Hawaii is still fun--in case you were wondering.

Cliff jumping at Venus pools.  Always a favorite. 

Jackson--the bravest little dude in the world.    This jump is so high that when we took a friend and his son with us-- the friend told Jackson that if he would jump off it then he would too.  Little did our friend know, that Jackson was such a crazy kid.  Jackson didn't even hesitate-- he just ran and jumped right off as soon as we got there.  Our friend was shocked!  I don't think he was very excited about having to jump off.    Ha. Ha.  Never, ever make a bravery bet with Jackson.  

Max was super excited to hike the Pipiwai trail to see a big waterfall. 

Kate can paddle board better than me!

Jackson can, too.  Okay, so almost everyone at the beach that day can paddle board better that I can. 

We decided to buy a few more chicks to add to our hen house.   We've learned you can't have enough fresh eggs. 

A little hike and snorkel adventure we did past pocket red sand beach.  

Fagan's cross.  

Pizza night with the hippies.  It was an eye-opener for the kids. "What's that smell, Mom?"  They also learned some fun hula hoop tricks--and the pizza wasn't bad either.  We walked back home under a sky full of stars.  

All from our property!!!!

We had an unwanted guest for a few nights.  He thought he should eat our papaya and poop all over our house and chew our screens.  We thought he might enjoy a nice permanent stay in rat heaven--so we sent him there. 

If middle school doesn't work out, we thought we could get Kate a job at the circus as a bearded lady.  

We weren't eaten by Sharks but we did have fun learning about them at the Maui Ocean Center.  

Erica goes to NYC.

 I spent the day at MET while Robert had meetings.  

 I pretty much hate this picture.  I feel like it humbles me to post it, so here it is.  I'm all about working on my vanity issues.

 Me, iphone and Robert.  We all spent a lovely evening on Broadway catching Spiderman.

 Spiderman had cool special effects, good story line but the music was not up to snuff.  It was disappointing since U2 wrote the music.  

 The best book ever!  Seriously.  

Our old haunt: Washington Square Park. 

Jackson's Baptism

My sweet Baptism boy.

Baptism might be serious but we are not!

Jackson and Cali were baptized on the same day.  It was fun (at least for the adults) for these two to share their baptism day.  

G.G. and Jackson (The following photos were stolen with permission from my Dad.  You know the kind of permission you get from your Dad to borrow the car and eat his food, live at his house, etc. )

I think this is one of my favorite photo's of J.  Thanks Dad, you certainly captured him here.  

It really was one of those wonderful weekends.  I'm so proud of Jackson and his decision to follow God's plan.  I love him so much.  Congratulations Jackson!

Max and the BIG question...

Tonight as I was putting the boys to bed, I over-heard this conversation between Robert and Max:


Robert:  How come you don't want to be my baby anymore?

Max: I'm too big.  You need to get a new baby. (Thinking) Lennon wanted  a baby and so his Mom and Dad got one.  I don't know how they did it though.  I'm going to ask Lennon's Mom how they did it.  I will try and remember what she tells me and I'll tell you.

Robert: (Laughing)  Okay, you do that.

Well,  Holly, I hope you're ready for the big question.  It's coming your way.  Good luck.  We can't wait to hear about how you do it.  :)  And yes, we call that responsible parenting.

Randomness

Soccer Max

Jackson soaking up the sun using his beyblades as shades.

A bird friend we made while visiting Gilcrease Sanctuary.  You can tell he was quite smitten with us.  

Max's bout with 5th's disease.  The great thing about it is that there are typically no symptoms and as soon as this rash appears then you are no longer contagious.  So glad I drove across town and paid my doctor $25 dollars to tell me that.  

Kate got bangs!  A bold move for a child of mine.  She's loving her new look.  

It's great to be 8. Ask Jackson, he'll tell you all about it and anything else you want to know.

His teacher at school has a nickname for him: The storyteller.  It's true.  He will tell you one story and then while he is telling that story it reminds him of how someday we will have a black moon.  He will then explain to you how that is possible and he will do all this when there is just 3 minutes left before you have to leave and he will not have his shoes on, still need to practice his piano, finish a homework page and will be doing a fast and furious pee-pee dance.  He is smart.  Not just regular smart but the kind of smart that his brain never stops thinking, imagining, wondering and dreaming.  I love that about him even though it is frustrating when all I need him to do is turn that brain off and get some sleep.  Jackson has the sweetest smile and giggle.  He is full of joy and laughter and practical jokes.  He also indulges occasionally in the guilty pleasure of teasing a sister or two.  He can climb anything and has the ability to inspire me to prayer quicker than any of my other children when watching some of his antics.  He recently climbed a tall tree at the park (while some cute neighbor girls watched) hooked himself to the branch with his shirt(!) and then let go and flailed around.  A few parents thought he was stuck.  A few warned him about ruining his shirt.  He responded, " I'm fine.  My mom doesn't care if I ruin this shirt." WHAT??  He quickly learned differently that actually I have quite strict climbing and shirt-ruining policies.

Jackson wanted a bike ramp for his birthday.  Are you surprised?  

The cake--Jackson's candy dream come true.  

We had Jackson's birthday party at Laser Quest.  

Life with Jackson is never boring.   Oh, how I love this boy!

Classic.

How Robert and his iphone got eye surgery...

Max's rendition of the above photo.