Bonkey Boardin'

Our favorite activity by far while we were in Hawaii was boogie boarding (or as Noah calls it...Bonkey Boarding). On our last trip to Hawaii we found a great beach called Laie Beach Park that was frequented mostly by locals. Laie Beach Park is known by locals as "Pounder's Beach" and is known to be a great boogie boarding beach. We all were able to catch at least one fun wave or two (the kind that makes your heart beat a little faster but puts a smile on your face) AND each of us got "pounded" a time or two too! Because we all spent time boogie boarding, we didn't get pictures of all us on a board. I did make a point to stay out of the water one morning to capture Zoe catching a few waves.

Polynesian Cultural Center

On Thursday, July 14, we spent the WHOLE day experiencing the Polynesian Cultural Center. We "traveled" to the 8 different island villages throughout Polynesia where we were able to watch shows and participate in interactive activities. We also spent some time watching the Rainbow of Paradise canoe pageant along the lagoon that flows throughout the grounds of the PCC. After "traveling" we enjoyed dinner, and we ended our day watching "Ha Breath of Life"... an evening show featuring a cast of over a 100 islanders performing traditional Polynesian songs & dances.

Noah's "tatoo" from Aotearoa (New Zealand)

Zoe picked a less noticeable area of her body for her tatoo

Mom joined the fun and got "tattooed" too

Noah taking pictures of the canoe pageant

Zoe learning a dance in "Fiji"

Noah learning the male version of the dance in "Fiji"

2011 Kneeland Fun Run

On May 7, Kneeland School hosted the 3rd Annual Kneeland Fun Run. It's a fun way to get the students and the families of Kneeland together to promote physical activity as a healthy lifetime habit. The Fun Run is my "baby" and I guess you could call me the race director. It's been successful and a good time is had by all who participate.

This year, Zoe and Noah both ran the 100 meters. Zoe has been determined to win a medal for the past couple of years, but she's been 4th or 5th each time. This year, she won 1st place! She was so proud of herself, and we were pretty proud of our little runner too. Although Noah was the last to cross the finish line, he had a smile on his face the entire time. You could tell he was really enjoying himself! We were also proud of him for getting out there and running in the race all by himself. (last year, I had to run along with him and for some reason he cried the whole time)

Next year, Zoe will be too old to run in the 100 meters. She is already planning her training for next year so she can place in the 1/4 mile race!

Pinkalicious

This year Zoe decided she wanted a Pinkalicious birthday party. Since Zoe has a bit of an obsession with pink, this seemed like the perfect 6th birthday party theme.

If you're unfamiliar, Pinkalicious is a book by Elizabeth Kann about a little girl who eats so many pink cupcakes that she wakes up the next morning with pink skin and hair. The color won't wash off and the doctor diagnoses her with Pinkitis and tells her to eat green food to get better. Still, when her parents aren't looking, she sneaks just one more treat-and turns red. Upset, she starts to eat her green veggies until she returns back to normal.

The birthday girl in her PINKTASTIC outfit

the table

some green snacks

The PINK cake topped with Pinkalicious herself

I'm reading Pinkalicous and Goldalicious to the kids before they stuffed their own unicorns

party guests stuffing their own pink unicorns

Zoe's unicorn that she named "Goldie" and has also nicknamed her "Uni"

All the girls also created birth certificates for their unicorns.

Here they are writing all the info.

Friendship pin beading activity

Make a wish

Wouldn't be a Pinkalicious party without pink cake

Present time...Oh goody 1,000 more beads :0)

Zoe reading her cards all by herself.

Can you tell I'm just a little proud about what a great

reader she has become this year!

Fresno Fun

This year our spring break was the week following Easter. We decided to spend a couple extra days in Fresno. We took the kids to the Chaffee Zoo, went shopping, played games at Chuck E. Cheese, and enjoyed eating some yummy food. Both kids also had a chance to have a mini-birthday celebration with the family.

Birthday Party with the family

Did you know a baby giraffe is 6 ft. tall when it's born?

Zoe had a great time reading all the animal facts at the zoo.

I'm SO proud of my great little reader!

The kids really enjoyed watching the Flamingos.

Easter

This year, we made out annual trip to Fresno for Easter. As usual, we had a nice time visiting with my family. It's just been recently that the littlest cousins are old enough to play outside and enjoy each others company. It's nice to sit and visit while the littles run an play.

my BIG girl (seems like just yesterday it was Easter and I was pregnant

with her...for those of you who don't know, I went into labor just after Easter.

Maybe it was all the standing in church :0)

my little man loving his bow tie (and how is it that this boy is 3 already...seems

like just yesterday he was a new born and we were

making our annual Easter trip to Fresno.

The ice cream truck doesn't visit when you live in the country.

Getting an ice cream from the ice cream truck is a HUGE treat!

The cousins enjoying a "Pascha" picnic.

Hunting for Easter Eggs

"THE" Crayola Bubbles...FYI they're a tad messy :0)

Pink bubbles...is there anything better?

So much fun!

Family Reunion

I have SO many events to document from the last couple of months...from the first snowfall to Christmas to Zoe loosing her first tooth...but for now a photo from our mini family reunion. Over President's weekend my parents, my 2 sisters (and most of their family members), Steve, Zoe, Noah and I met in Medford, OR to have a little family reunion. We are spread out throughout the west coast and it is VERY rare that we are ALL able to make it to a family get together. It was really nice to spend 2 solid days enjoying each others company.