Today was a beautiful day! Sunny and in the upper 70's. I can't help but think about all my family and friends in Michigan- getting ready to have more winter weather blow in with lots of snow and ice. I shiver just thinking about it!

I met up with my friends Alison and Gina for a hike. We hiked Makapu- this trail takes us up so we can look out over the ocean and look for whales! It is that time of year when the whales are swimming by on there way down from the colder water.  Vangie walked the whole way- like she usually does and I but baby Lucy in my baby carrier. It was nice to get out and feel the sunshine and soak up some vitamin D.


Right now I am sitting with the kids while they do their homework. Soon it will be time to head for Gymnastics and then basketball.... A busy afternoon awaits us! I NEED to spend some time at home doing Laundry and also go to the commesary.... maybe tomorrow!  I just don't know WHAT we will eat for dinner tonight, the cupboards are bare.

Today I am very excited because Chris and I are running 15 miles together. We are having our WONDERFUL babysitter Lindzi come and watch the 4 children so we can run stroller-less. Some couples have "date night", we have "date-RUN" ha ha ha.  This will be my first time leaving baby Lucy with anybody- I know she will be in good hands, but I bed I will still be a little anxious!

Yesterday Joey and SOphia and a basketball game. I took some pictures of the family in the stands. Here is Chris and Lucy:


Here is a funny picture of Chris that Vangie took-
What a great smile! I knew there was a reason Chris stole my heart.

Here is Vangie the "Diva"...
Look at those blue eyes!!!
And here is Joey taking care of his baby sister.... awwww, they are so cute together!
 The big kids are such big helpers when It comes to playing with Lucy and keeping her happy.

Yesterday I took the kids to a park before heading to Gymnastics and Basketball. I forgot the name of this park- but its right down the road and the kids were able to feed some giant Koi fish, which they really liked doing.


There is also lots of space to run around and trees to climb in (although climbing the tree's is against the RULES, as we found out.)


Joey wanted to climb higher and higher. I had to remind him that is was against the rules to keep him from going to the very top. Soon after I took these pictures some guy came over and told us "Do not climb the trees!" Whatever, party pooper! At least we were able to have a little bit of fun. 

Have a Great Fishy-Face kind of Day!

Here are some Pictures that I have taken the past few days.

First, we have baby Lucy in her exer-saucer:


There is a new video of Lucy in her exer-saucer on the VIDEOS page.

Here is a picture of Vangie doing her "school work" yesterday. Yes, she is wearing a fancy dress. She dresses herself and changes outfits about 3-4 times a day. I remember Sophia doing this too. I think it's cute and don't care as long as she puts her clothes away and doesn't throw everything in the dirty clothes pile for the "Laundry Fairy" to wash and put away. The Laundry Fairy has put a STRICT crack-down on clothes that go into the dirty clothes pile. I realize it is easier to just throw something in a pile than to hang it up, but the Laundry Fairy doesn't put up with shady moves like that. She's tough.


This morning we all walked Sophia to school. Lucy and Sophia were very excited to go.

We had a busy weekend followed by a busy day today! Saturday I ran 13 miles in the A.M. and the kids had a basketball game- they WON! Then we went to evening Church services.

Sunday was a day for relaxing! (for ME anyway) Chris ran HIS long run of 12 miles on Sunday. Both of us pushed baby Lucy in the jog stroller- she is just a happy runner kind of baby!

THEN we took the kids to see a movie at the base theater. It was a horrible, horrible movie. I cannot even remember what it was called. It it not released in the regular movie theater and now I know why. It involved a lot of tweens singing and dancing and horrible acting. The kids liked it though. Baby Lucy pooped through her pants at one point and I only noticed it because MY pants were wet from her leaking all over me. An emergency diaper and outfit change went down in the restroom.

Chris had duty all day today. I took Lucy to a park to get her picture taken by a lady who takes photos... hopfully some will turn out really good. She looked cute and she smiled for me so I am thinking I will get some good pictures.

The kids had lots of homework to do after school, then Gymnastics and then basketball practice followed by baths and dinner. Needless to day I think it's time for bed for ALL OF US!

Today would have been my Mom's 52nd birthday. 

Dear Mom,

If I had just a moment more to talk to you I'd let you know that everything here is fine. The kids are so much bigger now- you'd hardly recognize them! Joey is doing so well in school, though I know that's not surprising. You always told me he was such a special little boy and you were right. He still sleeps with the blanket that you had in the hospice house. You were his "Motorcycle Grannie"!!

Sophias hair has grown so long- like mine when I was her age. She reminds me so much of you- she has your personality.... I still call her "little kimmie" after you. She will see your picture now and says "Mommy, who's that?" And I say...."that's Grandma Perkins, MY mommy. She's in Heaven now, but she loves you very much. "  It breaks my heart that your not here to see how beautiful and sweet she is... but you already know that.

Vangie is such a stinker.... you would really get a kick out of her. She's funny and wild.... Dad says she acts a lot like Greggie acted when he was little. What a little commedian. She will be starting Kindergarten next year.... time really does fly.

And then there's little Lucy. You have never met her- but maybe you met her spirit before she came into this world. She is so lovable and sweet- and smiles all the time just like Chris! You would have loved to hold her and snuggle with her. I think she has your eyes, because when I look into them I think of you.

I miss you mom. I cannot say that is any easier now. We all miss you so much. There is still a gaping hole where you were. I think about you all the time. I wish I could call you up, talk to you. Sit around the kitchen table and drink a pot of coffee with you, Diana, Krysti and Nicole. Sunbathe at the Pond with a good book and a strong Toddy with you while we watched the kids run and play and swim.... and talk about how beautiful it is out and how lucky and blessed we are to have such a great family. 

You are in paradise now, and I will meet you there soon.

This week has been crazy busy. Chris has been working a lot- he will get home tonight after being at work for 36 hours and it will be nice to see him. I know he will be glad to get home. I even made him his favorite meal... Spaghetti! Actually Chris only really likes to eat TWO meals... Taco's and Spaghetti. We have radically different eating habits. Me- mini-meals of fruit, lots of salads, oatmeal and tofu. Chris- two giant meals of  anything made with ground beef,  and ice cream. We actually rarely sit down and eat a meal together. If we do it is at a restaurant. And it is very hard to find a restaurant that satisfies us both.

Yesterday was a BUSY day. The kids get out at 12noon on Wednesdays. Yesterday was nice and hot and I thought it would be fun to go to the pool. I loaded the van up and we were there by 1:10. Baby Lucy was tired and I was hoping that she would sleep in the shade so I could lay out in the sun. No such luck. She was tired and didn't WANT to sleep- not even when I laid her down in the shade on a nice soft blanket. She was FUSSY and wanted me to HOLD HER. Holding a baby is not fun to do in the hot sun. Or in the shade when what you really want to do is lay in the hot sun. Then the girls both had go to the bathroom- at separate times. So I walked then both to the toilets and back. So basically I spent 2 hours holding a fussy baby and walking children to the bathroom.

We left and of course baby Lucy immediately fell asleep in the van. Once home we had to rush to go to gymnastics. THEN we left gymnastics straight for basketball practice. I was WORE OUT. We didn't get home until 7pm- a quick bath for all of them and chicken nuggets for dinner. I DID stop and get them all a chocolate shake on the way home from practice!  It was then that I made the realization that Sophia didn't do her homework yet. So we did Homework from 7pm-8pm and then it was bed time!! For ALL OF US.

Today was a little more laid back- I did school work with Vangie this morning, some light housework and then took the kids to the library after they got out of school.

I signed Chris and I up to run the North Shore Marathon on May 1st. I am going to get a babysitter to watch the kids on Saturday Mornings so Chris and I can do our "long runs" together. Instead of "Date Night" we will have "Date run"!!!

Here is a picture of th "pre-flight" check-list I made for the kids... it is so they know if they are ready for school in the morning... Now when they ask me if they can watch cartoons in the morning I can refer them to this checklist to see if they have done everything!

Yesterday After Church  on Sunday the family and I drove around the island to check out the BIG WAVES (30 plus feet) on the North Shore.

It was very beautiful and amazing to see how big and powerful the waves are. And it was very neat to watch the surfers catch the big waves.


We got out of the car and walked along the beach, we talked about how AMAZING it is to live on this island in the middle of the Ocean.


Joey  was suffering from Car Sickness and didn't want to come out and run on the beach so we left him in the van to babysit Lucy.

On the way home we stopped at Costco to buy more fresh fruit for our Vitamix Smoothies. Then we relaxed and had a fun evening. Today is Martin Luther King day and a Day off for Both Chris AND the kids!!!

The kids had their first basketball game yesterday. They both had a fun time playing. This is Joey's 2nd year playing and he has improved SO MUCH. He is really a "team leader" and takes the ball down the court a lot, and you can tell he knows what is going on. This is Sophia's 1st year playing.... and she doesn't really know what is going on at all! She is learning more and more every time she plays. Yesterday she even shot the basketball! Here she is warming the bench: 

The Lucy, Chris, Vangie and I were watching the game with excitment!

If you notice in the picture above, Lucy is wearing a bib. That is because she is a super drooler lately!!! She isn't even getting any teeth yet, but still the drool is flowing. What a cutie.

Joey and the kids still love, love love to hold little Lucy. Here Joey is giving her lots of kisses:

Lucy was smiling and laughing at Joey, and grabbing his face when he gave her kisses.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I bought our family a Vitamix blender. I have been using it SO MUCH. I been making the kids a lot of healthy smoothies. Sophia loves cantelope and banana smoothies. Joey loves blueberry smoothies. My Vitamix was one of the best investments I have made in a LONG time, I LOVE IT!!!

I get so excited when I think about what our future holds for us. Heck, even thinking about tomorrow makes me happy- I live in Hawaii!!! The weather is awesome!!! It's the weekend!! My husband has the weekend off!!! We'll go hiking!!!  2011 is going to be a GREAT, EXCITING YEAR!!!

I am so happy not to be pregnant and SICK like I was this time last year.... that was horrible. I am also so very happy my Sister DIANA, who is due with her 1st child on July 1st!!! Is also NOT sick. Thank God she doesn't suffer from morning sickness like I did!  And I am so very, very excited to be in Michigan when she has her baby!!! But that is getting really ahead of myself. Let's just stick with January.

Today Joey's teacher told me that they (she and the principle) have decided to move Joey into the "advanced" second grade class. He picks things up very quickly and is often done with his work early- so this class will hopefully keep him busy and challenged! I asked Joey how he felt about being moved and he said that he was fine with it- but a little sad because he would miss his friends and teacher.

Chris went shopping the other day and bought Lucy a onesie to match his UNIFORM!
Here are the twins.... look at those CHUBBY THIGHS! (on the baby, not Chris.)  I think Lucy is going to have curly hair like Evangeline. That darned "curly hair gene"... where does it come from??

Here is a picture of Lucy showing off and doing a push-up... she is starting to skooch her way across the floor on her belly. You can also really see her eyes in this picture... Are they brownish green??


When the kids were in school Vangie and I ran some errands and ended up at Costco. Since the new year one of resolutions has been to eat more fruits and veggies. (you can read more about THAT on my fitness blog, www.schmitthappens.net/myruunning ) Anywho.... I loaded up the cart with fruits and veggies and was thinking to myself how much I wanted a Vitamix blender (the blender or ALL blenders!!) and then, when I turned the corner.... THERE HE WAS!


(that is not really the guy.... I found this picture on the Internet, but you get the idea...) I have been wanting a Vitamix blender since JOEY was a baby.... but I always talked myself out of it. Well, today was the day!!! "Valerie" my Vitamix is now a very loved member of the Schmitt house.

I have already used Valerie twice today. The first use was to make the kids a fruit smoothie. I mixed up frozen berries, a frozen banana and some BROCCOLI...it tasted awesome and they NEVER knew the Broccoli was there. BawHahahahaha.Then I made myself some SOUP. Did you know that Valerie can also make WARM soup? I mixed up red peppers, some pumpkin and again some broccoli. Again, it was AMAZING! 

Today Lucy Delila had her 4 month check-up! It's crazy that 4 months have passed already.... but so much has happened that sometimes I feel like it's been MORE than 4 months.


First of all, Lucy has been rolling ALL OVER THE PLACE for over a week now. I lay her down on her belly and then she rolls over right away. She is also trying to lift herself up and pull herself along... she will be crawling very soon.

She tipped the scales at almost 15 lbs and is 24 inches long... I think.... I know she is around the 75th percentile for both height and weight.

Besides being an EXPERT roller-overer, she smiles and talks to everyone. She is the HAPPIEST baby! Her brother and sisters love her SO SO SO much and still fight over who gets to hold her. Lucy is one of the most hugged and kissed baby in the world.


Today Papa and Grandma fly back to the Mainland. They have been here for two weeks and we have stayed very busy and done some very amazing things. Yesterday we took them on a mountain hike to see a waterfall and today I drove them out to the North Shore to see the big waves and eat some famous North Shore Shaved Ice.  What a fun time we had with them here! My house will seem empty after they leave.

Aloha friends and family!  Sorry for not posting in a few days- with visitors here I have been busy.

Last week we took Papa and Grandma on a Lunch time Whale Watching tour! We net our ship and boarded around 1130am. The cruise was from 12noon to about 2:30pm. We were "Guaranteed" a whale sighting- and we DID see one! (Well, I personally didn't, I was in the cabin with Lucy at the time- but everyone else did and I heard it was very awesome.) We were served lunch while we were sailing out to our whale viewing sight in the "Dinning room" The kids LOVED it. The had so much fun eating lunch at sea and running around the boat. Here they are (below) in the boat dinning room.


Here are Papa and Grandma and Vangie and Sophia out on the deck watching for whales (and getting wet)


A couple days after our Whale Watching tour we went to the Polynesian Center to eat dinner and watch a Lu'au.


Joey got a tatoo while we were there:

































I drank out of a pineapple. And here is a picture of Lucy with her flower necklace:

Don't let Lucy's sour expression fool you, she is having a fantastical time!!!

This morning (Saturday) we all got up at 5am and hiked Diamond Head. I thought that getting there early we would beat the crowds. I neglected to take into account the 2,000 tourists who got there to watch the sun rise.... I have NEVER seen the top so crowded! Once all the sunrise catchers left it was a lot nicer. Then we ate breakfast at IHOP, and went to the swap meet so Papa and Grandma could get gifts for people back home.... fun times!

On Friday we took Grandpa and Grandma to the Macadamia Nut Farm at Tropical Farms in Kaaawa, (Yes, this is spelled right, it has three "A's" in a row....). It was the first time that Chris and I had been there also, and it was GREAT! They have a small store filled with neat things, jewelry, nuts, coffee, jams... with lots of free samples of the coffee and nuts. There were chickens roaming around outback that the kids thought were really cool.




Here is a picture of Sophia cracking open her own Macadamia nuts while the chickens run around.






























After looking around the store we all boarded a small bus and took a tour of the island. The driver would stop at different plants and tell us what they were and what they are used for. He made Joey a necklace using the Te plant leaves.










We stopped half way through the bus ride and a show was performed for us. They showed us how to start a fire- and how to twirl fire! They also cut open a coconut so we could taste coconut milk and the coconut flesh.


































They made all of the children and ladies beautiful flower crowns to wear on our heads.

After the show we boarded the bus again and continued our tour around the farm. The driver pointed out where several TV shows and Movies had been filmed- such as Lost, Fantasy Island, You Me and Dupree and 50 First Dates amongst several others. The farm was SO beautiful! Here are some pictures of the amazing view: