Future soccer star!

Well, Darby learned to dribble the soccer ball. Mom is so proud!

Click on the picture to see her in action...

Advice For The New Parent!

A friend of mine posted this poem from a book she is currently reading. I'm so glad these words of wisdom have been passed on to me now, as a new parent. It's very easy to lose track of what's really important as I'm starting to realize now that Darby is becoming her own little "person". I shall keep this advice close by at all times to remind me of my NUMBER 1!

If I Had My Child to Raise All Over Again

If I had my child to raise all over again, I'd finger paint more, and point the finger less.
I'd do less correcting, and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch,
and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less,
and know to care more.
I'd take more hikes and
fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious,
and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at
more stars.
I'd do more hugging, and less tugging.
I would be firm less often,
and affirm much more.
I'd build self-esteem first,
and the house later.
I'd teach less about the love of power,
And more about the power of love."

Diana Loomans

Weekend With Darbs

Obviously, I wasn't able to attend Alumni Weekend in Boise this past Friday and Saturday. Instead, Darby and I had one CRAZY weekend...here on Oahu...minus the 32oz PBR's. Next year I will make sure to attend the Bronco Soccer festivities...watch out!

We took a stroll from our house to the "I LOVE KAILUA FESTIVAL". Lot's of good food, hula dancers, local artwork and great boutique baby "stuff". I ended up buying a cute little dress for Darby's one year pictures. Here she is enjoying all the people and veggie puffs.

Tuckered out from all the fun. She finally let go of the balloon that was as big as her!

This is what I have to do on Alumni Weekend when a husband is never home. You're all jealous aren't you? The side of our house had a major tree mess encroaching on the structure...so I had to attack those buggers sooner than later! That tree mess is now sitting in the bed of the truck waiting to be dumped...ugghhh...where's TONY???  Man, this picture doesn't do the pile justice.

 

Our Plumeria tree is in full bloom...MMM...smells so good.

Here is the after shot...never took the before shot, so pretend that looks nice!

 

Saturday we went on a hike up to Manoa Falls with Saiders...in the pouring rain.

Exploring buddies...

It's like Jurassic Park out there!

That's the weekend in a nutshell.  Doesn't quite compare to hangin' with the oldies in B-Town...close enough.

Strawberry Cupcakes

So, I'm not much of a cake eater but every now and then a piece of delicious wedding cake or a Sprinkles cupcake hits the spot. For our Saturday brunch last weekend, I decided to make some homemade fresh strawberry cupcakes with strawberry buttercream. It sounded good and the recipe didn't look too involved, so I cooked up a batch of about 32 courtesy of Martha Stewart.

Well, I think they were a hit with both the kiddos and adults...mmmm...so good! This recipe is a keeper!

Darby managing to get mostly sand in her mouth and no cheerio.

My happy baby!

The ride back to the Marina...she zonked RIGHT out!

Sandbar Fun!

Our boats for the morning...

Our friends sailing away on their boat...

Our little morning brunch picnic...Sandbar completely exposed at a VERY low tide.

 

It's kind of funny to watch the Asian tourists get off the boat, hold hands and walk the sandbar slowly...ha!

Darby socializing as usual.  A little meet and greet with baby Rowen.

Captain Bryant and his sidekick Peyton...our tour guides for the day :)

Darb's finally fits in the smallest size life jacket...although she fell flat on her back a few times from the unfamiliar weight.

5 Years!

Whoa! As Tony says "5 years is a long time to be married!" We're experts aren't we Tone? Let's see...4 moves, 4 different houses, 3 different states, 2 deployments, a Sadie puppy, and one little Darby later...here we stand! We've had our fair share of ups and downs for sure, but we wouldn't be where we are today if it weren't for life's little curveballs (so cliche, I know). I'm by no means a poet, and I have never been one to journal, let alone get all lovey-dovey with words; but, as I type away this evening, Brad Paisley's "Then" comes to mind:

And now you're my whole life
now you're my whole world
I just can't believe the way I feel about you
Like a river meets the sea,
stronger than it's ever been.
We've come so far since that day
And I thought I loved you then

So true!! 

Today was a fantastic day spent with the Darbs as Tony is in Yuma working his tail off at WTI!  We've got a lot of celebrating to do end of May and a 5 year old bottle of wine waiting for us courtesy of Amy Wirshing.  (A fantastic wedding gift I might add.)  My mouth is watering as I think about taking that first sip.

The past 5 years have been fantastic!!  I've had a blast going through our old wedding pics remembering what was one of the best days in my life!

Here's a little cyber cheers to 5 years Tone!  See you in May when we can really celebrate! 

Oh, and one more closing thought...The Darbs started to REALLY walk this afternoon.  I looked up from the kitchen and there she was cruising towards me from the living room.  Happy anni to us!!!  I'll always remember the day she started "walking".

Easter Sunday

Darby found an EGG!!!

There was an egg sitting out in plain sight...just for the Darbs!
Trying to keep up with the big kids!

Who cares about the eggs with Chocolate inside. I want to eat the leaf.

Sitting at the brunch table. She kept me VERY busy.

Yesterday was Darby's first Easter Sunday. Tone is up in Yuma for another 5 or so weeks, so the Darbs and I had a girl's day...again! My intention was to get up and go to the 630 Sunrise Service on the beach, but that didn't happen. We missed a morning rainbow and hula dancers :( Oh well...maybe next year.

We did spend the afternoon with the ladies of 363 who have the hubbies that are currently deployed. Champagne Brunch at the O'Club at Hickam AFB and then an Easter Egg Hunt for the kiddos. Bottomless mimosas makes for a very relaxing afternoon...