Crock Pot Conquered

Ok, so maybe a crock pot doesn't exactly seem like a Mt Everest that needs to be conquered, but the thing is, I have never used a crock pot before - ever.  My mother never used one, so I didn't even have the slightest idea of how to use it, let along what sort of stuff you cook in it.  We were given this really nice crock pot for a wedding gift, but after it sat in my cupboard for 2 years, I finally donated it to a family that would love and use it. But after eating a delicious St Patty's day feast with the Houghtons, compliments of their crock pot, I decided to be brave and tackle this thing head on.

So, here is it, my first (and probably last) crock pot meal.  Traditional corned beef with potatos, carrots and cabbage.  Although it's not much to look at, it sure as heck tasted good!!

The verdict on crock pots?  It was really easy to use, almost like cooking for dummies.  But it took so long!! I don't ever think about what we're gunna eat until 5pm that, which doesn't give me much time to use the crock pot for 8-10hrs.  So I think I'll stick with my microwave and leave the crock pot to the professionals, or at least to those who are good enough to plan their meals in advance.

A Perfect Day

There aren't many days that I could classify as being near perfect, but this day came pretty close.  First of all, Tui had the day off school AND work, a day that wasn't Sunday so we could actually go do stuff.  Hasn't happened in literally months (he works Saturdays).  And seen as we're counting down in the "teens" now before we leave, we decided to hire a car and knock off as many things as possible from our Hawaii bucket list.

So the day starts off with Tui going to Turtle bay to pick up the car ($30 for day = totally doable!).  I'm thinking just some little civic or whatever. A modest little 4 door.  

And he comes back with this.......

....The ride from Babylon.  The first thing I thought was "impractical", but Tui was so happy about it, I bit my tounge and we got loaded up.  

So we start driving (with the top down of course - shame) and along the way we see a Monk Seal on the beach (I've been here 5 years and never seen that).

 

Then our first stop is at Valley of the Temples.  It's this old Bubhist Temple in the middle of a valley of hills (hence the name) in Kaneohe.  It was really cool.  We got to feed fish and birds (I even fed a bird right out of my hand), ring the gong, it was nice.

Then we had a picnic lunch up on a hill.

Next we went down to Sea Life Park.  We've taken Malachi there probably 3 or 4 times before, but I think he was finally old enough that he recognised the animals for himself.  He loved it.  And we loved watching him be so excited about it.  He even got to pat a little turtle.

Next stop was Haleiwa for Shave Ice and a walk around the town.  I've only ever been there at night to eat, and I always wanted to look through all their botiques, and I haven't ever eaten shave ice.  I always figured if i was going to spend the money, I'd get ice-cream, not ice.  But we did it, and it was really good.

Then off to watch the sunset.  Sunset beach was fenced off so we went to Waimea Bay instead.  Leeyen will be disapointed that I totally forgot how to take sunset pictures properly (I blame it on my baby brain), even though she already taught me.  But it was really pretty.

Last was dinner at Kahuku Grill.Owned by our old Bishop Hannemann, run by his sons (one of which lives underneath us and 2 doors down).  SO GOOD!!!  And super cheap too.  The fries were like wedges, which I've been craving for weeks.  I was so busy eating I didn't even take a picture of the food.

And then, after a near perfect day, home to bed.

It was a great day in Hawaii, one of our best.  Days like that make me sad to leave.  But at least we'll be taking some sweet memories with us when we go.

Our last BYUH Ball

We counted last night and we have been to 6 other BYUH balls together (I've been to 2 other pre-Tui).  This was our last ball.  So even though I am huge and tired, and dancing is the last thing I feel like doing these days, we went.  They held it on campus which we really liked because it meant we could eat, dance a few hours, and come back, without adding 2 extra hours driving time on for our gracious babysitter (THANK YOU CARYN!).  Finding a "ball" dress while 7 months pregnant wasn't easy or enjoyable, but I found something to cover me and off we went.  The theme was 'Neverland', as in Peter Pan, and so they had a teepee corner for the Indians, a lostboys tree, a pirate ship, and this really cool mural of london.  It was nice.  And home before midnight.

"Tiga"

No, I'm not talking about Winnie the Pooh's friend, I'm talking about one of Malachi's all time favourite things ever - Diggers.  I have tried really hard not to instigate gender stereotypes (boys = trucks, girls = dolls etc), and in fact, Malachi loves dolls.  But this boy is a petrol-head through and through.  He can spot a truck, a bus, a car, a digger, an airplane, a helicopter, a mile away.  He loooooooves them.

There have been a few diggers at the front of BYUH this past week doing some road work so we took him out there to look at them.  He was so excited, I wish I had my video camera with me.  It was like Christmas for him (probably better then Christmas).

My favourite P word

Lately I've been taking a lot of pictures; I want to take advantage of all the willing subjects while I can.  

And I have to tell you, it calms me and de-stresses me like you wouldn't believe.  

There is something really peaceful about photography to me.  

I really love it.  

It's different every time, totally unpredictable, and some times the conditions are just out of my control (which in any other circumstances would drive me insane), but for some reason, it invigorates me.  

And I love the satisfaction of looking at the pictures after they're all done and thinking to myself, wow, I did that. I made that. 

It's blissful.

It's almost like giving birth, except a whole lot less painful, but it has that same amazement, that awe in the ability to create.

I've especially been loving maternity pictures as of late.  That could be due to the fact that I'm bias right now, but I really love the beauty of a mother to be, that glow, the bump, the excitement for what's coming, and being able to capture that in a picture.

So amid my craze of passports, packing, travel plans, and pregnancy,  I'm glad there's one P that only ever makes me sigh with relief and not frustration - photography.

PS. I leave in 21 days.  If anyone would like pictures taken (no cost, I'm still a Rookie and can't yet promise anything spectacular), let me know.

Countdown

I know all our Hawaii friends hate me for doing this, but I am counting down

17 more days til our family gets here!!!

- We love having them here and I'm excited for them to see our big boy, all grown up. 

20 more days til Tui graduates!!!

- It's been a long time coming, and not the easiest road getting there, but he's so close and I'm so proud of him.

24 more days til we go home!!!!!

- It's been 5 years people, 5 years since I lived at home.  Hawaii has been a blast but it's time to go home.

31 days til my brother gets back!!!

- Richard has been serving faithfully in the Colorado Denver South Mission and his time is nearly up. He left before Malachi was born so they have alot of catching up to do.

83 more days til our baby is born!!!

- More then likely, fingers crossed, it'll be way earlier then that, but I'm preparing myself for the long haul.

 

I feel like all these events have been coming, coming, coming, and now they're actually almost here.  I still have so much to do to get ready for everything, and as crazy as it sounds, I'm probably most prepared for the baby.

Life's gunna change a whole lot in the next few months, but I'm so excited for it.

Colour me Mad

Malachi loves to color.  Loves loves loves it.  Recently he discovered that you don't have to just colour on paper.  No no, you can colour on ANYTHING.

Including......

Mummy's Wii Fit Board......

And himself.......

Oh child of mine....