Goodbye, Hesses

We said goodbye to our dear friends, the Hesses, this week.  Micaela and I have been running buddies, visiting teaching companions, and just good friends full of playdates for the kids.  We had a girl's night out for everyone in the ward. 

We had them over for dessert the night before they left.  Sure gonna miss them!

Ward Camp

 We camped two nights at Bellows with our Ward Camp.  I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would.  The nights were long but the days were so fun.  The water was an amazing color of blue, the kids had so much fun playing outside non-stop, and loved having their friends to play with only a tent away. 

 The kids loved this little river that came from the ocean and headed under the bridge.  So shallow, but just enough water for them to walk their boogie boards up and go for a little ride downstream.

Anjuli trying out surfing :)

The ultimate highlight: watching the kids ride their boogie boards in the "big" waves, as Zion would call it.  They actually were pretty big for him!  Zion never tired, going out over and over again, and was completely independent catching those waves.  I was so proud of him!

Love this pic :)

Jazzy turns 2!

Jazzy was sick the whole week of her birthday.  She had a high fever and canker sores in the back of her throat (maybe hand foot mouth?).  Sleepless nights, not eating during the day, cry cry cry... it was a hard week.  Still the kids were so excited it was her birthday so we went out to celebrate anyways, doing what the kids have been begging to do: bowling!

Jasmine managed to have a good time anyway.

And I got these cute smiles out of her!  The best part of my day :)

At age two Jazzy is definitely becoming a toddler.  She says a bunch of words like "guk" (truck), "eee" (kitty), and "caco" (staccato--thanks to Little Einsteins).  She loves to wear slippers, anyone's slippers, sometimes even our neighbor's size 13 ones :)  She loves being outside, playing with water, riding her bike, doing puzzles, playdough, and putting coins in the piggy bank.  She loves running from the bath to her room naked, wearing a purse around the house, goggles on her head, and giving herself kisses in the mirror.  She has an adorable laugh and infectious smile.  Geeze I love this girl :)  Happy Birthday to my baby!

Happy Mother's Day

 I have the best kids and husband.  Mother's day was great, Zui got me flowers and surprised me with homemade cards from him and the kids.  Breakfast was nutella strawberry crepes-yum!  Which took a lot of work with 4 kids, next year I think we should just make a special treat after the kids are all in bed.  Zui got me an underwater camera, sweet!  Overall a great day.  Should I add that Zeya told me he hopes I get hit by a car and die?  Nah, minor details... by the end of the day he was back to giving me hugs and kisses :)  oh the life of a mother...

Rock n Roll recital

 

Another wonderful recital, Rock n Roll was sure a fun one.  I'm so proud of all of my students, but mostly this one right here :)  Love you, Anjuli!

Zion's Birthday

 Zion has been waiting for his birthday ever since about 2 weeks after his last birthday.  I was so relieved once the year finally rolled around and it was his birthday again.  He was so looking forward to turning 5!  We had a small party with several other families from the ward.

I was trying to decide on how to make him a cool cake... but last minute it turned out to be a jello poke cake with cool whip and his spiderman figurine plopped in the middle.  I decided I like low maintenance :)

 I could not get Zion to say "cheese" and look at the camera--just too enthralled in the whole present opening business... but I know he had a good birthday, and it was so fun to spoil him for a day :) 

Happy Chinese New Year!

 It's so cool to be part of another culture.  Chinese New Year is big in the Kim ohana.  Each year the kids dress in their Chinese outfits, thanks to Dennis and Linda.  Dennis plays the drums while the kids take turns hiding in the dragons and dancing around to the beat.

Yvonne busy in the kitchen making some gourmet Chinese food

Time for Hong Bow's!  Each of the kids and adults take their turn in reciting "Ichigong, Archigong, Sanchigong, gong she fat sie, hog bow naw lie" (don't quote me on my Chinese, folks).  My kids had this down, I was so impressed :)  Two hands out, say thank you "xie xie" and the $pecial red envelope is yours!  Thank you Dad and Yvonne!

Zion trying to wrestle Grandpa for his red envelope while he patiently waits for Zion to say "xie xie"

My kids are 3/8 Chinese, I'm glad they can take part in this culture and learn more about their roots.  Happy Chinese New Year!