We're moving!

As you may know, we have been living in my mother's house with my sisters, Amber and Jeni. Three weeks ago my mom emailed us and said, "Clean up the house because I'm having a realtor come to take pictures tomorrow." She has been known to give sudden, dramatic announcements. Two weeks later, after a dozen showings (for each one I had to tidy up the house, collect myself and Miles, and leave the grounds for an hour), two buyers made offers, my mom accepted, and the deal will close April 27.

Now I have inserted the following into my already-busy daily routine: apartment hunting, throwing away old papers, packing, slating items for DI, and trying to talk Alvin out of saving the items slated for DI. Fortunately, as of yesterday, I can cross off apartment hunting from my list. We found a lovely 2-bedroom near Big Cottonwood Canyon. We're excited to move because we can ditch my sister's pets, Alvin's commute to work will be quick, we will be minutes away from hiking trailheads, and the Whole Foods store is within walking distance.

But what should I do with our big piano?

This is what Miles does at Oma & Papa's house

Who taught him to rock out like this? It's a mystery.

Do I fit?

Miles likes to explore spaces, especially spaces that are about his size. When he climbs into a new place, like a yellow box or magazine rack or the shelf in our bed headboard, he examines how snugly his legs fit inside, then turns to his audience with a big "Look at me!" grin.

More Scenes from Paradise

This is our happy family at the top of Waimea Canyon, safely avoiding the giant tsunami (which amounted to 3 series of 2-3 inch waves). The clouds are shrouding the Na Pali Coast.

Miles' new swim trunks are still a little big.

Laura, Miles, Alvin, Amber, Jeni (my sisters), Jim (my current dad)

Sand legs built by Alvin.

A Buddhist temple on Oahu. The grounds were serene and beautiful.

Miles can't waddle over the edge of the cliff when he is strapped in the mei tai. These clouds floated up the cliff and drifted across our trail along the whole hike. This was my favorite adventure in Hawaii - the Waimea Canyon/Na Pali Coast overlook hike.

Pineapple at the Dole Plantation (I slept and recovered from jet lag while Alvin drove his Mustang convertible around Oahu and visited the plantation); bamboo graffiti; one of the abundant feral roosters; carniverous rooster-eating fern of Kauai

Ringing the gong before entering the Buddhist temple is said to bring peace and serenity. I think it worked.

Aloha

20-40 foot (depending on how many times Alvin has recounted the story) waves at Queen's Bath

Surf's up! If you go to Kauai, you should stay at the Kiahuna Plantation condos in Poipu. Isn't our backyard beautiful?

Yeah, winter in Hawaii isn't ideal for swimming.

Near Tunnels Beach. Our last day, sigh. (That's sigh of relief for me. It was amazing to see a new place, and an exotic one at that, but I am devoted to my simple, predictable daily routine at home in South Jordan.)

The lighthouse near Princeville. Refuge to thousands of migratory sea birds that nest on the cliffs.

Miles is one!

Miles had a happy birthday on February 21. I can't believe he has grown to be one. I gave him a coconut island cake (Alvin's ingenious design) in honor of our upcoming trip to Hawaii.

He loved it.

Yes, we are going to Hawaii for a week. Neither Alvin or I have been before. We'll visit Oahu for the Polynesian Cultural Center, and Kauai for the beautiful hikes and beaches. We're taking Miles and some babysitters - my mom and sisters.

Random January-ness

The evolution of the beard. Alvin can grow some thick facial hair, but after a couple weeks of the experiment, we both agreed we prefer him facial-hair-less.

Your legs need to grow a few more inches to reach those pedals.

Without occasional visits from Brian and Angela, we would rapidly lose touch with the high-adventure, outdoors-loving crowd. We might also lose perspective and start feeling tall. After a convincing bluff, Ang beat the boys in Ticket to Ride. P.S. Angela, we found a store that carries hook on seats (here's another model).

Miles is starting to walk the walk and strut the strut. Doesn't he look dashing in a tie?

Alvin hosted the BYU Outdoors Club at his family cabin in Fairview Canyon. Here he is packing - with a stowaway.

This is my step-family. Who ever thought I'd be a step-sister? The cute girl in white in the middle is Emma. She just got baptized. The baby hiding behing my head is Luke; he and Miles share a birthday! The baby to the left of Emma is Gabe; he just turned one.

Help! Esau is after me!