I Survived Tsunami 2010

As many of you know, Hawaii had a major Tsunami warning this past Saturday due to the earthquake in Chili. I have never been in Hawaii when there was a Tsunami warning so this was my first one, I had no idea what to expect or really...what to do.

4:30 am- My cell phone rings, Its my friend from down the street who tells me that there is a Tsunami warning for Hawaii and that the alarms will be going off at 6:00 am. I had no Idea what to do. Billy was on Duty that night so he was on the Sub...as in...not home to help me out. It was 5 in the morning so I was still a little confused as in to what to do, what to get together, where to go? My Friend said that they were evacuating and going to Tripler Military Hospital and they were leaving soon because of all the people that were going to be there. They said I could tag along with them since I was by myself with the kids.

What to do first? What should I bring with me? How long would I be gone? I really didn't know how serious this was because I didn't have the t.v. on or anything. I called my mom who already knew and who had texted me about the tsunami already. By now I have gotten numerous calls from neighbors telling me about the tsunami warning. I was so confused I just grabbed laundry baskets and started filling them with stuff (why I did not use suitcases? I don't know) This is what I decided to bring with me ...

Clothes for me, clothes for the kids, Diapers, baby Motrin, books for the kids, barbies for tay, a couple trucks for cuatro, my important papers(they were already in a file so that was easy), The kids baby boxes(they are about the size of a shoebox so they are not that big), home DVDs, some toiletries, towels, blankets, life jackets for the kids ( just in case we had to swim?)My Laptop, charger, and phone chargers.

I also filled one laundry basket with food, drinks, cups for the kids and our water filter. I was desperately trying to think what more I would need or what I would want while waiting. two random things I brought, a tomahawk and a lighter. Why I think I would need these things?...I don't know.

5:20- I woke the kids up and got them in the car. Drove to my friends house so we could drive together. Thankfully I was able to stop by an ATM and get cash out because that is a very important thing to have with you just in case the electricity goes out and you can't use a debit card.

5:45 We got to Tripler and found out "spot". We had a great view if anything did happen. It was really scary to hear the alarms go off at 6. I am glad I was woken up by a call and not by the alarms.

I stole these pics form my friend because I didn't bring my camera

This Picture was taken at about 6 am

Tay and her new friend hanging out watching a movie

Our spot, Cuatro playing in the tent

This is when the ocean started to get dry and get white

So there was a tsunami but nothing big

A Very Merry Unbirthday

Every morning I wake up with the same thought, "What am I going to do today with those cute mini people that call me Mom?" Well I thought we would celebrate an "Unbirthday" for Tay. She loves parties and attention so it seemed perfect. We headed out the door in the morning for balloons and baking ingredients . Taylor loves helping me bake so it was a perfect activity for us.

I pre-measured all of the ingredients so Taylor just had to add them

We made Chocolate Malt cupcakes

Tay decorating her cupcakes

Blowing out her Unbirthday candle

Cuatro getting in on the action

All in all it was a very successful Unbirthday. We listened to the Alice in Wonderland "Unbirthday" song all day. Taylor knows it by heart now.

sunsets, black sand, volcanoes and waterfalls

I apologize for the massive amount of pictures, but there is just so much to show! We just got back from a mini vacay to the Big Island of Hawaii. It was a fabulous family trip. I was really thinking it was going to be a lot more stressful with two small children, but it was actually quite relaxing and we saw everything we wanted to see.

The first night we stayed in Kona and our hotel was so amazing. We had a corner room with an amazing view of the ocean and a private lagoon. We had a beautiful sunset and we heard the waves crashing as we slept. The best part you ask?I did not have to cook, do laundry, run errands, etc... so I could enjoy the moments.

Taylor and Cuatro at the Lagoon watching the waves crash

Cuatro and I on Valentines Day. He is so Handsome!

Raincoat, purple sparkly shoes and my Hat. Ready for a Hike!

We did a 4 mile hike to the Volcano. Needless to say Tay did NOT walk the whole way but she did pretty good.

Cuatro and a sea turtle on the black sand beach. I loved the black sand beach because the sand was not sticky at all and it was really fun to have all the turtles all over the beach. The kids really loved the beach and we also got to do some snorkeling!

The second place we stayed was right by the volcano. They have these really neat military houses set up and they are perfect. We also had a fireplace which was nice because it was FREEZING at night and we got to roast marshmallows. Taylor had fun making s'mores.

Tay and Cuatro in front of out house by the Volcano

This was at the Volcanically heated pools in Puna. They were fun, but definitely not cuatro friendly. It was really rocky and he just kept wanting to run around so we only stayed here for 30 min.

This was our last day when we were in Hilo. That is the Akaka falls behind us. We all had such a fun trip right up until the last minute. These are a fraction of the 600 pictures I took. I'm so glad that we were able to visit another island. I don't know why it has taken us over two years since we have lived in Hawaii. I guess the kids were really not old enough. They would have just been eating sand the whole time! They did have a lot of fun and they are great travelers.

Love It!!!

Even if you were not a Bush fan (I am) you have to admit, this is great!

Happy Friday!

The mystery billboard of Minnesota. Photograph: Bob Collins/NPR

O.C. Housewife

So after watching tonight's episode I headed on over to bravo.com and took the "Which real housewife of O.C. are you?" Quiz, my result....Alexis. This is what it said....

Being Alexis means no one better mess with your family and friends. You are fiercely devoted to your man, your fam, and the people closest to you. You're not afraid to stand up to anyone who tries to put you or someone you love down! You're a perfectionist, and you put your whole heart into whatever you do.

hmmmmmm......

Future Olympian?

Here are some pictures of the kids at Open Gym. Taylor is all about gymnastics, Cuatro just likes being busy. Anyways, it kind of looks like she is training for the summer olympics. Happy Wednesday everyone!

This is Taylor last year at open gym

Taylor reminds me of a young Kerri Strug

Cuatro is just keeping busy

Pineapples, Thai, sand and highlights!

So I got a surprise visit from Billy on Friday ( he wasn't supposed to be home for another week)It was so great to be able to spend the weekend together! We did so much I am purely exhausted! We went to the Dole plantation and did the "world's largest maze", we then went up to the North Shore and had some Thai food from Opal (best Thai ever!) We hung around Haleiwa a while before heading home.

The Next day was promised to be a great one because I was getting my Hair Highlighted...hallelujah! But before that we went to a Beach Called Sandy's. I had never been but I must say I really liked it. It also had a wahoo's fish taco truck for lunch. Billy had this great idea to park the truck on the sand and set up a camp like site. It was kind of strange, kind of looked like we lived in the back of our car, but it was really fun and the kids really liked it. He somehow managed to get our beach shade thing to fit over his truck perfectly. Anyways, it ended up being a great beach day ending with me having NO MORE ROOTS!

Tay and Cuatro in the "World's Largest Maze"

That was pretty much the only flower left after Taylor

picked them all!

Trying to find her way out

Billy and Tay enjoying their Dole Whip

Posing with a Pineapple

Cuatro at the North Shore

Billy and Taylor at our "site"

Cuatro enjoying his downtime

Cuatro manages to cover himself in sand in record time

of 1.2 seconds