Summer 2008

Rivers Edge - 2008

Cousin Jason & Ty
Princess Keala

Queen Toscha & Her Royal Highness AmyThe Yates Family
Rory & Gary Catching Up

Noa is the Superstar Batchie Baller The Inseparable Couple
This is what two days of Traveling will do to little boys
Yum Yum Smores Hang'n by the Pool

Dress Up with Allison Noa Zekey and Keala

The Bunny Hoppers
(the loves birds swapping sippy cups - notice Zeke's pink one)

Summer 2008 Comes to a Close

Can't believe how fast this summer has gone by. So many memories and great times. Noa is turning 4 in a few months and Zekey is already 16 months old. They are learning what it means to be brothers and work together. We have a long way to go! I know that Noa is my son and of course I am proud of everything he does (ok...most everything) but he really is turning into a wonderful little person. He has made so many accomplishments and successes this summer. One thing he has learned is to write his own name. We have started a little preschool to help him along. I am learning so much about myself being a teacher to him. I think we both can benefit from a little home schooling. Zekey is really starting to talk and use signing to get what he needs. He has master the sign for "no". As he is bringing me my cell phone or taking apart the remote...he will say and sign "no". He is a little trouble maker and I love that he is still a Mama's boy. Noa has grown up so much and so independent that it is nice having one still need me.

We had a family reunion this summer and talk about building memories for the kids....WOW! It was a trip that I hope Noa always remembers. Just getting there was an adventure from Hawaii. There we two flights, car trips and other stops along the way. We we so blessed to have all the Grandparents there spending time with all the kids. It was truly a vacation for me having so many loved ones looking out for all the kids. It gave me a rest physically and emotionally. Having no family to help out is the only draw back to living in Hawaii.! All three grandpa (Grandie, Grand-Pop Byrd and Grand-Pop Allison), all two grandmas (Grammie & Grannie), Auntie Amy & Uncle Jeff, Cousin Allison and little Cousin Keala Rose...even Cousins he didn't even know he had...Cousin Jason and Cousin Ty. The house we stayed in was right on the river, so the kids got to play, skip rocks, hunt for all kinds of critters. Poor Grand-Pop Byrd got poison oak really bad....there is always one that gets it? Zekey really fell hard for his cousing Keala, they are only weeks apart in age...Everyone did great with the Photo Scavenger Hunt....lots of funny pictures. Every night all the grown-ups gathered around the fire pit and just enjoyed being together. Grannie Byrd brought all kinds of fun dress up and play clothes for the kids (of all ages). As a family we thought having Christmas in July would be a great way for us all to spread a little holiday cheer because we usually do not get to spend the holidays together. There of course was roasting marshmallow for smores (Noa's first time).