One small step for man . . .

. . . one big milestone for Wiley. We'll let this video speak for itself, as Wiley took his first steps on Tuesday this week. While the video only shows two steps, he has taken as many as five. It won't be long before he's able to keep up with Aden!

Amamas!

While in Hawaii, we had an opportunity to speak to some groups of children. We spoke to four different groups on three different days. Mommy usually did all of the talking during these times. Part of her presentation included a song that is played during a slideshow of pictures. The song is in Pidgin and uses the word "amamas" a lot. After the slideshow is over, Mommy always asks the kids if they can say that word with her - "amamas." Once they do, she tells them that they did a good job and explains what the word means (Happy). We haven't spoken to any kids' groups or heard that song for over a week, but we realized that Aden is listening and picking up more than we realize. This week, out of the blue he started saying (with as much enthusiasm as he had heard it), "Everyone, can you say 'amamas'? Good Job!" It has also evolved into, "Mommy, can you say 'amamas'? Good Job! Daddy, can you say 'amamas'? Good Job!" I think by next Home Assignment, he will be able to give our deputation talk for us.

Race For the Cure

This past Saturday, we all participated in the Susan Komen Race for the Cure in Tulsa. There were a lot of activities going on, as well as a 5K Fun Run/Walk and a One Mile Walk. Our whole family went together to represent Grandma, and to help future and current fighters of breast cancer.We had a good time in the process riding in the wagon with our cousins. Most of the group did the One Mile Walk. Mommy and Daddy with Aunt Andrea though did the 5K Run/Walk. Mommy and Daddy hadn't run in a long time so said they would probably walk for at least part of it. However, their pride got the best of them and they ran the entire 5K. With literally no warm up runs beforehand, this 3.2 miles was quite an accomplishment. All of a sudden though, they are walking around funny and say they can't hardly bend over to pick us up. It was fun though, and we hope to make it an annual (for us it will be every other year) event of our family. Here are some pictures from that day.

And so the journey ended..or did it just begin?

We left Hawaii on Monday night and arrived into Oklahoma on Tuesday morning. We had a great time and it turned out to be a very nice way to break up the trip so that the boys could transition slowly into the time changes. While in Hawaii, we spoke nine times but had a lot of free time to see the island. The boys loved going to the beach, of which we spent most of our time at Waikiki and the North Shore (Sunset Beach and the Banzai Pipeline).

Unfortunately the big waves are in the winter, so Aden and Wiley did not get an opportunity to ride the waves. I think they were too busy eating sand at each beach to care. Not sure what that's all about.

We drove around the entire island, went snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, rode a train and ran the pineapple maze at the Dole Plantation (and couldn't believe that they were selling pineapples at a price of 3 for $23 and people were buying them), visited Pearl Harbor/Arizona Memorial, and took in as many sunsets as we could.

On the Big Island, we drove around the entire island, as well as sampled Kona coffee (not the boys, it makes them too hyper), went to the southern most point of the US, saw the massive amount of black lava rock that cover the ground on this island, visited the Hawaii Volcano National Park (although the air quality was reported as being bad for infants and children, not to mention daddy, and we didn't stay too long) and finally...played on every playground that we saw.

It was a great time and one that I am sure the boys will both soon forget if they haven't already (because of their age, not because it wasn't memorable). It was fun to see them enjoying the moment though and I am sure they will never believe mommy and daddy when they tell them someday that they have both been all over Hawaii. In the words of Aden, we close by saying "Ah-woh-ha, Hawaii!" Although, for him I think that actually translates as "Is it time to get on another airplane yet?"

Ah-Puwa! - Not just a name in Hawaii...

How do you get a two year old to brush his teeth? It's not always easy, but we have found a way that seems to work most of the time. When Aden is denying that he is tired and ready for bed, asking him to come brush teeth does not usually sound too appealing and it is met with either a "NO!" or simply running away to hide. However, when daddy changed the question to asking him if he wants to come spit, a two year old boy can't seem to refuse. He comes running. Ah-Puwa! is the sound of spitting. He hasn't actually learned how to spit, but that is the sound we make to represent what we are doing. After a good brush and a few 'Ah-Puwas', he knows that the bedtime story is next. It has worked well for Aden so far, but we will see in a year if Wiley is so easy.

Front Row Seat

This morning was the first Sunday service of our three month deputation tour. We decided it would be best to pass Wiley to Grandpa Ben, who was happy to hold him. Aden, on the other hand, selected a front row seat. Mommy and Daddy were a little nervous and asked him several times to make sure he really wanted to sit front and center. But since that's where Mommy and Daddy were sitting, that's where Aden wanted to stay. We told him repeatedly that we would leave him there while we got up to speak, and he would have to sit quietly . . . but he still wanted to stay on the front row.

So, we got up to speak not knowing if Wiley would catch a glimpse of Mommy and cry out for her, or if Aden would start running around or whining. Wiley was a bit squirmy in Grandpa's arms, but did just fine and was very quiet during the service (especially once Grandpa stood up in the back). Aden stayed on the front row, and never uttered a peep! In fact, he sat and listened to the entire presentation, and gave Daddy a big, supportive grin every time they made eye contact. Of course, we can't expect this from them with every service, but today we watched our well-behaved boys with pride (and awe)!

Waikiki

Aden and Wiley have had quite a few adventures in the last couple of months . . . so many, in fact, that we've been unable to keep up with the blog! Together we've been around the world and back again, in countless airports and airplanes (though no matter how many hours or how many planes, Aden never seems to tire of them); we've been to parks, driven over bridges and through tunnels, ridden buses and boats, adjusted to too many time zone changes, and now we've finally landed.

For a couple of weeks, life seems to be slowing down a bit. The boys have discovered the joy of the ocean and the sand here in Hawaii and can't get enough! While our time here has been a much needed bit of a break (even though Mommy and Daddy are speaking during our stay here), it could be the calm before the storm as we begin our tour of the US over the next few months.

The Quilt

Of course, Wiley loves it already!