GU Egg Hunt

It turns out that there were hundreds of people at the GU Alumni Easter Egg Hunt. I caught this one picture of Lola and Dan before the rest of the crowd stormed the field and I lost track of them for quite awhile!

 It turns out that Lola did really well grabbing some eggs even with all of those other kids around! She was very proud of herself!

 We had to head over to the bulldog to say hello.

 The Kennel Club... two future members

 We love our Zags! And Egg Hunts!

Mac - 10 months

In the last month, Mac has learned to wave, began to crawl, and is now pulling himself up to stand. Everything he does that is new, he is so incredibly proud of himself and has the greatest smile. I am still just loving what a cuddler this kid is. Almost every night, he and I sit in the rocking chair and just before he falls asleep, he nuzzles his little head right into my neck and starts to close his eyes. It is simply the best way to end our day together.

He is interacting even more with Lola and they are having so much fun together. She has been making by dancing or with or noises she makes, and they end up just giggling together. She is so proud of him and he adores her.

Mac's 10 month stats:
19 pounds 8.5 oz. 30th%
28 3/4 inches 60th%

Dan and I often call Mac our "bottomless pit" so to see that he was only 30th percentile for weight, we were surprised and realized we don't have to stop him from eating more!

The first day I went to give him a bath in the big tub, Lola took her clothes off right away and was so excited to get in with him. She loves showing him how she can get her hair washed without crying :)

 On the move!!! He crawls the same way Lola did- with one leg in "pigeon pose" but it works!

 

My sweet, binky boy.

The Birthday Continues...

 Rach and James enjoyed some treats outside served from Lola's play house.

 

 Auntie Beca and Grandma Linda took Lola to have high tea. Lola was so excited to have a tea party with them, and get dressed up!

 Enjoying treats at the tea house.

 Nana & Bub had us all over for St. Paddy's dinner, cake, and presents. Paul, Dawn & Emily came, along with Mama Bear. Lola got a pink fishing pole from Bub. They can't wait to try it out in a few weeks!

 Camping chair from Grandpa Jack.

Lola made out pretty well this year, receiving a kite, new watering can, play treats to serve with tea, fairy stamps, new coloring and sticker books, fairy tale memory game, magnetic pattern blocks, books and a pink flashlight. She has been staying very busy the past few days!

 Another request from my grown-up three year old: red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting.  

 She's just so big. Have I said that enough?

 Had to throw this in there. Mr & Mrs Matchy-Match. Haha! When in Spokane, do as the Spokanites do???

 Loving her great grandma celebrating with her.

 One last snack of corn beef with the aunties. These three could be trouble :-)

The Day After.

Ultimate Bagel breakfast and a cozy St. Paddy's Day at home to wind down from all the Birthday Extravaganza. What a wonderful family Lola is blessed with. She couldn't be any happier than spending time with these people all weekend!

Lola's 3rd Birthday

 THREE.

There's something about this number that screams "child" to me. Lola is no longer a toddler. So much of the independent, fun-loving, imaginative, funny little person that she is I adore, but I can't help but wonder where the last three years went and wish life would slow down a bit. When she was born, I remember Dan telling me she was a girl, and one of my first thoughts was, "She and I are going to become the best of friends." She becomes more and more my best girl friend each day. Happy Birthday... to my big girl.

 Lola woke up and we opened her bedroom curtains to show her what was waiting for her in the backyard. A play house. Dan and Bub put it together and had been hiding it for a few days under a tarp. She couldn't wait to get outside and take a closer look.

 Later that morning, we went to Mobius for a bit, and Dan ended up meeting us for awhile before birthday lunch - pizza.

 Watching Lola climb, and ready to follow.

 Surprise! Grandma Linda and Auntie Beca surprised Lola at the mall and had lunch with us. Lola was so excited to see them!

 Birthday dinner. I told Lola we would have whatever she wanted for her birthday. She chose pears, strawberries, broccoli, and macaroni & cheese. I slipped in the idea to have shrimp, another favorite, for appetizers, and she wanted cupcakes for dessert.

 Surprise #2 of the birthday. Auntie Rach and James made it into Spokane to catch the last part of Lola's birthday dinner. Again, she was so excited to see them. If nothing else, this little girl sure does know she is loved!

 Trying on her special dress that Grandma Linda brought her to wear to a tea party tomorrow.

 Reading some of the books that Grandma Arlene sent. Lola especially loves the "Little Mermaid" I Spy book.

 

 

 Parents of a THREE year old.

Licking the frosting off her fingers. She was very happy with her cupcake choice!

Aloha

We couldn't have planned a better last night. We walked through Kona town and discovered a grassy park overlooking the ocean, played a bit and caught the beginning of the sunset. We walked down a bit further to Huggos on the Rocks, watched the sun go down. During dinner, a local hula school brought several of their students to perform. Risa, Tali and Lola were in awe of these little girls dancing on stage.

Such good friends.

The girls were brought up on stage to learn some hula moves. Tali was the only one to participate. Risa and Lola observed but saved their moves for dancing on the sandy dance floor.

After the hula girls finished, these two older guys got on stage with guitars and played some great rock'n'roll that the girls danced away to. Several times throughout their act, they stopped to thank "the dancers" in the front. Lola looked at me at one point and said, "I don't want to leave, I want to dance all night!" Party animals.

What a fabulous trip to Kona. The weather was so beautiful, we discovered amazing beaches for our babes to enjoy, ate great food, and had such a great time with our friends. Toni and I have talked before about how we want our kids to grow up together; visiting each other and taking trips together. Hopefully this is the first of many family vacations together! Kona, we love you and hope to be back soon for some island relaxation. Aloha.