The Year that was

  Here are the things that I should have posted last year.

Our trip to Cebu, my island home..
After being away for almost 9 years, it was good to be home.  We took a short trip to Cebu over Spring break.  We wish we could have stayed longer. We weren't  able to show the kids all our favorite spots of the island or Mike's areas in the mission.  But I was happy to have most of my family meet my kids, seeing some of my closest friends  and being able to enjoy the delicious Cebuano cuisine. The most special part of our trip though was going in the Cebu Temple together.   Someday we'll be back and we'll get to see more of Cebu.

with Nana at Cebu Temple

enjoying Cebu's side of the Pacific O

riding the traysikol; it wasnt stinky just dusty, says Nyle 

riding the habalhabal, Dad's favorite mode of transportation in the mission 

MJ and Dad about to experience the Busay Zipline

10 hours back to Honolulu

Mini vacay on  the West Side

A week after Nyle's birthday we decided to have a little break from our routine.  We wanted to go to an off island vacation but I was still too sick to ride on a plane.  So we decided to go to Makaha Hotel after seeing it on one of the old episodes of Hawaii Five-O.  We're glad that we did because they closed it down late last year.  That part of the island is so beautiful.  We really enjoyed laying back and enjoying what nature has to offer..

bahay kubo in Makaha

Makaha Hotel Resort

Who wouldn't want to wake up to plumerias outside their window

Mike and the West Side waves

Aunty Nikki and Uncle Chad's wedding

In June, Mike's little sister married her long time boyfriend, Chad.  We're really happy for them and looking forward to little cousins!

wedding photos were taken by Kristin McCain

the couple with the Duques 

Master Sergeant Select

The afternoon before the promotion results came out, the Colonel and the Chief made their rounds to surprise the Selectees and we got our surprise!

Way to go, Daddy!

Induction ceremony

MJ's Baptism

MJ turned 8 in July and had his baptism on his birthday.  It was a  sweet occasion shared with some family and close friends.  We're really proud of MJ.  

the program( gotta post this, I worked hard on this one)

with Dad

our ohana with Bruce in the belly

the trio with Tutu Bev

Beach and Camping    

Summer time was spent mostly at the beach.  We camped as a family for the first time and we really enjoyed that.  So we did a few more weekend campings even in my last month of pregnancy. 

We also got to take advantage of our special kamaaina passes..

Polynesian Cultural Center

celebrating number 34 at the PCC

and number 11 too

the boys version of the war dance

Wet and Wild Water Park

the boys with Chloe

our little poser

the big kahuna

Our little Sunbeam 

Naia started Sunbeam this year.  Isn't that crazy!  Where did time go?    At the top of last year she potty trained herself .  It was before our trip to the Philippines and I was hoping she would wait until we came back.  I thought it would be easier to be changing diapers than finding a clean public bathroom there.    But that's our little Naia, she's quite independent and decisive. In September she turned 3.  She also started doing kidnastics and basic ballet.  Naia loves anything girly; Dora, Disney princess, Tinker Bell, pink and purple, dresses and bows, ponies, you name it! But she also loves to play with her brothers, watch Ninjago and even sneak a few kicks and punches to Nyle when he's not watching.  She likes to take responsibilities and is very proud to be a big sister to Bruce.  She loves to sing, dance and read.  She also loves to give our family prayers.   

Iron Girl

ballerina

Ms. Fearless

Our Santino

Nyle turned 6 in May.  He thinks school is fun and that there are too many good looking girls in his class.  Nyle loves anything super hero.  He loves watching movies, reading books and story telling.  The past year he did a lot of back up support to MJ's many activities.  There's no one more excited for MJ's baptism and cub scout activities than Nyle.   They're doing Tae Kwan Do together.  We love our little Tino for being such a free spirit.  He is not afraid to express his feelings or his ideas.  He's got the coolest dance moves and he can belt out the songs from Les Miserables.  He loves to compete with MJ, argues with Naia, wrestles with Daddy, adores his Mommy and LOVES his baby brother.  

shaka

Church boy

with his favorite hero 

The Big Brother

MJ had a busy year.  He started piano, Tae Kwan Do and Cub Scouts.  He is a third grader and does his best in school and in every task you give him.  He loves his little siblings and strives to be a good example to them.  He makes life easier for us by being such a great help at home.  MJ loves to read and among the many books he read this year, he finished Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series and is now starting the Kane Chronicles.  He also loves to build legos, do puzzles and play chess.  

the cub scout with his supporters

waiting his turn for piano recital

getting his first stripe for TKD

Our Baby                                                                       

Bruce was blessed in Church today .  He is a chunky 6 week old baby.  He turns all red when he's upset and his head gets all sweaty when feeding.  He loves his boppy pillow and swing and hates his crib.  He loves being around his siblings. He actually gets all fussy if he doesn't hear their noise.  He gets a lot of love and attention from all of us.  

6 weeks

Mr and Mrs  Addington

Mike had been happily serving in his stake callings.  Early last year he was called to serve as our stake Sunday School President, then a month before we had Bruce, he got called to serve in the high council.  In December he marked his 10th year in the USAF.  He travelled to 2 different countries for work and brought us all kinds of cool stuff and stories.  Right now, he just started his 6 week NCOA(Non-Commisioned Officer Academy). He also just recently had a birthday.  Let's say he is closer to 40 than he is to 30.  

Mike with his peeps

I started 2011 attending   Zumba class 4x a week.  Then I got pregnant and spent most of the year being sick.   During my pregnancy I indulged myself with organic food, watching well rated documentaries and owning Words With Friends matches.   I'm currently serving as Nyle's class' teacher in Primary Sunday School.  

Thanksgiving was spent in the hospital, it was the day after Bruce was born.  We had our traditional Noche Buena, Christmas eve dinner.  I was pretty proud to be able to cook a big meal of pancit, my Ma's chicken curry, lumpia, Pinoy pork barbecue and even made buko salad and leche flan too.  We are grateful for all the Christmas presents and cards that we got!  

our little feast

Mike and the kids hard work

For New Year's eve we went for a drive to our favorite part of the island, Laie.   We had our ono dinner buffet at the Polynesian Cultural Center then went to drive by the temple.  We went to bed early because Church starts at 8 AM for us this year.  

Kaaawa pit stop

PCC's Samoan Santa

 Now looking forward to 2012!  We'll see what this year has in store for us.  Happy New Year to you all!..