This is us

Hawaii Trip

2010-05-05T11:17:00.000-07:00

I know that I'm always behind in posting but here is our trip pictures from Hawaii a few weeks ago. We had a blast! (Below is the view of the bay as we were walking down to the beach to get in)

Monday we went to Hanauma Bay to snorkel. It was a wet and somewhat rainy morning and the water was freezing because of it! I think I turned completely purple but I wasn't willing to get out of the water because it was so neat. I've never been snorkeling in the ocean before and it was a little strange and scary at first. But after seeing tons of fish swimming around right by me, I got really excited and had a ton of fun.

The view from the beach

See the black clouds?

Done and frozen!

After the Bay we went to Waikiki to hang out at the beach. We rented a Peddle Boat and went out in the ocean. The water is so clear that you can see anything swimming below you. We saw a couple of sea turtles and I saw a sting ray!

As we were getting out of the boat at shore, all of these little Hawaiian kids came up to us and started climbing into our boat! We kept telling them to get off and go away because we wanted to get a picture but they wouldn't leave! Finally we ended up having to push the boat back out into the ocean to get away from them for a picture. I guess they are there every night because their dad plays volleyball. No one bothers to watch them while they are bugging people on boats. Weird little leeches! Seriously it was bizarre.

On Tuesday we went to the Dole Pineapple Plantation. I enjoyed all of the pictures of fruit and flowers. I don't think Jake enjoyed it much until we bought some pineapple from the gift shop....it was soooooo good!!

After the pineapple plantation we drove over to North Shore before heading to the temple and Ploynesian Cultural Center.

It took us a minute to notice these two sea turtles sunbathing on the beach!

Hang loose...it's a Hawaiian thing I guess!

This beach is the one where they have surf competitions at. We could see the "Volcom House" where professional surfers hang out from the beach. These waves are so strong and so close to the shore that it's really dangerous to go out in them. Trust me I know because a few days later we came back and I got taken out by a wave while I was sitting pretty far away from the water! I was sitting on a boogie board watching the waves and one surprised me...it moved me over a bit and got my towel wet!

These waves break right at the shore and crash into it hard. You can't tell from these pictures but there is a huge hill down to the ocean because the waves move so much sand to create a steep slope.

When we were leaving the beach we saw Jamika Star who is a professional surfer. She has won many awards for riding some of the tallest waves. She was also a complete weirdo hippie!! Her son was with her (3 yrs old?) and he was wearing a hawaiian print button up shirt. That's it! No diaper or underwear to cover up his you-know-what! Yikes....who does that seriously? She also had quite the mustache!

Next we went to the Temple. It's closed for renovations right now. I guess it's a really old temple that needed some updating pretty badly.

Then we headed over to the Polynesian Cultural Center. Here we are waiting for the boat ride.

Water parade...

One of the shows

With the cast

Our new tattoos :)

This picture was for Joslyn...she loves ice cream!

The evening show.

The following day we went on a submarine tour in Waikiki. It was pretty fun but I doubt I'd ever waste the money to do it again. Luckily we got a huge discount on our tickets.

Waiting for the boat to take us to the submarine.

Fish I could see from the boat dock.

Views from the boat.

The submarine

Underwater views

Sunken ship or plane

Sea Turtle hanging out

Back on the boat.

We are at least a mile from shore at this point and here is where the surfers hang out. I've never swam that far out into the ocean and I can't believe they have to go so far out to get ANY waves. The beach area is very still with hardly any waves at all.

This looks fun

View of Diamondhead

Nursing School, here I come!

2010-03-31T09:38:00.000-07:00

I have been working hard the last 6 months trying to get all of my pre-reqs done to apply for the nursing program. I took the entrance test last week and scored really well. It was such a relief. It took a few days to turn in all of my paperwork because the advisors were never there! I finally got it all worked out and got put on the waiting list yesterday. So now I wait...they say a minimum of 3 semesters (about 18 months). It's so exciting to be on the list and I don't mind the wait since I know I'll for sure get there now!

A home projects blog

2010-02-16T21:42:00.001-08:00

I started a home projects/crafts etc. type of blog if anyone is interested in seeing it. http://hugheshomeprojects.blogspot.com/

We're moving.....again!

2010-01-21T15:26:00.000-08:00

Just thought I'd let everyone know that we are moving to Tempe in March. My parents are moving to Gilbert and we are going to rent their Tempe house.

More overdue pictures

2009-11-19T18:34:00.001-08:00

My grandpa doing "Grandpa's little baby" to Joslyn. It was a favorite memory of mine from when I was a kid. October 09

Cash's birthday...he didn't like it when his hand got dirty!

He looks like he's trying to blow out his candle

His new guitar

On the beach in San Diego....he loved the water!

July 09

My birthday dinner in San Diego

Sea World

Sea World kid rides in sesame street land

Uncle Eric

A penguin we met

More at the beach

At a show

Lisa and I at the American Idol concert in July

Camping for family reunion in June

Summer fun in the pool

Cute pictures of my kiddos

Camping in the rain over memorial day

Joslyn's 3rd Birthday PartyEaster egg coloring

The egg hunt
Disney on Ice

Easter bunny at the mall

One night we played baseball in the backyard for a while. Joslyn had a blast! Feb. 09

long overdue---pictures from 2009

2009-11-18T19:53:00.000-08:00

My brother in law is making a book for Christmas from 2009 so I am posting these for him to use! The latest pictures of Joslyn. She is such a poser! These were in October.

Last March we went to my cousin's endowment session in the Fresno, California temple. He was preparing for his mission. We stayed the weekend and had tons of fun at the beach and with my Grandma Miles.
Love this one of us!

Uncle Ryan
While we were in San Diego in July, we attempted to get a picture of the grandkids for my parents. The kids weren't very cooperative so this is the best we got!

I really like this picture I took of my brother in our condo in San Diego. It suits him!

San Diego Trip

2009-08-06T22:13:00.001-07:00

We were able to get out of the heat for an entire week and go to San Diego to my grandparents time share. It was probably the funnest trip I've ever been on with my kids. We were all so sad to come home. Luckily, my parents got suckered into a timeshare presentation while we were there and they decided to buy into it! I guess that means we will be going back in a couple of years! Anyway, I don't know how I pulled it off but I convinced Jake to take some family pictures on the beach before we left. Thanks mom for being our photographer. I will post more pictures of the trip when I get them downloaded! One of my absolute favorites!! One to print and blow up for sure!

The waves were gi-normous that night! We were all pretty wet when it was all over.Another one I love~ Anyone know where I can buy an odd-shaped frame?
Grandpa and Grandma getting my children wet during our session!!

Awesome Concert!!

2009-07-21T22:50:00.001-07:00

Last night Lisa (my sister) and I went to see the American Idols Live concert in Glendale. It was soooooooo good! Even some of the singers that I didn't care for much on TV (Megan!) I thought sounded amazing at the concert. It was so much fun! The sad thing was that every time Adam's name was mentioned or if his picture came on screen, everyone would cheer soooo loudly for him. Then when Kris would be singing or on the screen, people wouldn't cheer half as loudly. Then, after the concert, someone's car said, "Adam is the REAL idol!" Yeah right!! Kris, we know you're awesome!

Matt Giraud

Matt again
Lil Rounds--she finally sang the right songs for her voice!

Cash at 9 months...

2009-06-25T19:02:00.000-07:00

I will post more soon!

Happy Father's Day Jake!

2009-06-21T14:04:00.000-07:00

To my husband this father's day...Jake, you are a wonderful father. You have our sweet girl wrapped around your finger. Every day when you are at school, she will ask when you are coming home. She also will bring you into random conversations..."I better take my shoes off when I'm on the couch, my daddy says." "I want some regular milk like my daddy." "I want to put my underwear on like daddy does"...(as she loses her balance and falls over!) In her prayers each night she asks that her Daddy will get a job and that he will sleep good. These are just some of the things that I hear from her on a daily basis. When you are home, she loves to "Beat you up." She is full of laughter and giggles when she's trying to beat you up.

When you were out of town for a few weeks working, Cash would get so excited to hear your voice on the phone. He would clap his hands and grin from ear to ear. Now that you're back, he loves to see you first thing in the morning while you are so kindly letting me sleep in.

Our children are so lucky to have you as their dad. If they grow up to be half the person that you are, I will be so proud! They are already so much like you. I see it more and more each day.

I am also a very lucky girl to have you as my husband. You are so caring and loving to me. You always put me first and think of me even when I don't do the same. When I start to gossip or say something negative, you always put me in my place! I love that you're a good example to the scouts you're over and I love to see you interact with the boys. It shows me how you'll be with our kids when they're older. I love that you care what our house looks like and that you don't just expect me to clean it all every day by myself. You ALWAYS help me and I appreciate it so much! You support me in everything that I do. You never fail to have good business advice for me when I need it. I love your sence of humor and I love that you've been wearing a hat again lately, it reminds me of when we first met and you're sooooo hot!! I love that your mind never stops thinking about ways to take care of our family and to further our lives. I love that you love my family! You are always looking for ways to get them good deals on updating their house and that you do so much work for them and never expect anything in return. I love watching you with your own mother and seeing how much love and respect you have for her. You never leave the dinner table to go watch sports with the guys while us women clean up, but you stay and help us and your mom until the job is done. I love that since I don't like to cook big breakfasts, you cook something from time to time. I love how driven you are and how good you are at talking to people. I love that you make me feel safe and secure even when our lives are changing in a crazy whirlwind. You have a plan and you won't stop until you have acheived and succeeded in that plan.

I could go on and on about all of the things that I love about you but I don't want you to get a big head!! Just know that I love you and I love the father that you are and I am excited to watch our kids grow up and learn all that they can from you! Happy Father's Day!

Cash is 6 months old!

2009-03-29T22:37:00.000-07:00

Wow! Time sure flies! I can't believe my little guy is already 6 months old! He's trying so hard to crawl right now. He gets up on his hands and knees and rocks for a bit and then decides to plop down and just scoot where he wants to go. I started him on baby food this week. He really likes it. He caught on really quickly and opens his mouth wide for more...he's been grabbing at our food for so long but now he finally gets to taste his own. He also got his first tooth. I was sitting at church today and he started to suck on my hand and I felt something sharp, I looked in his mouth and there was a little tooth poking out! I can't believe I didn't know it was coming...it didn't seem to bother him! This is random but does anyone need a fridge/freezer for their garage? Let me know...it's free for the taking!
He loves this "flying" position

Sickness, sickness, sickness!

2009-03-04T07:02:00.000-08:00

I know it's been forever since I last posted. Things have been crazy busy for us. A few weeks ago, I started feeling dizzy. I just figured it would go away and it wasn't too annoying so oh well. Also Joslyn started crying every time she went to the bathroom and complained that her bum hurt. It took me a couple days to realize that she didn't really mean her bum but she meant her "potty" was hurting. At that point I figured she had a urinary tract infection. It was a Saturday and so I figured I'd wait to take her in until Monday so she could see her regular Doctor. She has had one before so I figured they'd want to schedule more tests. Anyway, It happened to be mine and Jake's anniversary and we were leaving the kids with the Grandparents so we could go out. My mom called during the date and told us Joslyn wasn't doing well...that she was feeling feverish and was crying a ton and really miserable. We went and picked her up and took her to the after hours pediatrician. After 2 1/2 hours, she was finally seen. They said her urine sample showed signs of infection so they put her on an antibiotic. The next night (sunday) I started to get so dizzy that I was afraid to pick up the baby because everything was spinning around me. My mom came out early the next morning to help me with the kids and drive me to the Dr. He said that the inner linning in my nose was swollen and my ears weren't infected but they were out of whack somehow. He told me to take Claritin and he prescribed some nasal spray. I felt better in a day or two.

That wasn't the end of the sicknesses unfortunately. Joslyn started to feel sick last Sunday night with a cold, cough and she started puking on Tuesday so I took her in. The Dr. said she had an ear infection and he put her on the BRAT diet to help the vomiting. I also had them test her urine again because she was still complaining when she went to the bathroom. By Wednesday, she was feeling extremely sick. Her temperature went up to 104.7! She had a blessing and we were giving her tons of medicine and cool baths to cool her down. She felt so much better on Thursday but Cash started coughing and got a runny nose! Figures!

Cash was lucky enough to never get a fever but his voice got so hoarse that he could barely cry! It was so sad to listen to him try to talk or cry. I ended up taking him in on Friday so we wouldn't have to deal with the after hours care on Saturday night. He had an ear infection and the Doctor heard signs of Croop when he'd cry. They ended up giving him a steroid shot to prevent him from having breathing troubles. He is finally starting to feel better now! That had to be the longest week in the world though! It's so hard when Joslyn is sick and wants me to hold her all the time and then Cash will need something. Joslyn would start crying every time I had to take care of Cash and leave her laying on the couch. Oh the joys!

Back to Joslyn's urine test...she did have another UTI so she now has to get an ultra sound and another test where they'll go inside and make sure everything is working right. They put her on a preventive antibiotic every night so she won't get another infection. The worst part is, her V opening (woman part) is closed shut and needs to open to do the tests. I am putting a hormone creme on her that should do the trick but if it doesn't, they will have to open it for her which sounds so awful to me! Keep her in your prayers so she won't have to go through that!

Picture update

2009-02-04T07:22:00.001-08:00

Which ones?

2009-01-20T12:47:00.000-08:00

Hey I need help picking which one of these pictures I should print and frame as artwork on my kitchen walls. I am thinking of printing 2-4 of them. What are your faves?

Disneyland Trip

2009-01-09T18:55:00.000-08:00

We had so much fun at Disneyland. Unfortunately, it was supposed to rain Monday so we had to use our second day tickets on Sunday. There were a ton of people both days we went but Joslyn really enjoyed it. Her favorite part was meeting the princesses. I really enjoyed going to CA Adventure and all of the Christmas decorations, parades and rides. Everything was so festive!

Temple Lights

2009-01-09T13:34:00.000-08:00

We went to the temple lights with Jake's brother and wife, and their 2 kids. Here is a picture of Joslyn and her closest cousin in age Branson.

Ward Christmas Party

2009-01-09T13:29:00.000-08:00

Dec. 13th was our ward Christmas party. It was breakfast catered by Coopers BBQ. It was really good. I want to go there sometime for dinner...anyway, Santa came and Joslyn wasn't scared this year! Here are a few pictures from the party.

Some of Joslyn's friends.

Some of my friends, Maureen and Brittney

Phoenix Light Parade

2009-01-08T12:00:00.001-08:00

We weren't going to go to this parade with my family since we had just gone to the one in Tempe but the day of, we were really bored so we decided to go. Joslyn loved it and it was a way better parade than the tempe one.

Cash is 2 months old!

2009-01-07T19:42:00.001-08:00

Boy does time fly! My little boy is already 2 months old! (Nov. 26th)

Reflux Woes

2009-01-07T19:39:00.000-08:00

Just before Thanksgiving, we found out that Cash has Acid Reflux. They put him on Zantac which worked for a few days and then he went back to normal. He had his 2 month appointment the week after Thanksgiving and they prescribed Prevacid for him. It's so expensive but well worth it! Cash is so much happier now. I have friends who have had to put their babies on formula and use Prevacid...I am so grateful that I only had to use the medicine and not buy formula too!

Cash's Blessing Day

2009-01-07T19:20:00.000-08:00

We blessed Cash in our home November 30th. It was neat to have a bigger crowd of family around us since the Californians were still in town. It was a little different having it at home instead of at church but in some ways it was really nice to have just our family around. Here are some pictures of Cash in his blessing outfit.

F-1 Race Factory

2009-01-07T18:59:00.000-08:00

The boys all went to the F-1 Race Factory after the parade.

Light Parade

2009-01-06T12:14:00.001-08:00

Nov. 29 we went to the light parade on Mill Ave. My parents are big paraders...they go to every parade for every holiday. We brought hot cheesy potato soup to eat while we waited for the parade to begin. Joslyn had a ton of fun waving to everything that passed by.

Uncle Ryan

My Grandma with Joslyn

My cousin Russell

Thanksgiving

2009-01-06T11:57:00.000-08:00

My Aunt, Uncle, and some of my cousins and my Grandma came out for Thanksgiving from California. Lisa was in town too. It was good to see my Grandma because I hadn't seen her in a while. We had a lot of fun while they were all here. Here's some of the Turkey day pictures.

Lisa's baby shower

2009-01-05T17:39:00.000-08:00

When my sister came in town just before Thanksgiving, we decided to throw her a baby shower since she wasn't coming back here before the baby is born. (She did come out with her husband Andy for New Years but oh well). Here's some pictures from her shower.

"My little Teenager!"

2009-01-05T15:54:00.000-08:00

Last month Joslyn said the funniest thing to me which reminded me of how I was to my mom as a teenager. We were playing "memory" (her favorite game) and I was setting the cards up on the floor. Just as I finished, Joslyn takes her pretend cell phone out of her purse and starts talking to someone. We started playing but I was getting annoyed with her being on the phone because she wasn't paying attention and I had to keep telling her it was her turn. So I asked her to get off the phone and play with me or I was putting it away. She looked at me with annoyance and said, "I'm on the phone mom!" Then I said, "hang up!" So she says to her friend on the phone, " I gotta go, I'm playing matching game with mommy." (All said with an attitude!) It was so funny!

Better late than never!

2008-12-29T22:00:00.000-08:00

Well as you can tell, it's been a while since I've posted anything. There is a lot that I need to catch up on so I will start where I left off and maybe eventually I will be caught up! November 8th we had our family pictures taken by a friend/photographer that I know. We've never had our pictures professionally taken (strange I know!) but it was so much fun! Here are some of my favorites.

This one cracks me up!

Photography

2008-11-07T09:27:00.000-08:00

Well it's that time of year again for Christmas Card pictures! I have been pretty busy with pictures the last couple of months and all of my November Saturdays have at least one photo session. I love it! Anyway, if you or someone you know is interested in having pictures taken, please send them to my website so they can contact me or they can post a message here. I would like to book up some Dec. Saturdays and I always have weekdays available too. Here is my site. http://www.photosbykacy.com/ Thanks for helping me spread the word! Oh and the price for family and friends is $75 for in studio or on location in Queen Creek.

Happy Halloween!

2008-11-03T08:43:00.000-08:00

We bought small pumpkins this year & we let Joslyn paint them. She really enjoyed it and didn't want to stop.

Jake's side of our two-faced pumpkin. Scary!

Cash decided to contribute a footprint to the side of our pumpkin!
Joslyn was Snow White...next year I'm going to get creative and make the kids costumes.
A princess can't go without her heels!

We have started a tradition with our friends since we moved in to have an outdoor BBQ on Halloween. This year we went to the Taylor's house to eat before going Trick or Treating.

Cash is 4 weeks today!

2008-10-24T11:04:00.000-07:00

Which one should I blow up for the wall? ( I know...my poor kids will never get away from the camera!)

These pictures were taken a week and a half ago and he's already changed so much!

Family Pictures

2008-10-15T12:30:00.000-07:00

I was dying to get some family pictures taken with Cash in them to put up in our house so I set up my photography backdrop and made my mom take a million pictures of us. I usually don't like pictures that anyone takes of us but my mom did a good job. I guess I have trained her well! Not to mention she was using my good camera! Here are some of the favorites.

Encanto Park

2008-10-15T12:18:00.000-07:00

On Saturday we went to Encanto Park/Island in Phoenix for Jake's company picnic. It was freezing cold and windy but Joslyn had so much fun! Cash stayed all bundled up in his carseat because of the weather.

10 Year Reunion

2008-10-14T15:29:00.000-07:00

Jake's Birthday and class reunion were on October 4th. We weren't planning to go but since I had the baby early and we were going stir crazy in the house, we went to Safford for the reunion. It was nice to see all of Jake's friends from school. Friday night was the football game and an after party and Saturday there was a family picnic at the park and a catered dinner that night.
Joslyn & her friend Sophie at the football game.

There was a train for the kids that was pulled by a 4-wheeler. It was so neat! Those that came to the reunion....yea class of 1998~ Me and Amanda..one of the few people I knew there! Jake & Dustin...

Baby Cash

2008-10-12T11:19:00.000-07:00

Well our little guy is finally here! He arrived on September 26th (one week early!) We are all enjoying him...especially Joslyn who loves to give her little brother kisses and hugs! She is being such a big help with him. I am doing well...especially since he slept so well last night! Here are some pictures.

Finally joined the blogging world!

2008-10-10T14:35:00.000-07:00

My sister was in town this week and helped me get my blog set up. So I guess now I'm officially a blogger! We'll see how often I post...