the eyes and tell me all about her day. I hope this is last forever!
-LOVES taking baths and showers. She loves the feeling of the shower head on her face. Doesn't bother her at all. Another water baby =]
-Everything goes straight to the mouth.
-Loves being outside. And loved looking at all the Christmas lights.
-Is still Beck's twin. She still has her little hint of red in her hair. Just like B did.
-Can be in a swing all day long. She loves it.
-Her eyes have started changing colors a little bit. They have a little green around the pupil. And still blue everywhere else.

She melts my heart every day. I just can't kiss those cheeks enough. Love you Jadey Girl.

Beck-2 yrs.

Weight-27 lbs. 50%

Height-50%

Boy oh Boy where do I even begin. You are looking at the "life of the Party" this boy is hilarious. Yes he definitely has his moments of the "terrible twos" but I love seeing life through his eyes.

-he loves CARS. Any mode of transportation really. But always has to have a couple cars in hand.

-He loves his sister. My favorite story is when we went to the Doctors office for some shots. Beck went first and got his and then it was Jade's turn. She had to get 4. And the moment Beck heard her crying she got up on the table, rubbed her back and kept saying, "it's okay Jade, it's okay..." brought me to tears. (still does just writing about it)

-Gets into and climbs on everything.

-Never leave the boy alone with a marker

-has been really into googles lately. He puts them on in the bathtub and looks under the water. Then he comes up and says, "wook mom...swimming!" or "wook mom...Nemo!" I love him.

-Is so observant. Watches mine and Pehrson's every move. He especially wants to be just like daddy on his skateboard.

-Loves to color and read books.

-But also loves to watch some shows and is a wiz on the phone and ipad. He can look up videos on youtube. Or find games he wants to play. And when he knows he not supposed to be watching anything. I find him hiding in places trying to be sneaky. Good thing our house is small and I can hear his every move.

-loves the beach and park and being outside

-loves watching older kids play. He will stand right next to them and do what they are doing.

-still loves to have dance parties with me. He has got some solid moves.

-His favorite game is chase, he always wants someone to chase him. He yells out "GET YOU Mama" but really he means, "come get me mama"

-Is talking like crazy. I feel like he says a new word everyday.

-Loves nursery.

-Is usually a very happy, friendly, loving little boy. He has his moments...but don't we all!

We love you Mister Beck...SOOOO MUCH!!!

Beck's Early Birthday

We had a party for Beck last friday. (10 days before his real birthday) late December birthdays are gonna be hard so we decided to do it early so his friends will still be here and it could feel seperate from the holiday festivities. 

We went to Griffith Park for his birthday and it couldn't have been more perfect. The weather, the people, the rides. Beck was so happy! Here is what the day looked like.

The table of food. What would we do without Costco?

Here is the Train Cake I made. Just cupcakes on cookie tracks and oreos for the wheels. Beck was totally into it. 

 And so were the kids.

 After we sang "Happy Birthday" Beck insisted on us singing it again. So we obliged. Anything for that cute face.

 Quincy and Jade looking as cute as can be.

 And this boy hated his birthday hat...but I got one shot of him in it!

 Then it was time to ride the ponies. This was Beck's second time and he wasn't afraid at all. He got right on and rode off into the distance. HA

 His horse stopped and Beck was yelling "GO horsey GO!" 

 4 cute cowboys right here...i mean seriously?!?

 Once we got off Dane kept saying "Beck did you have fun?" and Beck would scream back, "SO FUN!!" both of them jumping up and down screaming. It was hilarious. They love each other.

 Then we all got on the train. 

 Look at that happy face!

 After that was over Beck went back and played with all his fun new toys! He was in heaven.

 The Crew.

 And I tried to get a pic of all the kids. I think 2 are looking. My favorite is Beck trying to put the birthday hat on Dane. HA

 And this girl even showed up!! What a fun surprise. We have been best friends since kindergarden. Birthday parties just feel so right with her around. Love you Mel!

 And Love these people I call Family.

It was such a fun day! Everything was so easy and relaxing. I think everyone had a good time. We sure love you Beck. These last 2 years have been some of the best two in my life! We feel so lucky to have you in our lives. 

Have you heard the news? This August our new home will be Florida. As most know we are doing dental school through the Air Force and since graduation is just around the corner (MAY) its time to start thinking about the future. Since Pehrson started school he had every intention to specialize. Mostly thinking about Orthodontics. But this last Ayuda trip in Columbia he came home saying he wants to do Pediatrics. He says he loves the challenge of kids and thinks it would be really fun. BUT...he is still not 100% sure. So the Air Force offers sort of like a residency program (its called AEGD...not sure what it stands for) but it is a one year program of extra training. There were about 10-12 bases to choose from in the US that offer this program and we ranked them. Florida was actually our number one choose because the base is really big and offers ortho and pedo. That way Pehrson can work with both and hopefully figure out which route he wants to go. AND it didn't hurt that the base is right on the beach.

So here is our 10 year plan. (if you care) Go to Florida in August for 1 year. Then apply for a specialty depending on what P decides. Back to school for 2 or 3 years somewhere. And then our 4 year payback to the Air Force. THEN look for work.

It doesn't feel real because it's so far away from now. But I'm ready for a new adventure. I'm ready to live in the south and swim in warm water everyday. I'm sad to leave my home and my friends and family but we are just a flight away and we would love visitors...lots of them.

Our spot exactly is the Eglin Air Force Base. On the pan handle off the gulf of mexico. Some surrounding cities are Fort Walton Beach, Pensacula and Destin. If you know anything about these places let me know. We would love all the info we can get, especially where we should live.

Halloween

Halloween is such a fun time of year (ESPECIALLY WITH KIDS). And our day was full of fun and SUGAR. Beck knew it was gonna be a sugar day because this is where I found him first thing in the morning. 

We made and decorated some sugar cookies. Beck couldn't get enough of the sprinkles.

Jade's halloween day apparrel. Her shirt speaks the truth.

Then it was dress up time. We decided to have a cave man halloween this year. My original thought was Pebbles and Bam Bam because B&J would be perfect. But those costumes were a little more involved and I wanted to go as cheap and easy as possible so I just got this fabric and some plastic bones and made it work. It was way better than I imagined! These two can't get any cuter if you ask me!

We joined in on the party. I fear the day when it's not cool for the parents to dress up with their kids on Halloween anymore.

We headed over to the Main street fair. Beck was loving the bounce house/slide. And we were enjoying the people watching.

Then we did some trick or treating. Beck was totally getting the hang of it and loved knocking on doors and grabbing some candy.

Especially when he was doing it with friends.

We finished the night with some pumpkin soup and candy. It was F.U.N!!!!!

Hawaii

Hawaii (insert big sigh) Where do I even begin? 

THIS PLACE has SO many memories. We found some super cheap tickets and called some friends and took Pehrson's summer break/birthday in October. (which in my opinion is one of my favorite times to be in Hawaii. the crowds have died down, the water is still warm and the waves are starting to pick up) We couldn't have asked for a better Vacation. The weather. The people. The food.

Here we go with the pictures again....you know me, I take A LOT!!

The plane ride wasn't too bad. Beck watched Curious George about 3 times and wouldn't sleep. And Jade pretty much slept the whole time. Can't complain.

We stayed on the Point in Laie with the Raynors. They were the best hosts! Taking in 7 people for a week without complaint. Love them like family.

We explored the beautiful Laie Temple. 

Monday we started to get our beach on.....LOOK AT THAT WATER! I mean seriously! Beck was in heaven, well we all were. 

 

We went to Ted's Bakery like 3 times......could've had it every day.

Played in the water at Pipe.

There is nothing like this sand....So pretty.

Ate some Matsamotos and Thai food at Haleiwa Eats. Beck missed out.

Then watched the sunset, while the boys surfed at Rocky Point.

The next day we meet up with the Facers at Waikiki (who happened to be there the same time as us visiting Jon's brother and his family) These cute cousins love each other.

We rented some long boards and surfed with turtles.

Jon&Jill left the next day. But so glad we got to meet up with them for a little bit.

The next day was Pehrson's birthday. We surfed. We skated. We snorkeled. We beached it. We ate donuts and had a BBQ at the beach with friends.....Whatever Birthday boy wants. Birthday boy gets.

And got some haupia pie in the face. Perfect day.

While the boys were surfing in the morning we meet up with the Laie Mama's at alligator ponds. It was heavenly.

We surfed V-land (the spot Pehrson proposed to me) and had the place to ourselves.

Then decided to spend the day in Kailua. At Lanikai beach. It was like a postcard.

Then did a quick hike called Pill Boxes in Kailua.

 We went running on the awesome new trail from Laie to Kahuku. 

Watched the huge waves.

 Played in the awesome sand.

 Hung out with my little people.

Beck made a TON of new friends. (as a mom you always hope your kids will be friends with your friends kids and this week it happened. He is such a social little boy, loves being around people)

And Jade&Merrick are going to get married someday!

We jumped off some rocks

 Hiked Stairway to Heaven.

And then later that night we had to be evacuated for the Tsunami warning. It was a little scary at first. But we just went to high grounds and fell asleep under the stars. Jade was in the trunk.

 We also got to celebrate this guys birthday. Best buds for 14 years.

 And then we did a little trip down memory lane. This is the view that P had every single day for 3 1/2 years. NBD.

 When we were dating I walked down this path SO many times.

I have only ever lived on the Point in Hawaii. Same as Pehrson. This is the street it all started for us. And on the first day my little family walked down the street together and of course I had a moment. I may have shed a little tear. I truly LOVE this place with all my heart!! It just feels so right.

 We had such a great trip and loved going with the Gardners. (they meet out there too) I think we are going to have to make this happen more often. 

And to finish this post with a funny story. When we were landing in LA and everyone on the plane was quiet Jade has a major blowout and the guy next to me instantly plugs his nose. I was dying. Too funny!!!!

Aloha'oe Hawaii........Until we meet again!!!