Natalie's 2!

I can't believe it that Natalie is two now--we had a great week of celebrating-three times to be exact! In Hawaii we had a small celebration with her cousins and aunts and uncles and then on the day of her birthday (May 20) Steven took a half day off work and we went to lunch and to play at Chuck E. Cheese--she enjoyed herself there-but I think Steven had more fun! She loved to watch the robotic mouse while we were eating and then loved the games that involved balls and the one where you have to smack the alligator. After her nap, we went out to Mom and Dad's for a steak dinner and cake--always appreciated! She opened her presents there and really dug into them-tearing the paper off. The big gift we got her was the Rose Petal Cottage--which she absolutely loves playing with-we also got her a pool, Barbie, magnetic dress up doll, and an Alphabet School Bus. I am looking forward to being outside this summer with her-she got a sandbox and picnic table from Mom and Dad, a new tricycle from Steven's dad and Sherry, and lots of new toys and clothes from other friends and family. Thank you everyone for your thoughtfulness and generosity! So her party was today (Saturday) and the weather was beautiful out. It was a Hawaiian themed luau-and I think it went well. I love to entertain and really plan a lot for her parties but I always get nervous that things won't go well and that people might feel left out if they don't know anyone. But thankfully everyone seemed to interact well with one another. I made Kalua pig--(pulled pork), teriyaki chicken kabobs with pineapple and peppers, and cut up fruit and veggies. My friend Michelle made a delicious coconut pineapple cake that I enjoyed! Natalie had been talking about cake all week when I talked about her party but when it came time to sing Happy Birthday she got very shy and clingy--she doesn't like the spotlight on her-that's for sure! Anyways, I am so blessed to be Natalie's mother-she has such a sweet demeanor and easy going personality--I am sooo thankful for her and the past two years and look forward to watching her grow through the years. Happy Birthday Natalie!

Special thanks to all those that celebrated her life with Steven and I--we are truly blessed to have such wonderful family and friends! Love you guys!

Hawaii

Well our summer had a wonderful kick-off with a Mier family vacation to Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The trip there was a long day (23 hours) accounting for a long layover and a delay but thankfully we got there! Natalie only slept three hours but thankfully I don't think there were any tears-she is soo good! We were blown away by the place we were staying-huge house with plenty of room for everyone, very nice touches (like flowers in the toilets!), and all the sporting/swimming equipment you could dream 0f (b-ball courts, shuffleboard, kayaks, snorkel gear, bicycles, etc) and a plantation where we would go out in the morning and pick fruit right off the trees (Dad and I even made fresh squeezed orange juice). The trip was relaxing and so good to catch up with everyone as we don't get to see each other too often. Some of the highlights of the trip for myself were the luau-which was so much fun but I think my favorite part about it was seeing the excitement on Natalie and nieces Caroline and Keighley's face. They were dancing around and Natalie who is usually very cautious and likes to stick pretty close by me ran up to where the big girls were and got between them to hold their hands (it was precious) and was dancing with them. I also enjoyed the volcano trip (though the drive there and back wasn't too fun--the most windy roads I had been on--we all felt a little carsick). We went up 3,000 feet to one of the only active volcanoes in the world and explored a lava tube and saw some steam vents. I was a little disappointed because I didn't see a science project volcano (though some of the park was closed off due to high amounts of gases) but it was incredible to see lava meet the ocean. Dad, Jason, Gary and myself stayed behind while everyone else went home and went an extra hour and a half (after a quick stop to my first Thai restaurant) to where the lava was actually flowing into the ocean. When it got dark you could see lava spewing off the waves. I also really enjoyed brunch out with my parents and siblings (no spouses or kids) on Mothers Day to a crepe place and then dinner that night everyone went to this very expensive but gorgeous restaurant (makes Ruth Chris look like Applebees) that Jason treated us too. Snorkeling in Hawaii was amazing!! The water was crystal blue and they had such beautiful and tropical fish--everywhere! Everyone that snorkeled also came in close contact with huge sea turtles on several different occasions. Another big deal on this trip was that Natalie started speaking in sentences saying "Mommy, I want up" "I want to wash my hands" etc...I was soo proud!!!!!!! I know this vacation will hold so many special memories for myself. Anyways, I guess I can now say I am a blogger!!!! (Tiffany I hope you are happy!)