My children are a couple of lucky kids.  My eldest son started kindergarten with his cousin.  Made his first day jitters and tears pretty much go away by the time I walked to the gate.  My youngest son has a cousin 6 days older than him.  So, those two will grow up together and loving and annoying eachother.  But that’s what pals do   And it lets us mommies hang out while the children hang out and entertain.  Here’s a few hours of togetherness..just because we can  

No one needs to be told how devastating the earthquake and tsunami has hit Japan. We all saw it and continue to see it daily on the news and in the newspapers. My heart aches watching a nation try to rebuild. Hearing how during the worst time of their lives the people of Japan still have great respect for one another. Hearing reports of riots being non-existent. Family members walking hours to stores and gas stations to stand in line patiently waiting their turn. Our family instantly donated money to the American Red Cross but I wanted to make sure my children understood what was going on.  And I want to teach them how important charity is.  I want them to grow up learning to be compassionate and kind to others especially those in need.  Someday we might be the ones who need the help.

A typical trip to the store always involves this question “mom, can I get this?”  And the answer is always “no!”  So, taking the opportunity to always teach my children life lessons I proposed we save cans toward a certain goal.  After a little discussion and a little coercion off the original goal to buy a Transformer toy to the current goal to save for Harry Potter World we started our search for cans.  We save and recycle everything and ask neighbors, family & friends if we can have any.  They’re really into it and don’t mind the grossness of actually redeeming them. The best is, they get to keep a dollar for whatever and then the rest gets put into their ‘Harry Potter World’ account.

So, when we heard about Japan I had the whole family sit and watch what was going on.  The boys were confused a little because on TV the water seemed to be slowly approaching.  But they realized it was bad.  We decided to donate all the money we get from now until the end of April to Japan relief efforts.  After that we’ll donate 20% of each trip to Japan.  So, if you live on Oahu and want to donate a few cans to my boys let me know.  I’ll gladly send my boys your way.

Thank you to Kathe James and Darrah Marie Ishizaki for being our first people to donate their cans to my boys.  Just from their cans alone we got $18.70..YAY!  Kathe and Darrah let me know if you have a preference to where we should donate the money.

Our prayers are with the people of Japan.

Sometimes you just get lucky.  Lucky for being the right caller, lucky for your name being pulled to win free tickets to a show. LUCKY! When your fortune is left up to chance.  As a photographer I got lucky to photograph these lovelies.  Their parents will seriously need to invest in a stick to fend off the boys that will want to date them.  In that case, mom and dad not so lucky   Take a look below.  You’ll know exactly what I mean.  These girls will probably be on the big screen soon and I can say “you’ve seen them here first.” Ha!  Again, lucky me

AND LUCKY YOU!

Because today is my birthday, I’m celebrating all week.  Shoot! Ask my husband and he’ll tell you I act like it’s my birthday all year around..haha I want to giveaway something.  Check back tomorrow and I’ll post how you can enter to win.

Hope you have a wonderful day.  I know I will

I was emailing back and forth with Lori about her family session and it didn’t take long before we found out we both have children named Logan and Mason. It was pretty neat. So, on the day of their session I asked if my little guys could come along. I just needed to get pictures of Logan & Logan and Mason & Mason. Lori told me all I need now is a “JUSTYN”. Um, I don’t think so but maybe   Ok, maybe not.  I’m already breaking into cold sweats thinking about raising another boy.  It’s tough because I can’t handle blood and it’s a given with boys and their rough ways.  Ok, I better stop.  I’m already getting woozy..haha.

Mahalo Raymond ‘Ohana for spending a beautiful morning with us.  You guys were so fun to photograph.

The Raymond ‘Ohana is very competitive and love being active.

Logan&Logan and Mason&Mason

I’ve known Gary since I was in high school. His family owns Chun Wah Kam Noodle Factory and they gave me my first job.  Thanks to them I was able to pay for my proms and everything else during high school.  I loved working there.  It was a bunch of friends working together and the perk was eating whatever we wanted.  What else could a high schooler ask for?  Ever ate a manapua and thought “hey, wouldn’t it be awesome if they had a sweet potato manapua?” Well, they got ‘em. What about a pizza one? Yup, they got that. What about a plate lunch that has enough to feed a small village…check! Oh, more into home cooked meals? Well they have noodles you can buy by the pound so you can make your own fried noodles.  They’re pretty awesome but I’m sure I don’t need to tell you because you probably already know.  I mean how could you not?? They’ve been around since 1941.  They have locations in Kalihi, Waimalu and Kapolei. Even though I’m no longer with Chun Wah Kam I’m glad to be friends with Gary and try to keep in touch as much as I can.  It’s hard though..Chun Wah Kam is open every day of the year…so order that pan of noodles for your next holiday:)  Thanks Gary and Sharon for a quick session with your family on the beach.  Now, let’s get going on that idea of yours.

I blogged Lunching With The Ladies a few days ago and mentioned how spoiled I was with Angie.  Angie produced a short film called “Lychee Thieves“  She asked both my husband and myself to be a part of it and it played at this year’s Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF).  This past weekend Lychee Thieves went to Hilo to be shown at the Palace Theatre.  Angie went to Hilo and brought back Mika Mints from Big Island Candies and Strawberry Mochi from Two Ladies Kitchen.  We loooove those treats!  Angie and I had a great opportunity to work on a few movies in Hilo.  First, we did Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull and then we did The Tempest.  We love Hilo and yes, we claim it’s our hood:)  Thanks Ang for running around Hilo to bring our FAVES back so our family could devour it in mere seconds..lol

These bad boys are so ono.

I got so excited about Mika Mints I could only think of throwing them in the air.  Throwing things in the air = happy, happy, joy, joy!

He’s all about the Strawberry Mochi and I don’t blame him one bit.

When you have mochi on your mind you don’t care if your diaper is hanging low or your shorts are just about to come off.

The reason why the camera is always good to have around.  I think I’ll keep this one for his future girlfriend..tee-hee!

Every year I get nervous around Halloween time. The pressure of dressing up and what you’re going to dress the children as each year gives me an anxiety attack. It really comes down to the moola. I dont’ want to spend it. All the costumes that the kids wanted were upwards of $20 each. I know that’s not a lot but if they could use it for the rest of the year it wouldn’t be so bad…but one night. I have a hard time with that especially because they’re still younger. I know everyone reading this thinks I’m a mean mommy. I think so too..lol So, we’re all good. Just kidding! Whatever you write CAN be used against you huh?  Anyway, I was prepping my boys for not getting a costume this year.  Luckily my sister keeps all her costumes and offered to have the boys borrow from her son’s closet.  I was all for it and happy that my boys would have something to wear.

Of course the story gets better and I’m just so happy for Old Navy.  I’m not sure if they do it every year but they slashed all their Halloween items to $2 each.  I had to ask the sales guy to make sure EVERYTHING Halloween was $2.  Right when he said “yes” a frenzy started inside me and I snatched what I could.  Logan and Mason would be happy to be a chicken and a dragon..right???  I know it’s covered from head to toe and we’re on a tropical island of average 80 degree weather but for $2 they better LOVE IT like how I LOVE IT ..lol

I got home and could not wait to show the kids their costumes.  Logan my oldest wasn’t too happy because his heart was set on the Spiderman costume Aunty Nicole promised him.  But smart mommy was ready for the protest.  We had just watched “Where the Wild Things Are” and I told him it was a costume from that movie.  Took him a little bit to take the bait but he did and LOOOVED his costume.  Phew!  Mason is only two so he would’ve loved anything I brought home.  The only danger is we hung out at my sister’s house in Kalihi and Mase was was being eyed up by all the pinoys..ha!

Hope you enjoyed your Halloween as much as our family did.  Soon it’ll be Thanksgiving..the Christmas…Yikes!

I’ve known Drew and Evina since high school..wait! I’ve known Evina since elementary.  How could I forget she was my JPO boss.  Do you remember that Evina?  We were so cool holding our stop sign and wearing our yellow hats.  Actually, you had a white hat and a whistle and I had the sign.  If I remember correctly Evina was our captain and I was lieutenant.  Evina please smack me back to reality if I was not even close to being a Lieutenant.  Maybe it was me dreaming to have rank amongst my JPO colleagues.

Fast forward about 20 years and we’re grown and have babies of our own.  That still amazes and shocks me at the same time.  I see old friends and think of what we used to be like and what we’ve become.  Some people you grow up with you have no doubt they’ll be successful.  Evina was one of them.  You just knew she was hard working and smart.  She’s a critical care technician in the ICU at Straub.  She also is a Stampin’ up demonstrator.  Check out their new facebook page here.  They have tons of designs but have only recently started to post them.  My first class with them we made 10 cards and I pretty much used all of them.  If you like to make cards then you’ll definitely have an awesome time with them.  Check out the cute little tote bag she made for the shoot.  It’s made to hold cards and it is the most adorable thing.

Drew, I haven’t forgotten about you:)  You were quiet and still are.  Now you’re a soldier.  Drew is away on duty for almost a year.  Talking to him about the weapon he’ll be using and what he anticipates it to be like worries me but not Drew.  He  knows he’ll be coming back to his family.  I’m praying for his safe return.  Thank you for fighting and protecting us.

Here are a few photos of my friends Drew, Evina and their baby girl.

All week it rained. It was a Friday and Erica and Dave were to renew their vows on the North Shore. Miraculously about an hour before we were to meet the clouds went away and blue skies appeared. The beach looked stunning in the late afternoon sun.

Erica walked onto the beach and she was beautiful in a vintage off-white dress.  The same dress her mother wore when she got married.  Her husband Dave so cool and composed surrounded by all women.  They have 3 beautiful daughters.

Instantly I knew they were just madly in love with each other.  They smiled and giggled like they just met.  It made my day and my heart smile seeing them so happy.

There they stood on the beach perched on the rock looking at each other and vowing once again to love and respect one another for the rest of their lives.  It’s the perfect way to leave and remember Hawaii.