Hawaiian Vacation - Part I

We got back last Wednesday night after spending an awesome week in Oahu with the family. Mark's parent's, Art and Lynn, graciously hosted us in gorgeous setting and I am forever in your debt! Thanks again!

We boarded our plane from LAX on the Wed. the 16th. Mark and I have not been to Hawaii since 1997 and I haven't been to Oahu since 1989... so, it's been a while. I've always said this is my favorite place in the world and once again I was not disappointed. Our flight was perfect. Art and Lynn's plane arrived 15 minutes afterward and we headed to the Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club. What a beautiful resort! All I could think about was selling my belongings and moving here. The grounds of this resort are simply beautiful… Peaceful... Relaxing. This placed was designed perfectly... for kids and adults alike... We had an ocean view and enjoyed the sunset every night.

It was wonderful to wake up every morning and have absolutely nothing planned. The toughest choice deciding... beach or pool... I wish that I had that decision to make every day of my life!

We went to a Luau on one of the nights and Shayna had a blast! Mark and Shayna actually got up on stage and learned how to perform the hula. It was very cute and they both were very good at it! Here's a cute picture that Shayna took of her Grammie and Grandad at the Luau.
















One of our days, we spent in Waikiki. Shayna was really getting into the boogie boarding thing, so we needed some waves. We spent about 2 hours on the beach and another 2 hours eating lunch and shopping. It was a great day... lots of memories!
















Here is what I'll remember... only because my feet have a crazy tan line from the sand. Hahaha!





...Stay tuned for Part II of our trip to Hawaii...

ALOHA!

Patricia Kuras

Project 2,996 is a tribute to the victims of 9/11.

On September 11, 2009, 2,996 volunteer bloggers
will join together for a tribute to the victims of 9/11.
Each person will pay tribute to a single victim.

We will honor them by remembering their lives,
and not by remembering their murderers.

Todays post is something a little bit different. Today we remember... We remember the victims of 9/11 . Today I am honoring Patricia Kuras. She was killed eight years ago while at work as a Facilities Manager at One World Trade Center. She and 294 of her colleagues at Marsh and McLennan, a professional services firm, were murdered by terrorists. Patricia was only 42 years old and from New York, New York. I read about Patricia online and found her to be a kind, gentle person. Someone you could easily be friends with. I read her eulogy, which was delivered by her brother, Thomas Kuras on October 12, 2001, with a heavy heart. How could this happen to such a beautiful person? We'll never know... but the one thing I'm sure of is that I will never forget what happened that morning of September 11, 2001

***WE MUST ALL NEVER FORGET!***

WEEK 20 + Pre-Kindergarten = Tired Mommy!

Well, I'm half way there! I can't believe that it's been 5 months already! Mark and I are so very happy that we've been blessed twice, now. Yesterday, we had our "anatomy" ultrasound, which consisted of a technician jamming her wand into my stomach and bladder. I'm glad that I went to the bathroom prior! It seems that baby was sleeping, all curled up on my right side. She finally awoke him with an uppercut and he cooperated. She got her measurements and other things required for the doctor... then she found what we have pretty much known all along... a penis... YAY! Check out the picture to the left... the arrow is pointing to the region. Now I know why I haven't been in the mood to pick up the house or clean dishes!




Here's a cute profile picture... doesn't he look just like his daddy?











On another note... Shayna had her first day of Pre-Kindergarten today! Here she is with one of her good friends, Maura, this morning. There are 21 kids in the class and 12 are girls! We have never been in a class where there were more than 5 girls in a class.

This year, the school has changed all of the room numbers to fruit. So instead of being in Room 2, Shayna is in the "Banana Room." It's really cute and the kids love it. Shayna is also in the class with the oldest kids in school, so I'm happy about that. Her teachers are very competent and I know she will get a lot out of the competitive environment. Also, I'm really excited that she is in Mason and Camille's class! Their mom, Lisa, and I were in the same class together since the 8th grade! It's really special for me! Shayna also starts Spanish next Tuesday. She is really looking forward to that!

19 1/2 Weeks

Here I am at 19 1/2 weeks along... I don't think I was this big with Shayna until the 8th month... We have our big ultrasound on Tuesday at 8:30am, so I'll post baby picts as soon as I get home.















We had a blast today at the Long Beach Greek Festival. There were a ton of rides for the kids and lots of yummy Greek food... including baklava - my favorite. I probably ate 2 pounds of it! Gotta love being pregnant! I needed 2 forks and a knife just to eat it all!














Shayna also won a goldfish... well, sort of. We let her throw some ping pong balls and paid the guy $5 for a goldfish, which she promptly named, "Lovey Dovey." She calls "her" Lovey and we had to stop off at the pet store on the way home to get some fish food. All in all, it was a fun night and I'm sure Lovey is happy to be living with our family - I just hope she doesn't die in the next couple of days, like our last go-around with goldfish!

Preggo Update...

Here I am at 19 weeks, taking a snooze at the park, while Shayna played on the jungle gym! Do those weeds make me look fat?