The "ABC Game"

Randy and I have been playing games with the kids every Sunday evenings for a few weeks now. Recently, I remembered a game that only requires a pencil and some paper. My kids didn't want to stop playing it the first time we tried it. It was so popular, we did again last night. Now I don't remember the name of it but we just nicknamed it the "ABC Game". I'm sure you'll remember playing this one. My sisters and I would play this all the time. You just think of several subjects like name, place, animal, food, TV show/movie, candy, plant, etc. You get the picture. Then everyone takes a turn and picks a letter in the alphabet and you just think of things in those categories that start with that letter. It is supposed to be timed, we just kind of see if everyone is done and call time. Even Micah plays. It is fun. I just wanted to share because it was something our family has been enjoying, I thought maybe yours would too.

KidCite

Our kids say some really funny and interesting things. At least we think so. Randy has decided to archive these and publish it some day for us to look back at and laugh. If you want, check it out. It's called KidCite. Just click it on our list of blogs.

Surprise Visit and the Gilbert Islands

I received a call Thursday (1/15) from my parents saying that they were arriving the next night in Hawaii for a visit. My dad was traveling on a business trip with a stopover in Hawaii. My mom tagged along and stayed behind in Hawaii for the week. It was fun having mom around. We didn't really do anything exciting, just hang out really, but for me that was fun! I've lived my whole adult life away from my parents, so to have my mom there for the everyday mundane things was nice. She enjoyed it as well. It was especially nice when I came home late from a working a night shift, went to bed and woke up to a clean home. Thanks mom! Unfortunately, not many pictures were taken, but like I said, we didn't do anything major.


Hopefully, we will be seeing more of my parents. My dad works for the church, taking care of physical facilities of the church in the pacific. This time he has been assigned to take care of the micronesia area specifically. They have moved to the Gilbert Islands for 3 years. In order for my dad to get to some of these islands, such as the Marshall Islands, he has to stopover in Hawaii (oh darn). We will always have dinner waiting when you guys come.



We will miss you mom and dad and wish you luck in the Gilbert Islands (Kiribati)!

Marting Luther King Day

The Beach has kind of become our default activity if we can't think of something to do for a holiday. This beach is nicknamed "Castles". It's one of our new favorite beaches. It's perfect for learning how to surf (which I am determined to learn how to do this year).

Building a cage after burying their sister. Nice.

Kara doesn't look like she's suffering too much.

It was very windy. My mother was with us. We did not go in the water. Too cold.

If you've never seen it before, this is Kara's "I'm having fun" face. She does it a lot at home.

It's a BOY!!

No. Not me. My sister (haha).

Tiana gave birth to Martin Nicholas Sika today!!! It was actually kind of exciting because we were both in the same country. Last time she had a baby, she was in NZ, so you could probably imagine that it's expensive to be constantly calling and texting and knowing the latest update. This time, I was able to call her every so often to find out how she was doing. Not sure on the time, approximately 10pm (?), but the baby was 6lbs 11oz and 19inches! He is sooooo little. Those of you on facebook know that I am DYING to hold the baby. I was a postpartum nurse for over 6 years and that part of me wants to take him and do that baby wrap we do and just hold him. It was my favorite part of the job, wrapping and holding those babies. (Big sigh). Congratulations to the Sika Family! We can't wait to see him!

The big sister, Lupe holding her brother.

My brother Joe, the proud uncle getting his turn.

There he is again.

The proud daddy!! One girl, and now one boy.






**I have other posts prior to this, but this one couldn't wait.

Quotes from Micah

Standing with only a towel wrapped around him, he points to Kara and says,
"Kara, you're a thief!" "Why?" "Because you took all the hot water!"

Standing in front of the case that holds the pastries and doughnuts. There's one doughnut left. "Mom, I need that lonely doughnut." "You do?" "Yeah. It wants me to be it's friend."

Great Friends!

The Meyer Family

Nedra and Shane Kaopua (they left their kids at home, four with one on the way).

There's us!

The Piena Family

The Kaitoku Family (family of eight, half the kids are missing)

The Ho Family

The Lum's (family of 4, Matt was working)

The lovely wives (L to R front) Kathy, Shawna, U'i, Nedra, (L to R back) Holly, Moana, Me, Denna and Cherry.

The husbands (L to R front) Craig, Mark, Shane, Bobby and Kyle. (L to R back) Randy, Jason, and Aaron.

The Kaopua Family

The Goo Family

Since meeting, dating and marrying Randy, his friends have become my friends. Every so often, the Ho's will host a potluck dinner and we get together and just have a good time. One of the Kaopua's were in town from Washington, so we all gathered again to enjoy each other's friendship. These truly are outstanding people. When I was there tonight, I did take a moment to appreciate what great people they are to Randy and I, and the example and things that I learn from each of them.

Good Luck for the New Year

After recuperating from the crazy night, I woke up and decided to do Japanese food for dinner. My sister-in-law always makes this soup called "Ozoni Soup". It is tradition to eat this right after midnight for good luck for the New Year. I made it our first meal of the New Year instead. It was good. Leigh cooked up some tempura to go with it, while Randy made some mochi. It was great.

New Year's Eve

Fireworks are BIG here in Hawaii on New Year's Eve. We are not big on the pyrotechnics but we did get a few things to quench the kids'thirst to light something. Randy and the kids did sparklers, pop-its, and ground bloomers.

Our little stash.

So precious.

Hmmm. I don't think he should be allowed near any fire. LOL.

A must-have with any popping of fireworks.

"Don't look."

Ooh, fire!

Where are your parents?

Kids having fun.

I think that's from our neighbor's across the street.

Earlier in the day we went down to Julie's house for some lunch cooked up by mother-in-law. The food was delicious as usual. I took my sister-in-law's advice and just embraced the food, knowing that the diet would start tomorrow. It was soooo good! Sashimi anyone? My favorite was the salmon.
Back to the night. I had to work New Year's Eve. Let me tell you, it was quite a night. On top of working my regular floor, I was called down to help in the ER for most of the night. All night I did that. At midnight, the fire alarm went off. I could smell smoke but didn't see a fire. We figured out that the smoke from outside had blown in setting off the fire alarm. It was a crazy start of the New Year for me. While in the ER, I saw a lot of unnecessary injuries caused by drinking. Many fireworks injuries. I worried a little about the safety of my family but knew that were more than safe with Randy. I'm so grateful for the wonderful husband and father he is and that I really don't ever have to worry about them when going to work.
I hope you all had a great New Year's Eve. Happy New Year's to you all!