31 August 2008

kidergarten..soccer..another year and pregnant belly


MJ's first day in Kindergarten. He was very excited to go to school. The moment he went in those double doors at Manor view ES, I was sobbing like I was sending my son to Iraq. A mother approached me, she was teary-eyed too, she told me that it does not get any easier, she has a 1st grader. Nyle was sad, he is not used to being away from his big brother this long, but we did our best to spend our day doing fun stuff . When we went to pick MJ up that afternoon, he had that happy, content look on his face. He told us all the things they did that day. When I asked him if he missed us, of course he said he didn't :).. We're proud of his independence and his gusto for learning.




Nyle started Soccer Clinic. We've been waiting for this day to come. Our expectations were quite high because Nyle loves to play soccer. What we forgot though is that Nyle doesn't like rules. He just wanted to play with his Dad and MJ; he was not listening to his coach at all, sigh.. We'll see if he'll warm up next practice day. But I have to say he looked so cute in his soccer attire! Go Tino!



Cheesecake Factory/ Celebrated 8 years together and another year older. Nyle was in his stroller fast asleep in case you're wondering why he's not in the picture.





37 weeks and 1 cm dilated. Mike wanted to make sure that he took a picture of me before the baby pops out. This is for you Crystal :) !

13 August 2008

family updates

~Pregnancy countdown> I'm in my 34th week now. Somedays I feel like a super woman and can cook four different dishes while doing laundry and cleaning :) ... most days I'm just tired and sleepy. So far I've only gained 22 lbs, but I waddle like I'm carrying 60 lbs more thanks to the great goddess Varicosa! (varicose veins :).

~MJ update> today I took MJ to his Reading and Math screening for Kindergarten. He did GREAT; thanks to a good Pre-K program, influential friends, and a Mommy & Daddy who loves and supports him (pat in da back ;)) The moderator said that his Kindergarten teacher will be lucky to have him in her class. He'll be starting school in a couple of weeks. MJ just started his 3rd season in soccer.

~and our Tino> I wish I were announcing potty training success here, but NOPE! That's Nyle's favorite thing to say when we ask him if he needs to go number 2 in the potty, NOPE! He is totally milking the last weeks of being the baby in the family :). We know it will happen, it may not be as soon as we want him to do it but it will. Next week he starts his soccer clinic, he also has legal ownership now of MJ's smaller bike, he loves racing with his brother. We've been tending bruises, scrapes and cuts almost everyday, that's how active he is, our little bruiser.

~Mike is starting a new graduate program with NDIC; so definitely we'll be in this area for at least another couple of years. Congrats also for making E-6.

~Here are some of our latest pictures:




The newest base pool - Heritage Park. It's a friggin' awesome pool and we get free access, how awesome is that!




Gramma Suzi came to visit


1,2, 3 jump MJ! This summer MJ learned to swim on his own. Shame on me! My 5 year old son knows how to swim already; and I can't....




Nyle's turn to jump. Look at the face of happiness.



So Mike took off the training wheels on MJ's new bike and also showed him(middle photo) how to do it. MJ chickened out; well I did and asked Mike if we can wait till next year.





MJ's birthday with his friends in the backyard.



MJ's birthday with the Brevigs, Addingtons, and Salisburys.




The Ricklings and the Brevigs; Aunty Rhonda and Family came to visit.



Boys and bikes..... boys with toys.

12 August 2008

my baby shower




I'm a third time mom but this was my very first baby shower. Mike and I were really excited and grateful about it. Big Thanks to Shelly, Monique and Shilae who team-worked for the shower and to all our wonderful friends who came, it really means so much to us. We can't wait for Naia to use all the presents she got, she is one lucky baby.

30 July 2008

MJ Briggs turns 5




Five years ago, we welcomed our first born, MJ Briggs Nahiolea. I know it's such a cliche to say we can't believe how time went by so fast but it's true. He is getting ready to start Kindergarten soon and is pretty excited about it. We love you MJ and thank you for being an awesome big brother to Nyle and even to Naia ...

24 July 2008

Niagara and Palmyra Vacation

One of the things that made us excited about living in the East Coast is being close to Niagara and Palmyra. We promised ourselves to take a mini-vacation as soon as we had the chance. So we did! We timed it right to go during the Hill Cumorah Pageant season; here are some pictures we took from our trip: We took this photo while aboard the Maid of the Mist; The Canadian Falls




The American Falls at night. We didn't cross to the Canadian side. We heard that the view of the Falls from there is more spectacular. We can't wait to see that the next time we go.




Mike took this photo while we were waiting for the pageant to start. Sunset at Palmyra




The closest you can get to the American Falls.



The American Falls up-close


Mama and I got close enough to get soaked.




Aboard the Maid of the Mist.




Mama and I at one of our tour stops.



Our matching Niagara sandals.


A restored replica of the Smith family log home; it is built on original foundation.




The Sacred Grove




Joseph Smith room where the Angel Moroni appeared to him




The Smith Family farm




Palmyra Temple - West View



The Hill Cumorah Pageant - Abinadi Scene From the top of Hill Cumorah looking West; Pageant seating below
An original; Book of Mormon first printing

Inside the Grandin Press shop; Palmyra, NY