Summer 2011 Part 3, Big Talk and Suzuki

Veda and I hit the road with our fiddles and headed to California to stay with our dear friends and attend a Suzuki institute. Besides being a great educational and musical experience, we got to have lots of mommy daughter time together and that was the best part.

Veda and Sydney, violin and piano virtuosos in the making in their matching concert outfits

As a bonus, I got to see Taylor's band, Big Talk perform in LA

... AND on the Jimmy Kimmel show!!!

love this guy more than words can say.

all of the Milne in-laws in one picture together. Precious!

My brother...signing autographs?? Crazy!

Summer 2011 Part 2

On our Utah leg of the trip we visited Grandma and Grandpa in Hurricane where we got to see The Little Mermaid on stage at Tuacahn theater. It was amazing and such fun to have a special date night with Grandma and Grandpa.

Then on to Loa to visit our beloved Grandma-Great. This is the sweetest woman on earth and I would do anything in the world for her. My girls absolutely adore her.
Seeing my girls swinging on the same swing my Grandpa used to push me on when I was a little girl is one of those full circle moments that is hard to describe.

Loa is one of the most beautiful spots on earth. One of those rare places that hasn't changed much in the last 30 years and I hope never does.

summer 2011 Part 1

We spent about a month on the mainland this summer. We squeezed more fun and and more family and friends into that trip than I thought possible and it was AWESOME! Here are some highlights.

swimming with cousins

learning what Papa does at work

Lion King with Nana and Papa

What the...?? Sending Travis a text from Las Vegas "sweety,...guess what?"

makeover courtesy of Auntie Carey

Kid Zone camp with cousin Emma

Veda Bella gets pierced

Veda finally braved up and decided to get her ears pierced. The deal was that she would have to be the one to clean and take care of them. She came through and has done a great job! No infections.

before

after

First day of 3rd and 1st grade

The girls started this school year at a new school. It's a private school a little further away from home, but it is a great place for them to be and we are really happy there so far. They have made friends quickly and love all the extra enrichment time spent in art, music, PE, and science.

Tiny heart beat

We are expecting a little Parker number 3 in March. This is a short video of our first listen of the heartbeat. I know it's in there, I've seen an ultrasound, but actually hearing that little heart pounding away was a thrill beyond words.

My first attempt at Spam musubi. Next time I won't burn the Spam. Not bad for a haole though!

Tiny soccer player

"staycation" up on the north shore

c'mon. freakin adorable.

This is her baby that she carries around with her everywhere and buries in blankets. Most of her toys she will thrash and "play with". Not this one. This one is her baby.

More of the Parker, Milne, Christensen rendezvous. An ideal day spent at Polihale beach. This is where it is believed the spirits leave the island. I believe it.

Daddy daughter adventure

In August when my mom and dad came out for Eve's birthday, Dad and I decided to see the island from a different perspective. It was unbelievable! The whole time I was thinking "I can't believe I live here!"