Hawaiian Vacation: Preparation

Hard to believe that we are already home from a week in Hawaii.  And funny how you instantly have to get back into the swing of things and then it's as if you never even went.  Oh but it was fun while it lasted.  I'm going to break down our trip into 2 day increments and tell you what we did...if only for my own sake of journaling.  First I wanted to talk about what we did prior to the trip to get ready....and after thinking about it, it wasn't much!  Since this was a trip for me and my hubby--and no kids--we knew we could just kind of wing it.  My cousin asked me a few weeks before we left what we planned on doing and my response was, "Whatever the heck we want.  Because we can!" And that was the truth.  

We knew where we were staying: My brother and his wife's condo in Mililani.  

We knew what we were driving: I got a sweet deal from Discount Hawaii Car Rental on a Mustang Convertible (or similar--oh how I hoped it was not something similar).  It was a surprise for my hubby who thought we were getting a compact. This website was awesome and hooked us up-as in $300-$500 cheaper than what I was finding on all the travel/car rental websites! I highly recommend it and I am not getting paid or compensated in any way to say that.   :)

We generally knew we were going to do certain touristy things:  I have been to Oahu a couple of times but my hub had never been.  So we got tickets to the PCC, we were going to hike Diamond Head Crater, snorkel at Hanauma Bay, etc.  But we were also willing to add anything to the agenda at any time.  For some reason that was one of my favorite things about this trip.  It was EASY.

We knew what to pack.  Sunscreen, sunscreen and more sunscreen (and yet I still got sunburned...I will never learn).

We had a big stash of cash for spending.  Which probably is not the smartest thing to do but we did it anyway.  

The night before our trip and I was totally not excited like I thought I would be.  And I realized that was because I had never left my babies before.  Ever.  Not even for a night.  I cried myself to sleep that night worrying constantly that they would wonder where we went, or not have fun, or not sleep well, etc., etc. Then the time to leave finally came! 

Ready for the Beach

4 days until we head to paradise.  EEEK!!!! Here are some of my favorites, ready to go with me.

Ready for the Beach by ambernicole-22 featuring norma kamali swimwear

Old Navy short sleeve shirt
oldnavy.gap.com

Norma kamali swimwear
net-a-porter.com

Sparkly shoes
payless.com

Revlon nivea lip care
amazon.com

Sun care
drugstore.com

Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games): Suzanne Collins:...
amazon.com

My Mini-Me and an Ice Cream Cone Cake

Last week my daughter turned 4 years old.  I was so excited all morning for her and kept calling her the birthday girl--even put sprinkles on her waffle.

Gotta love the expression.  So all of a sudden she says to me, "Please stop saying it's my birthday."  I was like ok whatever, I can play it cool.  Then I suddenly had to laugh because that is exactly what I would say!  Literally.  I was kind of worried (not really worried, but you know concerned) that she wasn't going to enjoy her day. A few hours later she was talking about her party and excited so I was relieved to see that she was in fact still 4.  Not on the verge of being in her mid 30's.  :)  

The day of her actual birthday we went to her restaurant of choice for dinner (McD's.  Where else?) and then gave her her big gift.

 Here it comes....

 A new bike!  She was so surprised.  We kept asking her what she wanted for her birthday but she'd always say she didn't know.  So we got to do whatever we wanted.

 She loved it!

Then that weekend I did the most low-key (and easiest!) birthday party ever.  We met all of our family at a park, let the kids play, and did cake and ice cream sundaes.  It was a lot of fun and it felt great not to be worried about details, games, decor, etc.  I need that once in awhile.

 

Dad brought her flowers on her birthday and I so wish this photo was focused right!  Arg! Yes the hubby wears neon at work.  He's so on trend. lol

Happy Birthday baby girl!

Summer 2012

Hey all, how's your summer?  We are having a blast.  Instead of describing every detail I'll just share some pictures.  Ok and a few details.  We bought a small boat--it is so fun!  Perfect for our little family.  We took the kids on their first camping trip. It was a huge success!  Even though it is a lot of work, I can't wait to go again.  

Hope you're all soaking up the sun and enjoying the warm weather...I cry just thinking about winter.  These are all from my Instagram account (ambermomof2 is my screen name, come and join me!).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Last Mother's Day my mom gave us tickets to Wicked for this month...and it finally came! It was so amazing, and fun to be with my mom and sister in-laws, who I love!

Winning Streak

I do not know how people blog in the summer. It is so hard! I just can't force myself to do it. Despite battling some sicknesses, we're having a great time. Things are just generally going well and I'm happy about that. Could have something to do with what my hubby picked up a couple of weeks ago:

Sorry for the weird angle, but this double jogging stroller has joined our family and I have never been so happy about a kid toy in my life. Running again is pure bliss (and I lost 3 pounds last week so yippee!).
It could also have something to do with the fact that I keep winning things. I enter giveaways all. the. time. And lately I'm having a great winning streak. First it was a $50 gift card to Target from the blog eighteen25, then it was tickets to the Princess Festival from Mama's on a Dime, then I won a spot at the Frugality Boot Camp given by Jordan at FunCheaporFree.com, and today I won a Bon Ami cleaning kit from Paisley Boulevard.  Time to enter the lottery right? Actually winning the lottery kinda scares me.
Anyway, I'm just really grateful for my little family and humbled by all that we are blessed with. Independence Day always brings these feelings out in me. We live in the greatest nation in the world. Hope you all have a great 4th.

My brother and dad meeting up for a bit in Afghanistan. Love my soldiers and can't wait for them to come home!

Some Recipes and Father's Day Weekend...3 days later

We had such a nice relaxing weekend that I'm not quite ready for a new week (and it's already Wednesday!).  Saturday we went to Country Fest for the town I grew up in (rides, cotton candy, and fireworks) and the kids had a ball.
Even though my Dad is far far away, I had fun spoiling my hubby and father of my children on Father's Day. First we started with PB&J French Toast, sausage, and eggs.

You guys. You HAVE to try this. So so good. Recipe here, but basically make a peanut butter sandwich, dip it in egg mixture, cook, and top with fruit or jam, syrup and whipped cream.
Then later for dinner we had steak kabobs and peanut sauce.  Recipe here.  Are you seeing a theme?  I am absolutely obsessed with Sarah Carey's daily video series.  In the first week I started getting her videos I did 3 of the 5 recipes.  I love them because they are delicious, simple, and not perfect, as is Martha's usual shtick.  Sarah's funny and easy going.  You will love her. Go sign up for her daily emails you will not regret it!  Here is her next recipe I want to try:


For dessert we had oreo stuffed chocolate chip cookies. Whoa. Those things are GOOD. But eat more than one and you might regret it, they are so rich! The recipe is from Picky Palate.

Photo from my Instagram account.  Follow me @ ambermomof2.

My Baby is 2

I know I already posted about Bud's 2nd birthday party, but I also wanted to post the pictures I took of him as his little two year old self.  I was nervous to take his pictures because he never ever sits still, but also because I wasn't sure if I could capture what a darling sweet boy he is right now.  Well we tried a photo shoot and it lasted all of about 5 minutes.  But I got some great shots.  I love this boy.  To pieces.

 Yes, I know this first shot needs some help.  You can see that big white spot where my flash went off and I don't know how to get rid of it. Help!