Kaila Having Fun

Random pictures of Kaila's fun time here in Hawai'i.

Getting in and out of the playhouse.

Peek-a-boo!

For some reason, she loves the grass here. Back in Illinois, she didn't want to touch the grass. Here, she loves walking barefoot, touching, exploring, and rolling around in it.

Her all-time favorite activity here is playing with bubbles. When she's inside, she'll stand by the back-door and/or windows and just repeat, "bob-bu, bob-bu, bob-bu" ("bubbles"). Here, Aunty Nancy took her outside to play "bob-bu."

The eldest grandchild, Cousin Teresa, with the youngest grandchild, before Teresa headed out to school.

The other day, Kaui took her in the backyard and let her splish-splash in a big basin.

Taking the grass from inside the water to outside the basin.

Sitting on our bed early in the morning, as we got ready for another action-packed day.

Where's your mouth, Kaila?

Sitting on the floor, watching cartoons.

Sitting out on the side, watching the big kids play, wondering when her turn is going to be.

Running at the camera.

Joining Cousin La'a in the playhouse.

Bear-crawling across the lawn with Aunty Nancy.

Again, playing bubbles, this time with Uncle Lopaka (as shes digging her nose).

She's had so much fun while we've been here. So many people to play with. Since there are so many people coming in and out of the house, she's now accustomed to saying "hi" when someone walks in, and "bye" when someone walks out. She's saying "uncle" a lot better now, says "a'a" for La'a, and loves saying "tu-tu." Mom calls her "Miss Aloha" since while we were at Costco, she was sitting in the cart waving and saying hi to everyone walking by. She loves her cousins, especially Teresa and Rowena. They're going to miss her when we leave, and I know Kaila will miss them :( Just too bad we're so far apart from one another.

The Creation of Lilo and Stitch

Since were unable to throw Kaila her traditional 1-year luau on her real birthday, we will be throwing one for her this Saturday. The theme is "Lilo and Stitch." We will have two large wooden cut-outs of both Lilo and Stitch at the party. Mom knows someone who was able to draw Lilo and Stitch on pieces of plywood. So all we had to do was to bring them to life by painting the drawing.

Sanding the edges down.

Painting away. Kaui painted Stitch, while Cisco, Kaui, and Mom had a hand in painting Lilo. Cisco "cleaned up" both characters by outlining them.

Kaila picking out the colors for us.

Lilo coming to life slowly.

The "Before" picture.........
......the "After" picture.

Kaila in front of Lilo and Stitch with her grass skirt and leis on.

With cousins La'a and Trenton, with Lilo and Stitch.

Still lots of work to do before Saturday's festivities. Kaui and Nancy spent all afternoon getting the goody-bags/give-aways ready. Food will start being prepared tomorrow. Decorations still to come.

Grandma/Papa's Grave and The Zoo

Before we headed to the zoo, we stopped by Grandma and Papa's grave to say hello.

Kaui placing flowers at the grave.

Papa and Grandma Mahelona

Kaila smelling the flowers.

Saying hello to Papa and Grandma

After, we headed to Town to the Honolulu Zoo. Kama'aina rates for the win! Mr. Elephant

Kaila not too interested in the elephants and wondering what that smell is.

TortoisesAnother tortoise munching on leaves.Kaila waving bye-bye to one of the tortoises.A view of Diamond Head from inside the Zoo.Nothing like shave ice on a hot day! Yummy!!Kaila crawling underneath the fish tank with Cousin La'a.

Looking at the fishes with La'a.

Daddy, Kaila, and La'a.She LOVED the tunnels!!

Crawling through another set of tunnels with Cousin La'a. This one was at the guinea pig exhibit.

Swine Flu Exhibit.

Strolling through the Zoo with Mommy.

Approaching a goat at the Keiki Zoo.

Petting the goat.

Up on a loft with Cousin La'a.

It felt so good being outside, walking around. Still have a lot more activities planned.

Playing With Cousins and First Day at the Beach

Well, we finally made it here to Hawai'i. Six-months past due, no snow storm or stomach flu stopped us this time. It feels good to be back, especially for Cisco, since it's been almost 2 years since he's been back. For Kaui, the fact that she's back with her family, whom she doesn't see very often, is enough for her to be happy to be here.

Kaila has warmed-up to everyone really fast. Yesterday she had SO much fun running around with all her cousins. It was the first time she had met her cousins Rowena and Trenton. They were excited to see her and enjoyed playing with her. Below are pictures of the cousins playing in the backyard, blowing bubbles. As you can see, Kaila sticks out like a sore thumb with her cousins, since she's as pale as snow. It's like they're not related.

Chasing after a bubble with Rowena

Must.....get......the.......

.......BUBBLE!!

Today, we headed to the beach for the first time. The sun was out, so we were hoping to start getting our tan (we need it!). We went with Tutu, La'a, Uncle Lopaka, and Auntie Nancy.

Kualoa Beach

Kaila's floatie toy. We were surprised how much she loved it. She just floated the whole time. She was so relaxed, she started falling asleep a few times. It was pretty funny! She loved the water and HATED the sand. She loved sitting/floating in the water, but did not like the feel of sand on her skin.

Eating snacks with Tutu. This picture was shot moments after Kaila peed freely down Tutu's leg (she wasn't wearing a diaper since she had her bathing suit on).

More pictures to come as our adventure continues.............