Discovery Center!

 Figuring out where the bones go.  Amelie was so proud of herself as she figured out where the bones went and felt the bones inside her body.  It's so fun to watch that little brain learn

 Looking for jungle animals with Oliver's friend Ellie

 Found one!

 Amelie picking flowers

Gardening

 Ollie in the "India" area perfecting his sewing skills.  They also had stamps here which Ollie interpreted as tattoos and stamped his whole arm:)  I love the India area too

 Ollie being the Filipino bus driver

Ami looking pleased with herself and her new hat.  Seriously that face kills me.  She of course had to bring tea and cupcakes from another area in the bus.  Only the best when you're in the bus

 In the Korean area trying on shoes

 I told him to smile for his Auntie Laura who served a mission there.  He made this face and I said what is that?  And he said, mom, it's like Kung Fu Panda.  Haha

 Amelie trying on some Korean clothes.  And the thumb as always:)

 Ollie decided it was only fitting to bust some moves in the Japanese area with his awesome shirt on

 Yes!

 Serving up some Chinese food

 Amelie and her friend Maisy hard at work

 I was watching the surf at Ala Moana through the window

 Yum-o

 The great wall

 Babies of every culture.  Amelie was beside herself with happiness.  Until we couldn't take them all home

 I love that they have an airplane area because frankly, airplanes are a way of life when you live in Hawaii.  The kids had fun taking turns being the pilot. 

 Being a shipmate

 A stowaway

 Oliver could totally be a little sailor.  I seriously want to get him into lessons asap. 

Pilot of the plane.  I asked, where are we going?  And both kids said California!!!  And then they both proceeded to tell me who they would visit when we get there.  When Amelie realized that we weren't in fact going to see grandma and grandpa and nana and papa, there were some tears.  I need to get myself a plane I think:)

And I had to put in a video of Amelie because she is just so funny.  We've been looking back on videos of when Oliver was little and I had so many up and with Amelie I just haven't been as good.  She is just irresistible most of the time.  And that little voice.  I'm going to miss this one day. 

I got a year pass to this museum and it's such a fun place to take the kids.  They just love it.  It's fun to meet friends here and just let the kids run wild.  This is only the top floor of the museum.  We didn't even get to the bottom floor so I'll have to take more pics next time.  Hawaii is such a melting pot of cultures.  It's so fun to introduce the kids to all these different people and traditions.

Happy Father's Day

The kids this morning with our father's day breakfast.  We wish we could have brought some to Papa and Grandpa too:)  We had cheesy eggs, bacon, waffles with cinammon syrup, strawberry topping, and whipped cream.

I am lucky enough to have amazing father's in my life.

My father-in-law Burnett is just one amazing guy.  He is always so fun to talk to and always has interesting things to say.  I appreciate his example to be faithful and obedient and have lots of fun while you do it.  He is an amazing father to his boys, I have seen it firsthand.  You can tell that because those Facer boys are special, and I think it has a little something to do with their dad.  He is also an amazing Papa to my babies, and loves them a lot.  We miss having Papa around. 

My Dad is one of my very favorite people.  Everyone who knows my dad loves him.  He's just got that ability to make everything fun and make everyone feel apart of it.  I always remember going to bed every night listening through the walls to the Star Trek opening song.  It was such a weird comfort to me knowing my dad was there, just eating his vanilla ice cream, holding the fort down.  My dad has had a lot of success in his life but I know that for him, no other success compares to that of his children.  He is one proud dad.  My dad knows how to make life special, even when it's not perfect.  He knows how to make the best out of a situation and look at the bright side.  He is such a good grandpa to my kids.  He takes every opportunity to spoil them or try to make them smile.  We miss our grandpa/dad a lot these days. 

Now I get to talk about the father of my kids:)  Ryan is a great father.  He knows how to set an example, build their confidence, and have a lot of fun.  He is constantly playing pretend (puppets, puppies, chickens, monsters, flying) with the kids, Amelie will try and have me join in but just give up because lets face it, Dad's are just more fun.  He will send me texts just saying, "I miss you and those babies.  Tell them I can't wait to hang out with them when I get home".  Ryan never tires of being with his kids.  He doesn't keep score about who had them all day (like he did yesterday) and takes advantage of the time he gets with them.  I know its hard for him to be at work but he never compains about waking up super early, working 12 hour days and not getting to surf nearly as much as he should:)  His top priority is us and no one can mistake that.  Ryan also has an amazing testimony and has no problem sharing it as often as he can.  What a great example he is to our little ones.  They're going to be great missionaries just like their dad.  He also loves me endlessly.  What better example from a father to his son about loving his wife, or to his daughter about how she should be loved.  Ryan is our protector and our biggest fan and that makes him the best father around.

I know that most of the world doesn't consider their Heavenly Father a literal father.  I do.  He is a perfect father with perfect love for his children.  All the amazing, good, and beautiful things I have in my life are from him.  He loves me enough to know what husband I needed, what kids he would trust me with, and the simplest details that make life beautiful for me.  There are so many needs that are unspoken yet he truly understands me and can comfort me when no one else can.  Isn't it amazing to know that someone is in charge and his plan is perfect.  I am so grateful for that knowledge I have.  I hope I can be a better missionary to share these beautiful truths to others.  We all deserve to know.          

Visitors are the best!

 Up the trail of Diamond Head hike

 A gorgeous lookout spot that almost gave me a heart attack

 Beautiful views in every direction.  We were all so hot and sweaty by this time but so excited to be on top of the world!

 Trying to spot sharks.  Or maybe a sea turtle or two. 

 Devin was my surrogate husband helper cause Ryan had to work this day.  He tag teamed Ami with me.  I can't begin to describe how many funny/exhausting moments we had trying to get up that mountain.  I love being with Andrea because we can just have these crazy moments where we both burst into tears/laughter over the silliest things.   

 Seriously this girls face.  She is going through a major "by myself" phase.  You love it and hate it.  Mostly love it though.

 Oliver is into the "being cool" stage in life.  I swear we've got a preteen on our hands at times with him.  He thinks tattoos are the coolest, refuses to wear a shirt (but must have one over his shoulder) and insists on wearing a hat at a tilted angle.  Notice how he won't crack a smile in most pics.  He is still my sweetheart boy though.  That kid has a heart of gold. 

We hit this beach a few times and the kids loved it because it had awesome rocks to climb and lots of sea turtles.

 Mara Jane was totally my bff by the time the trip was over.  It took a little time but she totally warmed up to me and loved playing with me (when her mom wasn't too close by:).  She is so funny and sassy, I can't wait to see her personality come out more and more.  Love that little baby girl!

 Ollie and his perma-shaka

 Gorgeous giant green leaves and the blue blue sky

 Andrea and I got our toes done on a girls night.  It's just so nice having pretty toes:)  Our girls night consisted of hole in the wall sushi (including a fly...don't get me started), a coldstone session that included 9 reeses peanut butter cups (seriously this employee was Coldstone's worst nightmare), and some amazing conversation with one of my favorite girls. 

 Beachtime nap

 This was minutes before that dress came off and I couldn't get her to wear her swimsuit.  My kids+hawaii= nakedness

 These girls were in their element.  There are so many adventures to be had at the beach. 

 Wave!!!

 Ollie was in heaven with Cam and Andin here.  Seriously, they just get along so well.  Ami was SO sad when they left:( 

I wish I would have gotten more pictures but I only brought my camera out a few times because we were just having too much fun soaking in the island with friends.  Having visitors I can already tell will be a huge perk of being in Hawaii.  It's so fun to take people around the island and show them all of our favorite spots.  Andrea and Devin were such easy guests to have.  They cleaned and cooked and bought food, it was pretty wonderful to be honest!  And we get along so well it was just easy and fun to have them around.  We had nightly SNL viewing, many Ted's sessions, surfing, relaxing, shopping, hiking, laughing and beach time galore!  I can't wait for more visitors.  It makes missing family a little easier.  SO grateful to be in our sweet little beach house that has enough room for guests.  We had such a great time, thanks for coming guys.  We LOVE you!

V-land session yesterday

I finally brought our little video camera yesterday to film to boys and got a few good ones.  Here is one of my guy, he's looking good if you ask me:)

Follow the prophet

We got a great video in the car of Ami singing one of her favorite songs "Follow the Prophet".  I can't get over this little girls voice.  She loves to sing super loud and a little off pitch:) 

Our favorite park with friends

 The gang.  Oliver and his friend Brent who just turned 6.  Cameron and Amelie who are good buddies.  My friend Rachelle and I switch off an afternoon a week so we can have some kid free moments to ourselves.  We decided to hit the park today with everyone. 

 AmiJane

 Playing chase with Cameron

 Our beautiful Hawaiian sky

 An umbrella of trees covers this entire park, it is the coolest. 

 There is nothing quite like warm artificial grass and a thumb to get you in the mood for slumber

 More chasing

 Man oh man those eyes

 As you can tell I have mostly pictures of Amelie.  This is one I got of Ollie when he finally took a break from moving to eat something, then he was back at it. 

 This watermelon was sweet and crisp.  I could probably eat the whole thing in a day. 

 He even makes a baby toy look super tough

 This girl cracks me up

 Brent the future heart breaker:)

 Cameron and Ami play so well together.  Cam is super laid back and very courteous so he's always watching out for Ami and making sure he holds her hand.

I love parks that we can go to for 3 hours and still have lots to do.  I always run out of water though so it must always end.  Such a fun day