Dole Plantation

While my mother-in-law was here we visited the Dole Plantation in Wahiawa.  It is an easy place to go to, fairly inexpensive.  The have a huge gift store with many local crafts (many of which you can get at the Swap Meet at the Aloha Stadium if you have time to go), and a great restaurant (a bit pricey but good).  They also have a Garden Tour, a train ride on the Pineapple Express, and a Maze (didn't do that one). 

The koi fish pond is a free attraction, and a big hit, though you have to pay 50 cents for fish food.  Gwyn absolutely loved them.

 

We purchased tickets to go into the garden on an audio tour and for the train. Not bad prices either.  $11 per adult.  Gwyn would see the train engine as we went around curves and yell out "I found it!"

Did you know that the red dirt in Hawaii is decomposed volcanic ash?  I never knew that.  Also, no other crop grows well in it besides pineapples.  Thought that was interesting.

The pineapple photo cutouts are a free attraction as well, so if you wanted to visit Dole without paying any money, you can still do some fun things.  Gwyn thought they were funny.

The garden is worth paying for if you want great pics of your family.  Ideal setting for a photo op. And great flowers.  Gonna have to go back when more is in bloom!

Easter 2011

Here are some pics from our 1st Annual Easter Egg Hunt.  It was chaos, with so many little toddlers running around, but a lot of fun!  Thanks to everyone who came!!

Lots of changes since I was last on...

I had a baby!!  Yes, another addition to our family.  We named him Leo Jameson.  He was born the day after Gwyn's 2nd birthday!  Which will make birthdays a bit of a headache in the future!

Quick recap...During our transition from Virginia to Hawaii, I found out that I was pregnant.  It was a crappy one too, lots of morning (all day) sickness, living in a hotel for 3 months, and raising our little toddler.  Plus, the heat here in HI was almost too much for me.  Hoping that this summer and fall are better since I am no longer preggers.

Have made some great friends here already, wives of hubby's co-workers.  It's weird because many of them also have toddlers.  So instant friends for Gwyn.  Now my life is full of playdates.

Am nursing Leo, which I thought would be easier the 2nd time around but he came with his own set of unique problems.  Still have ups and downs, mostly because he is in the fussy evening stage.  When that eases up we will be moving into the distraction age.  Oh joy!  FYI - the lactation department at Tripler Army Medical Center is too busy to be of any help, so look elsewhere.  I have started going to Le Leche League meetings again.  Plus I have my Facebook friends as a resource.

So, basically I am a SAHM to a 26 mos. old and a 2 mos. old.  We play, I nurse, we water our flowers, Gwyn helps me out doing chores, and we will be attempting to potty train in the next few months.  Wish us luck!

Scrap That Baby

Found a new blog, Scrap That Baby, all about scrapbooking your kids. Each challenge is about your baby. This week's prompt is scrapping the day they were born. Here is my page for that:

Love her!!

This is my darling little girl at the Arlington National Cemetary while we waited for the changing of the guard. Too cute!!

Sick child...need i say more?

Went to the doctor's today. Gwyneth has been sick since before Christmas. But in the last several days her temperature has been hovering around 100.4. And her cough!! Body racking!! So they sucked mucas out to test for RSV and flu, then a chest x-ray as a precaution. All were negative. The doctor thinks it is a virus and they'll know more in a couple of days. So just keep on keeping on.

Photo Shoot at Nordstroms

 
 
 
 

Easter Photo Shoot

Our Miracle has Arrived!

Here is our miracle, Gwyneth Marie, born just over 2 weeks ago. These are her first pictures.