Kamehameha/Mililani Band Competition

This is year two for Leigh being in the color guard for the Kahuku High School band. She loves it and this year was a little more fun.

Leigh with her cousin Farhen (cousin David's oldest daughter). She plays the big drum.

These are some of the band kids after. They placed 3rd in many categories for their division. Kahuku High School has a small band, along with some other schools, so they have a division for that.

They practiced long and hard almost everyday.

They look like they are just having so much fun!!!

A Fun Opportunity

An opportunity came my one day via Twitter. I was contacted my Channel 8 News Anchor (or is it Anchoress?), and asked if I would be part of a news story they were putting together. The news anchor, Stephanie Lum, had seen my website thebusycoconut.com, said she loved some of the stuff I had on there, particularly the homemade games I've made. I did explain that a lot of them were made for church. She still wanted me to come on so I said ok. She also asked if I would bring my kids.
All of them? All of them.
I'll post more later, but long story short, we taped it this afternoon. The kids were very reluctant to go and be a part of this. Mostly out of embarrassment, but I convinced them to go, because an opportunity like this was rare. In the end, they were so glad they went. It was definitely a fun and awesome experience. I'll post the whole thing in the next couple of days on TBC website. In case you're wondering, those of you locals, it will air November 17th @ 10pm KHNL Channel 8 news. Those of you on the mainland who are curious, it will be posted on KHNL's website. There are two other families who were part of this story, so I may be on for 5 seconds, not sure, but I just wanted to share this with everyone.

Halloween 2011 (Jace's real birthday)

Over the years, I have grown to love Halloween. I don't know why, I just do. Now that I have a son born on Halloween day, it makes it even more fun!

This kids have their annual Halloween parade. Kara is sporting the lastest in 80's Rocker Zombie.

This is Micah, can't you tell. He wanted to be the Grim Reaper. I was a little hesitant at first because I'm more of a "cutesy Halloween" type. But I figured it was Halloween and it's only fun when you get to be what you want to be.

Later in the evening, when night fell, it was time to go trick-r-treating.

Did you know that teenagers still like to go Trick-R-Treating? Leigh was dressed up as Pocahontas.

I was curious to see what a 12 year old boy comes up with for Halloween. Here it is --- stick man.

Jace stayed behind and passed out candy. He was having a blast, being outside where all the action was happening.

It was a good Halloween.

Happy 1st Birthday Jace!!!

Today we celebrated Jace's 1st birthday!! We were so excited. Seeing as he's probably our last, we partied it up a little bigger than normal. We invited friends and family that are in Jace's life to help us celebrate.

Earlier in the day, our family went over to the cultural hall to put up the decorations. That was probably the most fun. What we didn't get a picture of was the table decorations, but I was so happy with how that turned out.

This was the table with the cake and the favors for the kids after.

On the invitation, we told guests that if they felt like dressing up, costumes were more than welcomed, after all, it's Halloween!

Lots of friends.

Lots of family.

Lots of food.

And lots of scary too!

Faces were painted.




And games were played.

BYUH Catering did Jace's cake. I thought they did a great job!

I'd like to say that he's never eaten cake until this moment, but being as he is the 5th child, that would be a lie. But he sure did like it!

My little cowboy is getting tired out.

When he got home though, he did get his second wind. He needed them to open those presents.

It takes a lot of energy and strength to get through that wrapping paper. It was fun to see Jace excited.

He was exhausted by the end. He had had a full day. Happy Birthday Jace!!

It's Almost Time!

We've never been more excited about Halloween this year, than any other year. The invitations are out. We're getting excited for Jace's 1st birthday! It's been a while since we've celebrated one of those. Unlike our other kids, we did it a little bigger than normal. That's okay. We're happy and excited to celebrate with friends and family. Until then, here's Jace's interview to share with you.

My favorite food is: milk, particularly whole.

My favorite sport to play is: climbing. I can climb anything.

The best show on television is: Blue's Clues.

The coolest person on earth is: Mom (LOL!)

My favorite thing to learn about in school is: Don't go yet, but mom teaches me a lot of things.

The thing I do the most awesomely is: climb

If I could go anywhere in the world, I would go to: the playground

My favorite color is: not sure yet.

When I grow up, I’m going to become: no sure yet either.

My current favorite song is: The Blue's Clues theme song

The book I am loving right now: Can't sit still long enough to know.

Three words that describe me are: active, rascal, and happy.

When I was little, I used to: just lay around.

My favorite season of the year is: I think I love them all.

The absolute best thing about camping is: the beach. I love playing in the sand.

The snack I like the best is: those senbei crackers.

One food I really dislike is: broccoli. I always spit it out.

My best friend is: Dad.

If I had one wish, it would be: To just play all day and night.

My favorite memory is: Too many to name right now.

It Was Bound to Happen

Every time Randy is out of town, this boy in particular hurts himself. Not sure what it is or why. This time, he hurt himself at football practice. And here I was afraid of him getting hurt during a game. Poor guy moved one way, while someone yanked him the other, and the end result, a dislocated knee cap.
He was strong. I could see that he was in a lot of pain, but held it in. Even though Randy was out of town, our ward members were awesome with all the help they gave me. From priesthood holders who came to give Tyler a blessing before we left for the hospital, to dinner being provided while I was gone with Tyler. Thank you to all who helped us out.
Tyler is doing fine now and seems to be healing well.

**Update - Tyler's knee seems to be healed and he's fine know after some physical therapy.

BackPack Contest

When we had Open House back in August for the kids at school, there was a coloring contest being held. It was to help raise "backpack awareness". The winner of the coloring contest would win a Jansport BackPack. Micah enetered.
It had been a while and we all forgot about the contest, but not Micah. He had been anxiously waiting for them to announce the winner. They finally did today. I went to pick up the kids for an appointment while they were having an assembly. Just as we were getting into the car, we heard Micah's name called over the mic that he had won the backpack. We were all excited for him. He jumped out of the car and ran over and got his new backpack. Way to go Micah!!!!