Gap-Tooth Smile on the way...

Well looks like Kiri is going to have her front tooth pulled out (it's dead). That means for the next 5 years she will have every picture with a gap smile. When Kiri came home from the dentist, Lyon asked me "what happened to Kiri?"
I said she is going to lose her tooth.
"I have a loser tooth" he replied.
That's going to go well driving his garbage truck.

First Day of School for Miss Kiri

Kiri had her first day of school on Wednesday. We told Lyon he is taking her to school and he has to take care of her. His comment on this situation: "Do I have to wipe her butt?"

Summer of 2011

Giant slip and slide at Camp Slogget for LMC family camp
Kiriana and her new friends
The kids first farm fair!
First boat ride to Na Pali Coast. So handsome!
Lyon's first day of preschool. Oh my baby is all grown up now...mixed feelings of relief yet sadness because time flew by :(
View of the Wailua River from our kayak
We kayaked up the Wailua River with our friend Frieda. Kiri wore her Kayak hat. She did incredible for only being two years old.
The Foster's first home. After 5 years of saving...we did it!!
My beautiful daughter of so many countries. Anais made her bikini!
Lyon's 4th birthday at Poipu Beach. I used to have my birthdays at this beach. Life repeats itself.
She was so well put together for the party...five minutes into it she found the flour pit.
when your dad is the drummer you think you can run on the stage and invite your friends. I wasn't about to go get them.

Fourth of July 2011 PMRF sunset. Love.
This is my child, I promise. Before I met Ariki or had kids, I always envisioned a brown polynesian child with big curly hair. Here she is.

Sweet family portrait...Lyon 3, Kiri 2



Almost three!
All smiles
What to do on a cloudy day? Fill up the buckets with warm water and bubbles!

Where's Your Money Kiri?

Carmel: "Kiri do you have money?"
Kiri: "yep"
Carmel: "Where is your money?"
Kiri: "Its in my daddy's pocket"

No Training Wheels!

August 4, 2011...Lyon rides a bike without training wheels at Family Camp in Koke'e.

Kauai Farm Fair 2011

For some reason, the Fair was much more fun when I was a kid and didn't know how much things cost. This was the first year we took them to the fair and they loved it. Photo of evidence attached. I could deal without the heat, lines, people and noise. Oh the joy of seeing first time joy in their faces!

Home

July 18, 2011. I say this date so I will always remember it. Today is the day we signed the papers on our first home. For some, this is not a big deal. For us, it is huge and so wonderful. You see, I have always dreamed of owning my own home. When I was 18 years old, I would imagine what my home would look like. I would dream about owning a home on Kauai. Seeing the economy affect home prices, I had doubt this would be possible. At one point in 2007, prices were so high on Kauai, I didn't see how any young people would be able to own a home and live here. But there is an old adage: what goes up must come down. And so it did with prices on Kauai as well. I started saving when I was 23. It was a dream, yet a far one. When Ariki and I married in 2005, I had already saved $13,000. I told him we would start a "home fund" with the money. He asked if I planned to buy just a bathroom with that amount. I laughed, but kept saving. Slowly and surely. We paid off debt and arranged our life to be simple and free of most wants. We bought clothes and items second-hand and saved the difference. We ate at home and shopped sales. And waited for the right time. Eventually, we were able to save enough for a down payment. Even we were amazed at the number we were able to save. Persistance. Patience. Dedication. We never borrowed from our Home fund. Finally we found the right house. A little 3 bedroom in Koloa. Great neighbors, great school and beach nearby.
We went to sign papers today. We had to bring the kids to the meeting. Lyon asked if they would have a movie at the meeting. Nope. How about a party? Nope, sorry buddy. Just papers. Just papers that I have been waiting to sign for ten years. On Friday we pick up the keys and the U-Haul. And then we move to a new chapter in our life. Homeowners. Thank you Lord!