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!

A Few Late Christmas Photos

We had not one, but three decorated trees. A coffee plant that bears no beans, traditional fir, and a Black Pearl pepper plant. All were kept out of Miles' reach. Mostly.

Santa and his Elf

The holidays are upon us! This is how we're celebrating Christmas this year:

• Instead of big gifts for each other, Alvin and I want to donate to charities in behalf of each other. The Global Impact Fund and La Leche League International are potential recipients. Can you guess who chose which?
• We'll spend Christmas Eve sitting on the floor in front of the fireplace eating cheese, dates, and flatbread for our traditional "Jerusalem Supper."
• I can't wait for my parents' choir concert, especially because the audience gets to join in singing some of the songs. Singing Christmas hymns (accompanied by a real live pipe organ!) is my favorite way to celebrate Jesus' birth. I love "Once in Royal David's City."
• Alvin's mom babysat while we went to the TerraTek Christmas party at the Hilton hotel in Salt Lake City. I wore wild black tights and high heels, and Alvin spontaneously pulled out some amazing dance moves.
• Don't tell him, but I made Miles a book for his Christmas present. It's a photo album of him, and all the pictures have simple words, like "feet," or "Daddy," or "hike." It was so fun for me to go through all our photos of Miles and see how he has grown. He is almost 10 months old, and he has changed so much! I keep thinking about the raising-a-baby advice my midwife gave me: Don't blink. It goes by so fast! It's true. I sure love Miles, and I love being a mommy.