Hutchison Party

I left my camera at my mom's house so I haven't been able to post this pictures until now.  After Thanksgiving Natalie had a little wedding party (not reception...let's get that clear) to celebrate her getting married.  My mom transformed her house into the Winter Wonderland that is her house during this time of year and we had ourselves a grand ol' time.

Natalie just wanted to have one big party...none of this stuffy reception business. 

We had a Candy Station:

A Hot Chocolate Station:

A Gingerbread Cookie Station:

Eden and Ever got dressed for the occasion in these super cute dresses my mom bought in China Town in Hawaii.  Aren't they the cutest girls you've ever seen?  I think so!

Twenty Six

Everyone keeps cracking jokes about how I'm on the downhill to 30 and that's totally fine with me.  I'm not one to worry about a number, I'm just having a blast finally getting into my groove.  This past year has been, without a doubt, the best year of my life.  The last couple of year I felt like I was in some sort of funk.  I missed the carefree days of being a teenager (and felt like I was forever 19) and I was nervous about what the future held. I wasn't sure what I was doing.  Motherhood has changed me in ways I hadn't imagined.  I finally feel like I know who I am, where I'm going and what I want to do.  I feel like my life is all falling into place.  I'm totally comfortable with me and it's awesome. So 30...I see you coming and I'm not scared.  Bring it on.  30 means no more school (forever!), hopefully a new little one added to the family and a wonderful job that allows me to be a mom and enjoy what I love doing more than anything in the world...raising my children. So thank you all for the birthday wishes and I'm so grateful to have some many awesome friends around me. You've helped me find who I am so thank you. Happy Weekend!

Man, I'm Grateful

I feel like I have a lot to be thankful for this year.  So many thing have happened and I feel so blessed.  Most importantly, I'm thankful for my family.  I feel so lucky to have so many loving people in my life.  I've been blessed enough to not have to deal with much loss and I think I owe a lot of that to my awesome Grandma Lola.  She has experienced more heartache than any one person should.  She lost two husband by the age of 40 and then lost her son at an early age.  It just doesn't seem fair that one person should have to experience that much heartache in one life but I think because of her sacrifice I haven't had to.  And I am indeed grateful. I honestly think that she chose to bare this burden so the rest of her family wouldn't have to and for that I owe her everything.  She is the quintessential meaning of endure to the end.  I am grateful for her example and I'm so grateful to be a part of her eternal family.  I'm pretty excited because my eternal family is TOTALLY going to rock. Can you image the parties we'll throw?

...don't worry...those are just some freaking awesome gloves made into turkeys...my mom's a genious!













I know I say it every post but I'm so grateful that I've been blessed with the opportunity to be a mom.  I know so many close friends of mine are struggling to get pregnant and I feel so lucky that although it took quite some time, I was able to.  And to top it off, I get to be the mom of this adorable little girl.  Life is so good.

Missing Moment

Sometimes when I'm stuck all day at school I start to think about all the moments I'm missing. I'm in school Monday thru Friday 8am to 3pm and then I pick Eden up from daycare at 4:30pm and she's off to bed by 7:30.  So really, I only get 3 solid hours of being a mom...which breaks my heart.  I admit that what I'm doing will be best for my family in the long run but it kills me to think that someone else is watching her grow.  I've been lucky enough to see some major milestones.  I have been able to watch her roll over, learn to crawl, hear her first word and take her first steps but she's growing like a weed and she's moved from baby to toddler faster than I like.  I got a few days off for Thanksgiving and today I'm so grateful to get to be a mom...all day.  I didn't miss any moments today....and it was heaven.

Even thoug she made a COMPLETE mess at lunch...I was so enjoying watching her eat it.  She says "MMM" after every bite and I was soaking it up. What's not to absoluetly love about that face?!  I could squeeze her to death!

Eden is growing up so fast.  She's a busy girl.  She loves, loves to play.  She's into everything.  She makes me laugh all the time.  She loves to say "mom, mom, mom, mom, mom..." to which I replay "eden, eden, eden, eden..." 

Yesterday Eden was putting EVERYTHING in her mouth so I took a look.  Eden went from two bottom teeth to EIGHT!  She has SIX top teeth that just broke through.  I know once she has a full set of teeth we are officially out of the baby stage and it's only a matter of weeks before those teeth fully come in. It make me so sad to realize my little sweet baby is gone and I'm offically in full blown toddler mood but she's so fun and cute I can't wait to see what happens.  I'm so grateful I'm her mom!

A Sunday Afternoon

This weekend has kinda been crazy.  I've been studying my brains out for some upcoming tests which leaves my little girl with nothing to do.  So instead of just letting her bang on my bedroom door screaming "MAMA!!"  We decided to get creative.  Usually when I'm studying, Les will take Eden for a walk and give me some time to really concentrate but since outside has turned to winter overnight we had to come up with an alternative.  Here's what we came up with...

To say she love it is an understatment.  She was squealing in delight.  Les would run and pull her really fast and then make her do a 180.  I was at the kitchen table doing homework and all I could hear was her sweet little belly laugh so I had to see what it was all about. 

We just drug her around while we went about doing our stuff.  She refused to get out.  Finally I had to hide the box in my room and shut my door, but you better believe we'll pull it out next time we have a little one year old with lots of energy with nothing to do.

I would just like to note that if I were to have more time I would have TOTALLY decked out that box to the nines...I had thoughts of construction paper, glue and coloring to make it what I wanted but I had to remind myself that I'm two days away from a LONG weekend (hallelujah) and the crafts can come out!  So until then....I'll wait.

Polynesian Cultural Center

The Polynesian Cutlural Center was by far the highlight of the trip.  It was pretty much awesome....it also helped that were were VIPs.

The River pagent was great.  They had each island do their tribal dance on this little boat. 

They ladies can shake their thang...I was super impressed with their booty shaking skills...

The first place we went was Samoa.  This was my favorite show.  The guy's name was Kap and he was HISTERICAL.  I was peeing my pants...and he wasn't bad to look.  I'll say that much.

They had a guy climb up a plam tree.  It was amazing.  I can't believe the can do that....so cool!

because we were VIPs we got to take pictures with Kap...after listening to the Samoa way of life I totally want to be Samoan.

After Samoa, we got some family tattoos....They were sweet.

Then we played some pretty awesome games.  If you were good at the games you became a warrior...if not so good...you became a cook...of course, I was a warrior

We even got arts and crafts time.  I had taken over camera duties to give Tennille a break....which meant I sucked it up at arts and crafts.  I attempted to weave grass but the lady ended up doing it for me...

the men did spear throwing while we were weaving grass....

After we went around to all the islands we headed to the luau.....

What's a luau without a pina colada in a pineapple?

Greg and Natalie went up stage when they asked for anyone celebrating their anniversity.  Greg went up with his cake (and wouldn't put it down...he was deprived as a child).  When they asked how long they've been married, Greg yelled "THREE HOURS!"  Followed by a fist pump...so funny!

After the luau we watched the night showed called "Ha, The Breath of Life".  It was ah-mazing.  So cool.

 

Click on "Older Posts"....I've previously posted pictures of the wedding and other adventures in Hawaii