She's a big girl now!

Keilani is finally potty trained! As soon as the kids got back to school I started potty training Keilani!
She was so ready!! I'm so happy not to have to change another diaper....

soccer season

It is once again that time of the year! Eden is so excited to be in soccer again. It was a long summer without it! This season Eden has practices every Thursday and games on Saturday which means he gets to play twice a week which he is thrilled about!

sandcastle building competition

Yesterday Jon took the boys to Galveston for the annual sandcastle competition. They were part of the DOW team. They left bright and early Saturday to fill the big molds so the sand has time to set and harden in order to be able to be carved out. I

headed out with the littles after PE's open house to go see them but once I arrived at the location, I was turned away by the police saying that there was no parking available. The closest place to park was over 1 mile away... knowing that Kiki, Eden, and Keilani would not be able to last this long walking in the heat i headed straight (another hour) home. I was so bummed, I was really hoping to see them. But they had a great time and that is all that matters.

my happy place

One of the things I love most about this house is our back patio.

It is such a relaxing place! I often just like to go out, sit and relax

little sweetie

PBT

Today I got certified in  Progressive Ballet Technique. I just loved doing this workshop/ certification. It made me miss being in school for dance. I just love to learn new things and be so inspired to be a better teacher and a better dancer. I cannot wait to implement some of these exercises in my classroom.

Happy 5th birthday Eden!

Today Eden turned 5!!!! Eden is such a joy to have around. He loves to have fun and make others laugh. Eden always has a smile on his face. He also love to help his little sister and loves his family, he tells me all the time! This little sweetie melts my heart!

lumberjack

This weekend Jon and I decided to prune and chop down some trees. Jon let me climb one of our tree and saw some branches off. It was seriously so fun!

First day of school

Yesterday was the children's first day back at school!





Can you see the excitement in Julien and Logan's faces? lol! I think is just because they are still half asleep, it was their first day at early morning seminary as well.

Julien is a junior this year



Logan is a sophomore



Kia Ora is in 3rd grade



Eden is now in Kindergarten



Love those smiles! Eden was very brave in not wanting me to walk him in, and Kiki was a great big sister taking him to his classroom!



And this little nugget gets to stay home with me!



As soon as Keilani went down for a nap, I decided to enjoy some quiet time of my own...

LOL! just a little fun with lolo!

This kid is so cool and so much fun to be around!

I love that sometimes he will just go along with me and have some fun doing random things!

Ward's Hands

This month I worked on a project I have been wanted to do for a long time. It is still not complete but well advanced.

I laminated this quote on the glass of a frame in which I will put a black and white  picture of our family holding hands. 

The Ward’s

HAND IN HAND

happy hands clean hands

serving hands joyful hands

thrifty hands kind hands

warm hands loving hands

sharing hands giving hands

gentle hands helping hands

willing hands healthy hands

caring hands uplifting hands

working hands strong hands

teaching hands friendly hands

peaceful hands special hands

Truthful hands Charitable hands

spiritual hands pure hands

grateful hands prayerful hands

In a separate frame I added a collage of pictures representing some of these qualities.

Never too wet for a swim

The kids went swimming in the rain today. I just thought it was so funny that Kiki got the umbrella out! 

baby snuggles

I just love snuggling up to my kiddos in the morning! I wish it could happen more often. Keilani definitely loves to get cuddled and her mommy loves to cuddle her!

babe and I

The lights to the pool and hot tub are now fixed finally! So exciting!

So tonight decided to test it out!

Ice cream and hot tub what could be better!

ice cream

Having this covered pool has been so nice!
We have spent nearly everyday outside swimming, and relaxing!

Beautiful Butterfly

The past 2 days every time I have visited my garden I have found some beautiful little critters. Yesterday was a beautiful Monarch butterfly and today a gorgeous dragonfly. It is the perfect addition to my garden!

Happy 37 Jon

Today is Jon's 37th birthday! I am so grateful to have him as my BFF, my sidekick, my plus one, my eternal companion, and love of my life

Family photos!

My good friend Joe took did a little photoshoot session for us! It was the first time in many many years we were all together. I am so grateful for him doing this for us, as the family is expanding, it will be a lot harder to be able to gather all together again. It was a memory I will cherish forever!



My mom and dad and all of their children



Papi & Mami and all their grandkids



The siblings



My mom & dad



Jon and I



Jon, Me, Julien, Logan, Kia Ora, Eden, and Keilani



Audrey & Joey



Audrey, Joey, Kate, and Emmeline



Kim & Nick



Kimberley, Nick, Sophie, and Levi



Thiefaine & Maruia



Thiefaine, Maruia & Teave



Raphael, Scarlet, Gabrielle, and Benjamin














I forgot to ask for individual shots of Alex!
He is the lonely heart right now... <3 p="">
Beautiful candid shots