The boys....

Last weekend we had "family day." Its a new thing we are trying to do at least twice a month. Where we all do an activity just us. We have lots going on around here so its kind of hard for us to actually do it. The requirements are 1. It has to be an activity and 2. Just us! And it usually ends up we go out to lunch or dinner afterward. I mean we always eat as a family, but we don't really DO much as a family. For example, I will take Carl somewhere, and Chris will take Chris, or me both boys and so on. Its turning out to be fun!!!

This is our trip on the Submarine last weekend. We saw lots of fish, and lots of coral. And the old whaling ship they sank 5 years ago! Its great to actually go out and see what our beautiful island has to offer. Working for an activity business.... well we talk about it but don't do it as much as we should... tonight Whale Watch!!!

Plumerias galore!

Sooo... Now that I have been into the blogging world more, doing research and such... Im obsessed!

Im turning this into our Family/my Crafting blog.
Ive posted a couple projects, but I am currently working on more... but here is my first...

Two weeks ago on One Pretty thing I found a great blog...
Polka Dot Pineapple. A lady from my side of the ocean.

I found this tutorial on the cute (amazing) Plumeria flowers I see everywhere!!!
I was stoked!!!

So I made them... and I can't stop...you have to go to her site to see step by step.... but here is my attempt... with a little modification... Kasper way of course....

Start with this. fabric wire, wire cutters, tacky glue, mod podge and scrap fabric. You also need a bead container to get the shape.

I cut the wires in half... then you fold the wire over the tube and twist...

Then CAREFULLY pull it off to keep the round shape...

Then slightly pull the wire to get this shape...

I made a few a head of time....

Now visit her blog to see how to get to here... I suck at picture taking when Im in the zone!!!

Then... cut carefully around the edges... and here is my modification.. Mod Podge! It stiffened the flowers without making a huge mess... Plus Carl got to help with the painting!!!

And after its all dry... shape then tape.. Here it is in all its glory (bad picture and all)

Maday maday, Tree down!

So back in 2003 California, Mainly Scripps Ranch, experienced a huge fire storm. Thousands of homes were lost including a few very dear friends of ours. Ive been afraid of fire ever since. My mom thankfully didn't lose her home.

Well a lot of trees had to be removed because they were burned, and damaged. Well my mom has this HUGE tree in her yard, and had talked to her landlord about removing it but.... well I don't know why it wasn't money? Maybe it was safe. But its been a tree we always talk about, "well a huge storm... blah blah blah" And guess what... The huge storm came. Thankfully no one was hurt, but her neighbors garage was smashed. And a car. It happened about 9:00 am. My sister was at school, and my mom thought it was just loud thunder! Check out the pictures.
This is taken from her front door. All along the right side of the picture is my moms house.

That is my moms house in the picture

This is standing on the stairs you see in the previous picture

And this is the neighbors garage. Again no one was hurt.

What do you think? I want to hear your stories.

Chargers!

Now on a lighter note... Go Chargers! I love my Chargers. I have since... well I was 15.
Go Chargers!

Earthquake... Haiti and more!

So for the past few days I have been glued to CNN. (even when I am at the gym) and the earthquake coverage in Haiti.

I have a few things I want to share and say about this.

Back in October of 2006 Chris and I went to The Big Island for my birthday. It was a surprise trip for me, from Chris and my mother in law and father in law. We stayed in this beautiful home/community (very similar to where we live on Maui.) Chris was really into fishing and I was really into trying for the baby that we wanted to have. (Carl came perfectly 9 1/2 months later.) Well we got there on a Friday and left on a Sunday. Sunday morning we slept till 7:20 and were woken up by an Earthquake.I grew up in San Diego so I have had my share of earthquakes. But this one was weird... I mean come on! we were in the middle of the fricken ocean. We were on VACATION... We live in Hawaii! It was a big one. (for Hawaii) 5.7. Followed by a 5.2 15 min later. (my California fire drills kicked in... so did the profanity)

The thing about Hawaii, which most people don't know, is it is the FARTHEST Island from any Mainland in the entire world. The Entire WORLD... Think about that for a second... now go look at your maps. It take at least 5 1/2 hours by plane. And did you know San Francisco is the closest city to the Islands... anyway besides the point. Back to the earthquake.

Communication was spotty, I was able to call my mom, but the connection was bad, and everytime there was an aftershock I wanted to call her but it was spotty. The airports were shutting down, the power was out in Honolulu. And we were 14 miles from the epicenter. This if after the big aftershock... See the dirt spewing into the ocean... this was a HUGE rock slide... and all the houses around were full of windows. In our condo, everything was shaken open. People were rushing to the hills. Crazy I tell you.

After all that we ended up getting home, after lost luggage, no food, Lucky we even got gas, back up toilets, rental car disputes, TSA pat downs, shortage of cash... and no AC! Can you believe it... I was LUCKY! I can't even imagine what its like in Haiti. I did my $10 donation, and I have put in a lot of time at the red cross in my life. And wish I can donate blood.

But someone needs your help. I have been in the blogworld for awile now. Only for family, but Im branching out. Please read this blog... The Howertons
I have been follwing her since Tuesday... and am touched. Please help!!! I am!

Please tell me your earthquake stories, and if you are helping! Aloha!

Aloha Friday

Well Carl didn't want to go to the gym today, and I figured we went five days already this week so lets just go outside. So I got my workout clothes on (I will totally work out with them on) and off we went. Carl hopped on the scooter (these are the best) and off we went.

First stop... the tree down by the clubhouse

Then to see if the bananas are ripe enough yet to pick

Then he decided that he loved this tree. He got off the scooter hugged the tree and said "mommy I wuve dis tree." Ahh... however he let go before I got the picture.

And needless to say for being outside for over an hour, walking back and forth down the street, saw a few whales... it was a nice workout. With cooler than normal temps it was very refreshing! Happy Aloha Friday!

My felt food creation.

So one of the things I have been working on the last week is my Niece's birthday present. She will be two the end of January, and I thought how great to make her felt food. As I have been making it Carl LOVES it. So I know D will too! Here is what I have so far, and I am needing to go to the otherside to get more felt. I love that this is made out of recycled plastic bottles! If anyone is interested in instructions let me know!!

Movie in Lahaina

So exciting stuff happening around here! Today they closed up front street to film a movie. Its called "Hereafter" and it stars Matt Damon(!) and I hear Sandra Bullock. And my beautiful neighbor was a very important extra!!! (gotta remember to get her autograph) Paparazzi were EVERYWHERE, and well Carl and I decided to take a look at what was going on, and this is what we found...

I thought this sign was pretty funny! I entered the area but doubt we were filmed. And Carl had this annoying McDonald's toy, you know the chipmunk one that you press the head and says "ba da ba ba ba.., Im loving it" So if you here it... its Carl!

But this is all we saw! Over the peoples head you can see all the actors. Did I mention that Clint Eastwood is the director. Yup you read that directly, and I SWEAR that he crossed the street in front of me the other day.... but he was wearing a cowboy hat and thought that was too cliche... who knows!

What do you think?? Stay tuned, felt food picture coming soon!

My Day today!!!

Thanks too Danielle at http://transforminghome.blogspot.com Check out her cutie kids... and her fun decorating ideas....

My day today....

7: up, coffee, breakfast (eggs for me, Cereal for Carl and Chris)
8: daddy breakfast (coming home from a 5am wakeup)
9: clean up, dressed
10 :gym 2 miles and bribing Carl to be good.
1130: grocery store, post office, drop lunch off to Chris Lunch for Me and Carl
12-2: try to get Carl down for a nap...(no luck)dishes, email, phone calls
2:gave up on nap... snack, cartoons, laundry, water hose
3:another snack for Carl, start working on crayon rolls for Orphanage
4: walk with the neighbors
5: Cocktail time?? (nooo..! diet) start dinner
6-7: eat clean up dishes, bath time
7-8: story, brush teeth, bed, blog... Phew!!

it is now 9:30
Chris watching TV
Carl is sleeping
and I am enjoying (one) glass of wine
I've lost 4 lbs... not about to screw it up!!!

Help

How do I make my blog all pretty? I want swirlies!

Grandma Pam's Quilts

So My Mother in Law Pam made Shiloh a beautiful Quilt about 5 years ago, and I have been hounding her to make Carl one too. Well for Christmas she made one for Shiloh and one for Carl... and I am hoping this will be a tradition... Anyway she made the quilts with their favorite things right now! Can you guess?


Carl's...

Shiloh's...

Carl LOVES Thomas and motorcycles... Especially dirt bikes... (and the AMA supercross season has started so help me please) And Shiloh loves football. He will watch the football stats over and over, and for him being 10 I am amazed that he knows more than me about football. (and you know me I love my football... especially The San Diego Super Chargers!)

Well I have been working on my crayon rolls for the orphanage and have expanded into paint brush and pencil rolls.... And for Carl... Felt food... Watch out here I come!!!!! Pictures are coming... I PROMISE!!!!

Happy New Year!!

Ahh Its already (almost) the 2nd week of 2010 and I havn't even gotten my Christmas/ New Years Cards out yet! Ahh Ive been busy, Gym, cleaning, sewing, and making the cute little crayon rolls that I have been seeing around the blogworld. I have my own little take on the few that I have seen. They are fun, and Carl is helping me make them. Picking out the fabric, and pushing down the pedal on the sewing machine. My little helper. Im making about 20 of them and sending them off to an Orphanage in Mexico that My dad's family is running. Pictures when they are done!!

If you all didn't know I have the best neighbors in the world. We held a little "Block Party" for New Years and My mother in laws Birthday. It was so much fun!!!! Im still working on how to use my new camera I got for Christmas (another project) and so please forgive me the red eye!

And here is cutie Carl thinking the fire works were to loud!



And this was Carl at about 10:30 that night. The first casualty of the evening. He was throwing a fit (probably because he was tired) and well he was "chalked." Sometime that evening there were a few other "chalked" people out there.
I have the best Neighbors!!!
Happy New year! Off to the gym I go!