Happy New Year...

One year ago today we flew our family here and took with us just a few stuffed bags...  okay... 6 bags, filled to the brim, bursting at the seams...

We started a new life in an old, but new place.  As I thought about this last year, I thought of last new year's eve..  it was one of the best.. we ran around like crazy trying to say goodbye to everyone... I miss you Mesa-ites...  arizonans...  miss you Leslie, and Gina and Emily and Natalia... and everyone else...

I miss my friends in California and can't wait to plan a big long visit this next year.  Love you Brynn and Kelli!

I love our life here.  I know I complain, I know I get super stressed out...  It's my nature... I guess moving a few thousand miles can't really change that... but I do work better in a slower, country, beach town :)   I love BYU-Hawaii.  I have a passion for the things that I study.  I have watched in amazement as my little baby girls have blossomed into such big, beautiful, smart girls.  Keira was my baby a year ago... she had her binky, I carried her all the time... she still had that little baby face... but that all is gone now...  she's this little skinny, tiny, tall thing, a big sister, quite the smarty pants, and a joy.  Jayden is such a big girl now too... she still has her dog.. but doesn't cry if he's missing... she's still super duper busy and loves to talk and meet new people and play games... she's learning her letters, and although she picked out a Diego bike for her birthday/christmas present, she is now playing with Barbie dolls (i'm still weirded out by it) and loves doing her hair and make-up... but she still is in no way a girly girl... she is still Captain Jayden.  Kai is a delight to our family.  He's happy and smily and calm, but curious.  He is very independent like Jayden was, he loves to go play where the action is, in the girls room, outside, under my feet in the kitchen.  He's determined, physically and mentally, but is kinda clumsy and frequently whacks his head on everything... poor guy...  of course he's had the bad ears for months, but we're hoping that will be gone soon and we've got him back on a good schedule over this christmas break and I'm excited to see what come for him and he grows and learns.. he's very smart, he listens good and he's just so darn cute...  although my only complaint (besides the poor guys has not slept well with his ears) about my baby is that he's NOT a cuddle-er.. which is so sad :(  He wants me and climbs on me and clobbers me, but still won't cuddle  :)  I'm just stocked that he is such a little boy already... loves balls and always pays attention to the tv when sports are on...

We're so excited for this next year...  Chris and I are both going to school.  I will graduate, Jayden will start kindergarden, Keira will probably still go to rainbow school or preschool later in the year.  We are definitely looking forward to a new year here where Chris does not work as much so we can have more family time :)     the bills will get paid somehow...  wish us luck with that :)

Here are some pics from the last couple days here...  We're having a ball!