Aloha!

When can I come back? That is the first question I asked myself as I looked out our condo window! I think the last ten days have truly been a dream. It was absolutely delightful. From the sights, smells, water, plants, etc. It was amazing. Hawaii is a fun stop for any type of group. We had my grandparents, (ages 80 and 86 years old), my parents, (50's) my sister and I, and our two babies, (3 months and 6 months old). We were a odd mix matched group, but that didn't stop us there. We did the high adventure and neigther age group stopped us from any activity. We did so much, and we have so much to do when we go back. I will let the pictures speak for themselves. It was wonderful. Thanks Dad for such a fantastic trip!

...just enjoy my pictures until you get a turn to go....Mahalo!

Happy Halloween!

Here are a few pictures of our past few activities. Enjoy!

Jacob...

Jacob is growing in more ways than one. He has successfully become a very chubby baby! We weighed him the other day and he was around 18 pounds at 5 months old!! I can't believe this! What a chubby boy! (Side note: Alayna only weighed 19 lbs at 1 year old!!!) We have truly enjoyed each little roll and chub. We think he looks like marshmallows stacked on top of each other. He has successfully accomplished rolling over! He only did it one or two times, and then one day he just kept rolling and rolling. He gets where he wants now! Except that he has quickly learned that the tummy is not the place he wants to be! So he just has to fix it by rolling again. He has also accomplished the "eating his toes" development step. I learned that if I leave his pants off, the toes go straight to his mouth! Alayna has enjoyed relearning all of these developmental skills again, just like Jacob. (See Picture below!) Jacob is celebrating, because he loves to eat! We first started him out with rice cereal, but that does not satisfy this hungry little guy. He celebrates when he gets pears, peas, squash or sweet potatoes…but green beans he can do with out! What a delight it is to see him be so happy and satisfied! He truly is a sweet little guy! We are sure glad he came to our family.

Potty Training...

Alayna is on to her second week of potty training! Meaning no more diapers! Celebration…accomplishment…indeed!! As all mothers know the worry and wonder that fills your mind each time you leave the house! I feel like bathrooms are just not close enough when you desperately need one. So far she has done very well. (I'm still crossing my fingers thought!) I have exhausted my creativity resources over the past few months, but it seems to be "sticking" now. Thanks to $1.37 smiley face stickers from Wal-Mart and a Potty Present bag (It holds surprise items, treats, toys, stickers, etc.)! It's amazing what a little color will do to excite a child. I have heard recently from several different sources, that there truly is no reason to even worry about potty training because there has yet to be a ten year old that is not potty trained. Well, I was thinking if people didn't ask in such a way… "Is she potty trained yet? Oh…she's not…she's so bright, I'm surprised!" Then I really wouldn't have to feel pressure to have my daughter potty trained. But all joking aside it truly has been blissful to have her feel so proud of herself and say, "Mommy, I am giving all my diapers to Jake today… I don't need them I'm a big girl now…I just wear my underwear!" I believe she is feeling very accomplished.

Celebration...

Now, here is the big CELEBRATION!!! Jared has accomplished his Doctoral Project for Physical Therapy school. He has passed with flying colors and a round of applause from his classmates and professors. GOOD JOB! WE ARE SO VERY PROUD OF YOU!!! He has worked on this doctoral project for longer than 200 + hours over the passed month or so. He completed this portion of his 3 year doctoral degree just yesterday. We celebrated last night this amazing accomplishment by going out to dinner with his family and we will be hosting another party next Monday for others to share in his joy! Now, I must explain…He will be finished with his course work school classes come this December. Then he has to complete two internships, one in California from January –March then another in Salt Lake City from March to the end of April. Then he will be graduating with a diploma in his hands on April 30, 2008! With high hopes to be employed and ready to go! Basically he's now earned the doctor (D) part of his degree (DPT), now he just needs to finish the rest of the physical therapy (PT) part. He just needs the rest of this semester and internships in the spring, and then he graduates with his DPT in May.

Alayna said to him, "Thank you Daddy, I'm proud of you!" I also told her to call him "Doctor Daddy!" She said it and just laughed saying… "You're not my 'Doctor' daddy!" We are so very proud of all his time and effort spent on succeeding so well in school. He has magnified his talents and has been blessed for doing so. I new it was official when Jared said, "They can't take it away from me…I'm done…I never have to do anything with this again! Yeah!"

I can't believe that our three years of school is winding down to the end. It feels just like a few months ago we just started this three year journey in life. It's amazing how we can grow and learn so much no matter where we are living. What a joy. Thank you for enduring such a long email of accomplishments and celebrations. I felt we had all individually accomplished so very much and I wanted to share it with you!