Getting that perfect picture, with kids

How hard is it to get 3 keikis to look at the camera at the same time? Extremely hard! Last week we went to Honolulu for a visit and got to see Ka'iulani and baby Kahala, who was turning 1 over the weekend. Kahala and Colin (18 mo.) are about the same size. The kids are so cute!

Colin and the suitcase

Colin has gotten a hold of Alex's suitcase! FYI - The heavy breathing in the background are the dogs.

Jungle Pancakes

I thought it would be cool to make these jungle pancakes with the pancake molds I got at Williams Sonoma this weekend. It took 3 batches of messed up pancakes before I got it right!

Elephant & Lion
Alex and his elephant pancake

Colin and his lion pancake

Alex said the lion pancake looked like Maggie. What do you think?

Back to Boulder

So I got to go back to my old college stomping grounds this weekend when my Tri-Delta roomate/sorority sister got married at Flatirons Golf Course. Of course I had to take Mike hiking at Chautauqua Park, a gorgeous trek up into the Flatirons Mountain Range. I used to go trail running up here (I was in that good shape? what?!) and it was gorgeous the day we went. Mid-70s, blue skies, perfect weather. We were up there for a good 2 1/2 hours. But we had to return to Phoenix on Sunday, where it was a good 'ol 108 degrees.

Flatiron Mountain Range The happy couple...happy it's not 108View of CU Boulder (all those red roofs)

Ahh, a tree!

Bonjour!

I'm back from France...more exciting posts to follow.

Alex's 4th and Colin's 1st Birthday Party

Alex and Colin had a Thomas the Train themed brithday party.

Colin with his Percy smash cake


What?! I have cake in my ear!

I'm super cool! We wore Grandpa out at the party. Woo hoo!

Most spoiled dogs ever...

Molly found a pillow to rest her doggie head on...

New Belgium Brewing Co.

For the first time since the kids were born, Mommy got to go on a trip by herself! I went back to Colorado to celebrate my sorority sister's bachelorette weekend. We had a great time and I really enjoyed going to the New Belguim Brewing Co. in Fort Collins, Colorado (think Fat Tire).

L-R: Annmarie, Kristin, Erika, Kathleen, Stacey & Jen

Someone's napping in my clean laundry!

Maggie always finds the softest place to sleep. This time she's been caught napping in my clean laundry, still warm from the dryer! Oh Mags, you are so cute!

This looks like a good place for a nap!

Ahh, some quiet time!

Peek-a-boo Colin!

Peek-a-boo Colin!

Kids

So cute!

Alex takes a picture of Mags

Alex the photographer

Valentine's Day Party at school

No pet rabbits for me

This is not a flattering picture of me, and no my nose isn't broken, it just looks that way in some pictures (time for a nose job).

This is what happens after I hold a bunny. They are giving away two bunnies at Alex's school and I went to go see the bunnies. I knew I was allergic to rabbits when I was younger, since we had a pet rabbit named Thaddeus, and my eyes would swell up and nose would run and ear canals would itch - but that was 20 years ago. Well about 10-15 minutes after holding those cute little bunnies this is what my face looked like. Guess I'm still allergic. My babysitter said I look like someone beat me up. I rubbed my eyes so much I burst a blood vessel in my right eye. Ick. No more bunnies for me.

Cut me Mick!

Nishime

This was my first attempt at making Nishime, a Japanese vegetable stew traditionally served at New Year's. I've grown up eating it every New Year's, but this was my first attempt at making it (usually my mom or grandmother makes it). I had to go to Ranch 99 Market, because no other store around my house sells the ingredients. While recipes differ, I made a pretty simple Nishime which included kombu (seaweed tied in knots), bamboo shoots, lotus roots, gobo (burdock root) and chicken (I left out the pork for a healthier Nishime). Some people add shitake mushrooms, daikon, carrots, konnyaku, or tofu. My Nishime turned out great! While it was cooking, my kitchen smelled like my grandmother's kitchen during New Year's Eve. I made the kids sit with me while I was cooking so I could keep an eye on the two rascals.

Alex

Colin



Nishime!