R&R Part Deux

Well..too much time has passed and I have quite a few things I would like to blog about. BUT, I don't want to start on those until I finish our R&R stuff. We really just spent Jon's last week at home just doing everyday things. We saw How to Train Your Dragon, I made homemade cinnamon rolls (Deeeeelish), we shopped A LOT, reorganized the kids closets (hallelujah!), and got more stuff done in the garage. I never think that things are that unorganized until I see the results of a few hours spent getting things in order. Oh the peace and calmness that washes over me! I love opening the kids' closet and seeing BEAUTIFUL AND ORGANIZED shelves, racks, etc. And the garage looks FAB as well. I love the home that Jon and I have made here and I can't wait to have him back so we can enjoy it together!

My new love...the cinnamon rolls to die for!

Abay with a shark in Kailua-Kona

Averie is "kind of a big deal" :)

Daddy Jonny and his babes before the airport. One of my favorite pics of them.

Hurry home Daddy! We love and miss you!

R&R 2010

My sweet sweet boy came home from Iraq last month for some much needed and WELL DESERVED R&R. It was two glorious weeks, and we enjoyed every minute! I made some signs for the kids to have at the gate so he could see us right away. Aiden was really getting pumped as we pulled into the airport. I think everyone from the parking garage to the security guards to the TSA guys to everyone else that Aiden could steal attention from knew EXACTLY why we were there and who we were picking up. We did a few practice runs of waving the signs and choosing the perfect spot to stand once we got to Jon's gate. Aiden would NOT stop talking..so I told him to look for the plane with 2 letter "As'' that will come to THIS jet way. It bought me a few minutes of semi-silence...as well as a moment for me to compose myself. I was just as excited, if not more than Aiden!

The plane lands and people start to trickle out...and finally I see the handsomest man I've ever known coming out the jet way. It felt like the first time we met in person, which was in an airport terminal as well. OH THE JOY! The webcams and the instant messaging everyday for the last 8 months didn't hold a candle to seeing Jon in person. I couldn't just stand there..so I took off running (which wasn't far) and hugged him as quick as I could! Averie was in my arms..a little confused as to why I was squealing and jumping up and down and hugging her daddy. It took Aiden only a second, then he ran up and gave his Daddy Jonny the biggest hug he could.


A couple asked if they could take our picture with my camera so we could all be in one together...so we were able to get a couple shots at the gate. I will never forget the look on Averie's face..just staring at Jon as if she was thinking.."I SWEAR I know you from somewhere...now where on Earth is it?!" She went to him without complaint and he was able to keep her all the way to the car. This was the first official snuggle...

We got Jon's luggage and went straight to Chili's. We were all hungry, and Jon hadn't had anything to eat on the plane. I don't exactly know what I was expecting having Jon back...but it was like he never left. Like the last 8 months didn't even happen! I of course, was completely okay with that ;)

We spent the first few days just lounging around, hitting the pool, eating, watching TV, and eating some more. I think eating was our most frequent activity. Once again, I was completely okay with that! We were leaving the next week for our trip to the Big Island at Hilton's Waikoloa Village, AKA "the dolphin hotel." So we got packed up and headed off!
Our big island trip started with me leaving my cell phone (our only source of communication and a GPS) at home on our nightstand, as well as grumpy kids at the airport. Every time I look at the picture below I start laughing. Ohh the joys of parenthood ;)
Once we got on the plane, landed and checked in, the kids were much happier...
Our room was AMAZING and from our lanai you could see the salt fed lagoon for Kayaking snorkeling swimming etc., the ocean, as well as the dolphin lagoon which was just below us! The resort has 14 dolphins living there, and Aiden and I got to get in the water with one named "Shaka" on our first morning. I LOVED IT...and I know it was more for Aiden than me...but I could have stayed in there all day. Of course Aiden was on CLOUD 9, and we are STILL waiting for the day when he will stop talking about his experience! We obviously made a good decision by choosing this resort!

We spent the rest of our week there going to the pool everyday, all day. A little shopping at the Queen's Marketplace and in Kona was on the list as well. We had great intentions of going to see the volcanoes, but after we discovered how long the kids would have to sit in the car, we decided against it. That and the fact we had nothing but flip flops...probably not the best footwear for walking on lava rock.

The resort has a monorail as well as boats to take you around since it's so big. Below is us riding on one of the boats...


Aiden is talking to one of the dolphin trainers telling her that he's going to be a trainer too..On the grass watching the dolphin show...

More pool time!
We truly had a GREAT time and really wanna go back again before we leave Hawaii! I'll post our 2nd week of Jon's R&R soon!

The first of many :(

It looks like my sweet baby girl should have been named "Crash." She's sooooo busy and curious! I thought that her crib was a safe place for her while I showered, pee peed in the potty, etc. Apparently not! I looked over while making the bed and boom, She lost her balance and socked herself in the face. Or maybe it was her Baby Einstein thingy hangin' on the side rail. Either way she screamed, I snuggled her and we went on our way. It's just sad to look at :( I'm grateful that it wasn't her actual eye, but just beneath it! She loves pulling herself up to her knees and thinks she's way more coordinated than she is. She's so dang determined that I don't know if she will ever be cautious. I think it's safe to say she didn't get it from me ;) I don't think any of the kids in my family would go down the McDonald's slide till we were 5 or something! LOL.

Anyway- Ave is still truckin' along like nothing happened. Oh to be a kid!

Spaghetti CUPCAKES

A friend of mine from my mommy group posted a recipe on our message board, and I have been DYING to try it out. It looked super easy, and who doesn't like food that has the word cupcake in it? I know I can't resist :)

So today was the day. It's totally quick and easy. Here's the recipe-

8 oz. Spaghetti noodles
1/2 C. Parm cheese (i used fresh)
4 eggs
2 Cups Mozzerella
jar of sauce (I used Classico's sweet basil) but i think any kind would be great


Cook noodles to al dente, drain and set aside. Preheat oven to 375. In a bowl beat eggs and add parmesan cheese. Add noodles and combine. Press noodles into your muffin pan then top with sauce and mozzerella. Bake for 15 minutes and voila...dinner is served :)


PS- there wasn't a measurement for the sauce, so I just spooned some on top....i would use more since it didn't soak down as much as we would have liked. Still yummo and no complaints from A-Bay. I consider that a success! I vacuum packed the remaining "cakes" so when our Daddy is home we have one less dinner to worry about :)

Spring randomness

Silly muffins!

Wow. 2 Posts in 24 hours! We've been stayin busy with our playgroup and keeping our house tidy. We've done a pool excursion (Averie LOVES the pool) as well as an Easter party and other fun activities. We are getting excited for Auntie Momo to come with Ivan for a a visit! Aiden will start soccer while they are here, and Ivan has been chosen as the "parent" of the first practice. Ivan is a super amazing soccer player and I'm sure Aiden will learn some cool new skills :) Things are just business as usual and we are getting excited for our visitors and for DADDY to come! Here are some pictures from the last couple weeks.

Ave on Easter morning.
Ave @ the playgroup egg hunt.
Aiden so excited about his BLUE eggs. (his favorite color)

Pool at Hale Koa.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everyone!

Time is flying by now that Spring is here...and that's just how we like it at the Brown house! I wish I could freeze the kids and not let them grow a millimeter until Jon gets home, but unfortunately life still happens :( What have we been up to you ask? Let me lay it out for ya...

Ave is approaching 7 months.Yes I said SEVEN. What. The. Heck. She's not a newborn anymore and it breaks my heart. She has FOUR teeth on the bottom. (I call it her full rack) and LOVES to CRAWL and follow Aiden everywhere. She's an absolute angel and I have NO IDEA how I was blessed with such amazing babies. Averie's smile just makes me melt, and she is starting to really get upset when I leave the room and she can't see me. It's a challenge cleaning a bathroom or doing laundry with Averie in tow, but it secretly makes me so happy that she wants me all the time. She's a fantastic sleeper and a good eater as well. I can't pick her up without my lips glued to her cheek :)

Mr. Aiden is transitioning from a boy who loves trains and more trains to boy who loves trains and STAR WARS. I was informed this week that "Obi Wan Kenobi Jesus Man" is Anikin's lucky guy. I guess I see the resemblance?? And that R2 D2 can fly and "Star Vadar" is bad. I think I'll wait for Jon to explain that Anikin IS "Star Vadar." Might break the poor kids heart! He loves his Mater Yoda shirt that he got for his birthday as well as his remote control R2 and electronic light saber. We were at the pool last week, and Aiden had his arm outstretched trying to reach his food across the table, but not leaning in for it. When I asked what he was doing, he replied, "Mom I just have to use the force to make my chicken come over here!" Awesome. We have a young Jedi on our hands.


He's losing more and more of his toddler-ness and really turning into a young boy. He is my designated trash man and diaper disposal helper. He is putting his dishes in the sink and brushing his teeth on his own too. It's a fun stage to be in with him, but I miss my little baby boy.

The kids do really love each other and I LOVE LOVE LOVE seeing them together. The way that Averie watches Aiden's every move and how he is so sweet and tender with her has got to be the most rewarding thing about parenthood. I'm trying to cherish every moment and not dwell that I'm the only one getting to witness it firsthand.


Jon is doing well and I think it's safe to say that he is more than ready for some R & R. He is slated to leave in about a month and we are counting down the days. We are going to spend part of the 2 week vacation on the Big Island at Hilton's Waikoloa Village. I'm so excited I am hardly stand it. I actually wouldn't care if I just got to sit on the couch all day with Jon and stare at him. I would feel like I died and went to Heaven. It should be a great 2 weeks and I'm sure some great memories will be made with the four of us!

Once again, Happy Easter to everyone!

Aiden's fashion statement.

Gotta love the pantless wonder with his Thomas boots!! He was prompty
tol we don't wear shoes in the house. He then asks, "but what about
boots? These aren't shoes!?" tricky tricky lil stinker!