The Problem with Paradise...

The problem with paradise is that it is always the same. I know you are probably saying, “You live in Hawaii….get over it,” but there is something to be said about the changing of the seasons. Today, we were sitting in the living room with the windows open and we saw a Christmas commercial on the TV and it felt very odd. This time last year we were distracted by the pregnancy and getting the house ready for Liam’s arrival; this year it really seems to be hitting us harder. We are definitely looking forward to getting back home to family and a little variety in the weather. Long story short, Hawaii is a great place to visit, but there is no place like home.

Box full of fun! 

The Climb (1 of 3). 

The Fall (2 of 3). 

The Cuddle (3 of 3).

The perfect spot for a little rest. 

More mountain baby action. 

Mr. Fancy Pants. 

This is a typical "puppet watching" face. 

There is no stopping him now...

Well, Liam is 100% mobile now. Until this week his walking was limited to going between two objects. Now, however, he goes where he pleases. Fully capable of stopping, starting, picking things up, and carrying things around. While this event has made us full of parental pride and joy, it has also caused us an entirely new level of stress and work. Things that were previously safe from Liam's ever expanding reach are now easily at his fingertips. Everyday I am amazed at how fast he progresses. He is smart, strong, curious, and inventive. I am thankful everyday that I am his dad and that he is our son. Now I know every parent thinks that their child is the best, most well developed child the earth has ever seen, but this is my blog and I can say what I want to say.

As you can tell by the same outfit in most of these pictures, Liam is a busy little boy. Here he tries his hand at living room spelunking. 

What is it with kids these days? Always running around with their pants sagging. I think it is a parenting failure.

Liam once again combining some of his favorite activities. Climbing and Sesame Street. Not sure if he was trying to get inside the t.v. or if he just felt like climbing. 

This is another picture from the day of the quake (notice the candle in the background). Katie and I were playing a board game at the kitchen table and Liam was playing happily in his highchair. Next thing we know the kid was out. 

Nothing like a little Father-Son bonding time. 

The Great Quake Adventure...sort of.

Here is the basic story of our day. Shortly after 7 AM Katie and I were awoken by a fairly substantial shaking of the house. We both went in to Liam’s room to make sure he was safe. He was still sleeping soundly even though the house was still shaking and his crib was banging against the wall. He did not actually wake up until the shaking stopped. We later found out through various friends and family back on the mainland that the quake was a 6.5 magnitude. Since Liam was not likely to go back to sleep, I told Katie to go back to bed and I would take Liam downstairs for a little father-son football watching. I had not made it very far before the power went out, ending any chance at watching T.V. After checking the house over and making sure that everything was okay (we have no gas hook-ups, so no worries there) we spent our day just being together. It was raining really hard most of the day, but Katie and Liam played on the covered carport while I cleared out and reorganized my tool shed. Then we went inside and played cards and board games while Liam sat in his highchair and played with toys. The power came back on around 7 PM, but we kept on playing our games since we were having so much fun. At first it seemed as though the power going out would make for a bad day. Nothing to do inside and too rainy to go to the beach, but I was able get around to a chore I had been avoiding and then spend a great day with my wife and son. Not a bad way to spend a day.

Dinner by lamp light. 

Lots of new pictures

Katie's parents came to visit this past weekend and as usual we had a great time. We wish everyone could come out here as often as they are able to, but in lieu of that I will continue to post here and keep everyone as up to date as possible. We recently got some new photo software and two new digital cameras. That means more pictures at a higher quality. We had Liam's nine month pictures taken this weekend as well, so watch your mailboxes for more pictures for your desks/walls/mantels/wallets.

Liam uses his up-turned toy box in an unsuccessful attempt to go over the wall.

Liam loves climbing and he loves puppets; Here he gets two of his favorite things at once. 

Three generations. 

Airport goodbyes. 

Walking practice. 

Our handsome baby boy. 

Liam, Tutu, and Papaw. 

We could not resist putting Liam in his Halloween costume a little early. 

What better way to spend an hour? 

More sleepy time with Papaw.

Ko Olina Beach.