Wordless Wednesday: 3 Years

The best 3 years ever are all thanks to this stud!!! Happy anniversary Gian!! Love you through and through!

New York

Duhh Duh Duh na nah na, Duhh DUH DUH NA NAH NA.... NEW YORK, NEEEEEEEEEWWWWW YOOOOOOOOOORK!! I have been singing this song for WEEKS, and I'm not even sick of it... because it's awesome... and who doesn't love Sinatra?

I loved being in the big city!! Once upon a time I lived in Chicago for a year, and there I developed my tremendous love for the city, and since this was the first time I have ever been to New York, I left my heart there!

My dad took me with him since he had to go for business and for the first time in years I felt like a kid again. I felt like I was eight years old hanging out with my dad on a "daddy-daughter-date" and it was a blast. I got to see him work, which is really cool because I totally look up to him and his business intelligence, and I got to see all the other people who look up to him as well as follow him around like little puppy dogs with their tongues hanging out. One of the best parts was that people always said, "You are so lucky to have this guy for a dad!" and I would reply, "YES I AM!!" I am a very proud daughter. What can I say, my dad's the shiz!!!

Anyways, here are some of the things I got to do. One of which I didn't take pictures of was going shopping in SoHo!!! Spectacular! Ran into Dash {you know the Kardasian store} and wasn't impressed AT ALL!! LAME!! On the way there I was all alone, catching my first cab on my own then telling the driver to take me to Chelsea.... he then asked for a street address and as a rookie, I had no idea, so that normal $7 cab fair turned into a $21 pain in my %$@#!! Hahahah Can't experience New York without getting robbed at least once right?!?

Enjoy the pictures!!

Ran into Lady Gaga!!

Watching my dad work at the Yale Club - Ball Room!

TIME SQUARE!!! I felt a little like Mary Tyler Moore and a lot like Buddy the Elf!!

We took a carriage ride through Central Park

My favorite souvenir... don't worry I didn't spend all my 

money in one place, it's New York peoples!!  

Had lunch by myself and it felt glorious!

Went to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum

My dad picked out Avenue Q and it was freaking HILARIOUS!!! I loved it so much!!! Not your typical broadway show. It has puppets and a lot of swearing, but man we were in tears!

And then my dad took me to The Lion King!!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!! I cried! This show is soooooooooooo amazing! I had never seen it before and it is far more passionate and emotional then the movie! FREAKING AMAZING! I want to see it again! The reason why I was so happy to see this was because as a kid, I LOVED the movie. I had a stuffed Simba and Nala and I would sing the songs all the time so my dad nicknamed me McKoonley-Ma-Tah-Tah ahhahaha and it has stuck ever since! So this experience took both me and my dad back at least 17 years. I LOVED IT!!! He loved it!!! SO GOOOOOOOOD!! 

New York... Big lights will inspire you!! And yes they did!! It was one of the best trips I have ever been on! I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to spend the time with my dad. It was the perfect pick me up!!

Wordless Wednesday: Bed Head

My husband always wakes up with the most amazing hair do!!!

...and sometimes his son matches him identically!! It's divine!

September 11th

Every September my dad travels to NYC for work. In 2001, he had a flight scheduled to depart SFO at 7 am on September 11th. At the time, he was a teacher for youth in our church "Bible Study" {Seminary} in the early mornings and he was not able to fly out until 9 am. He even had dinner reservations at the top of the World Trade Center that same night. I believe that there was divine intervention that kept my dad safe that day, and while I was in New York last week the same familiar cord kept striking me; it was close to the anniversary of 9/11, it was 11 years ago, my dad was still going to the same business meetings the same time of year in the same city, and how thankful I was to have my whole family safe on that tragic day.

While my dad was working I got to go to the 9/11 museum and memorial. Since today marks the 11th anniversary I would like to share the pictures from that visit.

There was a lot of conflict about what to do with the 9/11 site. The families of the victims wanted to keep it as a memorial, but there was the financial side that wanted to build back up to keep the city moving and to show that it won't be left hallow. So they divided up the property equally and placed the memorial pools where the twin towers were. There were a total of 8 buildings lost and they plan to rebuild six to represent what was lost {the other two are the memorial pools}. This building you see here {above ^} is the tallest and will be a total of 1776 feet high - that number because that was the year America declared its independence. I love that!! The architects are putting so much thought and beauty into the buildings that are being rebuilt. They worked really hard to make sure that they pleased both sides of the parties that differed. {See the new plans in the image below}

If you notice, the buildings gradually get shorter. They wanted to represent the gradual steps leading up to the tallest building. They are all also a silver color to reflect light back into the memorial. This will also keep the property reverent by not allowing there to be commercial walk ways into these building that face the memorial. They want the memorial to be held as a respectful and peaceful place of New York.

This is in the museum. They have pictures of all the victims from 9/11 on some of their happiest days. This is where I cried because I got to see pictures of them on their wedding day or with their children... it was so tender and amazing to get a glimpse of who they really were.

This is one of the memorial pools ...where tower two stood.

This tree is amazing! After the collapse of the towers, a fireman found this tree and believed it was still alive. He took it back to Brooklyn and cared for it while it continued to grow. He said, "It was amazing to find life in the refuge of the tragedy." He donated it to the memorial and they planted the tree here. They encourage families to place items on the tree as they please. Earlier that day there was a police badge left and a few days previous a dream catcher. I love this so much!!

There were cranes made to represent peace, love, and hope. It hangs in the museum.

This was a window that was recovered from the sight. It was from the first plane that hit the towers.

These are the names that wrap around the pools.

A beautiful wall piece that says "May we never forget." It is a tribute to the NYFD.

Thank you to all those who serve{d} as our nations heroes and also those who we have lost - we will remember you and you will be missed. May we come together and be united as a country and society on this day.

Oh the Places You'll Go!

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Tomorrow morning, at the butt crack of dawn, I will be leaving for LAX to catch a flight to New York, NY!! I AM SO EXCITED!!! My dad invited me along with him on a business trip, so that means Gian and Ekemona will not be coming along with me. Noemi, my MIL will be here to help take care of Eke while Gian is in school and studying all day.

This will be my first night away from E!! Kind of a crazy thought. I have been with him every single night of his life. I am not sure how I will feel. I am not the type of person to miss anyone unless it is for long periods of time. Goodbyes never seem to phase me because I am usually excited to go wherever I am headed or to start a grand adventure.

I wonder how it will feel to sit in my hotel room and go to bed without getting the little bug ready too -  no story times, no prayers, no goodnight hugs and kisses and lullabies! And what about the mornings? Will it feel empty and quiet? Not going to lie.... I am probably most excited about sleeping in without being woken up! I just can't imagine what I will feel... sad, relaxed, happy, or guilty for having so much fun! All in all, I believe it to be healthy for parents to spend time away from their kids for small amounts of time. It allows him to bond with other people and it builds self-security and independence... not to mention the much needed alone time for myself! I am just so happy that Eke will get to spend some time with his Lola too!

So today is my day!! I'm off to Great Places! I'm off and away! I've got brains in my head and feet in my shoes and I can steer myself any direction I choose! Goodbye LA and hello Big Apple!!!

Ahoy Mateys

.::Viral Friday::.

Aloha Friday!!! Enjoy your weekend with this little treasure!! It is pretty freaking hilarious and brilliant all in one!

THANK YOU, COME AGAIN

Wordless Wednesday: Evidence of a Toddler

 Through Q-Tips and rubbing alcohol the couch was saved from an eye soar. 

P.S. Ohh hey creepy foot!

Gratitude

As I sit around and look at our apartment I feel at home. I feel safe and happy. I love feeling the dew of the humidity rest on my skin and smell of the ocean's mist. I am so thankful to be able to be in one of my favorite parts of the world and to feel that opportunities are just about to knock on our door, and that at any moment I can let them brush through my finger tips or grasp them like reigns.

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Then I start to think of the process it took to get us here - the sweat, the exhaustion, the long distance, the separation, and most importantly the charity of others. 

Gian got accepted to three schools, and while we patiently waited to hear back from Whittier Law School, it didn't unfold magically like the others. The circumstances literally put us on our feet and we made calls to family members with both excitement and concern. My first thought was, this is not logical let's just choose a different school, one that is easier and less stressful... but just like a miracle, all those un-logical things disappeared and solutions were created. We have amazing friends and family and they were all able to help us accomplish what seemed to be impossible. It felt so spectacular to feel like we had a safety net and people were ready to lift us when we felt unsure. 

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As I look at our couch and TV, I get a little overwhelmed with gratitude to think of all the people who made it possible for us to be here, and I wish they all could be here to see the final finished product, to see Ekemona running around happy, and to see Gian leave early in the morning to attend law school. I wish we could still be with these great friends that we left behind in Utah!

So I want to dedicate this post to everyone that helped us move, store our belongings, gave us shelter when we were "homeless" {in both California and Idaho}, helped ensure there was food on our table, and gave us love and supporting words when it seemed like we were sinking like rocks... because without all of you this may never have happened and you helped create a miracle!

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Thank you to everyone who has given their time and charity to us in the past three months. Thank you to everyone who helped us unconditionally and "with your heart full of song!!!" Your impact has touched me greatly and I am overwhelmed with gratitude and love! Charity never faileth, and you proved this to be truer then true! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

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Hello Hello Again!

Ohh... well hello there friends and lovers!!! Guess what?!? We have internet.... AND I am finally touching my computer for the first time since May 25th... making that the longest time period EVER!!! But Silver Mist {that is what I shall call her} was manufactured in 2005 and I have abused her battery severely so getting her to turn on and stay charged is nearly impossible. Thanks to my genius technology prodigy husband of mine, he is able to work his magic touch and bring life back into Silver Mist. Now let's pray I get a new battery!

I don't even know where to start, since it has been over a month since I wrote on this blog, but I will reassure you that I am back for good and ready to PAR-TAH!!! {Please note that I may still be a bipolar writer, but I will bring back .::Viral Friday::. and Wordless Wednesday} I will start off by saying I have missed all of you and look forward to catching up in your lives!! I know some of you have gotten married, others found out they were pregnant, and some schools have already started, and I want to be sure that I express my gratitude for all of your comments for the last three months.

So here are some photos of our greatest adventures this summer. Try not to be too jealous.... It was pretty wicked! Do be warned there are a crap load of pictures and there might be even some duplicates... I have no idea!!!!

Lily turned two right before the Forth of July!!! Guess what? In early June, she took her first steps. Now she is walking all over the place! This little girl is my personal gold medal Olympian!! 

Lils does not enjoy things close to her face... and that includes two well-lit birthday candles!! Her theme this year was Tinkerbell since she reminds all of us of Tink with her darling petite body! If you would like to see more pictures please visit my sisters blog here.

4th of July parade was awesome in small-town Idaho! Koko loves to be with her grandkids!

Firework Hangover.... IT.WAS.AWESOME!!! 

Sparklers in all their glory

Sweet Lils!

We tried to light Chinese Lanterns, but it was a very windy night. There was a wax wick that kept the flame burning which give the heat for these suckers to float, but this bad boy got blown into a tree then blown into the neighbors roof. There were about 70 people out on the street watching us... it was funny to hear their gasps... and relief... then back to sheer screams as it hit the house... it was hilarious!!! Don't worry, we had young strong men who were able to jump into action before anything bad happened! 

Facetime with Dad/Tatay/Gian made this little boy very happy! We were separated for eight horribly long weeks and it was very painful! NEVER AGAIN!!

Huntsman walking in the water like Captain America!!

Sweet Ella offered to give me a pedicure/massage and then brought me chocolate milk with a straw. She is such a nurturer!!

  

Ekemona loves Ella. Ekemona loves to hold hands. Ekemona loves to hold hands with Ella!

This boy loves his Tatu so much it is unbelievable! He always wants Tats to hold him, and that is a very uncommon thing from this little rascal.

I heard Ekemona saying "uhhh ohhhhhhhhhh" several times so I decide to see what the concern was all about. Hahahahaah Huntsman just pretending he was Spiderman. By the time I grabbed my phone to take a picture he was already half way down. Yep folks, this superhero has no fear and climbed straight to the top. You can see little Ekemona's head on the other side of the chair.

My mom got some toys for the back yard in Idaho - a play house, a play set, and this roller coaster. 

Tatu taking the kids on the carousel. This carousel is one of the oldest carousels in the world.. built in 1892 with its original music box and oil paintings. 

Who doesn't love watermelon?

Captain America... why so serious?

All he needs is a free kids movie at the dollar theater, an Icee, and popcorn.

Hunter and I made this sweet spaceship. It has rockets and a laser!

They were all wearing their Superman shirts without it being planned! So cute! PS Do you see how HAPPY Ekemona is....haha

Made a stop at Frost Top where the kids loved to climb on these animals.

Do you see Ella about to fall asleep on the pig in the way back?

Fun in the sun at the splash park

We are the best BFFs in all the world.

On our way to California to meet up with Gian after eight long weeks to help him move in. I had all this to my own with no help.... until three of the sweetest strangers offered me help! I cried from their random act of service! 

"Reunited and it feeeeeeeeeeeeeeels so goooooooooooooooooood!"

Ekemona just wanting to spend time with is dad before we started to unpack.

One week later after all that was done, we headed back to Idaho for one last awesome vacation before law school starts.

We went to Mesa Falls. Bahahahahah both of their faces! And Ekemona's hand!!

Isn't Mesa Falls so beautiful?

Then we went Huckleberry picking where this handsome little guy picked and brought me some wild flowers he had found because it was my first time. Gian roasted the perfect golden 'mallow then the kids all rolled around in the dirt! Hahahaha so cute! 

Here are the berries... and the kids hiking up the mountain.

 Then those Huckleberries got put to good use!!

Then we went back to Birch Creek to "camp" only we didn't  really camp. Just a day trip.

Check out the fish's mouth in this shot!!

We made some awesome tin foil dinners. This is Brittany prepping the fish we had caught earlier that day. They were Rainbow Trout and they were goooooooood!

We took the four wheelers out to Skull Canyon. It was A.MAZE.ING!!

And this is what happens when you ride on the back of a four wheeler. Do you see it coated on my pearly whites? DELISH!!!

 My handsome man shooting the glock.

I might get me one of these. It doesn't have a kick. At one point I wanted to hold this sideways like all the ganstas in the movies.... I don't know what is more embarassing, the fact I am trying to be thug in the middle of the forest or my tie-dye shirt I made in '05.

This gun {same from the picture above} was found by our friend in the middle of the forest in the middle of the mountain in the middle of nowhere!! Talk about being in the right place at the right time! My sarcastic sister, Brittany, immediately said "murder weapon?" and we all started laughing. No need to fear, he took it in... it is totally good and clean and in the clear for him to use and keep!

We {Brittany, Ella, Ekemona, and me} went to Bear World because I love it so!!

You drive through in neutral and you see all these awesome animals like this {look below}

A albino elk, which is very very rare.

Bears that are so close to your car you think you might hit them!!! We were literally all screaming at one point because we thought the bear was going to climb up on our car. I think Ekemona was screaming because he didn't want to be left out! ahahhaha

After the drive, you park and enter the petting zoo where they have baby deer and their mommies, and some other animals that I just didn't care nearly as much as these deer!! Doesn't she remind you of Snow White?

They are all so sweet and loving!

This goat just came up to E and hung out!

They sell animal food for a quarter and the animals love you for it!!

Literally love you!!! She gave me kisses all over my face and we became BFFs!!! 

Have you ever seen anything more whimsical and precious before? Bambi in real life!

This little guy came up to me and almost sat in my lap. His mother had abandon him as a baby and Bear Wold rescued him. He was trying to suck on the lace and buttons of my cardigan. The people there said he was starting to imprint on me! I would be his mother any day!!! I will own deer I promise you!

They have cute little rides for the kids and this was a fast, dip-y-dip ride and you can clearly tell by his face that he loved it!

Ella is on this drop ride.I wish you could see her face and hear her laugh... it was soooooooo cute! Plus she made a new friend that was sitting next to her.

Bear World has baby bears that you can bottle feed {I have yet to do it... waaaah wahhhhhh}

Aren't they fluffy?!? And did you notice that little boy climbing on the fence in the background... what kind of mother allows her child to be so wild... near bears?? **blush**

The world of Max!!! What a joyous day! Now I know where to get Max 2.0 in case something should ever happen to good old Max.

"....AMBER WAVES OOOOOOOOOOOOOOF GRAIN..."

Then we had to leave Idaho to go back to real life. I think Idaho is my favorite state. I will miss it terribly! It is beautiful and perfect and fun and has soooooooooo much to offer! 

Here is a piece of heaven on our drive...

While we drove through Utah and Nevada we saw five rainbow. It was quite the scenic view! 

We spent a little time with Gian's side of the family in Vegas since that is his home. It is always fun to be with the in-laws! We love and miss them! Here is Ekemona giving Great Lola {Gian's great grandma} kisses. He just kept walking up to her and giving her love and she just adores him! They are a perfect match!! 

Gian found these awesome glasses!! I think he should fill them with his real prescription!

It was so hot in Vegas this little man kept sweating... I don't think I can continue to grow his hair out! He looks miserable!

Then we ended back in Orange County... where we now call home. We had some friends come into town last weekend and it was marvelous. Weall went on the Irvine Spectrum Ferris Wheel!

We even got to relax at the beach with our dear friends! 

It was a perfect summer. It may go down as the best summer of my life! Thank you Brittany and Mike for letting us invade and crash with you while our lives were turned upside down and for showing us all the fun things that Idaho has to offer. It was ideal!