Christmas in Hawaii

The kids woke up at 3:30 a.m...YES 3:30 a.m. and I tried to put them back to sleep, but to no avail. I myself didn't get much sleep because I am unfortunately getting sick. Needless to say, the family had a great Christmas, every wish was granted and then some. I wish family were here to make it absolutely perfect..WAIT, I take that back; I wish it was snowing, AND family were here, then it would be perfect, but I have to admit it was pretty darn close! Since we couldn't put any presents under the tree until Christmas Eve, (due to little mischievous hands) this is what it looked like last night after the kiddos went to bed. We hope everyone had a joyous and wonderful Christmas with family and friends. Have a blessed New Year!

Christmas Program

Josh had a Christmas program at school last week, and they sang three songs. Since they are learning about "cultures", they did a song from Germany, Mexico, and then a Christmas one.

He sang his little heart out! I wish I could download it on here, but it is too long. He happens to be in the front row because of his height, and this picture is from a friend's camera! (I might have to add this to my b-day wish list next year!) She got a great shot. David was coming from work and sadly just made it there on the last sentence of the last song=-( But, later his teacher told me how the Kindergarten teachers have gotten together and decided to give my little Joshy an award for best performance. It was really cute! He'll get to rent a movie with it! As many of you know Josh is never shy when it comes to singing, and they thought he was just so much fun to watch as his enthusiasm for music "being poured out" on the stage!

Hope everyone has a great week getting ready for Christmas! We miss everyone, and can't wait to see you on Skype!

The Season of Wonder..

This week has been full of change and solitude. I have been pondering my life, (or lack thereof) my social standing, and my New Year's wish list of things to accomplish. I have a friend who is moving, and the military life as great as a lot of it is, never prepares you for the downside of making new friends and then losing them. It makes me miss my friends back home, and then I start to think of the holidays without my family, and yadda, yadda, yadda.
So, in spite of how depressed I feel, I started making a list of to-do's and things to improve on/look forward to in the New Year. At the top of the list of course is coming home for Christmas next year, and finding out where our next "tour" around the states will be. (Notice I said states..NOT Germany!)
The picture up top is of my little pumpkins that thankfully will never cease to amaze me on how much love I have for them. (and vice-versa) It was taken right before a PTO Christmas party I went to last weekend. On the bright side, at least I have my husband to annoy/talk to all the time until a new "friend" comes along...sorry babe=-)
We will think of everyone this holiday season, and keep those Christmas cards coming!

Gingerbread House

On a good note, between all the sickness this week. Josh and I got to do a gingerbread activity for his class on Thursday. It was a lot of fun, and some one on one time with me and my "little guy". A new found friend took this picture of us and I was pleasantly surprised to receive it in an e-mail. I cannot fix it (the red-eye) since the way it is formatted, but all in all I am glad there is no double-chin action going on! (That seems to be MY new found friend in pictures these days!)

Happy Holidays!

PIZZA HUT Is a No-Go

O.K. so I tried to be ahead of the game...I ordered pizza from Pizza Hut because David loves their pizza. Everyone around here is having the same deals, etc. so I thought why not? It was the night before Thanksgiving, and I had been preparing the food for the next day. So at 3:00p.m. on Wednesday, I ordered pizza to be delivered @ 4:30p.m. pretty simple right? WRONG!!
4:30p.m. came and went, and no one showed up. I called and asked where my order was..she puts me on hold **by the way, they have a "central line" so even though you call the store number, it is like a call center** and when she comes back, she tells me "I'm sorry they don't have a driver, can you come to the store?" Of course, I am a little miffed to say the least, because Josh was still taking a nap, by this point the girls are whining for food (yes, I know we eat early), and David was sleeping for work that night. Anyway, I said "no, why didn't anyone call me within this hour and a half, and let me know this?" So then she puts me on hold again, and comes back to say "we can give you $5.00 off if you come and get it, I asked her if it was ready and she said yes." O.K. now I am royally Peed off because for one, they made it, and decided to just ignore me and figure I would forget or what?!?!?!?
So, I simply stated" That is unacceptable and I want my order free!" She said of course they couldn't do that, and would have someone call me back from the store.
By this point it is almost 5p.m. and I had to make something for my girls to eat, since obviously my previous plan had been demolished. A "local chick" called me back as was very "annoyed" to say the least she says," Brandi, yes you called, and have a problem with something?" I proceeded to tell her what happened and even added the whole my order should be free, and she claims, of course not, and then says"We just pulled a driver off the road, I don't want to be here, I can give you ten dollars off, take it or leave it!"
I told her I was disappointed but I guess, so the driver was supposedly putting the order in his car as we speak....no joke 5:35p.m. he shows up with THE most nastiest old pizza ever, and 5 bread sticks that were folded in half, and a 2 ltr. of Pepsi. I asked him how he was doing and he says" I'm good since two drivers called in sick and I am the only one!"
So who do you think is telling the truth..him or the manager?
The more I think about this, the more upset I get..I wasn't treated like a customer, but not even as a paying individual. Who should/would pay for something that is so old, and been sitting under a vent for a good 2 hours?? Then to say my $14.00 was too much to give back, that 10 bucks was the best they could do?? I have worked in the food industry long enough that your paying customers are a great asset, you want them to come back, to tell their friends about your place of business TO come back, and seriously $14.00 isn't worth that?
I hope this doesn't happen to any of you, but if it does, DO something about it before it happens to someone else, so by word of mouth/Internet I am spreading the word PIZZA HUT S~U~C~K~S at customer service!

Thankful, Thankful, Thankful

Today was a solemn but good day. We miss our family and friends but overall I am proud of my outcome of cooking! I actually pulled it all of without a hitch! Some changes I will keep making to the menu as the years go on, but I am so grateful for a family who supports and loves me through the thick and thin. We have A LOT to be thankful for, and above all us, we have each other, so there really is not much to complain about. I hope everyone had a blessed day and plenty of leftovers, so all the ladies of the house do not have to cook for a couple of days!=-)

Going to see the Prophet..

So we had the privilege of ALMOST having President Thomas S. Monson come and visit us here in Hawaii. Only 3 stakes were invited and the Mililani Stake (which we are in) was one of them. Anyway, about two days before, unfortunately, Sister Monson fell and broke her hip this past week, so he had a couple people come in his place. It was fabulous! We had L. Tom Perry from the Quorum of the Twelve, President McConkie from the Sunday School General Presidnecy, R. Maynes from the Quorum of the Seventy, Scott D. Whiting from the Area Seventy, and President Monson did a special broadcast from Utah just for us. It was very spiritually uplifting! It was held at the BYU Hawaii Canon Center and it was seriously an experience I will always treasure. I was able to take a TON of notes and actually pay attention because my three younger ones were at home with Daddy due to Audrey having croup. I am so grateful that David let me go, and experience something so special. It is the closest I will get to being at General Conference for a long time!!
It also makes me more appreciative of this time of year, even though my family and friends are not nearby, we love you guys, and I know in my heart you will always be a part of our lives. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!

Birds and the Bees

So Josh came in early to my bedroom this week and he lays down next to me and says, "Mom, I need to talk to you about the birds and the bees." I sat up quickly and said "what about the birds and the bees?" I tried to buy myself some time to figure out what to say to my informative 5 year old. He proceeds to say "Did you know that they both live in trees? Birds live in Nests, and Bees live in hives?" I seriously laughed and let out a sigh of relief at the same time! My little guy was just trying to tell me his new found information, all the while Mommy was worried to death thinking where did he come up with this!
I hope my Joshy never stops making his mommy have a good laugh!

BTW this is FINALLY his school picture..he looks like a young man doesn't he???

My ONLY little guy..

So my Joshua turns the BIG 5 on Thursday, and I thought I would recap all of his BIG achievements throughout the year...He took swimming lessons for the first time, and of course as many of you know, it was no big surprise how much he LOVES the water, that they actually said he was a "natural" he even got up on a surfboard!! He also started soccer, on good days he did great, the best little defender, but on bad days, he would stand and watch everybody else run for the ball. He started Kindergarten and we are taking it day by day, but he got to pick from the "treasure chest" in class this past week for all green lights so that is definitely a good sign! His latest sayings consist of "Hailey hit me, or pushed me, or kicked me , etc.", "Mom, is that a cold prickly or a warm fuzzy?" (something he learned in Kindergarten.) He likes to help out around the house when he can see what the reward will be, and slowly he is becoming a young boy not a little guy anymore! (tears are running down my face right now).

These pictures are from when he was my "chunky-monkey" until now. I unfortunately still have not received his school picture back, but there is still quite a collection. He is definitely becoming more independent in his own right, and he will tell you when he's sad or upset but for the most part he is one happy/smiley little guy! (as you can tell by most of his pictures). I hope you all enjoy taking a trip down memory lane and we will look forward to all of your updates (hint, hint) on your blogs!

This is Joshua Neil Sobek born 2:06a.m. on November 12, 2004, weighing in at 7lbs. 4 oz...

This is on his blessing day on January 1st 2005

This and the big one on top of my blog were his 9 month photos with Net..isn't he soo cute?

This is one of my favorite photos of Josh and Daddy right before he turned 1...

Doesn't the costume look familiar? This was his first Halloween....

This was when Hailey had a performance at school for Kindergarten...

This was Halloween Number 2, October 06'

This is at Disneyworld March of 07'

This was October of 07' during a family get together for the twins....

This was summer of 08'..he is not liking the"rules"of swimming in the pool..

Josh watching the waves at the beach...

This was right before we moved to Hawaii at the Aquarium of the Pacific..

This is Josh showing extra enthusiasm during a whale watching tour when the grandparents came in January to visit...

This is from our latest family photo shoot with Net in Sept. 09'..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSHUA..WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!

Trick-or-Treating

I LOVE the fact that we got back 3x the amount of candy we gave out because of my 4 little pumpkins! The girls' costumes were a BIG hit and I can't help but be biased..of course they looked sooo cute as little Dumbo's. Avery caught on REAL QUICK to the whole say"Trick or Treat" thing..she was soon grabbing for candy if the person wasn't putting it in her bag fast enough!! It was really neat to see how they took it all in with their eyes for the first time. If someone looked too scary they hesitated and grasped their candy bags even tighter, afraid that it would be taken from them. Here is what we captured as we walked our candy filled streets...




Avery's bag was starting to get heavy but she was not going to let anyone help her carry it...



I was trying to stop her in mid grab, as the candy giver was obviously too slow at giving her candy.....


Hailey and Josh went with Daddy to the "Generals loop" area of the post to get "better" candy...

Joshua the Dinosaur

Today in the midst of spotlight student and Hailey's b-day, Josh had a Kindergarten Parade. It was really cute to see all the kids in so many different costumes and decor. The teachers even dressed up as well. I was able to walk with him, and here is a sneak peek at what the hoop-la was all about...

Here he is first in line with his teacher Ms. Gamiao...

Here he is with his best buddy Tristen..and as always, he is smiling!!

My little Pumpkin..

So my little pumpkin turned 9 today! I can't believe she will only have one more year in the single digit category! The time has seriously passed too quickly with her, and I can barely remember when she was 6 years old and looking at me so lovingly..now it's "Mom, are you sure? Mom, that doesn't seem right..Mom, you don't know what you're talking about!"

All in all she has been a HUGE helper around the house, and BIG sister to her brother and younger sisters, and a GREAT friend to her classmates.

She had a get together with just a couple of friends as they carved their own pumpkins, and decorated cupcakes. They seemed to really enjoy themselves, and here is their final products....

Hailey we LOVE you and are soo proud of you and all your accomplishments!! We hope you had a great and memorable birthday!

Bragging Rights...

OK so I have to first start out by saying I have been doing some major renovating in the house. AKA disaster area!!! I have been re-arranging because I am just not satisfied with how the house looks right now..I don't know if it is some "inner turmoil" or what..but my house is turned upside down, and the ONE thing I need I cannot find to make my project complete.
But with all of this going on, my #1 SON decides to make Mommy and Daddy's week by being Spotlight Student! I am soo excited because he gets to do "special" activities throughout the week in his class, and on Thursday, he gets to eat lunch up on stage with Mommy and/or Daddy plus gets to choose his favorite cheer to say in front of the rest of the kindergartners. (The idea is to be in front of the spotlight.)
Anyway, this week was crazy to begin with, AND it is Hailey's birthday on Thursday, so we are fortunate enough to celebrate two special occasions with two very special pumpkins=-)

Costume Party..

Hailey thought it would be fun to re-iterate once again what the kids were going to be for Halloween. (she constantly wants to "talk" about this) So, she decided to take it upon herself to dress everyone up in their costumes and surprise me in the shower! Needless to say, they looked too cute, so I grabbed the camera, and this is what I captured....

This is what Hailey was last year..she keeps "debating" about this costume or her "race car" one...I guess we will see on Halloween!

Here is Joshy, always full of smiles..he is a dinosaur/lizard/amphibian of some sort?!?!?!(The costume was not specific when purchased!)

The girls are "Dumbo's"..if the costumes look familiar it is because Hailey and Josh were these little guys when they were one..the girls are two and the costumes still fit!!!

I will get better pictures on Halloween, but in case you wanted a sneak peek what will be happening over here on the big blue Island of paradise...now you know!~happy halloween everyone!

My Hailey Bug..

So up above is a picture of my little Hailey when she was in Kindergarten. Even back then she wanted to be "boy" characters for halloween not anything too girlie. Now here is a picture of her from school just this year, I got these back this week. Since I see her day to day, I never notice the changes that occur, until I compare pictures...

I love how she still has the same smile, (minus the baby teeth) and how she wants to grow her hair out (finally!!) but she won't let me curl it or make it look feminine in ANY way. I can't believe she is going to be nine next week. I will, of course, have another post soon, and Josh doesn't get his pictures for two more weeks so I will post then as well. Miss everyone a lot especially during this time of year, so keep us on speed dial, and have a happy and safe Halloween!

My Little Man

So David and Josh went to go get their haircuts this morning, and I realized this is the FIRST haircut my little guy has gotten before!! Before you say 'WHAT?" I have always cut his hair with a "flow bee" that we bought a few years ago, but this was the first time a "professional" has done it..you will have to tell me what you think!

Ohh, and to get him to let me take his before and after picture, he was singing this new song he learned in Kindergarten..it goes something like this (hand gestures and all)-

It is about washing your hands..

"Tops ans bottoms, Tops and bottoms

In between, In between..

make hands clean, make hands clean!"

I love his little face when he sings this!!!

Family Time...

So while we were in Boston, creating new memories..the kids and Grandma made some of their own. Aunt Net and her family came to visit as well, so our house was FULL of excitement! We got to meet little Graham for the first time and that was exciting, the newest little Sobek grandchild. Here are some pictures of some of the fun things they did!

This was when Lynnette and her family went to the zoo..


Here they went to Pearl Harbor...


Here they went on a hike..isn't he cute? Graham really has a funny little personality!
We also had the privilege of Net taking our family pic's. They turned out great! Lynnette is working her magic, so when they are done, another post will soon follow!

THE Wedding Event of the Year...

My brother finally got married to a wonderful girl on Sunday, September 27th, 2009 in a little town called Plymouth, NH. It was beautiful! My cousins, my dad, mom, David and I were there to represent..it really was full of memories! David and I flew in on Tuesday, my mom flew in the next day, then my cousins the next, followed by my Dad and some more family on Friday. In between all the trips to the airport, we managed to squeeze in some adventures throughout Boston. It was so much fun! They got married in a greenhouse, where they folded 2,000 origami birds as a form of good luck for the bride and groom. Out of the 6 days we were there, it of course rained only on their wedding day! Despite that, we still had a great time. During the reception, which was in this beautiful log cabinish type resort, amongst all this beautiful foliage of the season; they played "YMCA" a classic of the Hudson family, and my mom got everyone out there dancing like we have never done before! We definitely made new traditions there as well I would like to think. Here are some pictures of the fam, and the newest member Jessica! Congrats to the newest Hudson family=-) Now, as the grandparents put it...don't make us wait too long for grand kids!

These first two are from the rehearsal dinner...

These are pictures of where the reception was..the place reminded me of Lake Tahoe..so pretty!

These are from the reception..I played with the coloring on some of them, and now I can't get it to go back =-(

I thankfully took over 400 pictures..so I will definitely be going through them and hopefully adding to my scrapbooking collection!