pictures

Everyday pictures are sometimes my favorites. Paul took Lullaby to Home Depot to get a few things for our bathroom remodels, but instead they sent me this picture. It was the Home Depot build and Lullaby was happy to be the ONLY kid who got to go. So special. 

I don't often get the pictures off of Paul's phone, because he doesn't take a lot of pictures, but sometimes I find little gems, like this one. I bet Lullaby put him up to this.

Another excited day in my church class... I'm teaching such a riveting subject.

Catching and watching lizards is always entertaining.

I cut my own hair, and it was a lovely pastel purple. I loved it.

Another beautiful sunrise picture from Paul's morning bike ride.

Solace carried his floaty, goggles, and 4 towels down to the pool by himself. It made him look twice as big as he is. So funny.

I ran into two of my favorite kids at Costco one day and text this picture to their mom. She was so surprised. But it's something I love about our tiny island. Everywhere I go, I see someone I know.

In my art class, I taught the kids how to use oil pastels, and they did a great job! I really loved being an art teacher.

A note from Matix taped to the door. So funny.

sugar cookies

I made some tiny rosette sugar cookies for a Relief Society activity. Their colors are typically yellow (or gold) and blue. So I made variations of each color.  They were so tiny. I love making little roses. 

They asked me lead the activity and teach everyone how to make my sugar cookies. I didn't get ANY pictures of the activity itself, as I was busy running from table to table helping, but it was so much fun. Everyone left with several cookies and they all had fun, and maybe even learned something new! Setting up I had Amy helping me, she was my stirrer for the frosting.  Thank goodness for good friends who are always there to support you! I made a few pounds of icing ahead of time, but when I got there, there were MORE people than we had guessed would come, so we made more. You can see most of the cookies in this picture. It was a BIG job.

Paul's garden

Paul rigged up an irrigation system for his garden and it's growing FAST! Dragon fruit, soursop, and avocado are doing the best. But there's also kale, tomatoes and tangerine. Paul has a green thumb and it's so great to watch him get to do something just for FUN.  Those long hour days in residency seem like decades ago. 

rooster tales

One day when we were inside the house, some bigger and meaner roosters came and scared our sweet rooster down into the jungle. He was lost all day. The kids were really worried and so was I since he wasn't scratching or pecking the ground yet, so he really relied on us to be fed. He was gone all day. We hunted for him for a long time, with no luck. Finally Hawken found him, just after dinner time. Matix came and grabbed him and brought him back to his spot.  He was super hungry.

After a few weeks of rehab and us feeding Ronald several times a day, he started scratching the ground and pecking on his own! It was so exciting! So we built him a little shelter and brought him to a nice area near Paul's garden. Matix wasn't too sure about it, but we left him there to see how he would do on his own.

Ronald only stayed there for one day because the next morning when Matix went to check on him, he was gone. He got himself trapped UNDER a chainlink fence near by and was bleeding.  So he came back to the house and lived under our stairs again. Poor thing.  The kids were happy to have him back  close again.

every day pics

Here are some random pics that need to be seen. One of the morning sunrise pictures that Paul took. So beautiful.

Uncle Phil teaching the kids about the million uses for coconuts in their Hawaiian Studies class.

Lullaby and Hawken making a fairy trail with plumeria flowers, trying to lure them to our house. 

This is a bee suit from one of Paul's patients. The perks of his job here are amazing. He went out hiving with him and learned so much. He had an awesome time.

This is my brand new oven. The old one was partially broken and this one is perfection. thousands of cookies have already been baked here.

Sometimes when the kids are alone in their room they come out dressed in each others clothes. Matix, Hawken and Sully would have made some pretty little girls!

The kids like to set up "sales". One day they mined for crystals in the jungle, bottled them, went door to door telling our neighbors about it, and set up this stand to sell from. They got a few buyers, and the rooster tried to help too.

At the Hunts house, the kids harvested lots of oranges and lemons, and made fresh juice for everyone. It kept them busy for almost an hour.

goodbyes

We hung out with Dortch family s much as they could stand us while they were here visiting. They are so much fun. I baked Chris some meringues for his birthday. The only picture I took of them though was this, when they were on my lap in the car. Ha ha.

Shar and Hannah let my braid their hair, and then assisted as Shar baked this beautiful rainbow cake. She was pretty proud of herself. 

Saying goodbye sometimes needs presents. So we let the kids pick out some gifts to send their friends off with.

Wanna also got to meet our rooster. She was SO impressed that he likes people and didn't run away!

Two of my favorite girls.

This is one of my favorite pictures because each of the kids has a buddy. We just told them to sit down and this is how they sat. Callie and Becca. Jayna and Hannah. Shar and Sully. Matix and Ethan. Hawken and Jonny. Lanna and Lullaby. Such a FUN group of kids. We love you Dortch family and Hunt family!

pool day again

Having friends over at the pool is always more fun. This small pool gets filled up fast, and seems especially full when Paul gets in there to make waves. So funny.