Birthday Girl

Kensie ended up having about five different birthday celebrations.  I guess that's what happens when you are the only and first child.  Good thing she has another sibling on the way!  She was so excited for her birthday and said just about everyday leading up to and following her birthday, "I want cake, presents, toys!"

 Mom and dad gave her a new baby doll, her first dollhouse, and a nursery set for her baby doll.  Grandma Schurig gave her a diaper bag full of supplies to take care of her baby doll.  Her birthday presents couldn't have been more perfect since her favorite thing to do is play 'mommy' everyday.

Our good friends the Elliot's invited us over to their house for Kensie's birthday dinner.  Kensie loves their family so much.  Their boys, Caleb and Ernie decorated with balloons and streamers.  They even decorated a special 'birthday chair' for Kensie.  She thought it was fantastic.  We had cake and sang to her afterwards.  It was so much fun celebrating her birthday this year! 

Rainforest Cafe

We took Kensie to Rainforest Cafe as a family for her birthday dinner.  Her favorite part was watching the fish. 

Baby #2

Baby #2 is on it's way!

I'm 14 weeks and due May 8th.

Kensie is really excited about the, "baby in mommy's tummy!"  She is already practicing to be a big sister with her doggy and baby.  She feeds, diapers, comforts, and puts them down for naps.  She'll be such a good big sister.

I started wondering if I was pregnant while we were in Hawaii because I had to use the restroom all the time.  I took a test about a week after we got home and it was positive!  I haven't felt as great this pregnancy as I did in my first.  Especially about weeks 6-10ish.  Super tired, unmotivated, and gross.  If I didn't eat every two hours I would get really dizzy, lightheaded, and feel sick.  Food didn't sound good but I had to eat anyway.  I didn't feel like doing anything, even shopping (gasp!).  Overall I can't complain though.  I never threw up and have been able to continue exercising.

Luckily, I've been feeling much better the last couple of weeks.  Still tired, but not feeling sick.

Yesterday I went to the doctor for an ultrasound and so far the baby looks healthy.  The ultrasound tech even gave us a hint of the baby's gender! :)  I'm so relieved to know I've made it through the first trimester.  Hooray!  Welcome to the second trimester!

Toddler Birthday Party

I threw a small birthday party for Kensie and her friends for her second birthday.  I wanted to keep it low key so we swam, ate pizza, and had cake.  I burnt the cake I made for Kensie so the morning of her birthday party I ended up having to go buy one anyway.  Even though I tried to keep everything very simple, it was still more work than I anticipated.  The thing that took me the most time was the goodie bags....which I forgot to hand out at the end!

I don't know how all these moms go 'pinterest style' on their kid's birthday parties with themes, decor, games, food, cupcakes, and everything matchy matchy!  That would send me into a nervous breakdown.  Next year, I think we'll stick to a family party or invite one or two friends:)

Timeout

One evening after Kensie was already in bed, I went into the guest bedroom downstairs.  In the corner I found Kensie's baby doll in timeout.  I had a good laugh.  Toddlers are funny.   

Mini Me

Now more than ever I hear this, "She looks just like her dad!"  Which is 100% true, I can't even deny it.  She is petite and will probably be built like me, but that's about it.  From her long eyelashes, to her little piggy toes, she looks just like her dad.

Grandma Child

 My mom was so sweet to watch Kensie while we went to Hawaii.  Kensie was probably in heaven with all of the one-on-one attention grandma gave her.  They played with toys, read books, and colored.  I'm really grateful they were able to spend so much time together since she doesn't get to see her grandma very often.  Kensie loves her so much!

My mom was able to stay an extra day when Niel and I got home from our trip.  Kensie opened her birthday presents from grandma early.  She got a highchair that converts to a car seat, a play phone, stickers, and clothes.  Kensie puts her dog in the car seat every single day and wants to take it with us when we run errands.  It was so nice to spend a day with my mom before she went home.  Thank you, mom!  We love you!

Souvenir

After two days of being home from Hawaii, I'd already eaten all of the delicious chocolate macadamia nuts we'd bought.  Note for next trip to Hawaii:  buy more chocolate macadamia nuts!!!

Besides chocolates, we brought Kensie home a Hawaiian dress.  She looked adorable in it.  Unfortunately, she is impossible to get pictures of these days.  

 She was pretty excited to have a dress from Hawaii she could wear to church!

Hawaii: Kayaking

We loved Lanakai Beach so much, we went back on Tuesday again.  This time, we rented kayaks and kayaked from Lanakai Beach to the Mokulua Islands.  

The hardest part of the journey was loading and unloading the kayaks from the top of our car and carrying them to and from the beach.  Kayaking was a workout, especially with the waves and current going against us but it was so fun and beautiful.

We stopped at the north Mokulua island, which is open to the public and had lunch on the beach.  Then we went snorkeling and saw two large turtles!  

We hiked around the back of the island which is all lava rock.

After our kayaking adventure, we grabbed some shaved ice with ice cream at the bottom.

We drove back to Waikiki for an early dinner at Hula Grill along the beach.  Our restaurant choice was determined by the fact that we had to have hula pie one more time before we went home.  It was just as good the second time!  The steak I ordered for dinner was also the best steak I've ever had.  The rest of the evening we walked along the Waikiki Strip and shopped for souvenirs.

Wednesday morning we swam one last time at Waikiki Beach and then headed home.  Leaving the beautiful island of Hawaii was hard to do.

Hawaii: Diamond Head and Lanakai Beach

Monday morning we hiked Diamond Head.  The view of the island from the top of Diamond Head was gorgeous.  

 Then we headed to Lanakai Beach for some rest and relaxation.  This was hands down the most beautiful beach I've ever been on.  The sand felt like powdered sugar and the water was cyan blue.  Wasn't crowded.

 Even the pathway to the sand was awesome with these palm trees hanging down over the steps.

Monday night we had dinner at Cheesecake factory with our friends Gregg and Veronica, who now live on the Island.

Hawaii: North Shore

Sunday we went to sacrament meeting at the cathedral in downtown Waikiki.  

Then we headed to the North Shore.  We stopped at Sharks Cove for some snorkeling on the way.  Then we had lunch and pie at the famous Ted's Bakery.  I could eat some of their pie right now.

Next stop was relaxing and sunbathing at Turtle Bay beach.  We saw our first turtle in the water there.  Then we hung out at the Turtle Bay Resort pool.

On our way back to Waikiki we stopped at the famous Sunset Beach to watch the beautiful sunset.

When we got back to the hotel we had dinner at one of the restaurants inside our hotel because it was so late.  It was the nastiest dinner of our life.  It was so bad we couldn't even be mad.  Definitely memorable.

Besides that, we had an amazing six year anniversary.  It doesn't get much better than spending the day together on the beaches of Hawaii.

Hawaii: Laie Temple, PCC, & BYU-H

Saturday we went to the beautiful Laie Temple.  Afterwards we had lunch at the BYU Hawaii cafeteria.

We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening at the Polynesian Cultural Center.  We watched the water parade and went around to the different villages.  

My favorite village was Samoa where they climbed trees, made coconut milk, and started fire with sticks. Niel tried to make fire with sticks afterwards and was sweating up a storm.  The samoan dude on stage made it look so easy.  All Niel got was a little bit of smoke.  I guess white men can't make fire.

If we look really hot and sweaty it's because we were.  It was pretty hot that day.

We went to the Luau and dinner.  Afterwards we saw the show 'Ha:  Breath of Life"