Matt, Jenni, Abby and Tommy

Our December

2012-01-08T17:53:00.000-08:00

We kicked off the Holidays with Abby's dance recital. She is probably the cutest ballarina in the entire world.

This is what our Decmember looks like. We have been raking leaves for weeks.

Santa came a few days early to our house since we were going to Utah for Christmas. Abby asked for a scooter and baby doll and Tommy got a Rocking Zebra!

This is just because he is so adorable!

The day after Christmas we were in Morgan and it was so beautiful and warm outside we decided to hike to the "M."

Christmas Sunday

New Sunday clothes

Hope your Holidays were as great and enjoyable as ours!

Medical Service Corp Here We Come!

2011-12-16T12:50:00.000-08:00

Who has two thumbs and just got a commission (pending graduation in May) into the United States Air Force Medical Service Corp........This Guy! And for your enjoyment........Miss Abby singing the prophet song!

Better Late Then Never!

2011-11-25T22:12:00.001-08:00

Halloween! (I told you better late then never!) We had a fun Halloween this year. We trunk n' treated at the community center, went to a halloween party and drove up to Utah in time to trick or treat with some cousins. Since we had just been in Utah for Halloween we decided to just stay here for Thanksgiving. It was fun to do it as our little family but I was pretty homesick all day for my Mom's Thanksgiving dinner. The weather finally cooled down the beginning of October and we have been spending most days outside! My family celebrating Logans birthday and baptism!
Tommy thinks he is pretty cool because he can "jump." I think he his adorable trying to do it. Sorry it's sideways again, my bad!

News and blues of September

2011-10-03T14:14:00.000-07:00

I finally got Tommy's sandbox built over Labor Day weekend. He liked it until I put the sand in it. But after a few weeks of watching Abby play in it he decided he liked it too. Our other BIG news last month was that Tommy got EVERY SINGLE TOOTH in his mouth. Ok maybe not every one but 8, yes 8, all at once. It's a good thing he is super cute or I may have sold him on the street! I found these gems while going through my camera!
Tommy started walking the beginning of September and has taken some pretty bad falls too. Sorry they are sideways. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Tommy!

2011-09-01T21:34:00.001-07:00

Our baby turned one today. It's always a mixed emotions day. We love watching him grow and develop into this little person but so sad to see our baby growing up! Here are some highlights of his big day!

This was when sister shared her spoon full of left over frosting, she is such a good "mommy" to him.

Opening presents! I've been on a "build my own stuff" kick lately so I wanted to build Tommy a sandbox for his birthday.........I have yet to get it done or started for that matter so I gave him an IOU for it!

Mom, Dad, and our favorite little man!

Ready to dig in!

Don't mind my singing in this video. As we were singing Tommy went for the cake and Abby lets out a SCREAM! I don't know if it's because she thought Tommy almost got burned by his candle or if she thought he would eat all the cake. Either way it gave me a good laugh!

Before

During

After! MMmmmmmmmmmmmmm

All cleaned up and ready for bed but had to play with his racetrack one more time!

Ready to race!

These last three are not from Tommy's birthday but I wanted to share.

Riding a big boy bike at my moms house. He looks big in this picture but don't worry he is still my baby!

Abby likes to leave the fridge wide open all the time for some reason. So when I walked into the kitchen one day there was Tommy digging into the watermelon! He thought it was the greatest thing ever! I thought it was pretty cute and it made me scrub the inside of the fridge so it was a win-win!

Abby started the fall session of her Ballet/Tap class. This is her ready for her first day! (Yes she picked out her own outfit, boots and all)

Before and After

2011-07-21T13:40:00.000-07:00

$25 at the DI. Primed, Painted, new hardware and new backing, I LOVE IT! We can't forget about these two. Tommy is turning into a little boy and I am not sure how I feel about it. He has been the funnest little baby and I love him more than anything! Miss Abby J! She is the greatest and I love hanging out with her everyday!
A special little treat...

AHHH! IT"S A COOKIE MONSTER!!

2011-06-25T21:54:00.000-07:00

He's finally crawling. My baby boy is growing up too fast:(

Sweet Sweet reward!

Relaxing by the pool.

I was trying to get Abby to pose for a picture but she would not hold still for one second so this is the best I got of the two of them!

Hope you all are enjoying your summer!

The Kid-o's

2011-05-29T16:14:00.000-07:00

The "Tom-Tom"

Pinkalicious cupcakes!

Grandma and Grandpa!!

The perfect spot!

Abby the ballerina

Tommys attempt at crawling

April recap!

2011-05-01T17:55:00.001-07:00

Let me see.....April......Ummmm April started off with General Conference which is my all time favorite. I love taking two days to just sit with my family and listen to the leaders of our church. The evening after Sunday conference I talked Matt into carrying our kitchen table outside for a "dinner on the patio!" Growing up we always ate dinner on the patio everynight durring summer time and I LOVED it.

Easter! My family drove through Las Vegas Easter weekend moving my sister out to California. I loved having family here for a holiday because usually it's just us. And of course Easter isn't Easter without new church clothes!

March Update

2011-04-03T13:52:00.001-07:00

The month of March started off with a little "friend birthday party" for Abby. We invited all the little girls in our ward that live on our side of the base and Addi of course! Abby had a blast and loved having so many friends over.

March 3 was Matts big 29th birthday. Abby and I made a cake and bought a few presents. I gave him a new church shirt, Abby picked out a tie to go with it and Tommy got him a bouble-barrel-dart gun!

The kids and I went up to Utah for 2 weeks while Matt went to a training back east. We love going home, I get be with my Mom and sisters and Abby gets to play with all her cousins.

While home in Utah we celebrated Abby's and McKell's birthday. I can't believe these little girls are 3.

Tommy is now 7 months old and cuter than ever!

Me and my babies!

SEA WORLD!!

2011-02-20T20:52:00.000-08:00

That's right we went to the second greatest place on Earth......Sea World!! We had a blast watching all the shows, seeing all the exhibits and playing in the pouring rain. We also went to the San Diego Zoo one day but only saw about half of what that zoo has to offer, it was huge! Here are some pictures of our California adventure!

Not the best family picture but it's the only one we got.....

Happy Birthday Papa's!

2011-02-11T16:22:00.000-08:00

Well you can't say we didn't try! Happy Birthday Dad, we love you and think you are the GREATEST!! The other day I started to make Abby a sandwich for lunch on "store bought bread" when she saw me she started crying "No, No, I want Papa bread!" We miss you. Hope your day was wonderful! Happy 61 old man!

Look What I Can Do!

2011-02-11T16:16:00.000-08:00

5 Month Old Tommy

2011-02-08T14:43:00.000-08:00

Just for you

2011-01-16T09:47:00.000-08:00

Abby and I take a "Mommy and Me" dance class on Saturday mornings. Isn't she the cutest little dancer? We have fun learning Plie's, pirouette's, first and second position and a little gymnastics.

These are all the leaves we raked in our backyard yesterday. It looks more like October here than January but the weather feels amazing!

Guess Who's Four Months Old?

2011-01-02T08:31:00.000-08:00

THIS GUY!

It's been a while....

2010-12-26T17:14:00.000-08:00

Two of the most handsome men in the world, but I might be a little biased.

My life size baby doll. AKA Abby J, in her Christmas dress.

Christmas outfits!

Abby and Addie after a long Christmas day. They were watching Beauty and the Beast while we all ate dinner and this is how we found them.

Aren't you supposed to play in the leaves on Christmas day? Poor girls have yet to have a "white Christmas."

The Seely family making ginger bread houses.

Everyone making ginger bread houses, minus Edward because I only got his arm (sorry) and me becasue I'm behind the camera!

Baby Tommy! He will be four months next week! I can't believe it's been four months since I've slept through the night, any day big guy!

Gotta love this baby boy, he is the greatest.

We finally got to go home to Utah for Thanksgiving after 3 years of being away. And we finally made it to the lights at Temple Square after 4 years!

Abby helping Grandma make orange rolls for Thanksgiving. She is the best helper.

My Snow White and Prince Charming

The "Big Guy"

Abby and me meeting Thinderbird #3 at Aviation Nation!

Happy Halloween!!!

2010-10-31T13:46:00.000-07:00

Tommy's photo shoot

2010-10-24T19:32:00.000-07:00

One of my friends from church took these pictures of Tommy when he was two weeks old. I love them! He'll be 2 months next week, where has the time gone?

Abby and Tommy

2010-10-19T20:48:00.000-07:00

I hope no one was planning on seeing Matt or I on this blog because it is ALL Abby and Tommy! I hope you like looking at them as much as I do!

Tommy is starting to smile!! I'm pretty sure it is his social smile and not gas.

The loves of my life. (well 2 of 3)

Abby J before church on Sunday. What a dolly!

Tommy's Blessing Day

2010-10-13T12:36:00.000-07:00

This photo is not from Sunday. I had Tommy on his tummy for "tummy time" and Abby thought he needed something to look at so she gave him her princesses!

One Month!

2010-10-01T12:52:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's already been a month. Tommy is doing great and eating and growing like crazy. I can't wait to take him home (Utah) and show him off in two months! Enjoy Tommy!

Happy Three Weeks!

2010-09-22T09:24:00.000-07:00

Abby and Tommy after church on Sunday!

Look at those cheeks! They are the best kissin' cheeks!

More Pictures

2010-09-11T22:04:00.000-07:00

As promised, here are more pictures of Tommy! He will be two weeks on Wednesday, I can't believe it!

And we can't forget about my Abby. She is doing great with the new baby but the part I think she has enjoyed the most is having her Grandma's here to play with!

Thomas Joseph Steele

2010-09-02T18:38:00.000-07:00

Introducing Thomas Joseph "Tommy" "TJ" Steele. He arrived September 1 at 10:03am. Weighing in at 8 pounds 3 ounces. He even came so fast Mom got to go "all natural." Everyone is great! We'll post more later. Enjoy!

What would the world be like if every little girl got to fall asleep in the arms of her hero?

2010-08-20T21:40:00.000-07:00

My Abby

2010-08-08T21:34:00.001-07:00

I don't know if any of you know this but I am totally in LOVE with this little girl. She is my favorite thing in this whole world and love spending everyday with her. Here are two short stories that crack me up.

She loves dogs. My mom sent her a little stuffed dog for Christmas and she drags it all over the house. I will be in one room and she will come in and say "Hi, I'm Abby and this is Puff." Then she will go around the corner and come back "Hi, I'm Abby and this is Puff." It's pretty cute.

A few weeks ago I was making a pie and Matt kept saying how he needed "pie in his pie hole" (I think it's from the Simpson's) Abby thought it was pretty funny to call your mouth a hole. Anyway today at church she saw me give my primary kids a cookie that was from the Primary Presidency and she said she wanted a cookie too. I told her I would give her one later thinking she would just forget about it. When we got home she started whining for a cookie and kept telling her "No, because you haven't had lunch yet." All of the sudden she threw herself on the ground and started yelling "I need a cookie in my hole." Matt and I had a pretty good laugh at her "fit."

DOn't forget to scroll down one more to see our baby room!!!!

Baby Room!!!

2010-08-08T21:29:00.000-07:00

Here's just a little glimpse at our baby boy's room. I hope he likes it!

Summer Vacation

2010-07-15T14:21:00.000-07:00

We are back from our summer vacation to Utah. Here are some pictures! (in no particular order) Enjoy!

Don't give up on me yet.......

2010-06-01T20:10:00.000-07:00

Well here is another mass update on us since I average a new post about every month or so. Let's see.....after finding out about our baby boy in the middle of April we spent the last week of April up in Utah. I went up for BYU Womens Conference and dragged Matt and Abby up with me so I wouldn't have to be away from them for too long! May 14 Matt and I celebrated our five year anniversary, yup you read that right, FIVE years. It feels like just last summer was our wedding but here we are three different houses, three different states and one and a half babies later! We celebrated by going to "The Phantom of the Opera" down at the Venitian. It was a great show and I loved getting dressed up to go out on a date with my hubby. That next Sunday Matt had to go to Mississippi for a training so Abby and I drove back up to Utah with my Mom to stay for a week and a half. Of course we missed Matt but didn't mind the staying at Mom's house one bit!
Now we are finally back home and getting settled again. We had a great Memorial day weekend. Matt came home Thursday so we got the long four day weekend to play with him. It mainly consisted of doing things around the house and working in the back yard but that's fun to me. (not so much to Matt) Memorial day we started with a breakfast at the park with some friends, came home to take naps and back out to more friends house for a BBQ.
The last but not least of my news is that Matt was promoted to Staff Sergent today!! So he is officially Sergent Steele to all of you! I told him he will always be Airman Steel to me, no matter how long we are in the Air Force.
Well I think that's it in a nutshell. I will try to stay more updated so you don't have to read these long posts of our lives! Here are a few pictures from the last month or so. Enjoy!

Grandma and Grandpa Steele came down to visit for a few hours one day while they were in St. George

My baby doll with her baby dolls.

I found these two like this the day after Matt came home from Mississippi. I think they may have missed each other a little bit.

This is one of the bar stools I got at a hotel yard sale here on base for ten dollars. After a little work..........(scroll down)

They are now this! I think they look pretty good for ten dollars and a little work on our (ok maybe just Matts) part.

Exciting news!

2010-04-16T21:04:00.000-07:00

We had the "official" ultrasound today and the results were...........it's a baby BOY! Matt and I are still in shock since we were both convinced we were having another girl but we are excited and nervous and can't stop smiling. A boy will be completly different than our Abby but he will also be full of all new, fun things. We have NO boy names, haven't even talked about them, since we were planning on a girl so he may not be named until months after he is born. Baby Boy Steele is due around September 2, 2010!

What in world have we been up to?

2010-03-29T15:22:00.000-07:00

Here's a little update on each of us.
Matt: is enjoying work at the 99th FSS. He just started his MPA program with Troy University and has two weeks down, two more years to go! He also was recently called to be the Young Men's Secretary in our new ward and is excited to still be with the youth but not have to be in charge.
Jenni: has been sick ever since we got to Vegas. It started with just morning sickness and went into the flu, a bad cold and strep throat. She is now 17 weeks pregnant and finally feeling like herself again. Now she can start working on decorating her new house! She was called to be a Sunbeam teacher in our new ward! (surprise, surprise)
Abby: is the greatest! She just turned two and is getting the attitude already. She loves to play outside in a our back yard or go "check the mailbox" because it is right next to the park. She recently discovered the Disney movie's and loves to "watch a show." We love her to pieces and can't get enough of her.

Last Saturday our ward held an Easter Extravaganza. Abby had a blast at her first Easter Egg hunt and we enjoyed watching her excitement every time she found an egg.

Matt and Abby on Sunday. I was trying to get a picture of her in her Easter dress but she wouldn't let Matt put her down so this is the best I got! I think they're pretty cute.

Abby's new room! I've has so much fun decorating this room for Abby, I think it's the fanciest in the house.

Happy Birthday Abby

2010-03-12T08:56:00.001-08:00

Abby on her new bike from Mama and Papa!

After our long weekend in Utah Abby and I came back sick. This is her on her birthday morning, poor baby.

Abby and me at "The Abby and Kelly Extraviganza"

Singing Happy Birthday to the girls

The Birthday Girls!!

The House (well some of it)

2010-02-10T08:11:00.000-08:00

Dining room and the view from the front door

Kitchen

Living Room

This is how we slept the night before our household goods arrived. We didn't have anything to cook with so we had a pizza party!

Just a few pics of us

2010-02-10T07:47:00.000-08:00

Miss Glamorous

Me, my cute sisters and beautiful mother.

The whole Sinfield Clan.

Abby and her cousin Corbin Joe.

Matt with "The Pres"

Aloha 'Oe

2010-01-10T19:18:00.000-08:00

Aloha `oe, aloha `oe
E ke onaona noho i ka lipo
One fond embrace,
A ho`i a`e au
Until we meet again

Last Time Sun Bathing on Waikiki

2010-01-09T14:39:00.000-08:00

Abby

2010-01-07T17:27:00.000-08:00

I took this picture of Abby at the beach today and thought it turned out beautiful.

Abby's ready for Vegas!

2009-12-30T19:47:00.001-08:00

We have been trying to decide what else we want to do before we leave so today we picked Dave & Busters! We have wanted to go since we moved here so we decided today was a great day to go (even though there is probably one in Vegas too.) It was alot of fun and as you can tell by the pictures Abby loved putting coins in machines and winning tickets! Grand total of all our tickets: 2,814!

Look What's Parked in Our Neighborhood!

2009-12-30T19:45:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas Eve!

2009-12-24T21:28:00.001-08:00

Queen of Hearts, Frog Prince and the Princess.

You Bet Your Sweet-Bippy I Did!

2009-12-05T23:22:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas, Happy December, whatever...

2009-11-30T22:02:00.000-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Fun stuff...

2009-11-20T16:13:00.000-08:00

"PEACE"

"Life at the Beach"

" Little Miss GLAMOROUS"

Veterans day we went for a hike with some friends to the top of Makapu'u. This is Abby at the top!

How many strollers does it take to get to the top of Makapu'u?

My Aunt Nancy and Uncle Randy came to visit for a few days. Abby loved Aunt Nancy and would acknowledge Uncle Randy when he had candy!

Way to go Matt!

2009-11-04T15:59:00.000-08:00

A previously mentioned Matt attended Airman Leadship School in October. He graduated a few weeks ago receiving the highest award in the class, The John L. Levitow Award. (google it, it's pretty interesting) We are so proud of him and just wanted to share some of it with you! Enjoy!

Us at the graduation

Matt's supervisors and commanders.

Matt giving his acceptance speech. Sorry its dark

Us clapping for the graduates

Matt receiving the John L. Levitow award!

A conversation with Abby

2009-11-02T00:40:00.000-08:00

Happy Halloween!

2009-11-02T00:27:00.000-08:00

Abby's princess hair! It didn't last too long but she sure looked like a dolly.

Finally an Update!

2009-10-24T02:25:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I last posted so this one is LONG. (mainly from pictures) Let me see where to start.....the end of September Abby and I flew home once again, this time on business. My mom and dad drove us down to Las Vegas to house hunt and house hunt we did. The last day there we found an adorable little house that I fell in love with completly. Long story short, we made an offer, they chose someone else. So we have decided to put off buying a house and live on base since we will hopefully only be there for three years.
After a week in Vegas and another in Morgan, Mom, Abby and I flew back to Hawaii after a 12 hour delay! (don't worry we got vouchers, were they worth the 12 hours...NO. But hey at least we got something) Dad, Brother Matt and Uncle Merlin followed a few days later. Then it was off to the Big Island, sadly leaving Matt behind to finish Airman Leadership School. We had fun exploring the island and just being together. I think thats it in a nutshell. Enjoy the pictures, I think there's about 24 of them!

The pictures......

2009-10-24T01:51:00.000-07:00

"I'm a mean old witch with a hat......"

At our ward Halloween party. No I am NOT a lame-o, you just can't see my costume. As you can tell Abby is the witch, Matt is her black cat and I am her broomstick. My costume consisted of my brown shirt and yarn strings hanging from my knees.

Abby and me!

Daddy and his girl.

Playing with Brother Matt

The gang minus Merlin (and me) in front of Matsumotos

Abby relaxing on the beach.

Abby and me at the visitor center on Mauna Kea. Elevation: 13,796 at the top, we stayed here at around 9,000 feet. It was beautiful up there looking down onto the clouds.

Abby hiding in the flowers.

Papa and Abby in Waipio Valley.

Abby and me in Waipio Valley

The view as you drive down to Waipio Valley

My beautiful girl

Abby and me on the south shore of Hawaii

Continued...

2009-10-24T01:28:00.000-07:00

Entering the lava tubes. (one of my favorite places on the island)

"The Bid Island Group"

Walking out to see the volcano!

Best Buddies!

Running along the beach. Life doesn't get better than this!

Our little family!

The West's last week of church. Aloha 'Oe West! We miss you.

Hickam hosted an Air Show sometime in September. We had fun touring the planes and watching the Thunder Birds air show. Only bad thing is that now Abby is deathly afraid of any plane flying over....I keep telling her she can't be afraid of planes if she is going to grow up on Air Force bases!

The last couple of weeks...

2009-08-30T00:47:00.000-07:00

I came down stairs one night to find Matt and Abby like this. I thought it was pretty cute.

Another Camping trip! This time we camped at the Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens. I must admit, I like camping in Botanical gardens.

This is Abby "helping" me unpack from our camping trip

Abby ready to go to church

The pool on base does "Flick n' Floats" on some Friday nights. It's where they show movies on a really big screen and you just float around while you watch. We have lots of fun at them even if Abby only lasts 5 minutes in the pool.

Halawa Ward Beach Activity 2009

He Did it!

2009-08-22T16:41:00.000-07:00

Matt tested for Staff Sergeant back in May and on Thursday we got the results.......He made it! Wahoo! Way to go Airman, I mean, Sergeant Steele! (Although he won't actually be "Sergeant Steele" until next August)

What in the World Have We Been Up To?

2009-08-16T00:48:00.000-07:00

First off, Matt Graduated (Wahoo)in June with his Bachelor's of Science degree in Diplomacy and Military Studies from Hawaii Pacific University. Now only two more years at Troy University for his MPA and school will be D-U-N!! (for him at least)

CAMPING!
Some of our friends will be leaving in a few weeks so they have been trying to finish their "To-Do" list. So last Friday we packed up the four wheel drive's and headed up into the mountains for some awesome camping. The view was amazing once you were on top, ocean on both sides, there are not very many things more beautiful than that.
Abby excited to go camping

The Gang.

Abby and Lily! (and me)

Breath taking views.

Saturday morning, after mowing the lawn, I took Abby outside to show her the true meaning of summer.......running through the sprinklers!!

Saturday afternoon we decided to take a bike ride and end it at the pool!

Abby playing "peek-a-boo" in the locker room!

For you "Grandma Mama's"

2009-08-04T01:06:00.000-07:00

My sister and her family have been visiting us for the last couple of weeks and I know my mom is dying to see pics of the girls, so this one is for her!

FYI

2009-08-01T01:35:00.000-07:00

From this........

.....to this?

Hawaii has been our home for the last few years but our time here is coming to an end......this will be our new "home" in just a few short months. We will be sad to leave Hawaii and all of our wonderful friends who have become like family but we are way excited to start another adventure. Aloha Oe Hawaii!

Our fourth of July!

2009-07-08T16:00:00.000-07:00

Abby trying on Lily's bike helmet.

Out last Fourth of July together:( We have spent the last three years together and I am going to miss these little families like crazy when we/they move.

I love this picture, they look so much alike.

I'm really not as mean as Abby makes it look. She doesn't mind the curlers, it's the me taking her picture she doesn't like.

These are some pictures of our walk to the park. Enjoy

This one's for you Papa!

Back in Business

2009-06-23T21:25:00.000-07:00

The week after we returned form Utah Abby and I, along with our BF's Janna and Lilly, took "Mommy and Me" swim lessons at the Pearl Harbor swimming pool.

The youth in our ward just had Youth Conference and had to learn a Fijiian dance to perform at it. Abby and I went up with Matt to Scouts one night to watch the dress rehersal. Don't they look awesome?

A couple of Saturday's ago was Military Appreciation Day at the Honolulu Zoo. We took Abby down to see the Monkeys and the ALLLLLLLLigators (as Abby calls them)

Abby just being Abby!

Abby on the Battleship Missouri with the guns!

For all you blog stalkers!

2009-06-07T17:24:00.000-07:00

Sorry to all who have been waiting for a new post. I usually only post when I have some great pictures to put up but we bought a new camera and it is not compatible with our computer so........I can't get any new pictures on our blog:( But I will figure something out, don't you worry. As for our life.....ummmmmmmm, Abby and I flew home to Utah the end of April and spent a couple weeks visiting everyone. Sorry I didn't announce our visit but we were just home sick for family so we kept it quiet. We had so much fun playing with everybody and wish we could do it again but I think that was officially our last trip for the year. (I know I said that in February) In a month Matt's sister and husband are coming to visit and then right after them my sister Megan and her family are coming and we have an awesome trip to the Big Island planned in late July with them. We will hopefully find out our next assignment in the beginning of August! Then my parents plan to visit one last time in the fall and then it's Thanksgiving and Christmas and then we move in January! Whoa, what a year! So I hope that catches us up. Sorry for the two month MIA.

Just some cute pictures of my girl!

2009-04-04T00:31:00.000-07:00

Friday Nights at the Beach and Saturday Hikes!

2009-03-29T01:39:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to ME!

2009-03-27T13:42:00.000-07:00

Yes thats right there was yet another birthday in the Steele home this month. We are now done with birthdays until next March! I had a GREAT day and am so thankful that Matt stayed home with Abby and me to help celebrate with us! We started off the day by sleeping in (which is one of our favorite things to do!) Matt got a massage for me from the massage place here on base so I left him and Abby asleep on the couch and went for my hour of relaxation! I have never had a professional massage before and I really enjoyed it. Then we went down-town to The Cheesecake Factory for lunch, yummy! Although we did not get cheesecake, I am not a huge fan of it, it makes me sick most of the time because it is so rich. I did enjoy their Thai lettuce wraps however and highly recommend them. We then spent a little while walking around through fancy hotels and then headed home for lemonade icecream cake! Then we ended the day with a walk along the harbor. It was a very fun day and I loved spending it with my two favorite people (although I wish all of you could have been here too)

Happy Birthday Abby, Abby It's Your Birthday, It's Your Birthday Abby!

2009-03-13T01:08:00.000-07:00

Yay!!!!!

2009-03-09T02:04:00.000-07:00

Abby's been walking for a few weeks now, I just thought you all might enjoy it!

Kaua'i!!

2009-03-06T13:43:00.000-08:00

We had a blast while Matt's Mom and Dad were here. We flew to Kaua'i and spent a few days exploring the beautiful island. Then flew back to O'ahu and went to the Polynesian Cultural Center, Hiked Diamind Head, ate at our favorite Thai restaurant and celebrated Matt's birthday. It is always fun to have visitors come because then we get to feel like we are on vacation too and we try lots of new stuff. Thanks Mom and Dad for exploring the islands with us!!

Beautiful Girl!

2009-03-02T14:03:00.001-08:00

Krista took these pictures when her and Nic wer here. I just wanted everyone to see how beautiful these two girls are!

Abby's new dress Mama's bought her while we were in Utah! Thanks Mama's

Catching Up!

2009-02-24T01:02:00.000-08:00

Oh where to begin.........Abby and I went to Utah the end of Janurary and had a wonderful visit! I wish we could go back next month. We loved seeing family and we were even lucky to see some friends! I wish we were closer so you all could get to know Abby better. I took my camera with me but it sat in my suitcase the whole time, so no pictures from Utah:(
We got back on a Sunday and Nic and Krista (some friends) flew in that Friday! We had a GREAT vacation with them. They loved being with us so much they extended there trip 5 extra days!!! We snorkled, hiked, surfed (well I did, their swimsuits were already back home by then), ate yummy food and lots of candy, played lots of games of Ticket to Ride, saw the Temple, ate Shave Ice, boogie boarded, whale watched and wore the baby girls out! I only have pics from the last half of their vacation so you will have to ask them for the rest!

Matt's parents are coming Wednesday and then we are off to Kauai on Thursday!! I will definately be taking my camera and hopefully it won't stay in my suitcase this time!

"I will NEVER drive a minivan"

2009-01-22T18:08:00.000-08:00

When Matt and I were first married I told him that when we had children I was NOT going to drive a minivan. I was too "hip n' cool" to drive one and I would need a fancy SUV. He said he would NEVER buy an SUV because they took too much gas. Well here we are four years and one kid later, Matt drives a Chevy Blazer and I just got a minivan! (and I LOVE it by the way!)

Sorry this is late Mom

2009-01-17T23:40:00.001-08:00

I Did It!!!!!

2009-01-11T00:35:00.000-08:00

I've been trying to talk myself into cutting my hair for a while and today I was brave and I did it and I love it for two reasons 1) It's harder for Abby to get a hold of 2) It's off the back of my neck so it makes Hawaii a little cooler!

Before.....

After.....

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

2009-01-01T12:01:00.000-08:00

Happy 2009! Sorry I am late posting our Christmas pictures. Here is our Holiday season in a nutshell.....
On Christmas eve we had a yummy lunch with our friends and then it was off to the Hawaii vs. Notre Dame game. It was a great game for the Irish fans.

Matt and Abby Christmas morning opening and playing with some presents.

After presents and a Christmas breakfast we headed off to the beach with some friends. Abby loved eating the sand and Matt and I enjoyed the snorkeling.

Abby waiting to ring in the New Year!

Getting our "Mojo" back

2008-12-22T17:54:00.000-08:00

For christmas our friends gave us a box of golf balls to tell us we need to start doing the things we love again (After all Abby is 9 months old and we had yet to go golfing) We used to go every Monday before she was born and we fell in love with the sport. So "Thank you" Thelers for helping us get our "mojo" back!

Ward Christmas Party

2008-12-22T17:46:00.000-08:00

Saturday night was our ward Christmas party. They had a middle eastern market place set up when you first walked into the building. There were booths with fun things to do like make beaded necklaces, have your name written in Arabic, weird peices of bread to eat and lots of other neat things to do. After we walked up and down the marketplace everyone went into the gym for a program, which Matt narrated, and a yummy dinner!

TIMBER!!

2008-12-11T23:21:00.000-08:00

Early this morning around 2:00am Matt and I were awaken by a loud BOOM followed by shaking of our home. We were both out of bed in .2 seconds flat just staring at each other trying to figure out what just happened. Matt went down stairs to check on things and when he passed a window he saw a HUGE tree just lying on our back porch. We have been having TONS of rain and I guess it just got too heavy. When I called maintenance today and explained our situation they lady replied "You have a large branch on your porch?" "No, it's an entire tree" I explained!

This is where the tree was.....

This is where it is now!

What a rough life!

2008-12-10T00:23:00.000-08:00

This is what Christmas shopping does to a little girl. And this is what a teething little girl does to her dad!

Grandma and Grandpa's Thankgiving visit!

2008-12-08T12:53:00.000-08:00

My mom and dad came to visit us the week of Thanksgiving. We had fun trying to show them things they hadn't already seen. We went to a Budist Temple, took a bus tour of Kualoa Ranch (where they film most of the movies/TV shows that are filmed in Hawaii) had picnics at the beach and ate a yummy Thanksginving dinner (but I forgot to take pictures of that:)

100 Things

2008-11-25T00:40:00.000-08:00

100 things

This was fun- you're supposed to copy the list to your blog and then bold the things you have done. I guess I have a lot to do in my life still...

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Copied a post from another blog.

This is for you Mom, Bob n' Meg!

2008-11-13T00:35:00.000-08:00

My mom and sisters were asking for more pictures of Abby so here she is getting ready for her bath and trying to get her to sleep in her crib tonight!

Happy Halloween

2008-11-01T02:18:00.000-07:00

Abby was a Hula Girl for Halloween. I thought it only appropriate to take her pictures at the beach!

Unfortunatly we did not go trick-or-treating. Matt was too embarrased since everyone would know the candy was just for us. So we went to the carnival instead, which was way more fun anyway!

This is the stuffed animal Matt won for Abby.

SHE'S CRAWLING (sorry it's so dark)

2008-10-26T19:27:00.000-07:00

Abby started crawling the other day! I have been trying to get her to do it for the camera but she has been a little camera shy the last few days. My sister told me to bribe her with something, so I thought "If she is really Matt's and my daughter then there is only one thing.....STARBURST!"

2008-10-23T13:46:00.000-07:00

When Matt gets home form work and I hand Abby off to him so I can finally get something done I usually find thenm in the living room like this. Can you tell who is in charge?
Last night some friends and I made tutu's for our little girls. This one is actully for a toddler but I just had to try it on!

She is not crawling yet but that doesn't mean she doesn't try! I think we're almost there!

Abby loves to stand. Some days I wonder if she will walk before she crawls!

TAG!

2008-10-16T00:56:00.000-07:00

My sister-in-law tagged me, not that others haven't, it's just that Abby is downstairs asleep on Matt so I finally have a few minutes to fill one of these out!
One Word Answers:

1. Where is your cell phone? nightstand
2. Where is your significant other? Downstairs
3. Your hair color? red
4. Your mother? hero
5. Your father? loving
6. Your favorite thing? chocolate
7. Your dream last night? none
8. Your dream/goal? happiness
9. The room you're in? bedroom
10. Your hobby? Abby
11. Your fear? everything
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? educated
13. Where were you last night? home
14. What you're not? 18
15. One of your wish-list items? plane ticket
16. Where you grew up? Zion
17. The last thing you ate? popsicle
18. What are you wearing? shorts
19. Your TV? black
20. Your pet? geckos
21. Your computer? great
22. Your mood? sleepy
23. Missing someone? everyone
24. Your car? Chevy
25. Something you're not wearing? socks
26. Favorite store? clothing
27. Your summer? everlasting
28. Love someone? Matt
29. Your favorite color? blue
30. When is the last time you laughed? now
31. Last time you cried? ?????

And the fourth picture in my fourth file is............

Happy Columbus Day!

2008-10-13T19:24:00.000-07:00

Upgrade!

2008-10-13T01:22:00.001-07:00

Since Abby's feet have been hanging over the end of her car seat and she is about 2 pounds away form the weight limit we decided it was time for a big girl car seat! She thinks she's pretty cool in it. I can't beleive she is that big!

Friday Night Date!

2008-10-11T01:54:00.001-07:00

Since it was friday night we thought we should get out of the house and have some fun. Since we only had about two hours until Abby's bedtime we deciced to just go on a picnic. There is this little penisula on base by the Harbor and we decided tonight it is one of our favorite places. You can see Downtown Honolulu with Diamond head in the background if you look to the east, straight out you will see the open ocean until it touches the bottom of the sky, and to the west the sun sets over the water. It was a gorgous place to sit and just relax.

After watching us eat in front of her Abby had peas and carrots for dinner. Mmmmmm

Free Admissions Day!

2008-09-28T01:08:00.000-07:00

Saturday was "Free Museum Admission Day" so Matt, Abby and I took advantage of the "free" day and visited Queen Emma's Summer Palace and The Maritime Center. The other pictures are me and Abby in front of Aloha Tower and views from the widow walk at the Maritime Center. Camera's were not allowed inside the Palace so we only have the one from the outside but it was really neat.

Our life.......

2008-09-25T01:45:00.000-07:00

We were all dressed for church and I thought we looked so nice we could take a family picture! Only problem was we didn't have anyone to take it for us, so this is the best we got!

Abby doing what she does best!

Matt likes to talk to Abby in Portuguese but she just looks at him funny. So he gets her lion and has him talk in Portuguese to her. Abby LOVES it! I just wish I could understand what he was saying, Abby seems to!

Happy Six Months!

2008-09-12T01:25:00.001-07:00

We can hardly believe our baby girl is six months old. It feels like we just brought her home from the hospitol yesterday. She is the best thing that has ever happened to us and we love having her in our family! "Bubba" you are the GREATEST!

For Abby's half birthday we had Lily over to play! Abby thought she was the coolest toy ever!

She also tried sweet potato's for her birthday diner.

This picture is from Labor Day weekend but I love it, so I thought I would share it with you!

RAH! RAH! RAH!

2008-09-01T13:42:00.000-07:00

Halawa Ward Beach Activity

2008-08-25T01:40:00.000-07:00

A New Trick!

2008-08-18T10:18:00.000-07:00

We're Baaaaack!

2008-08-15T17:32:00.000-07:00

WOW! What a vacation! Abby and I returned home yesterday afternoon. I don't think Matt has ever been more excited to see us in his life. He came home two weeks earlier and was just about to die. Luckily Abby remembered who he was after a while. We loved visitng home (Utah) and seeing lots of family and friends. We can't wait to buy our plane tickets for next summer! Here our some fun photo's of our vacation! Enjoy!

Mesa Falls in Island Park, Idaho

Yellow Stone National Park

Four Generations

Abby and McKell talking to each other

Twiners! Can you tell who's who?

Happy Four Months!

2008-07-11T00:52:00.000-07:00

This is Abby and me modeling her fourth of July outfit. Abby had her four month check up Tuesday and these are the results: She weighed in at 16lbs 5oz and is 26 inches long, which puts her in the 95th percentile for both!

Abby's new favorite place!

The Honolulu Zoo and Sunday Shoes!

2008-06-30T01:09:00.000-07:00

We know Abby's a little young to really appreciate the zoo but Saturday was "Military Appreciation Day" at the Honolulu Zoo so we took her. Here are some pictures of our day. We had fun with our friends and Lily (Abby's new best friend of 2 weeks)came too.

Abby's first pair of shoes! How could we pass up these?

Today at Lunch........

2008-06-23T18:56:00.001-07:00

Sunday Afternoons

2008-06-23T18:40:00.000-07:00

Abby loves weekends because Matt plays and naps with her ALL day long!

2008-06-18T01:01:00.001-07:00

Happy 3 month Birthday Abby!

2008-06-12T00:40:00.001-07:00

Thats right, our baby is 3 months old! We even celebrated with cake and icecream, mainly because Matt and I wanted a reason to eat cake and icecream!

This is how she roll's

2008-06-09T16:33:00.000-07:00

2008-06-05T16:27:00.000-07:00

So after I tried putting Abby's hair in a ponytail I thought I would try a little curl on top. It didn't turn out so well but it was still really cute. She reminded me of a little fluffy chick.

Another cute picture of my baby!

This is what we've been up to!

2008-05-30T01:22:00.000-07:00

Tummy Time!!

Last Friday Matt was the only one from his office that had to go to work. So Abby and I went and had a "picnic" with him.

This one is for McKell. My sister's baby, who is the same age as Abby, has a ton of hair. Yesterday we skyped them and McKell had the cutest ponytail with a bow, so I wanted to see what I could with Abby's. This is about it!!!