new wheels

grace got some new wheels!!! good thing we don't have a chimney, i don't know how he would have fit the jeep in there! she is on the verge of figuring out the tricycle. it is perfect for our back lanai. and the jeep, well, that is a gracie-daddy thing. ric picked it out (and told santa), decorated it with the stickers, and thank goodness grace always asks him to go out side to drive. she still needs to work on using the steering wheel.

christmas morning

what a morning. grace finally got to open up her dollhouse from grandma and papa blackard. i can't believe it stayed wrapped by the tree without her peeking. she had a fun morning running around playing with all her new toys.

growing up fast!!!

our little girl is turning into a little lady. just look at all the changes. even santa has changed a little!!

Santa Hawaiian Style

we went to hilo yesterday to see santa and go to the mall. before leaving, i talked to grace about seeing santa and talking to him and telling him about what toy she would like for christmas. 2 weeks ago we saw a santa at wal-mart and had to beg her to get near him. she refused to smile.

so we weren't expecting too much . when we got to santa, we sat on a bench and watched him for a while. then when we got in line to see him (only a guy and girl in front of us) she just bypassed them and walked right up to santa and got in his lap like it was no big deal!! he was a great santa, talked to her and she told him "doll". then we took some pictures and he gave her a piece of candy. and we all left happy and not scarred for life.

have you seen ric's picture with santa......now that is being scarred for life.

O Christmas Tree

last weekend we went to a tree farm and picked out our Christmas tree. we went back this past friday and cut it down. i think we have a new family tradition!!! the tree farm is at the very top of koloko, (above kona). since it is a high elevation, it was pretty chilly up there. ric busted out the flannel for the occasion, and grace wore her favorite jean jacket from grandma. ric did the actual cutting, as gracie looked on. then we loaded onto a 4-wheeler, and off it went to our truck!! the only way our day could have been better is if we had some hot cocoa to drink....but there is always next year. ;)

3 months later....

we are still behind on getting our pictures from out trip downloaded. hopefully soon. hopefully.

ready for biscuits and gravy

grace and i are off to visit friends and family for a few weeks.

grace will FINALLY have real biscuits and gravy. hopefully i will get a lesson on how to make them too!!

we are officially on holiday.

here are some pictures of grace in her kimono she got from my friend randy. she loves wearing it.

wordless wednesday

fantastick farm fair

a few weeks ago we went to the annual farm fair.

a little different from last year, not as many animals, but grace enjoyed the rides more. she even won a few stuffed animals. ric got a fantastick plate lunch. grace had cotton candy for the first time and didn't know what to do with it. she was kind of freaked out by it and wouldn't eat it. but she loved just carrying it around.

the official day

we celebrated grace's birthday this past monday, taking advantage of labor day weekend. on her "real" birthday, mom had to work, and dad had a conference. so that day was pretty mellow. she did have a birthday phone call from grandma and papaw, aunt patsy & uncle jimmy, sissy, and granny & nick. we got her some balloons too. she opened her package from grandma and papaw......LOVED the purse. got a card from aunt judy with money to put in her purse. then she got a package from auntie lily.....with the cutest bathing suit ever made, complete with a matching cover-up. auntie patti called , but couldn't reach the busy birthday girl....sorry! the grace spent the evening with the borg's, where she opened presents with them. thanks to the borg family for making her day special!!!!

birthday at the beach

grace turned two, and we celebrated with a birthday picnic. the sunset was gorgeous, ric made his famous teri burgers, and a good time was had by all.......especially the birthday girl who had her first cupcake all to herself.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA!!!!!

wordless wednesday

wordless wednesday

this past weekend we joined our church for a retreat at volcano national park. we had a great time, and the weather was perfect. a few sprinkles, but no heavy rain. and a nice chill in the air. grace had a ball, all of her favorite people were there. she was smiling the whole time!!!

Farewell Flossy

after trying not to freak out over the hurricane heading our way, then freaking out, nothing happened. all we got was this beautiful sunset. it didn't even rain until today, and that was not for long. i just kept remembering how scarry it was when i lived on Kauai and Iniki hit...HARD. so i am very happy to not be filling the tank of the toilet so i can flush.

she finds sea shells....

we went to the beach and grace followed ric around exploring the tide pools. in these pictures, she is looking for shells, that actually ric is putting in front of her after he eats the opihi. she FINALLY found one, and the look on her face was priceless.

one for me...two for you

a few days ago i made grace a quesadilla for lunch. she opened it up and picked out all the black beans and ate them. then asked for more. so instead of waisting another tortilla, i just scooped some and put them on her plate. i was in the living room when she started laughing. then she started belly laughing. i peeked around the corner to see her tossing the beans in the air to watch lehua jump for them. GREAT!!! i told her not to toss any more beans. then she looked at me, nodded her head, then began gently handing them to lehua. not exactly what i had in mind. now we all know why they are best friends.

lunch time

lunch time went from messy, to neat. so i put away all the bibs. and now it is messy again. this is how we enjoy tomato soup and grilled cheese.

dressing.....and UNdressing

guess who learned how to take off everything, down to the diaper?