Why I've been M.I.A. + Big News!

I know it's been awhile since my last update. We have been so busy! We flew from Oahu to Virginia Beach in December. We spent a wonderful Christmas together as a family.. always a blessing but even more so since we couldn't fly home in 2011 when Delilah was born. Then the girls and I spent some time with my family while James flew back to Oahu and finished up everything with the move. He came back in February and we all drove up to Northern VA to start our new adventure! 

Here's what we've been up to..

 

:: We bought our first home! ::

 

:: We shared silly meals with people we love ::

:: We played in the snow on several different occasions.. something we all really missed in Hawaii ::

:: We spend several weeks with a bad cold and spent lots of time snuggling and resting ::

:: We had a wonderful Easter with my parents ::

AND....

 :: Baby #3 due to arrive December 6th, 2013 ::

We are feeling so so so blessed. I say that not to brag but just to give thanks and respect to the ultimate giver of blessings. Thank you God for all you've given us!

Oahu Spots: Hanks Haute Dogs & Giovanni's Shrimp Truck

    I know it has been way too long since I've posted. Life has been kind of crazy getting ready for our move. I am sad (and happy) to say this is probably my last Oahu spot post! I only have two days left on Oahu and they will be spent mostly cleaning and taking care of my babies. After a month with my family and some time getting settled in our new place I'll share with you all the things I love about Northern Virginia. I have high hopes that we will find a lot to share.

   The last few weeks we went to a couple of our favorite places one last time before we leave. These are definitely places to put on your MUST VISIT list if you ever make it to Oahu.


Hanks Haute Dogs - Hank's has been featured on both Diners, Drive ins, and Dives, and Man Vs. Food Nation. It is awesome. I definitely recommend the chicken dog and you mustmustmust get the duck fat fries. They are a little pricey for hot dogs.. just to warn you. They are SO worth it though. My mouth is watering.. I may have to convince James to take me just one more time tomorrow afternoon.




Giovanni's Shrimp Truck - There are a lot of shrimp trucks on Oahu but we heard from everyone when we came here that THIS was the best. It really is everything we hoped it would be. You definitely have to go to the location in Kahuku and NOT Haleiwa because there is a huge difference. We've tried all three kinds of shrimp and they are all worth trying. I personally don't prefer the "Hot & Spicy" because it is really spicy. The flavor is really good, and James gets a half order sometimes because he loves it, but it is a little too much for me. The girls really love the Jumbo Garlic Hot Dog with rice.

Delilah enjoying a Garlic Hot Dog - 2012

James with our lunch - 2012

James on my 22nd Birthday at Giovanni's - 2010

Baby Josie at Giovanni's - 2010

My birthday at Giovanni's - 2010

Our Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone had a really lovely thanksgiving yesterday. We definitely did. We relaxed all morning. We called Mimi (my mom) to say Happy Thanksgiving and Grandma (his mom) to say Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Birthday (I hope you had a great birthday, Mom!). Grandma wanted a picture so we took one while James and I still weren't looking super awesome.

Josie is making that face because she's trying to see her cute little piggie tails.

She loved them and kept asking me to fix them every time they got messed up.

Me and my cute little kitchen helper started prepping and cooking around 10am.

Elbow deep under the skin. I slathered it in a rosemary garlic compound butter that Josie helped me make.

It was my first time making a full sized turkey. I was pretty worried but it was one of the most juicy turkeys I've ever had.

We had stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, warm rolls & butter.

It was well worth the hours in the kitchen and the extra few pounds!

We had a great day together as a family, and a great meal with our good friend Derek. Nothing is more adorable than listening to two grown men watching football, talking about Josie "pee-peeing in the potty".  We missed our family & friends that couldn't be here, but it was still a really great day. Hope everyone had a very happy thanksgiving!

Love is Christmas

This is a song worth listening to.

"Love Is Christmas"

Sara Bareilles

I don’t care if the house is packed,
Or the strings of light are broken.
I don’t care if the gifts are wrapped,
Or there’s nothing here to open.

Love is not a toy, and no paper will conceal it.
Love is simply joy that I’m home.

I don’t care if the carpet's stained; we've got food upon our table.
I don’t care if it’s gonna rain, our little room is warm and stable.

Love is who we are, and no season can contain it.
Love would never fall for that.

We sing oooooooooooooooo
Oooooooooooooo
Ooooooooooooooooooooooo

Let love lead us, love is Christmas.

Why so scared that you’ll mess it up? When perfection keeps you haunted.
All we need is your best my love, that’s all anyone ever wanted.

Love is how we do, let no judgment overrule it.
Love I look to you, and I sing.

Oooooooooooooooooo
Oooooooooooo
Ooooooooooooooooooooo
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Ooooooooooooooooo

Let love lead us, love is Christmas.
Let love lead us, love is Christmas.

Oahu Spot: The Counter

The Counter burgers are delicious and fresh. Totally worth the money.

Mini Burgers were perfectly sized for little hands.

The "Fifty-Fifty" with Fries and Sweet Potato Fries. Both fries were awesome. We all ate our fill and had some left over.

James got a custom built burger with Jalapeno Jack, Bacon, Sauteed Mushrooms, Organic Green Chilis, and Garlic Aioli. He was really pleased to find out the green chilis were the real deal. My New Mexico man was a happy one :)

I got a Backyard Barbeque Burger in a Bowl. It was really tasty but I enjoyed James burger more. I would custom make my own next time.

 All four of us were very happy with our lunch at The Counter and would definitely come here again. I think there is a location near where we are moving in Virginia! I wish we had found this place a few years ago. It was a sit down place that was still on the louder side - perfect for families with small children. If there is a location near you, go try it out! It's worth it :)

*I wasn't paid or compensated for this review. They're just yummy burgers I wanted to share with you.*

My Christmas Playlist

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Target has decked their halls, the mall has up decorations, and as is tradition we decorated this past Wednesday on my birthday. In honor of the start of the holiday season, whether it starts now or after Thanksgiving, here are my top 20 favorite Christmas songs this year. What are your favorites?

Gearing up for the Holidays

Trying to find where I can buy this.. anyone know?

Well the Christmas season starts early in this house. I have been watching Christmas movies, listening to Christmas music, planning out all the presents and decorations. 

I don't care that it isn't even Thanksgiving yet. Who decided you can't celebrate Christmas until after Thanksgiving anyways? I say its all part of the holiday season.



Anyways my pinterest boards are all aflutter with Christmas and gift ideas. I found >this webpage< full of homemade gifts that had lots of great ideas I wanted to share with you. Here's a little of what you could find there.

1. Rosette Necklace - Super cute for any woman or teen on your gift list.

 2. DIY: Monogram Mugs - This one is great for anyone teen and up on your list. Fill them with hot cocoa packets and marsmallows or special tea bags or coffee. 

 3. Socks Owl - Super super cute for any kids in your life. Whooooo wouldnt want one of these? (see what I did there.. :) )

 4. Chalkboard Coasters - Great for writing love notes or initials so you can remember where you left your cup.

5. Solid perfume pocket watch locket - Such a unique and special gift. It looks really easy to make too!

Those are just a few of the 101 Simple Handmade Gift Tutorials you can check out. Will you make any homemade gifts this year? What's on your gift list this year?