Easter 2013!

We had a fun filled busy Easter Weekend! We started out Saturday at the "Fun Fest" on Schofield Barracks; our post has multiple events each year themed around the holiday season... Since Hawaii is unique with two (or three!) major posts in one area (Wheeler Army Airfield, Schofield Barracks, and Fort Shafter) they share the "love" per-say with these festivals. During Christmas Fort Shafter is famous for bringing in snow! Anyway, the lady loved the Character Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, egg hunting, and going on the rides.

(this last photo seems weird.. but she was just in the petting zoo!)

Sunday morning was equally as exciting for our little toddler. She woke up around 5:30 am (Yes, early early riser) and was greeted by some exciting Easter bunny treats. This year the Easter bunny went a bit extreme, but he felt that H needed some more outdoor toys so he brought an outdoor water table. Believe me, it is a huge hit! The Easter Bunny also stocked her basket full of books, some bath toys, and just a few pieces of candy (Mommy Easter Bunny likes to keep the candy consumption to a minimal but Daddy Easter Bunny says it is once a year occasion.. They met in the middle this year).

This pic is H consuming a Peep at 6:00 am.. She loves them like her mama. 

The Easter Bunny also hid Eggs. H LOVED searching for the Eggs and totally understood the concept right away; she was very motivated once she discovered the candy contents!

(Not the best picture of Will and I but it was an early egg hunt!)

Then we were off to Church! Uncle Greg spent the night with us and went to church with us. We were so happy he could spend Easter with us. H absolutely adores him. 

and then we had the most delicious Brunch with our neighbors! 

Our friends hosted and honestly they should open a restaurant...

We had a quick nap time and then... a wonderful bbq on the North Shore... and then (phew!) bed. What a wonderful Easter weekend. We are looking forward to many many more with Toddler H!

xoxo,

allie

Happy Valentine's Day!

I know, Valentine's Day can be silly... But I adore celebrating with kids.  I remember as a child loving this day and getting cards from all of my classmates.  What a perfect excuse to decorate Valentines, eat some chocolate, and wear pink! Will and I are not big on celebrating Valentine's Day; if anything it is the perfect excuse to go out to eat! Since we are in Maui this year... We are going to celebrate at the beach. I do, however, love giving small books, etc to Harps. Mommy and Daddy gave her a Curious George Valentine's Day Book and Disney Princess Coloring Book!

and of course a cookie... because every kid needs sugar on Valentine's Day! (okay, we gave it to her a daily early but she obviously loved it)

I love her hair in this last picture... We are in the midst of an awkward Hair situation. It is not quite long enough for pony tails or pig tails and consequently it is always crazy! The Hawaii trade winds don't help the situation. O well. Life of a Toddler.

We had a wonderful day yesterday exploring a different side of Maui. We are both still Top Chef fanatics on Bravo (I know, who ever watches that anymore!) and one of our favorite Chefs, Sheldon, (he is currently competing in Top Chef Seattle) is the executive chef at two restaurants here in Maui. How perfect right? Yesterday we went to Star Noodle, a very unique combo of Asian and Hawaiian Fusion and then to his A+ Pie Shop. If anyone ever travels to Maui.. you don't want to miss either spot. I'll post pictures later.

We also broke our camera yesterday. That seems to be a common trend with our cameras. Looks like we are in the market for a new one. I need something user friendly, somewhat durable, and easy to travel with. Any suggestions?

Happy Valentine's Day!

xoxo,
allie

New Years!

We had a low key New Years... that seems to be our more recent style with baby H. We obviously couldn't have gotten a babysitter and spent the evening in Honololu but with Will recently getting home we decided a stay home evening was the way to go... and guess what? It was perfect! We had a fabulous day at the beach with some beautiful 70 degree weather.  Harper girl is such a Hawaiian baby and adores every moment at the beach.. the only downside is she has become a bit of sand surfer. By sand surfing I mean she belly crawls (or army crawls) across the sand... it leads to quite a mess but is so fun for the little lady. We are looking forward to many more beach days in 2013.

We finished the evening with some Chinese food (I know, crazy) and champagne. And this little lady ended her seven o clock bedtime with a great Ruby and Max episode celebrating the New Years...

Will and I have a couple of resolutions for the New Year... this year we are most excited just to spend most of year together! 2011 was a great year as H grew up for a baby girl to a toddler but Will was gone for 10 months. We are so grateful he is home safe and sound and look forward to exploring Hawaii as a family.

xoxo,
allie

p.s.
this picture is worth sharing... this is our first and last date of 2012! On Friday night we got a babysitter and went out to sushi... (Disclaimer- we have gone out to dinner as a family, etc but we decided our definition of a date is no Harps. Since we moved here January 4th and were living in the hotel, we never got an opportunity to go out alone. Anyway, we were so happy we could squeeze one in!

xoxo,
allie

Christmas 2012

Well... first and foremost, we had the BEST Christmas present of all... Will safely arrived here very early Sunday morning, December 23rd... The perfect gift. I have many more pictures to post.. but for now here is us at the Redeployment Ceremony. (for the record the ceremony started at 2:40 am! It was definitely in the middle of the night, but totally worth it). Harps actually did great with both the late night and seeing Daddy! She knew right away who he was... we are happily hearing the continual chime of "dada" these days.

The ceremony is really cool... A group of 100s of motorcycles do a motorcade and drive them up to Schofield Barracks from the airport... You can hear them coming and it is so so neat. 

(okay, I obviously didn't take this photo but I stole it from the 25th CAB facebook page. I think it is such a neat image and worth sharing! Love these happy soldiers coming home).

(Harps helped me make the sign on the right. We did finger paint hand prints and colored the stars.)

Two days later we had a family Christmas. We are so so lucky to have Christmas as a family.. Will was in the earlier groups coming back from the CAB and we were fortunate enough to have that opportunity. Harps wore a helicopter bubble to the ceremony and it was perfect for the occasion. Sorry you can't see it! Anyway, onto Christmas!!

Will and I debated what Santa should bring Harps... so many options at this age. Since we live in Hawaii, Santa opted for an outside toy that could be used season long... A classic red wagon!

Santa filled her wagon with pink pots and pans for her kitchen, some play food, learning games for tots, baby doll accessories and other various things... He also set up this... (with some help from Gigi and Pops).

An Elmo Puzzle was sticking out of her new tent.

This picture was first thing in the morning.. She walked out of her room with her monkey and turned the corner and was like "Wow!". So so cute.

Opening her stocking in her tent...

For a 15 month old wrapping paper is almost as fun as a the toys!

I love this picture.. She is looking at a new book so so excited. It is a train book.. and she adores it!

I love Christmas Morning... It is so magical for kids.. running around and playing with all of their new toys. I have noticed that Santa is rather controversial in the army community... no worries, we are a pro Santa house. We obviously want our children to understand the meaning behind the season but Santa will always be coming.. behavior pending. Jk. We are so excited for many more future exciting Christmases!

Also a big thanks to everyone who sent special things for our little lady. She is loved by so many and a lucky little girl!

xoxo,
allie

12 Days of Christmas Contuined...

On the Fifth Day of Christmas we decorated cookies with a good friend (and possibly did more sampling than frosting...)

 

 On the Sixth Day of Christmas, we went to Story Time at the library and learned about snow. No pictures but a fun morning. Can you imagine 

On the Seventh Day of Christmas, we made tons of desserts for our Single Soldier Barracks and some great cookies for Daddy's return. These are pretzel and M and M's with chocolate... (I am sure if you are a Pinterest-er, you have seen these everywhere). Super easy, delicious, and easy to make.. a winning combination if you need to bake for a big group!

On the Eight Day of Christmas, Harps watched A Curious George Christmas Special with her very own Rudolph.

On the Ninth Day of Christmas, we had a special Mommy and Harper date to celebrate the end of deployment! We went to Harper's favorite restaurant and mommy even splurged and let her have some (sugary) ketchup. Love you Harper.

Running towards Mommy in her special Helicopter shirt. I promise I am not trying to dress her like a boy, but I couldn't resist since her Daddy flies them!

Ketchup Girl. Special Treat. 

We have made our lists and checked them twice... We are ready for Will.. (and of course Santa!).

xoxo,

allie

12 Days of Christmas

I originally wanted to celebrate the "25 Days of Christmas" with a clever advent calendar filled with activities for H lady but I wasn't organized enough. So I decided to reset by celebrating the 12 Days of Christmas. I love the magic of Christmas and I want our kids to enjoy the entire month of December.. I also noticed, this year, the season gets clouded with tons of parties, cookie exchanges, FRG Parties, etc... and although I adore all of these events, I can feel them swallowing up my whole month. Again, I love attending them, in fact even hosting them, but I have such a short window with my kids at home and I want to enjoy the season with Harps as well. I think Friday reminded all of us to take moments out of our days to enjoy the small things. Right now my small things are the best moments with the H lady.  This year I have had to cater our events towards a 15 month old, but our crafts and outings will only get more exciting the older she gets!

So on the first day of Christmas...

We played jingle bells and decorated the windows with Christmas Stickies (for anyone who has a toddler, these will occupy them for hours!!!).

On the second day of Christmas, we went to a FRG Christmas Party... (and ate Christmas Cookies. Harps is sporting some crumbs on her cheek).

On the Third Day of Christmas...we fingerpainted and worked on a special project for Daddy! Sorry no pics... but a great surprise.

On the Fourth Day of Christmas... we woke up early and read all our Christmas Books and then Harps went to school while Mommy worked on the single soldier barracks with some lovely FRG ladies. We had other special plans for today but it was pouring rain!

I have some more fun crafts and cookie decorating lined up for the baby lady.. but one of these days very soon, we will be welcome home daddy! The best gift of all..

We hope everyone is enjoying this last week before Christmas!

xoxo,
allie

ps. for those of you who have not seen this..  We started Gymnastics Class! A very fun hour.