April 26th, 2010 - Koa Joins the Family!

In anticipation of Cielo's 6 month deployment, we wanted to help Nati (and Mommy) focus on something other than his absence. And there is no better distraction than a cute little puppy! We adopted Koa from a family in Kapolei. He is a 6 week old half Pomeranian / half Chihuahua - a little fur ball of love!

We brought him home and Nati immediately crawled into his bed with him. She LOVES holding Koa and giggles when he makes noise. We are so excited for this new addition to the family.

Sharing a drink of water from Koa's bowl.

Nati made herself right at home!
Playing on the lani.

Who's bed is this anyway?

Cousin Jacob likes Koa too!

Christmas

Pictures to be posted soon!

The Gathering Dinner

Pictures to be posted soon!

Baking Day

Pictures to be posted soon!

December 13th, 2009 - 13 Months Old

Pictures to be posted soon!

Thanksgiving

Pictures to be posted soon!

Blessing

Pictures will be posted soon!

Grandma Jan and Jeannie Visit

Pictures to be posted soon!

November 21st, 2009 - Nati's Baby Luau

It is a Hawaiian tradition to celebrate a baby's first birthday with a "Baby Luau". We had about 65 people over to Nana and Apa's house to help celebrate Nati's first year of life with yummy food, great company and live entertainment. Nati enjoyed playing with the kids and being the center of attention.

Ready for our guests to arrive

Special white dress complete with a crown... a true birthday princess!

Lots of kids to play with...

... and Parker can always make Nati smile!

I was thrilled to get some great photos of Nati in her baby lei and pua in the soft Hawaiian sun!





Uncle Walt sang and played the ukulele while Nana and Auntie Kaanohi danced hula. We were all suprised when Nati joined in to demonstrate her own hula dance.







November 13th, 2009 - 1 Year Old!

Our little Natalie turned one year old today!  It is hard to believe an entire year has come and gone with this little angel in our lives!  Cielo and I recalled the day of her birth and relished in the happy memories (and difficulties faced with being new parents) throughout the past year. 

I look at Nati's face and can hardly remember the tiny baby she once was!  (Good thing we have so many pictures!)  While her "infant" days are coming to an end, I look forward to the many stages to come! She is a true blessing!



First Birthday Celebration

We celebrated Nati's first birthday with cake and ice cream with family!  I made a special giant strawberry cupcake cake for Nati (and a chocolate cake for everyone else).  She was very careful to pick off the sprinkles one by one until she got a taste of the frosting, and then she was ready to dig in.  She didn't think much of the cake, I could have just given her a mound of frosting and she would have been happy!

Nati's new swing!

Just getting started!

First taste of frosting... it's on!!!

Entire hand in it now!

Happy Birthday Natalie Makani!

Time for Presents

After a quick bath, Nati was ready to open presents!  She really enjoyed ripping the wrapping paper to find some great gifts inside!  She received some new books, an Elmo shape toy and money for her college fund.  I couldn't wait to have Nati open the little Elmo doll we got for her... and her reaction was exactly what I was hoping for.  So fun to watch the excitement fill her eyes!




November 7th, 2009 - Coloring!

Nati and I went to dinner with Nana at Chili's and Nati had her first experience coloring with crayons. She knew exactly what to do and amazingly... knew how to hold the crayon properly! Looks like she is right handed for sure!






November 3rd, 2009 - First Steps!

Nati has been standing tall on her own for a few weeks now and finally took her first steps!

Getting ready!

First Steps - we were so proud!!!

Playing Ball!

Nati loves to play outside!  We got her a squishy ball that changes color with the touch of your hand... she loves it... as you can see!


Playing with Daddy in the backyard!


Got it!


First athletic picture (and I didn't put her in this pose!)


Still playing, even in the dark!


She had so much fun... and soon found out that grass makes you itchy!

October 31st, 2009 - 1st Halloween!

Nati had a great first Halloween!  I was looking forward to dressing her in her butterfly costume for months!  She was so cute in her wings and tutu! 





We went to Uncle Josh and Auntie Lea's house for some early trick-or-treating and chili dinner.  Because it was a costume party, Cielo and I had to come up with a costume last minute.  I decided to be a butterfly with Nati and Cielo was a butterfly catcher.  Nati didn't really understand the purpose of tick-or-treating seeing as she can't eat the candy yet, but I think she enjoyed seeing everyone dressed up in costumes. 


The two butterflies!


"Why are we dressed like this? It's too hot to be a jack-in-the-box"


"Much cooler being a butterfly catcher like Uncle C!"


Ready to go trick-or-treating!


"Hey Cuz, what's in that big pink bowl?"


You can take a cool shadow picture when you go trick-or-treating before the sun goes down!

After trick-or-treating, we went to help Auntie P and Uncle Guy pass out candy to the kids.  Nati had a great time hangin' out with Uncle Guy.


Waiting for the kids!


Happy Halloween!

Big Bubble Bath!

Nati has officially outgrown her little pink bathtub.  She was happy to play in the mommy and daddy's bathtub with jacuzzi jets which made her bubble bath extra bubbly!  Daddy put his swim shorts on to act as lifeguard for the big event!






Another Sunday Dinner!

We had Sunday dinner at our house this week and introduced Jacob to the jumper.  Now that Nati is mobile, she no longer likes to be confined so we are passing on the jumper to Jacob.  He seemed to really enjoy the new activity and the cute boy in the mirror!  We were also thrilled to have Cousin Logan and Mac visit from Las Vegas. 


Showing Jacob how to jump!


"Who is that cute boy in the morror?"


"Can I have the camera....please??"


JW with all the ladies!