Just Some Fun Stuff

We've been busy. Really busy. Working, going to school, raising kids, being cool. Its hard work.  Sometimes we manage to squeeze in some fun. And then I get too busy to put it on my blog, which is ultimately my journal. So I have to backtrack before the year is through and add these memories.

  

Maui Half Marathon

 

We rocked it.

 Sharks at SeaLife Park

 Luckily Expedia is awesome and we are able to get our activities for free.

Don't waste your time or money on this one. Just look at them thru the glass.

Legends Waikiki

DO waste your time and money on this.  Awesome. Fun. And well worth it.

They even had virgin drinks for us non-Alky's

Daddy Daughter Ball

 I have such pretty girls. And they have such a good Daddy. Such an exciting night. Daddy Daughter Ball, AND a Tsunami warning. 

Halloween

She's CeeCee from Shake It Up . . . . Duh ;).

Movie Star

 LaLa Loopsie

 And a change of costume for LaLa Loopsie. The wig/helmet just wasn't' working out for her.

My Wonderful Little Students

Ava was Good Citizen at her school. She's such a sweet girl.

 Edyn after her Cross Country Meet. My little Runner.

The Color Run

Honolulu Marathon

Carb Loading at Bucca Di Beppo

Just packing up my water belf full of running nuggest and gems.

Done. And Done. 

A Lot of Post Marathon Gluttony

For some reason all I want this week is RootBeer. It must have to do with how delicious it is. No, I'm not pregnant. I just ran a marathon and I am allowing myself to eat and drink whatever I want this week. Tomorrow, its back to my sort of healthy lifestyle.

My birthday Chocolate Haupia Pie. This might be against the law to say this in Hawaii, but Costco's is WAY better than Ted's Bakery.  WAY.

Magic of Polynesia.  

 This is FUN. And FUNNY.  DO go to this if you are in Honolulu.

Trustworthy Edyn

She earned a Character Trait award for Trustworthiness at Wheeler Elementary.  I'm such a proud Mama. 

Aaaaaaaaannnnnnnd that's a wrap.

35

Its my birthday. And since I am a party animal, I stayed out way past 10pm last night, so I'm pretty tired. Also old. 

It's not easy to find babysitters around these parts. Mostly because Lila is such a handful, and lets face it . . . . who really wants to babysit?  Luckily my friends daughter who is amazing, accepted the offer (read: punishment), and watched my girls last night while the Mr. and I spend the evening with some of our Hawaii Ohana. Its a pretty wild night when you get this bunch of crazies together.

And after a night of sobbing due to yesterday's tragic events, I was awakened this morning  to the best birthday present  a girl could ask for, complete with a handmade card.  

 

All I want for my birthday is to spend it with my family.  I can't even imagine life without them.  

 Thank you Brooklin, for helping my sweet babies with this. I love it!

And now, I will spend the rest of the day gallivanting around town with in my yoga pants, my unkempt hair, with my husband, and my three little ladies who I love dearly. 

Cheers.

Thanksgiving 2012

We did Thanksgiving Hawaii style this year. That means we cooked our turkey in this . . . . .

 . . . . Imu made by the studs of Wahiawa 3rd.

 And there Ava was . . .  minding her own business, nowhere close to the fire, when all of the sudden, a fire hot rock flew out of the fire and hit her in the arm.  So we peaced out to seek medical attention at Dr. Cox's house (it really comes in handy to have Dr. friends) leaving our little turkey #42 behind to have a sleepover in this pit of danger. 

I asked Bishop if we could take a year off paying our tithing for the pain and suffering its caused us so far. He said, "sure . . . take two."  I have theeeeeee best Bishop ever. But then I remembered he wasn't being serious, and neither was I, and I like blessings, and helping poor people and what not . . . . . so pay tithing I will.

All I know, is that under this white thingy, are some wet burlap bags, all sorts of leaves, some really hot rocks (minus one little bastard that attacked my baby) and lots and lots of turkeys that would be cooking all night long. Sort of like a turkey sauna.

Damon picked up little guy the next morning. He was delish . . . meat falling right off the bone.  This needs to happen for us every year. I just adore my Wahiawa 3rd. Best. Ward. Ever.

While I slaved away making boxed stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy bought from Costco, and continuing to be amazed by my culinary skills, our little K-mart tree was being assembled by Team Fairchild.

In Hawaii, we all have little houses.  I'm not complaining, because they are little houses in paradise. Its just hard to have get togethers due to lack of space, but we somehow manage.  Shirlyn really outdid herself.  Luckily it was at her house, cause at mine you get to sit on the floor and eat off paper plates. 

And on Black Friday, while all you crazies were out being crazy risking your lives and your dignity for a bargain, I was laying on my Big A underneath these . . . . 

 Until this happened. . . . . .

Dang. 

You are cordially invited to come have Thanksgiving 2013 with us in Hawaii.

Hotel Fairchild sleeps 10 comfortably.
I can't promise good food. You do have a chance of running into a flash flood (see above picture) or perhpas a tsunami warning. You are not allowed to turn on the AC unless you want to pay my utility bill, HOWEVER, I can offer you good company and a really really warm place to rest your weary head after spending your days in a tropical paradise.

Q

I never expected something like this to happen to our family. Not like this anyway . . . . losing a loved one, so tragically, and at such a young age.  I am still having a hard time believing McQuen is not on this earth with us anymore.

The last week and a half I have felt so much grief over losing a nephew, and heartbreak for my sister and her family for losing a son and a brother. I am positive that there are many sad times ahead for all of us who lost such a wonderful young man, but I have also felt peace in knowing that this life is not the end. I know that McQuen is in a wonderful place. I know that we will see him again.

While we are all trying to make sense of his death, it has really got me thinking about what is most important in life. I believe that is relationships. I need to spend my time and and energy being kind, giving more hugs, saying I love you, saying I'm sorry, being an example, serving others, laughing harder, not taking offense, creating memories, taking more pictures, making more phone calls, having more fun, and just plain enjoying life, because you just never what day might be your last.

 

I love you Q!

What an honor it is to be an Auntie to such a wonderful young man who brought so much joy to his family and friends.  

I hesitated sharing such precious photos of his funeral, but it was such a beautiful service and brought so much peace.  I have never met anyone more excited to serve their country than McQuen. I am so grateful that he got to fulfill his dream of becoming a United States Marine, if only for a short time.  I can't thank the Marines enough for the wonderful job they have done helping my sister and her family during this very difficult time, planning his services, showing so much compassion and being so kind and considerate.  Just another reason to love this great country and the brave men and women who serve so selflessly.   

 

God Bless the Patriot Guard! Wonderful Men and Women who I admire so much.

35

Someone special turned 35 today.  And because I am not the wife of the week, and have been so busy working my tail off, I planned absolutely nothing.

Luckily, Ava made him breakfast in bed. Honey Bunches of Oats with some Peanut Butter/Banana sandwich for dessert.

And he did get to lay on our "comfortable as cardboard" couch an watch some football for about 10 minutes.

 He also got to work and watch "Fringe" at the same time. Now that he's 35 he can multitask.  Such a big boy.

And since we are such party animals, we went to Thai for dinner. Damon's choice. I'm sure everyone was enjoying their meals until we (the circus) walked in.  You know . . .  spilling water, breaking plates, getting up and going to the bathroom 50,000 times, kids saying how much they didn't like the food.  Next time, I'm leaving them with Auntie Tricia. 

We ended the celebration with a little bit of Red Raider football at Aloha Stadium.  I can't say 'Red Raida 4 Life" because I never attended school there, however, I did work there for a year so we are definitely fans.

Happy 35th Birthday Damon.  

You are loved!

(even though I sucked at your birthday this year)

Score

Every now and then you find something so precious, so rare, so raw . . . . . that you just have to share it with others. 

There's so much to focus on in one picture. The tube socks and tennie runners with dresses, the glasses, the feathered crew cuts, aaaaaaaannnnnnnd. . . . .  let us not leave out the crotch grabbing by yours truly.   You'll notice the look of sheer exhilaration on my face. If I remember correctly it was a pretty bad itch. 

I'm getting family pictures in December.  Hopefully I can keep my hands out of all places inappropriate.