AMAZING Date Night with Alicia Keys!

I can't say I'm into music like I use to be when I was younger, but throughout the years Alicia Keys has always been one of my favorites. I still remember getting Alicia Keys first CD in 2001 and falling in love with her music! I loved her simplicity and how true she was to herself, her music and her fans. I loved that none of her music was trashy, but pure and always dealt with elements of the heart. Nothing changed about her when seeing her in person for the first time; she walked in with some black pumps, some pink jeans, and a tshirt with a butterfly on it. Her hair was back in a ponytail and she brought her game to the table as her music poured out and put us all in awe! Throughout the night she also shared it with her backup singers and band. She was so relaxed and really did make us feel a part of her show. We definitely got to see the prodigious piano player she is, hear her raw vocals, and dance to her- out of this world entertainment! Her music definitely took me and Dan for a good ride as her ballads center around love, heartbreak, and romance. "I keep on fallin, in and out of love with you", "Some people want it all, but I don't want nothing at all", "No one, no one, no one, can get in the way of what I'm feeling". What a blessing to be able to listen to one of the best voices out there in the pop/R&B world! Each song was full of emotion! I think me and Dan feel in love with Alicia time and time again as she performed! It was amazing to be in the front and see her in action...Alicia was beautiful, was committed and pushed the limits of her vocal range last night! Hearing her in concert was like magic, because her stellar performance kept us wanting more. There was both young and old at the concert, even senior citizens strolled in for a fun night. Abravenal Hall was jam packed, but a nice venue where everyone could enjoy and not feel so crowded. She was so down to earth and definitely an inspiration! This was probably one of the funnest date nights ever! Thanks Hun!

Working Mobile!

Drum roll! So after saving my money for a long time I finally invested in a blackberry. I think as a mom when we want to save money for our own personal needs and wants, it gets difficult because our children, husband, and others are always coming first. I don't know how many times I had put off purchasing this phone because other things always came up and my needs were always secondary. So I waited over a year just because I didn't want to spend $500 for it...I know many already have blessed their lives with this gadget...but for me, this little baby is what is going to allow me to work from my car, on vacation, and literally anywhere I go- GOIN MOBILE BABY! Everything on my laptop is in this device and I can't wait to be able to have the freedom that I've always wanted. Seriously for those who work from home and have clientele and emails to respond to, this is it! Already planning my trips; California next month, Australia in December, and working from anywhere I go. Thanks Blackberry, you are the sweetest phone I've come to own!

Typical Work Day at home

So finally I have afforded the luxury of working from home and this is what it usually emcompasses; "Mom, we promise to be quiet in your office", "Mom, look! look!", crying, fighting, and then I have to chase my kids out of my office like shown in the last photo. Bruce is usually the only one that listens when he is off track and home, but the other two I can never prepare for enough because they are always discovering something new daily. Each day is always full of excitement as I'm constantly trying to implement and enhance my skills in keeping my kids occupied while working. Some days are good, some days are not so nice, but all in all by the end of the day I'm just grateful to be able to help my husband in providing for our family while being home with my kids at the same time. As you can see above, even when I want a break I have my little secretary step in and take my calls, do some work on my laptop, and fill in for me when needed:)! Gotta love it!

Go Emi! Go Emi! Go!

Emeli had her own cheerleaders at her last soccer game. Considering that Lehua is asking for Emeli on a daily basis this was definitely a treat for her and my boys to watch their big sis. Emi play soccer. Emi did a great job though as she took control of the soccer ball many times and worked with her team to get it down to the goalie. We had so much fun cheering her on as she brought her team to victory! Afterwards we took the kiddoz out to eat to celebrate with Em. We love you Emi!

Boondocks Rocks!

Boondocks Rocks!

 As summer has come to an end, we were lucky to end it with a bang at Boondocks family center.  Its suprising how many times I must of driven past this place on my way up to Utah county and never checked it out.  One evening as we were getting ready for dinner little Lina called and said that they wanted to celebrate Aine's 3rd bday reo quick at Boondocks.  We got lost trying to find the entry to the center but once we got there, the phrase "Boondocks rock Mom!" was repeated time and time again.  We were so happy that we had dropped everything to celebrate Aine's bday because it allowed us to meet Boondocks for the first time.  For those of you from Utah county, in my opinion this by far outbeats trafalga, and is alot of fun!  They say that because this place is located at the foothill of the Wasatch Mountains, you can relax while watching your kids have the time of their life!  This place seriously was great as we got all day passes to do the following: Go - Karts, bumper boats, miniture golf, batting cages, laser tag, kiddie cove (this huge contraption compound for lil' kids with some obstacles, slides, etc.), Max flight simulator, huge arcade, etc. to name a few.  My boys absolutely loved it and didn't want to leave.  We got there at 7pm and didn't leave until midnight.  After the party I asked how much did it cost per person to have an unlimited pass and found out that it was $25/$18, which probably is the reason why we have never attempted to take our kids there.  We sure did have alot of fun big (adults) and small kids alike.  Thanks Aine for an adventurous night!

Lehuanani Reinamoana Pahulu

I can't believe my little princess is 19 mos old! She is definitely the little lady of our household as everyone caters to her every need. She amazes me each day as her vocabulary has exploded! Sometimes I catch her telling her brothers what to do. Her vocabulary is constantly developing and I wonder what it will be like in a year from now. Although her conversations is a good mixture of words and baby talk she always seems to be able to convey to us what she is feeling or what she may be needing or wanting to do. Needless to say in her explorations in and around our house, just about anything new will get her attention. She's my little trasher around the house. When I have finished folding launday, if I don't put it away right there and then, Lehua finds it amusing to grab the clothes and throw them all over the place. She also does the same thing with her food while at the dinner table. One of her all time favorites is finding an open bathroom and getting into the toilet....gross! (but it helps me so I can keep my toilets really clean these days just in case she makes way there...i know thats still gross but seriously it doesn't help to lock all the bathroom doors because I've tried that and then had accidents result from my boys which is no good. I love her for this though so I can be reminded not to take things so sericously. Lehua's all time favorite place to destroy though is my home office. Anytime I am not in my office, she will make a run for her money to get in there, play with my laptop, pick at the keys of my laptop, play with my phone, and try to imitate me working. She's so fie' lahi! And I know that I only have more to look forward to as she gets older. Lehua is also our little cheerleader, anything I tell her and the boys to do she screams, "yeaaaaa!" with excitement, whether it be doing chores, eating, getting a drink, etc. Her little personality is so bubbly and she always has a happy demeanor which didn't exist when she was a few months younger. You won't believe it after looking at these pictures, but Lehua wasn't so photogenic, she never liked to smile and I always thought to myself, those non-smile faces she got from her Dad. Thank goodness that has all changed, as one of her favorite things to do is take pictures and say "cheese!". Lehua also has the biggest sweet tooth ever! Her eyes are like targets when treats or snacks are in her presence. Her all time favorite is the Grandmas pink cookies. She won't let one of those out of her sight when they are in our home. Just last week, one of my cousins from Australia had send us some goodies. I obviously didn't hide it away carefully, because one day as I was working in my office I could hear Lehua and Alani laughing down the hall in my bedroom. I thought to myself, how sweet they are having so much fun together (mind you I couldn't see them, only hear them). After finishing up in my office, I walked down to my room only to find the both of them covered up with chocolate, and goodies scattered all over my bedroom floor. I couldn't help but laugh at their chocolate masked faces! I only wish I had thought to grab my camera and capture that moment. Other than that, Lehua is also evolving into a little tomboy....as much as I try to ensure she will be the lil' girl of our family, it hard enough being surounded by guys. Lehuas play includes wrestling, playing with reptiles, PS2, and getting roughed up by her brothers which she enjoys and tolerates. On one end its kind of nice knowing that she can handle it but on the other I don't want her to think she's one of the boys..... Lehua is my little princess and such a joy to be with! I love being able to finally be home, be there for her and my boys, and capture true moments of happiness as she learns and experiences new things on a daily basis. Love you Lehua!

Wonders of Picasa! Thanks L:)

Learning how to use picasa thanks to L! Still lots to learn as you can see one of my boxes I couldn't figure out how to get the last picture in. Its a work in progress. Just thought I'd share these cute pictures of Lehua. Last time I talked to Omi, she gave me some good advice and told me to take pictures up close for good shots...I think I'm getting there? I like the pictures and hope to find more to time to learn more. Thanks you 2 for helping me out! Will post more later today.

Enjoying summer while it lasts!

We went out to the park the other day to play with the kids.  Bruce and Alani had gotten these remote control helicopters for Christmas from their Uncle Alani.  These two boys have been so spoiled from both sides of the family considering that they were the first two grandchildren on my husbands side.  Anyways, due to winter weather we never flew them after receiving them.  They were put in the garage which is a point of no return, and luckily we found them before the nice summer weather comes to a halt.  Okay so these remote toys were pretty pricey, which we as parents know that with kids at the age of 4 and 6, toys don't ever last!  So of course, we were excited that we didn't have to pay the pretty penny for these toys and were probably just as excited to fly it with the boys.  We get out to the park, let the boys fly it for the first time and then within 30 seconds the chopper comes flying down hitting the ground and breaking into little pieces!  UHHHHH....both Dan and I sighed.  Fortunately we had another chopper and this time we thought we adults better fly it because we probably control it better than our boys, YEAH RIGHT....within seconds the 2nd chopper came down hitting the ground and breaking.  What a disappointment to have these amazing toys and then watch them break within seconds! Oh well, what matters is that we were able to hang out with the kiddies for the day, enjoying the last few days of summer and nature.  After the choppers busted we ended up playing some field games with the kids and then called it a day.  Love hanging out as a family and spending quality time with eachother!