Trial Run



Ok, I'm gunna make this post short and sweet (ha!).

This fondant cake....it was nearly the death of me, not because it was super hard to make the fondant part....just many other factors that came into play.

1. I didn't count for the humidity that we have here...which is a LOT. It made the drying process pretty difficult, but leaving it sit throughout the day helped.

2. NEVER ever ever ever EVER ... leave cake in a toddlers reach, unless you actually want them to have it. Logan took a nice chunk of my bottom layer.

3. Never simultaneously cook pizza and cake, especially when the cake is underneath. I had to pick out 4 olives and a sausage out of the top layer, poor cake.

All in all, since this was my practice cake, I'd have to say that it was a success, it looks decent. The taste testing will be on Friday, unless the cake doesn't make it till then. We'll see!

It was definitely a fun experience, I can't wait to get started on Lucas' cake ;)

Orange colored Strawberry cake :)


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Let them have CAKE!




Starting my first fondant cake today has been pretty interesting. I always assumed that these beautiful cakes were beyond my cake making abilities...I'm determined to prove that my assumption was way off. This week is my baby brother's birthday, I've no idea what to get him, so instead I'm going to give him the gift of my first cake making experiment. I'm still not sure if that's a nice gift, or an evil one, BUT he's my brother so either way it fits.

I started out making the fondant today, I'm leaving it out to set for 24 hours, then I'll be getting ready to decorate. I'm slightly nervous, but WAY more excited. Here's my setting fondant... starting it made me want to give up automatically, it was an awful and sticky mess...but with more and more powdered sugar (2lbs) I ended up being able to handle it a
bit better and got it to a more workable condition...


Also, on another note, I am posting my raw unedited pictures from my Oldschool Challenge. These were taken yesterday (Mother's Day). I love my beebees!


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Three Small Challenges

Before I get completely into this post, I just want to point out that I absolutely realize the irony of what I am about to say. In my defense, this is a "baby-step" process, and getting the word out to people all over the world is easier online than in person.


So, my Bisou and I were discussing how reliant the world has become on electronics, and how we've made everything so much easier on ourselves because of that, making us a bit lazy in the process.

1. How many people (counting myself) use Apps on their phone to take pictures, edit them, then post them online? A TON, cool, I know apps are very useful, but if you want to share your ability to take cool pictures, then bust out your camera, set it to manual, then shoot that bad boy. This is my first challenge. Yes, it would be nice to see you grab up an old Minolta, throw some film in it, and try that out, but like I said...baby steps. I'll settle for you using your regular old digital camera. Post a raw photo that you've taken and that you would be proud to send to your family and friends online. No editing, whatsoever.

2. I hate email. HATE it, but how freaking convenient is it!? Challenge Dos.
Grab a pen, piece of paper, and a stamped envelope. Now get to work writing a letter to someone you'd normally send an email to. Maybe even throw in some of those fancy pictures you just took. Getting a letter in the mail is so special, I get so freaking happy when I get one. Knowing that someone took the time to write it by HAND (gasp) and send it to me and only me, rather than forwarding it. I want proof that you've done it too, take a picture and post it ;)

3. Lastly. I know most of my friends on here love to read, it's a big part of what we have in common. So this doesn't REALLY apply to you, but at the same time...do it anyway.
Pick up a book, any book that you have been dying to read. I don't care how long it takes, but instead of going out to see the movie...just read the book first. You'll realize it is soooo much better than the movie anyway. Exercise those mind skills and read. Again, take a picture of the book, and when you're finished I want to know your opinion of it.


These are three challenges that honestly should not challenge anyone, it should be a part of our everyday life. But we've leaned on electronics and gadgets so much that we are forgetting how to do these things. Twenty years from now, our kids aren't even going to know what film was, or how to write their names in cursive. So bring these things back into your life. If you do it anyway, then freaking bravo.

I'm going to be participating in these challenges as well, so you'll be seeing my proof as the week goes by. I hope to see yours as well!!

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No Walls, No Water, No Electricity

I absolutely love when people question my living "conditions", why I don't have doors, walls, or *gasp* electricity!? How can one survive without an electric bill every month!?

It's fun actually, like camping in a wooden tent, as my mom puts it. It's different than the way most people live, without county water, without electricity, without walls. You wouldn't believe that you can actually survive without those things!

So let me break it down. I live "Off-grid", our house is powered by solar, and a generator. This gives us the power for everything we could possibly need, computer, internet, laundry facilities, lights, and even a HUGE tv. As far as the water goes, we are on catchment, which of course means that we "catch" our own water when it rains. A filtration system comes into play with that, giving us clean water to shower in and wash our dishes, for drinking water we haul everything in. Lastly, the walls, I mean common, we live in Hawaii. There really is no reason for walls around here, besides to trap mold and make everything smell musky.

That's that. It's how I live, and I love every bit of it. I will always prefer this way of living, it's much simpler, cheaper, and resourceful!

If you were given the choice, what would you prefer?

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Teacher Appreciation Creation


Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week, this is the first time I've ever really even acknowledged this holiday. I can honestly say that I'm very excited to show my appreciation to the teachers at Logan and Lucas' daycare. The place they go to is way more than a daycare, in fact Logan just plain calls it school. These two wonderful women have gone above and beyond with the kids, Logan has not only improved in his manners but he's learned (most of) his ABC's, recognize colors, and he's able to identify counting with objects. I will admit that I was terrified to send the boys to a place for most of their day, away from me and with people that I did not know, nor did I have anyone that had previously went to them. Now I can't be more happy with my choice! I absolutely LOVE these women as do the boys.

Anyway!!! For next week I really wanted to make their gifts rather than buy. Since I already gave them bracelets I opted to make some candles instead. My mom came up with the brilliant idea to make the candles in baby food jars, I immediately agreed. Such a cute idea, and the perfect size for a candle!

We decorated with adorable owl stickers, and topped off with ribbon. I love them and will definitely be making more :)

We also had some candy left over from easter baskets so we put them in some cute little "Chinese food" boxes. and the boys finished everything off with homemade thank you cards.
It may not be my favorite holiday, but it is something that am more than happy to celebrate!!

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Caterpillars everywhere!!


So my sister sent me a picture of my niece's birthday invitation (which was unbelievably cute) and got me thinking about Lucas' 1st birthday. For Logan's party I had so many ideas but when it came down to it, I ran out of time and had to settle for buying all the supplies at a local party store. This year I decided that since I've got a little of a month before the big day, I should start planning everything and hand making it! I've decided with The Very Hungry Caterpillar for the theme. I loved this book as a child, Logan loves it, and I'm sure Lucas will too. I didn't want to get too fancy for the invitations, because I'm probably the only one that will be saving it. So I came up with a simple but cute layout, but not too fancy.

So next I have to think of party favors, decorations, and of course the CAKE. I've got ideas coming out of my ears!! I can't wait to start planning this some more! Plus, hand making everything just makes me so happy, especially knowing that the boys are going to LOVE helping with the whole process. Ugh, party planning can be so fun!!

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Sitting, Waiting, Wishing



I've been slacking on this blog! I really should get back into it, I love writing so I don't understand why I always abandon my blogs.

In any case, I'm back for now. I've kept myself busy lately with the skate shop, homework, the boys of course, and bracelets. Yes, bracelets. I've been lucky enough to find out about "Job's Tears" a seed from a plant that grows in my backyard. This particular seed doubles as a bead for bracelets. So I've taken on bracelet making, and let me tell you, I have never had so much fun making something! I can be as creative as I want with them and people LOVE them! They've become so popular I can't express my excitement! I'm already going on about 40 bracelets in a week and a half, it's incredible.

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Sensitive Knees and Big Babies


I'm so sad. I strained a muscle or something in my left knee, I can barely walk on it. Not only that, my right knee is acting up as well. I have an appointment at the docs tomorrow so I'm hoping they can check it out while I'm there. I'm crossing fingers for only a sprain, there isn't really any swelling so I dont think I did anything major.
Stupid sensitive knees.



Lucas is three months old now, I can't believe how fast time is flying. It feels like yesterday Britt and I were saying how crazy it would be if I was pregnant...and well, I was. I was only "mentally" pregnant for 17 weeks and now my baby boy is 3 months already.


He is teething already, which isn't all that fun especially with such a Velcro baby. Also, he's starting to scoot around the floor, cutest thing ever.

Logan is going to be 22 months on the 7th, again...WHERE did the time go?! In just 2 more short months he will be two. I can hardly comprehend it. Though he is smarter than many 2 year olds that I know out here... it's emotional I guess. Any mom knows what I am going through.

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Mikey Part 2.


If you haven't heard about our escape artist of a turtle...well...then you will probably still undertstand this post.

So after Mikey returned to us (the second time) after months of traveling, he decided to skip out again and do some more adventuring. Three days after he left, Triston's friend told him about a turtle that his mom found on the road. She almost ran him over, but luckily stopped in time. Of course it was Mikey.

Anyway, she took him home because she has a turtle pond and she wanted to add to her "collection"? lol She didn't know he belonged to us until Triston explained to her that our turtle escaped. My mom and the lady talked and decided that he should stay with them since he would have some companions that he could hang out with and share his traveling stories with. He was there about 2 months, and of course, decided to head home. My mom found him yet again, under her bed.

I am so baffled that this freaking turtle knows where his house is even when he is 3 blocks away!

For safety purposes we have decided to keep him in an aquarium for now. Last thing we want is for him to get hit by a car, or end up in the wrong hands of someone. He seems pretty pleased with himself though...smug little turtle.



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Short and Sweet



I swear, if I look at anymore mathematical equations today, my head will likely explode. Instead of turning my homework in halfway done, I've opted to just turn it in a day late fully completed. It sounds like the better way to go.

Anyway, speaking of math... Logan sported his "I ♥ Ï€" shirt today, and was messing around with my calculator...not only that but his hair was a crazy mess so of course I had to snap a picture.


Lucas just got over his cough, so he's getting less and less fussy, but still pretty clingy. I think I'm going to try and get a few 3 month pictures done tomorrow depending on how the day goes. Here is a picture from a few weeks ago, this boy is such a ham.

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The Run


So my mom got a treadmill for her birthday. It's been calling my name I swear. I have been wanting to run for so long, but it's just not safe to do here. The roads are slick 80% of the time, and there are no sidewalks. I have been tempted to just run along the shoulder of the highway, but really...I'd rather stay alive.


This treadmill though, it's perfect, I can put the boys on the bed, turn on a movie, then off I go. Today was techinically my second time on the thing, but my first run. It amazes me how terrible I am at this whole running thing. Though I'll admit, I haven't even ran since high school, 10 years ago, and even then half the time I hung out in the locker room while everyone else ran.

Not today though, today I hauled me and the boys downstairs and started that baby up. I need to get my stamina back up. I'd like to run a whole mile without giving up, without slowing down, just keeping a nice even pace. That's my goal, not to lose weight, not to run fast, but to go a certain distance without giving up.

Wish me luck.

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Run, Baby, Run!




Saturday was Logan's baby marathon, I have had him pre-registered since early June, and have been so excited for it!

A few days before, I went out and got him some new running shoes since his converse are just a tad too big and I knew he'd trip with them. So come race day we figured we'd leave early and give us plenty of time to get his race number and let him practice a bit. It was only a 100 yard dash so I figured it would keep his attention enough to cross the finish. Well... we got there 10 minutes late thanks to many ridiculous circumstances. He didn't even get to run the thing! We were both pretty upset about it, he got to watch the other kids run the 200 but couldn't join in. So teary eyed mommy and son walked up to the booth and asked if he could at least have his number. Not only did they give it to him, along with a bag of goodies, they let him run! He had the attention of everyone there so he was super stoked about that. He crossed the finish line, goodies and all, then proceeded to get his participant ribbon.



All and all it turned out to be great, I can't wait to get him into his next marathon...maybe even 10 minutes early this time.


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Birthday Party





My beautiful, amazing, incredible mommy turned 50 on friday, I'll be murdered for that last sentence. Since we thought she had plans to fly to Oahu for her birthday, we didn't really have plans. Well...she changed her plans and decided to fly out on Saturday instead. So Thursday we figured it was way too last minute to plan anything...but guess what, it wasn't. With the help of my brother and sister-in-law, we got together and opted for a surprise party, which of course my mother hates. ;)

It turned out amazing, and so many of our friends were able to show up with such little notice. Even our neighbor, who happens to be a fire dancer, was able to show up. Hooray, here are some pictures!





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I do this too often..
Start a blog, post a few days, then forget about it completely. Funny thing though, my head constantly swarms with things that I intend on sharing with the world. But when I get in front of the computer, I either forget...or well...I usually just forget.

Not this time! I remembered.

I can't share EVERYTHING that has happened in the past three months, but I can summarize pretty well:



Lucas was born May 30th. He is an insanely adorable little fellow. He's nothing short of identical to his big brother in the looks department, but they both couldn't be more different when it comes to being babies. Logan has always been an independent little guy, he always has had spurts of separation anxiety, but who wouldn't?
Lucas on the other hand...this kid can NOT be put down.. WILL not be put down. He's a mama's boy through and through.



School has been pretty interesting, I'm currently taking Algebra and Geology, both intros. I am less than (haha) excited about the Algebra class. I aced this class in high school, so why is it that I can not remember ONE thing from it? You'd think SOMETHING would have stuck, but no. I guess it could possibly be the 8 year gap in between then and now that dissolved some of those linear equations to nothingness.

On the other hand, geology...oh sweet sweet geology. This class has turned my world upside down. I can't get my homework in fast enough! I'm so intensly mesmerized with this freaking class...well, I guess it's more like mesmerized with the earth and everything that it is created from. This class alone makes me rethink my career path. Elementary Teacher or Geologist. Common now. What would you choose?!

What else, what else.... Oh, right. My hair is blonde...for the first time in my life. I actually like it too..for now.

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Time for a quick update :)



It's been about a 2 weeks, I think. Who knows, I think I've completely lost track of time.


We had such a nice Mother's Day, we went to a beach park and hung out, came home and had a nice long nap (Logan and I) and then woke up and the whole family went to go check out the lava. It was a pretty eventful day and of course wore me out. We didn't get to see much lava because they had blocked it off and we figured that it was best if we didn't break any rules that included keeping us all safe. We did see tiny specks of it on the mountainside...it was beautiful. I can't wait to get pictures of it to post.

Here are a few pictures of the past week(s?) Mother's day and some bathtime pictures! As you can tell...he loves the water.





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Cupcake making for Mana

First of all, let me say Happy 2nd Birthday to my niece Sydney!!!
And Happy 1st Birthday to my nephew Mana!!!

For Mana's birthday, Logan and I decided to make him some cupcakes :)

I must say that I'm pretty impressed with the patience that Logan had dealing with frosting and sprinkles...he even had a taste of the frosting, but continued to put it on the cupcakes no problem.

As usual, a few pictures:
(Sorry about the size, it wont let me fix it for some reason)











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Hiccups, Finals, and Whales

Yesterday was the start of my last week in my current classes aka finals week. Of course I've procrastinated to the point where I now I have about 5 days left to finish two discussion topics, and 2 finals. I guess it's just easier for me to work under extreme pressure. Logan is so incredibly patient with me during these kinds of weeks. He sits down and watches a movie or destroys the room ever so quietly. Either way, he's entertained and I'm able to study (for a reasonable amount of time anyway).



On top of studying, running around after Logan, and trying to breathe through braxton hicks contractions, I've also managed to start sewing. My first project was a throw for Logan, I wanted something that he would love to sleep with and have a theme that he would enjoy. The front is made of tropical fish and the back of sea foam green flannel...needless to say, I have a hard time not stealing it, it came out to be the perfect size, and it's SO comfy. With the extra flannel I had laying around I made a whale stuffed animal, Logan is pretty obsessed with them thanks to his aunt Brittany. I think he prefers the "real" whale look as opposed to the stuffed animal look though.


I have one of my last ultrasound appointments for Lucas on the 10th so I'm pretty excited about that. It's still pretty weird thinking about how far along I am and how little of time I've had to comprehend the fact that I'm pregnant. He definitely makes his presence known though, queue hiccups, kicks, and rolls. I find myself wondering constantly, not what he is going to look like, but how he's going to act. I have a feeling that I'm going to have a loud baby on my hands this time around.

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Starting Over

I had a blog before, but for some reason it's managed to disappear on me. No big deal, I'll just start fresh!

April was an eventful month full of all kinds of fun.

First being Easter! Logan was a little too young to fully enjoy Easter last year, he did get to color eggs but didn't quite grasp it like he did this year. Not only did we color real eggs, we made some from paper mache as well. He loved every messy part of it!


I must say, he's quite a creative little boy. He loves drawing pictures for people. We made a few Easter cards and had to put his finishing touches to them. Luckily, these masterpieces haven't made their way to anything but paper (with the occasional accidents). He knows to ask for paper when he wants to draw, so that's always nice ;)


As far as Lucas goes, he's stronger than Logan was and beats me up constantly. I swear I'm going to have a fractured rib because of him! But along with strong, he's very healthy. I am very excited, but very very nervous for him to be here. The days are getting shorter and I feel like I have so much to do before he's born. Luckily I have amazing support from my family here, I honestly don't know what I would do without them. This pregnancy has been fairly easy, no sickness just sore joints. I am very very thankful for that!






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