fun in roanoke

Aiden had a blast visiting Nana Beth and Bobba Steve over the weekend. He played in the yard, he watched the cows in the pasture, he played in the playground, and best of all, he played with a big yellow dump truck his daddy played with when he was little.

Aiden visits SC Rossi, Inc.

Aiden got to visit Bobba Steve's office and had a BLAST. He was very into the machinery and basically like anything that was BIG, YELLOW and made a lot of NOISE.

on the drill field

We went to Virginia Tech over the weekend. A week ago the Cho Massacre took place in Norris Hall. Adam and I had economics in Norris Hall in 1996. I can't think of anything more senseless than this massacre.

In just a few days they had a very nice memorial setup on the drill field. Norris hall was still taped off and surrounded by police cars. It was good to be there both for us and the school.










Little Aiden loved the drill field and he ran like the wind.

shampoo fun

Aiden loves taking a bath but he really dislikes washing his hair. I literally have about 45 seconds to wash his hair before he succeeds in stopping me. So to make more time, I have to come up with games and distractions. Here's one distraction that works well....make a mohawk and let him check himself out in the mirror. He is absolutely fascinated with the mohawk. I think he has a little of his uncle Caleb in him...

aiden and his buddy champe

Last weekend we went to the beach with the Mitchells (Todd, Laura and Champe). It was a nice weekend but still a little too cool for the beach. Aiden had a great time with Champe (2.5 year old) although they didn't really play "together" they played next to each other....probably the next best thing at their age. Champe's dad is Todd Mitchell who lived in the same dorm as Adam during their undergraduate years at VT. Who would have thought they'd take the picture above one day?



Aiden enjoyed climbing this Beach Catamaran. It was a good thing the owner wasn't around...



Aiden and Champe also enjoyed climbing the sand dunes....considering Aiden only started walking about 4 months ago, he was remarkably well balanced going up and down the sand dunes.

aiden's first hair cut

So Aiden got his first "real" hair cut. By "real" I mean we cut more than a few long strands that had gotten in his eyes in the past. He sat on the breakfast table because that room has the best lighting. Adam and I entertained and took pictures while my mom did the cutting. He sat still for a full 3 minutes to get the hair cut. My is very good and efficient with the scissors...she cut carefully and quickly. I thought he wouldn't like to see his hair fall to the ground but he was too preoccupied with the lollipop my mom gave him.

And here is the new look:





After the cut, Adam and I were both depressed that his curls were gone. My mom got mad at us for asking her to cut it and then having second thoughts and regrets.

last day in Kauai 2007

I'm very sad that today is our last day in Kauai. I can't believe its been a month already. Seems like we've only been her for a few days but then at the same time, I notice that Aiden went from taking 5 steps then falling to walking very well. My stomach went from a slight bump to full prego belly. Adam went from a clean shaven, stressed out dude to a scraggly, laid back cool dude.

time with daddy

If only moment likes these could last a lifetime. These two guys are crazy about each other and it shows. This vacation has been very good but I have to say the best part is definitely spending a lot of time with Aiden and seeing him explore, discover and learn new things.

my hawaiian boy

To me, he looks good in anything he wears....but then I am his mom so I guess I could be a little biased. But seriously, does he not look so cool and so cute in this little Hawiian shirt?!

Aloha Juice Bar - my favorite

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. I wish I could buy this juice bar and run it myself. I would never get tired of making juices, smoothies, and shakes. I can't imagine a more healthy, low stress business to own and run.

I found out today that the juice bar actually is owned and operated by Papaya's, a big organic foods store across the street. Its actually located in Ching Young Village in the town of Hanalei.

Hangin with AJ and Nana Beth

Today Nana Beth, Aunt Jeanne, and Aiden went for a walk on Keye Beach. After the walk, Nana Beth and Adam went for a swim while Aunt Jeanne and I watched Aiden. Not 5 minutes after they got in the water, the waves started to get bigger and bigger and bigger. Nana Beth and Adam made it out of the water before it got too crazy but not before it flipped each of them a couple of times. They both looked very relieved to safe and out of the water.

he's got his own agenda

Over the past three weeks, Aiden has vastly improved his walking/running. He rarely falls now and is very good at making sharp turns. Here he is making Nana Beth chase him at the Waimea Canyon lookout.

life is just not fair

Aiden is upset that he can't play outside. Even though our house is on a dirt road, its still very dangerous for Aiden to play in the front yard. Cars, trucks, party mobiles drive buy constantly.

Notice the Hawaiian shirt. I love this look on him. He is cool dude with attitude. Nana Beth got him this shirt to wear in Kauai. Thank you, Nana Beth!

Kilauea Lighthouse

We went to the Kilauea Lighthouse today. The view from the lighthouse is outstanding. It was a cool place to visit but there wasn't much to do. Aiden got to run around a bit and chased the Nene birds (goose really).
The Nene, or Hawaiian Goose, is the state bird of Hawaii. The Nene is actually a relative of the larger Canadian goose, but has evolved very differently in Hawaii. It was originally endemic to Kauai, but had already gone extinct on this island by the time Captain Cook arrived. Fossil records show that previously there had been a large population of Nene in the lowlands of Kauai. The Nene survived on the Big Island and Maui, but came dangerously close to extinction after overhunting and the introduction of alien predators. A breeding program was begun in the 50’s, and the Nene was re-introduced to Kauai. The bird is still an endangered species, but has made a good recovery here.


Looking down from the yard in front of the light house - this is the view. Doesn't look like an area I'd like to surf or swim in.


My free spirited boy enjoying himself thorougly at the lighthouse. Kauai is beautiful and a lot of fun but I think this boy could enjoy himself in convience store parking lot. He just knows how to have fun.

exploring dry cave

Here's Aiden exploring the "dry cave" located on the north shore of kauai. I thought he'd be a little frieghtened by the cave but he wasn't at all. He enjoyed running around the dark.

sacred garden near key beach

We hiked to this ancient garden near Keye Beach (located at the begining of the Na Pali trail and the end of the Kuhio Highway). The ancient Hawaiians used to have important ceremonies at this garden. The view from this garden is just amazing. When you see the view, you know why they picked this spot for important ceremonies.

On the edge of Waimea Canyon

The view into this canyon is just breath taking. I've never been to the Grand Canyon but this canyon certainly looks GRAND to me.

I'm 18 weeks pregnant and boy does it show!


The edge of the canyon is really awesome. The terrain is also pretty interesting...just finely packed red dirt. It kind of reminds me of the planet mars.

wrestling with daddy at anini park

We went to Anini Beach park today. Its a beautiful beach park and its definitely family friendly. The park has expansive grassy areas; both shade and sun for enjoying the water. Snorkeling is good on the other side of the channel. It is a pleasant place to relax and have a picnic. Here's Aiden wrestling Adam. Aiden's trick move (and it works every time) is to pull Adam's ears...boy that painful! Poor Adam.


Aiden running like the wind


Adam enjoying himself at Anini


Bobba enjoying himself at Anini

aiden playing on our deck in kauai

The house we're staying in has a huge deck. I could spend the entire day on the deck just sipping drinks and reading a book. Aiden also likes to spend time on the deck which makes it not so relaxing. It's not that he's too rowdy its that the deck rails were not made using any child-friendly standards - in other words, the gap between the railing and the deck floor is like 7 inches...a small little wiggly kid could definitely fall through.