Tsunami or not so Tsunami

First I wanted to thank all of my friends and family members who were so worried about us. We appreciated all of the phone calls and messages trying to warn us. It was a pretty crazy morning in Hilo with sirens going off every hour, people freaking out in grocery stores and gas station lines. Its a good thing Hawaiians are so laid back! People were a little more aggressive during the Hurricane Rita evac when we lived in Houston (guess we manage to follow natural disasters). However, because most of the shortages we experienced in Tx were from people using up resources I thought it might be best to make sure we had a full tank of gas, milk, water and diapers. One thing we learned about living on an Island is that when the grocery stores run low it can be a while before a shipment arrives. So THANK GOODNESS we got spared.

Alot of people were really concerned about us because they new we live downtown bay front in Hilo. So I thought I would post pics of just how close we could have been to

disaster.

We really didn't see much action. Here we basically saw the water pull back and push forward at a really slow rate over the break wall.

Look who came to Hawaii

Ben's brother Noah and his family just popped into Hawaii last week (literally-- they caught a Mac flight on space A--something to do with Military). But we went to Oahu and stayed with them a few days and had a blast. It was really great for our girls to hang out with their cousins. Presley loved every min of it. Plus we got to see a few sites I hadn't seen before. Thanks Noah and Kathrine for letting us crash with you:)

These pics are all taken at Hanauma Bay (one of the best snorkeling spots in Oahu)

Valentines day with the Clouds

Ben and I aren't huge celebrators of Valentines day but we decided to cook ourselves a really good dinner and put the girls to bed early on Sat night. Since we can't ever go out to dinner without the girls, preparing a new special recipe always feels like a treat.

I found a SUPER yummy Beef Tips with Mushrooms in a Red Wine Sauce served over Sliced Baked Potatoes and a even yummier White Chocolate Almond Pie recipe. We topped it off with a sparkling grape juice and a little "Sam Cooke" music to set the mood. It was really relaxing and truly felt like we were eating somewhere else. The only thing I was missing was a waiter to refill my glass and serve me dessert LOL. Guess we can't have everything.















Then on Sunday we packed a picnic lunch and took the girls up to Akaka Falls. Its one of the Big islands most beautiful natural wonders. Huge waterfalls set in the rain forest. The girls loved it! I also got Presley twinkies as a V-day present. It was her first time eating one and she was instantly in LOVE, she ate 2!!

New Year Update

Presley loves playing with Layla. She acts so grown up, she even never lets me take a good pic of her, she will make faces or turn her head (no idea where she learned this). She is also talking up a storm and can count to 10 and say part of the ABC's, plus she is pretty much potty trained--hurray P lady:)

Layla is crawling everywhere and trying really hard to walk by holding on to anything taller then her and scooting along (ie the sofa, chairs, beds, side tables- you name it). She LOVES to follow Presley all over the house and play with her, she even tries to eat the food Presley is eating so I have to put Presley's chair up high-LOL!

Ben is doing great in school, his first test started off well and he is now training to run in a mini triathlon. He ran 6 miles tonight, its even motivating me to run more so I hope he keeps it up:) We will be running in a 5K together in March.

Dad and Presleys Texas Day

Ben's parents got Presley a Texas Cheerleading outfit last summer and it finally fits her now. So Ben was really excited to wear his matching jersey for the game day and eat ribs with her Texas style.

Plus Layla has learned to drink from a sippy cup. She started by stealing Presley's over Christmas and now she really drinks water out of it. Smart girls for a 7 month old!

Holiday Update

Since I have been really bad at updating my blog I am posting a quick update on what we have been doing this month.
*Eating out at great places
*Hanging out with my family (all but my sisters fam, the snow wouldn't let them make it:(...)
*Playing games
*Watching movies, at home and in theatre (LOVED Avatar)
*Enjoying my moms holiday cooking
*Eating tons of sweets
*Watching Layla crawl everywhere
*Watching Presley play with her new toys and play princess dress up
*Watching the girls play with the grandparents
*Decorating for Christmas
*Enjoying the snow
*Plus Ben has been working

Count Down to Christmas- Favorite Holiday Movies

Ok, I know Thanksgiving isn't even over yet but I am sooo excited about Christmas this year. Maybe its because Presley is starting to understand who Santa is, or maybe its because I get to go home Dec 4th and start the Holidays early. But we have already started watching Christmas movies with the girls and I am loving it! I want to know what everyones favorite Christmas movies are. I want to make sure I'm not missing on any of the classics out there. Most of you that know us, know that we are BIG movie fans but it may surprise you that we are constantly finding movies we haven't seen. So please list them all:)

ps-- ABC family is starting their count-down to 25 days of Christmas. They have great shows every night http://community.abcfamily.go.com/25-days-christmas/schedule

My top 5
Elf
Christmas Vacation
(all old school claymation-- ie Rudolph, Year without Santa Clause etc.)
Christmas with the Kranks
Mickeys Christmas Carol

Presley and Layla's dance off

Another crazy Sat night at the clouds house. I crack up every time I watch this because Layla gets so excited she jumps her chair into the wall. Thank goodness she has a tray around it. And of course P is always cute being crazy, happy P.














I forgot to tell everyone that Presley got to help make Halloween cookies for the first time:) Well at least she tried to, she pretty much grabbed the fork I had out and would sneak little bites of the dough (takes after her dad!)

Trunk or Treat (my favorite time of year)

Our ward had our Halloween Trunk-or-Treat tonight. My friend and I decorated my trunk for the activity. The girls had a blast, well Presley (aka Tinkerbell) loved it. Layla (aka pink/purple bug) just hung out and tried to eat her hat. I decided to hand make their outfits (with a little help from Tiff sending me wings and booties for P) because we are limited on only walmart costumes here in Hilo and fabric is only 2$ a yard.--- Let me just say if I don't see a sewing machine for another 5 years it would be fine with me. It was more work then I bargained for, plus I didn't have patterns so I made it all up. (I had to re-fix everything a dozen times--hahah). The things you do for your kids!

Tinkerbell /happy little bug/family with our trunk/Our friends in HI

30 Something

Today I hit my dreaded milestone of "30". I survived and actually feel good about it. I decided to look at the small lines taking up residency under my eyes and welcome them as a reminder of all the wonderful years I have lived and how lucky I am to have a beautiful family who loves me. I woke up to phone calls from family members and ate lunch with 2 of my best girl-friends here in Hawaii (Ben watched the girls so I could have a real lunch break:) Then in the evening Ben took me to Maui Tacos where we split 1/2 price Taco Tuesday and came home and had a big spread of cakes and ice cream. It was great.

ps-- my sister posted a really cute B-day blog for me. Check it out (thanks Tiff, you made my day) http://tbuhman.blogspot.com/

P and I taking a ride before we ate tacos

Can Ben pick great B-day treats or what (I love him and his sweet tooth very much:)