Messy Mealtime

There's a few things you should note about this photo:

One being that for the last two months or so Manu has refused to wear a bib.  He immediately reaches up and rips it right off.  As you can see from his orange-tinted face and belly, that had the potential to add up to a mountain of dirty shirts in my laundry pile.  So now he eats shirtless.  Like a caveman.

Another is that Manu really knows how to relax and enjoy his meals.  He likes to reach back and stretch or lean to one side and put his arm up on the back of the chair as he eats.  What a ham!


As of yesterday, Manu is officially 11months old.  Let the countdown begin!

 First birthdays around here are a big deal.  We'd love to follow local tradition and throw a big party for all of you, but I have just two words to explain why we won't:  student budget.  Let's be real, folks.  If you're really disappointed, you can come over for a cookie.

Instead of a party, Manu and I are running away to Oklahoma!  Wahooo!

Birthday!

I had a great 26th birthday this weekend!  After a fabulous homemade breakfast sandwich (you know it's going to be good when the sandwich is dubbed "Heart-Stoppin' Fun") and a nap for Manu, we hit the beach!

Manu is loving the water these days and that plus having Nate along made it a perfect way to spend my birthday afternoon.  We were so busy splashing around in the water that I didn't take any photos at the beach, but Nate did snap these before we left:

Manu's hair gets a little crazy when we put sunscreen all over his head.  It makes a great styling gel.

Peace.

Manu has also started developing his musical abilities.  (ie. he realized that he can reach the piano keys without my help), much to our neighbors' chagrin at times, I'm sure.

We finished of the day with delicious Thai food, a sweet card from Nate and Manu, and a playlist of fun new songs. 

Now before you laugh that I didn't make it in to any of the pictures on my own birthday blog, look carefully at the top photo.  Those are my calves.  Plus, I know why you all check this blog anyway.  Even if it is my birthday, you're all hoping for a glimpse of Manu.

Manu's One-Man Band

Manu's new favorite playthings are spice bottles.  The rosemary makes a particularly good shaker, and when paired with a jar of paprika, this boy's got his own one-man band.  

There's also a random coconut on our kitchen floor.  We just like to keep things interesting.

Nate's UH Graduation!

This is Nate's graduation countdown chain:

Notice that there are no links left.  

We couldn't be more excited about that.

Congratulations, Nate!  

To celebrate we've gone hiking, went out for super awesome burgers, ate ice cream with homemade magic chocolate shell, and gone to the beach.  We're already loving having Nate around more!

5th Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary (yesterday) to my best friend and my dearest love!  

I'm grateful every day - yes, all of them ;) - that you are my forever.

Photo Credit: Whitney Hardie

Five years have flown by.  Thanks for making life a beautiful adventure.  I love you!

Visitors! - Part 1

We've had tons of fun with visitors in February and March!  In February Nate's parents came out for a few weeks to visit and meet Manu.  We had a great time showing them around the island.

We hung out with Pa....

.... and Grammie,

waded at the beach,

hiked to Makapuu lighthouse and saw the whales spouting in the distance,

visited the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor,

and wandered through the amazing Ho'omaluhia botanical garden.

And Manu got his picture taken in the family's 35year-old traveling pajamas.  Every child and now grandchild in the family has had their picture taken in these jammies!

Grandma Peatross

My dear Grandma Jenene Peatross passed peacefully through the veil early Monday morning.  I will ever be grateful for the example and blessing she has been to me.  I know that death is not the end of life and one day I will see her again.  I am so glad to know that Jesus Christ has provided the way for families to be together forever.  

At first I thought it strange and perhaps even unfeeling that I haven't shed tears over the death of my sweet grandma.  But, while my heart aches because she is gone from me, my thoughts turn again and again to the incomparable joy that must have attended her reunion with Grandpa, her eternal companion.

Aloha oe, Grandma, until we meet again.