My Little Pal

In light of recent events, over the past weeks, and year, I've tried to enrich the time I spend with my son, to make every second of every minute count, because neither he nor I know when that minute will be the last we share in this life. This of course requires patience, something I am deeply lacking, but desperately trying to develop. And as I've been learning to not sweat the small stuff, to laugh when I would yell, I've come to a greater realization and appreciation of how precious these little spirits are. So full of life and love and willingness to learn, over flowing with forgiveness and happy to meet each challenge they face. It's no wonder we're counseled to become like little children, and no mystery why the Savior loves them so deeply. They're the closest thing to perfection on this earth. And we, imperfect big people, can learn alot from these tiny ones.

All seriousness aside, here are some pictures of my adventures of recent with my son. He's such a goof, such a boy, he loves babies and animals, and when he's not throwing a tantrum, he just makes my day.

According to Malachi, you don't need a red suit or a fake beard to be Santa, all you need is a pair of shorts on your head. I heard him giggling and saying "Santa! Santa!". I came into the room to find him looking in the mirror, at himself, aka Santa.


This boy loooooooooooooves to be naked. After every bath he gets wrapped up in a towel, walks out into the lounge, or whereever he can find an audiance, drops the towel and screams. He then proceeds to run around laughing at how funny he is. The cold weather in NZ should solve this for us.


He got some paints for Christmas and so every day we sit down for half and hour and either colour or paint. He loves it, he has a process - "Water, dip dip, tap tap tap, color, paint." He always always shares with me, it's "ma'akai turn.....mummy turn..." Sweet little boy. And so we started Malachi's wall of fame where he gets to display his works of art so daddy can see them when he gets home.


Malachi has a Disney storybook that he got for his birthday last year and in it is the story of Lady and the Tramp, and picture of them doing the thing with the spaghetti. So one day, I have him a "snake" and he gave me one end, put the other in his mouth, and we proceeded to munch away until we kissed at the end - just like his book.


This little guy still loooooooooooooves his bath. Now he's very into bubbles. And he's discovered, with some encouragement from mummy, that he can put them all over his head.


And in the process of playing more and stressing less, I've found that I love my son more and more. He's my little pal.

Our Camping Adventure

From the get go I was super super SUPER excited about going camping. I camped as a kid with my family, as a teenager with my school, and it's been way too long. It's one of the things on our bucket list, and the weathers been so great, Tui didn't have school, so we went for it.

We went all the way down the road 5 minutes to Castle's Beach where they have camping grounds, cabins, shack, you name it. Had to pay $6 each, but it was totally worth it for the flush toilets and hot showers. The 24 hour security wasn't bad either.

So we borrowed a tent (thanks Bradshaws!), got us some food, and off we went.


The Lea's and Prescott's came with us, just to make sure it didn't get boring. (Note: Nothing is ever boring when you have more then 1 Tongan with you, especially if one of those is Kelepi Lea.)


Malachi and I spent the day there, just the two of us, while everyone else was working. We went for walks, played at the beach, chased chickens, just hung out. Then when the rest of them turned up, we BBQ'd, played cards (and quickly discovered that some of us are not as honest as you think they are....), roasted marshmellows, put up a tent in the dark. It was fun.



After what was possibly the worst nights sleep ever (due to Tui insisting we didn't need our air matress or pillows....., Malachi waking up 3 times screaming "Mum, inu!!", roosters that don't know they're only meant to crow at sunrise, and the world's loudest snorer sleeping 3 tents away from us), we cooked pancakes, very untraditionally.

Then we went out on Pate's boat for a bit before packing up and heading home.


Malachi had a blast, playing in dirt, being outside all the time, having Aunty's and Uncles to give him whatever he wanted, he loved it. I'm sad it wasn't longer. Tui regretted the no mattress and pillow idea, but enjoyed the rest. It was a great way to end the break and start Tui's last semester of College life.

Camping

I'm so excited.

We're going camping....

Right now.....

Well, after I get off the computer and organise our stuff.....

I'M SO EXCITED!!!

Will fill you all in on our adventure when I return...

If i return....

Good-bye 2009

New years Eve found us tending to a very, very sick child and secretly hating all the people letting off fireworks that were waking up our little boy. So sorry all our friends and family that we blew off new years eve, duty calls. So we postponed our celebrations until the next day, and instead celebrated that the new year was here already.

We bought some sparklers for a little bit of festivity. Malachi loved them, a little too much. He got quite dangerous, almost set my hair on fire.


We started a tradition last year of farewelling the old year and welcoming the new with our favourite desert - cheesecake. Hopefully it'll be something that no matter where we are, or where our children are, they can feel like they're with us when they eat some of that deliciousness. This year i made some chocolate cheesecake that we shared.


We had some bubbly and taught Malachi to say "cheers" and "happy new year". Once he got the hang of the "happy new year" part, he got quite excited, jumping around, and spilled his cup of drink all over himself - quite funny.


The year has come and gone so fast it scares me. Our baby is now a boy and we're waiting for #2. Tui's almost done and in 3 months we'll be gone from Hawaii. What a year.

Brunton Family Christmas Donuts

My family had the tradition growing up that the week before Christmas we would form an assembly line and pump out 300+ homemade donuts, that we would then deliver to our friends, neighbors, and ward members. It was a great way to bring the family together for something other then getting a growling, and helped us selfish santa-lovers to get a taste of how good it is to do something for someone else.

Tui and I decided to keep this tradition in our family, mostly because he loves donuts, and I love what it taught me as a child.

However, Christmas kinda snuck up on us this year and so the donuts didn't get made. Instead, they became new years donuts for 2009.


I had some wonderful help from Janine - not at all versed in the ways of donut making, but she sure can take orders!!


And of course my taste testing team - don't let his face fool you, he's quite a harsh critic.


And before we knew it, they were gone.


I hope our friends enjoyed them. I always enjoy making them for you..... not enough to make them again in the near future though :).

NOTE: Tui wants to have his named mention for his contribution. Tui was the delivery boy. Thank you Tui.

Guinea Pigs Needed!!

So Charlie and I (my camera), are in desperate need of some practice. The only way to get better at something is to just practice, right? Right??
So if anyone is brave enough, I'd love to take your individual/family/maternity/engagement/children's/couple pictures!!!
Let me know if you're interested.