Mexico

Chris and I were so lucky to be able to go on a 7 day Mexican Riviera Cruise last week. The kids were excited to stay with grandma and grandpa Corotan in California. We LOVED this vacation. Though we missed the kids, and at times wished they were there with us having fun, it was so wonderful to have Chris all to myself. It was a much needed vacation, and break from work and school.
We had a nice balcony spa room - and enjoyed falling asleep with the balcony door open, listening to the sound of waves crashing every night. The rocking of the boat was heavenly and would put me right to sleep every time I laid down. The spa was absolutely beautiful and like none other I have ever been to. We stopped in Cabo for two days, and Puerto Vallarta for one. But the highlight was spending time with Chris. I remembered what it was like dating, and before kids, how easy it is to be with him, and how much I enjoy his company, (it's all very different without kids around needing all of your time and attention.)

Though it was especially tough the first day on the boat without my little loves, I realize how important one on one time is with one's husband. And the kids had a blast with the grandparents! It was good for them to be away from us for a while and spend all their time with my parents. When we would face time with them, they didn't seem to want to talk for too long, they were too busy playing and enjoying the warm California sun! And a week wasn't too long or too short - it was just right, for us, and for the kids.


This picture is a panoramic view in Cabo from our balcony.


When in Cabo some of the crew members from the ship told us about a resort that they all go to on their days off. It was a beutiful resort with a private beach (that was empty!) We hung out there for a bit both days we were in Cabo. This is our view from the restaurant. (Our ship is the one you can see in the bay)

Another pic of the resort. It had 3 beautiful pools and a very quite private beach!

And this is what the kiddos did while we were gone. They loved being with my mom and dad - and ask when we will be "going back to play"

I'm Back In The Game

WOW, I can't believe Cruz was just a little baby last time I posted. We have had a busy summer, and I'm glad there are lots of other bloggers that have slacked a little, to have some fun in the sun. Some fun summer pics will soon be posted...as soon as I find my camera. Until then, here are a few pics of my little sweeties at the park...

....not enough time in the day

I can't believe the last time I posted was when Cruz was 2 months old! Things have been so busy! With two kids, and school, blogging hasn't been on the radar. I wanted to post some updated pics of the kiddos. We took these when I was home in California this past November. I hope you are all doing well!

Finally posting!

It has been so long since i've last posted! I wanted to update everyone on our family's happenings. This post has lots of pics, and little talk....let's get started!

We had Cruz baby blessing. My mom made the super cute outfit he is wearing! Thanks mom!!!


Our little Kaia turned 2 on September 26th. She loved the fun, family...and the CAKE!!




Cruz chilllin at Kaia's birhtday party at the park


Kaia is picking our Cruz pumpkin...


Instead of looking at the camera in this pic, she's picking our her pumpkin :)


Chris friend loaned us his RV for a couple of days, and we went 'camping'. We had so much fun! Kaia LOVES to camp and the out doors, so she was having a ball the entire trip. I love spending time with my family, and this trip reminded me of times we went camping and RV-ing with my family as a kid. Such good memories. Chris and I are happy to be making memories for our little family too. A big thank you to Mario for being so generous and letting us use his RV - we owe you!







Short sweet and to the point! We have had a fun couple of months building memories and having a great time as a family. I love my children, they make everything so much fun. I find myself sometimes just staring at Kaia how I did when she was a baby, and I just smile because she keeps life exciting! I continue to fall in love with Cruz, I feel like he has always been apart of our family - he makes everyday so much fun. I'm grateful for Chris and I know without him we wouldn't do any of the fun things we do! I absolutely love and adore my family, I would be nothing with out them.

2 months old....

Oh how I LOVE having a newborn in our house again! I am so grateful to have such sweet kids. Cruz is a great sleeper just like Kaia was, and he is so fun to take pictures of. Though he can't do all that much yet, the sweetness of his smiles keep me snapping shots. I feel so blessed he has joined our family and his sweet fun spirit is so infectious. I just look at him for hours, and can't believe how lucky our little family is to have him. I love watching him and Kaia together too...thought the last picture here I have a feeling is a glimps into future.





Kaia was trying to pose with him...but he didn't like it - and began swiping at her face. The look he is giving just kills me, Chris and I couldn't stop laughing when we saw it!

Helping daddy...

This is what our yard looks like right now. We are prepping to put in grass.

Kaia loves to get dirty, so she has been out in the dirt 'helping' daddy. She's not that dirty yet in this pic, cus she hasn't laid down and rolled around in the dirt yet.

She really enjoys dirt, as you can see she's all smiles

Silly girl! Thanks for your help little mama!!

Thanksgiving Point 'looking' Zoo

My brother and his wife invited us to go to the Thanksgiving Point petting zoo with them yesterday. Even though I knew Kaia would refuse to pet any of the animals, I knew she would have a good time hanging out with her cousin. Needless to say she wouldn't get close to the animals, and would just watch her cousin Malina feed them. Then before we were leaving we got in line for a pony ride. I was prepping her to actually SIT on the animal. She was so excited
about it, and enjoyed watching all the kids with their big smiles ride...but once she chose a horse, and I went to put her on it, she threw a fit. I tried and tried, but to no avail, we ended up walking out of there without a horsey ride. I wish she would have done it, she would have loved it, but I don't want to traumatize her when it comes to animals. She's scared enough as it is....

Here are some pics from the trip. You will note there were no animals involved in the photography of this trip...Kaia wouldn't get close enough to one for me to take any pics.

Gabe, Jess and Cruz

Kaia, and her cousin Malina

the 'looking'.....

I absolutely adore this picture...

A family of four - Cruz has arrived!!

July 6, 2010 was a wonderful day! Chris, Kaia and I welcomed the newest member of our family! Cruz Kilikopela Williamson, Kilikopela means Christopher in Hawaiian. He was born at 3:46pm, 6lbs 15 oz, and 19 inches long.

It has been so wonderful having a new born in our home again! I forgot how much I love newborns! Kaia has done really well with having a baby around. She seemed to adjust right away, and enjoys being able to help me and hold him every chance she gets. She loves to hug and kiss her little brother - and to greet him every morning, "Good morning baby!" (and every time he wakes up)

Here are a few pics from the hospital and the first days home. (these pics are from the iPhone, and have been emailed a few times so they aren't the best quality. I'll get some better ones up as soon as I get around to uploading them :)

You might not be able to tell from the pic (cus I was a little tired) but I was THRILLED to have my little boy in my arms. The same feeling I had when I first saw Kaia, I had when I first saw Cruz. What a blessing my children are to me.

As they took me downstairs to my room, Kaia got to ride on the front of the bed, she was very excited about that :)

Kaia is so proud to be a big sister. That smile on her face explains it all.

Once we were home from the hospital Kaia was so happy. She had her mom and dad back, and a new little brother! I think she had separation anxiety while we were in the gone, and I think she's still trying to get over it. My mom came to stay with Kaia while we were in the hospital and help me ease it to being a mother of two. What a blessing it has been to have here here!!

This picture is from our first night home, Kaia crawled up on my legs as I was feeding Cruz, and laid down. What a sweet girl. I love being a mama of two wonderful kids.

.....more pictures to come.

Finally some pics from the Hawaii 2010 trip! The trip was needless to say lots of fun in the sun. It started a little rough when our flight to Hawaii had to return to LAX because of engine problems, as well as a medical emergency. Once we arrived in Hawaii we had been sitting on the airplane for 12 hours!! Very tough with 3 toddlers, and 3 pregs!! Once on the ground in Hawaii we were so happy to be off of the plane! Since the flight was delayed by so much we had to get a hotel and wait to catch another flight the next day to Kona. We finally made it to our destination and were happy to be done with planes, for a few days anyways!

The pics will tell you about the rest of the trip...I'm not a huge fan of preggo pics of myself (especially in a bathing suit) so they will mainly be of sweet Kaia - enjoy!!

She still loves to wink in pictures. In fact when you tell her to smile for a picture, or even pretend to take a picture of her with an invisible camera she will automatically wink...I'm trying to break her of it..here we are waiting for the men to get back with the rental cars...
Kaia LOVED the beach. She loved the water and the sand! She was in heaven with her cousins!The kids loved to be taken out on the body boards for rides on the waves at our 'private beach' in front of the beach house. This is Kaia and her cousin Malina. They loved being together! They became best friends- and would miss each other when they were apart.
This is Kaia's other cousin Jude - what a cutie!! They all loved the sand and water so much!!

Kaia and Mini again, sharing a rock as the waves are coming up to their feet- I'm just glad they are sharing it in this picture ;-)

We were on the beach every day but one. The spot in front of the beach house was perfect! We were able to see lots of sea turtles, snorkel, and the waves were very tame so the kids got used to running in and out of the water. It was really the perfect location!!

Daddy and Kaia again on the body board, she couldn't get enough!

As I said earlier she loves the sand....but maybe that was an understatement...she did this often, and would get covered!! She had so much fun!

My beauty! Hawaii looks good on her ;-)

This pic is from my brothers wedding at the Kona temple. It was such a beautiful location.

The bride and groom, (Kanani and Dan) And my two other brothers (Gabe, and Nick) and then my wonderful Chris :)

We had so much fun and were so glad the whole family could make it! Kaia had so much fun with her cousins, and thanks to Mini (who is a year older than Kaia) Kaia is talking alot more! Since we've been home Kaia has been a little lonely not having cousins around her all the time...