Christmas 2009

Before we left to spend Christmas with my mom and family, we had a little Christmas for the boys so that we wouldn't have to haul gifts around. Actually it was mainly just Kono's Christmas since Kaipo can't open gifts and all he needed was diapers and clothes . We told Kono to take some pictures by the tree before opening the gifts (he was so excited as you can see).

So Kono got to hunt for the all the gifts and he loved it. The riddles would say something like: Where does mommy put the dirty laundry? And Kono would run to the clothes hamper to find the present.
Kono's main gift was a Vtech Vsmile Vmotion game sytem with some games to go with it. We figured that it was an educational gift and that's how we justified "spoiling" him this Christmas. And in case you wonder how it is, it's pretty cool, Kono loves it and seems to be learning from it however, online PBS games are just as good.

He loves to laugh with his hand in his mouth. I love that shy looking laugh.

Kaipo and Grandma Delphine are both looking very nice for church. If you look closely, my mom is wearing earrings and a pendant that is a picture of my late Grandma Agatha on it (have you ever seen picture jewelry?). My brother Jeremiah and his girlfriend Maranda gave my mom, sisters and I these cool earrings. I thought it was very neat and such a special gift.

With that said, we had a wonderful Christmas with my family. I really enjoy being with my loved ones and reflecting upon the true meaning of Christmas. I am truly and completely grateful for the birth of our Savior and his Atoning sacrifice so that we as families can enjoy the being together forever. And just as a side note, for our branch Christmas party, we were appointed to play the parts of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. :)

A new haircut for the new year :)

If you read my earlier post, I wanted a new haircut and I asked for suggestions without really thinking that anyone would suggest something. Well, I did get one suggestion over the phone from Pebbles and I looked on the web to see if I could find a picture that matched her description. I found this picture and thought it looked really nice. Pebbles said "Yes, that's exactly it". So I got my hair done in Flagstaff at the Redken 115 Salon as part of my Christmas gift from Granite. Well, I don't look nearly as beautiful as this woman (Kim Kardashian) and my hair isn't EXACTLY like hers but I'm happy with my new do.




This is my stylist, Shawna, she did a great job. She's such a fun person to talk to.

Christmas is coming

Our white Christmas tree is decorated in gold and red ornaments and is so much more beautiful when you see it in person. Isn't it fun to see decorated trees and lights year after year?

(We don't have a star or a tree skirt yet)

I have my own little Santa to hug everyday. :)

Kono made this cute rice krispie treat snowman with Grandma Tano. If only I had time to do things like this with him. Literally my only free time is when I shower or blog (and once in a great while exercise).
Oh, the other day Kono said "Mom, what do you want for Christmas? Tell me the truth!!" It was so funny! :)

Phone Boy

While we were having dinner one evening, I told Granite that he needs to not text during dinner because it was a bad example and Kono would think it's okay to do that. Granite put his phone away and said "Yeah Kono, we shouldn't text during dinner, right?" Kono replied in a serious tone "But I have to text my friends and my Grandma!" :) The next day as we were telling the story to one of Granite's students, Kono said something like "Mommy is going to get me a phone...for Christmas!"

I have no idea where that came from! I don't even think that he really comprehends that texting is sending and receiving messages and let alone, he's never really been that interested in phones and neither has he ever mentioned that he wanted one. It was so funny! He's so cute, oftentimes he'll hand me my phone whenever I leave it in one room and go to the next. He's my little phone guardian I guess. :)

And most of the time when our home phone rings (which is not that often), he will answer it and start talking into the ear part of the phone and not even really listen to what the other person is saying but instead he'll ramble on about random things like how chubby and cute Kaipo is or what we are doing. He is hilarious!

New Haircut for Russell (Kaipo)

I had it with Kaipo's patchy hair and so I decided it was time for a hair cut. Poor thing, I don't like this awkward phase when the hair starts falling out (I can totally relate, my hair comes out like crazy a couple months postpartum.) Kono had really patchy hair and we didn't cut his hair until he was like 7 months. We laugh when we see pics of him during that stage of his life. Anyway, so last night, I got brave enough to break out the clippers and do it myself! Though it's not the best, (due to his hair falling out in areas more than others, him crying because he was so scared of the buzzing sound and me not being an expert at it) it will do and I think he looks cute!! He also looks a bit older.
I've been wanting to make this post for a while now. Don't you think he looks a little like Russell from the movie UP? I love that boy by the way, he makes me laugh.

Mommy and Her Side Kick

Tonight, Granite and I went out to eat without the kids. This is very rare for us. Come to think of it, we hardly ever go on dates (ever since we became parents). We are probably the most lame couple and it doesn't help that we live on the rez with nowhere to really go. But it was a nice short break without having to cook or worry about all the household chores waiting for me. Anyway, when we went to pick up Kaipo from Grandma's, he heard my voice and all he could see was three missionaries blocking his view. He started crying really hard. It was so cute, funny, and sad all at the same time. He has developed stranger anxiety a bit. Especially if it's men. Well, since I was looking decent, I had Granite take a few pictures of us. By the way, I feel like I need a new hair do/cut. Any suggestions?



Doesn't he just make you smile when you see his cuuuute smile?

Santa Baby

Brrrrrrrrrrr!!!

The entire town of Tuba (and other towns and cities down south) was out of electricity and heat for about 11 hours and boy was it cold! What do you do without heat on a cold wintry night and morning? When the electricity first went out, Kono and I were still up. I could not see a thing! No moon light coming into the living room and luckily I found my cell and used the light to lead us to find a candle and match. We slept the whole night without heat and I was thinking, it's a good thing we at least have shelter and plenty of blankets. Granite's "hot body" as I always call it kept us warm too. It was pretty scary to think that we weren't fully prepared for something like this.
Anyway, Kaipo is bundled up and wearing what used to be Granite's beanie as a baby (actually all three of his siblings used this beanie). I like that it covers the ears well, and has a string to tie it, and a cute bill. It's hard to find good beanies for babies, at least for me it is. Well, we survived the night and was so glad and thankful that we got our electricity back on before we had expected.

What Kaipo is up to...

Another picture of the little grinder. He's eating sweet potatoes. He had green beans tonight and made a funny face and did this grossed out shake (it's so funny, he looks just like Kono when he does it). I heard that babies and kids take about 10 tries to start liking a food. I gave him another bite and he just ate it and almost finished the container. I think he was just happy to have baby food again since he was out of baby food for two days (except for rice cereal) and just solely nursed yesterday.

Laying on his tummy time toy. He doesn't like being on his tummy much unfortunately. We have to remind Kono that the toy is not to spin him around in like a merry-go-round. :)

He is sitting up here. He sits for about a minute sometimes but eventually falls over.

Another cute picture of him sittin' up.

And when he falls over, he likes to "attack" the bed with his mouth. :)

Five Month Old Kaipo

Kaipo tried his first baby rice cereal at 4 and a half months. He's concentrating on the spoon :)

He loves it as you can see! Isn't he soooo cute!? We knew he'd love it. On Dec. 1, he tried baby food from a jar for the first time. I figure I'd start him off with green veggies first so I gave him Beechnut sweet peas and he ate it! Such a good eater. :)

Just chillin' in the bouncer

Watching Mommy cook.

I love his eyes

Sportin' his cute attire

I love this boy!!!

He always has his finger in his mouth. He's teething but no teeth have really come out yet. He wants to chew on everything in sight.

Party Time

We celebrated Kono & Granite's Birthday with family yesterday. One thing's for sure we had really good food. We had Granite's favorite pork ribs, pulled pork, rice, potato salad, broccoli salad, fresh green beans, & mandarin orange jello. I'll let the pictures do the talking. I wished I took more pictures (of those who came and of me with the birthday boys) but I was crazily busy in the kitchen and did the video camera recording and mostly focused on the birthday boys. Thanks to ALL (family near and far) who made their birthday great.

Another cake made by Grandma Sarah

What's a birthday party without Kono dressing up as Spiderman again?

One of the things I love most......

One of the things that crack me up the most and is so sad at the same time is this sad face Kaipo makes. I finally got a good picture of it! He has such a big luscious bottom lip. The big lips come from my Dad and I. The funny thing about it is that he can stick it waaaay out. It's soooo cute and funny and yet sad at the same time I think it's even better to watch it yourself. You can't really tell on this picture but when he gets sad, his eyebrows get red and his eyes get watery. So why was he so sad? He wanted me of course.....his milk supply. :)

4 month old Kaipo

Kaipo turned 4 months on the 25th of October. He still is such a smiley happy baby. He'll even smile and laugh at Kono when Kono is upset or crying. How funny. He smiles with his tongue curled upwards in case you are wondering why inside his mouth looks a bit different. I think it's cute. He is also a real momma's boy. He has to be held almost all the time or he'll throw a fit until he gets his way. I am sure looking forward until he starts sitting up on his own and playing with toys without help. That will be the day! Speaking of which, Kaipo had his 4 month check up and shots on October 30th and that was the first day he sat up for the first time on his own (at the doc's office, it must have been the firm cushion table). It was for about a full ten seconds and he looked so cute! He sure made Kono proud. Kaipo is now 17 lbs and almost 25 inches long. I actually am embarrassed when I lug him around in his car seat by myself because I probably look like I'm really struggling. He reaches for things right now so we have to scoot our plate of food away from him. Today he reached for the little whale on his bouncer for the first time.

One of the main highlights of Kaipo's day (and Kono for sure) is to take a bath together. They absolutely love it! I put Kaipo's tub inside the tub and fill both with water. Kaipo kicks and moves his arms almost constantly making splashes. Kono is still getting used to the fact that the splashes that hit him wasn't intended to hit him. He is so silly. And when Kaipo splashes his own face, he doesn't even cry or care.

More Random Pics

This picture is something you'd typically see at our home.... things not in it's place (Kono is a tornado and Kaipo doesn't let his mommy get things done!), with both boys wanting attention from Dad. I didn't have them pose, I just quickly grabbed the camera. Both boys absolutely love playing with their dad. Granite even "wrestles" (or as Granite calls it "roughs him up") with Kaipo already and the really funny thing about it is that Kaipo already comprehends that it's fun and funny to do that with his dad. He squeals with delight. He really loooves to watch Granite and Kono play or just any action that is going on, he'll really watch intently and usually laugh really hard. It seems as if he wants to play already and we try to include him as much as we can.

They also love their mommy and keep her busy ALL day (I'm not kidding you)! Sometimes I even am holding or carrying both of them at the same time if Kono is not feeling well or loved.

You can tell whose son this is! (ahem, Granite Junior is what we should have named him!)

He looks exactly like Granite the way he is posing. He saw a picture of Granite doing the same pose and started doing that same pose ever since.

You know what is really funny about this outfit? My sister let me go through her give away boy clothes and this is meant for a one year old. Kono just had to squeeze himself into it. I didn't even think it would go all the way on him. It makes us laugh that he likes to wear it and can fit into it! "Embarrasing!" is what Granite says.

Kono decided to go through the shoe closet one day and wear my boots. I thought he looked so cute.

Okay Kono! I didn't even notice he had his legs wrapped around Kaipo until now. Hahaha

Halloween 2009

Well, Halloween this year seemed to have come so quickly and passed just as quickly. Kono and Granite carved a pumpkin, but I didn't even take pictures due to being constantly busy with Kaipo and other duties... so sad.
On Friday night, there was a church Halloween carnival but this year instead of the typical Halloween decorations and theme, it was centered on The Proclamation to the World. I thought it was really neat. Every activity/game was gospel centered. Kono (aka Spiderman) had so much fun playing the games and winning cupcakes. I later came with Kaipo in his Superman outfit. I thought it was cute that they were both super heroes together so that's why I decided to keep Kaipo as Superman even though as stated in an earlier post that he would be something else.

As you can see, Kono is squeezing his brother, something he ALWAYS does!! I think Kono is obsessed with his brother's arm rolls and cuteness, but hey, I don't blame him, he's so cute we both can't stand it! :)
(Note: I don't like this picture of me at all, but both of my boys make the picture look good.)

Protecting their Grandma Sarah :)

We had Stake Conference this past weekend and I was busy with that and with dinner afterwards so I didn't even take pictures on Halloween night. Guess I'll have to dress them up again and take more. By the time I came home from the adult session Kono was done trick-or-treating. He then passed out candy (pretty much all by himself) to the trick-or-treaters and we had a good laugh while he did. He would say to the ones who were mute "What do you say?!" They would then finally say "Trick-or-treat!" Then Kono would give them just one piece of candy (we told him two but he didn't think they were worthy if that). Then if they didn't say thank you, he would say, "And what do you say??" It was so funny when he would hear the door bell ring (the door was open but screen door closed with window on it open) he would yell "Alright kids!!! I'm coming!!!" And more than half the time, it was kids older than him so it was a funny sight to see him passing out candy to older kids.