Mac Nut Farm...Finally!

So, we're trying to complete our "Things to do in Hawaii Before we Leave" list.  It has become a never ending list since there is just way TOOOOOO much to do with too little time and babysitters...oh well!  I've checked much of the list off by myself and with Darby, being that Tone has been gone almost half of the time we've "lived" here.  That said, time is precious when he's available to come along for an adventure or two. 

Sunday's adventure was the short and sweet tour at the Macadamia Nut Farm...the sight of many Hollywood scenes ranging from Lost to 50 First Dates and Along Came Polly to Gilligan's Island.  Hollywood loves the scenery and the privacy that comes with privately owned land...

Darby had a splendid time learning about the state of her birth!  Actually, I'm thinking her favorite part was watching all of the chickens come out of nowhere when the coconut "cracked". 

Our Tour Guide....Haleakamakelapualyapunakakey.....or something like that.

OOhhhhhhh....Making Fire!

Darby got scared of the loud music and fire so daddy had to hold her.

Cracking that Coconut Open.  Your kitchen knife won't work!

Drinking the coconut "juice".  The greener the coconut before cracking the sweeter the juice.  The browner the coconut before cracking the more meat!!!  The meat is what turns into coconut milk. 

Darby likin' the coconut milk/meat. 

Darby and I got some headbands made "fresh."  Can't really see hers.  Here we are in front of the Koolau Mt. Range...looks Jurassic Park-esc...that's cause it is!!!

Sugar Pineapple farm.

So focused on the show...our little Hawaiian stinker!

How did we not even get a family shot?  What was I thinking...

Next time...

the end.

The World at Her Fingertips!

The past few months have been busy...busy....Darb's has sure been busy exploring.  I kind of like having to think like a kid again...and it's only just begun :)

July at the Botanical Gardens in Kaneohe...

 

Darby's buddy Harper moved back! Yay for another girl!!

The Black Pearl/Queen Emma's Revenge were docked in K-Bay for filming.  Darby was super excited to check out the "ship"...ha!  Not the best picture and no Jonny Depp sitings, but still kind of cool.

See how excited she is??? Great Uncle Jeff is just thrilled!  Tony's Aunt Julie and Uncle Jeff came for a nice visit in August and were jumping out of their shoes for some Pirates of the Caribbean action...HA!

Darb's finally got to check out Daddy's "office"!  The mighty 53D.

First time she was allowed to play in dad's tools.  That kept her busy for an hour...

Goin' to town on corn on the cob.  Too bad she spit everything out about 10 minutes later?  Not sure about that???

Always takin' care of her baby.  Our little nurturer!

Trek up to the North Shore.  Grass Skirt Grill was pretty tasty.

Jeff and Julie definitely spoiled Darby.  Darby pushed that stroller all over Haliewa thanks to uncle.  How's the back feeling Jeff?  I think Jeff's backside was in all the pictures this Asian couple took of the Darbs as she pushed the stroller.  Funny...

The mighty Sadie riding some waves at Kailua Beach.  She was one tired pooch.

Aunt Julie and Darby getting some quality time.  Darby and Sadie were sad to see them leave.

Oh LORD!  Sunglasses and handbags and credit cards and shoes.  How did this happen???

She's such a hoarder???  How many more buckets does she need?

Playing in her old car seat.  I can't believe that thing once swallowed her.  She's getting so big!

Her first field trip with play group to the Honolulu Aquarium.  She really liked the jelly fish and monk seals and pushing the stroller.  Here she's pointing to all of the fishies.

Finally...Dad gets to go on an excursion.  What does this mean?  TRIP TO THE ZOO!

She LOVED this tunnel through the fish tank.

Petting zoo.  She didn't want to leave the poor old goat alone.  Our little animal lover...

THE END...For now!  I'm tired...

Darby the HAM!

MISS PERSONALITY!!

Darby is a HAM.  Her smile/grin is contagious and that giggle of hers...oh man!   I can't get enough and it makes me sad that family and friends are so far away, because pictures and a video here and there just don't do "Her Hamness" any justice...

Notes to myself so that I'll NEVER forget these PRECIOUS, simple, MOMENTS...:

• Darby the busy body.  One minute she's in the cupboard taking out all of the tupperware, then all of a sudden she's bringing me a pair of her shoes from the bedroom that she wants to wear??  Wait, now she's outside "pruning" my plants??  I can't keep up ~~~~
• Darby the jibber jabberer.  She's so matter-of-fact and the sounds she makes...too cute! 
• The random, out of nowhere, hugs and kisses.  They melt my heart.  (I got a lot of these today!)
• Running to me, arms open wide, when she hasn't seen mama in a while.  I'll never get tired of that...
• Darby the ROCKER!  She's a dancing fiend the minute music fills the air.  LOVE IT!!!  We dance to our iPod playlist at least once a week. 
• Darby the waiver and the clapper.  She loves to clap when she follows my directions or accomplishes something COOL. 
• Darby the ANIMAL LOVER. She and Sadie Dog are the best of friends.  Actually, I think Sadie makes her laugh more than anyone else. 
• Darby's cute little tongue - It's always out when she's focusing...it's just so little.
• My little water chugger.  I love the way she holds her sippy as she drinks out of the straw.  Her tiny little hands can't fit around the whole cup. 
• Darby the nurturer.  She sure takes care of her babies...puts them in her car seat, high chair, stroller...dresses them, feeds them and covers them with little blankies.  She's going to be a great big sister someday. 
• My little cuddler.  I love the way she places her blankie on my shoulder, grabs her baby, and then lays her head on my shoulder as we get those last cuddles and songs in before bed.  I LOVE HER! 

I know there are so many more, but this will have to do for now...

Darby, my perfect angel baby dumplin.  I hope to never forget these simple moments...they don't last forever...

Parade Madness!!

Where we goin' now mom???

 Dad had to work on July 5th, due to the RIMPAC exercise, so Darby and I walked down to the Kailua Freedom Parade.  It was her first parade, and boy did she have a BLAST!  Sugar, sugar everywhere!  Horsies, and dogs galore.  I will venture to say that she was in her element hamming it up for the goodies that were passed out... :)

Taking it all in...

A big Hawaiian...

 

It was a scorcher!

Darby did not want to sit still as we waited for the parade to begin.  I was definitely working up a sweat!

 

Her first Otter Pop...courtesy of Mufi Hanaman

How does this thing work??

Chowing down on the gold fish.

Hammin' it up!!!  Couldn't quite capture her dancing to the music.

Fascinated with the horsies.

What are all of these mom???  How cool!!  That was my cue to pack up and leave :)

Well, that concludes our 4th of July mini weekend.   Too bad Tony couldn't be at the parade...such a bummer as usual!

The USS Bonhomme Richard

Darby and I started out our 4th of July weekend touring the USS Bonhomme Richard, the "big boat" Tony will be living on for the next three weeks.  This little tour took place while the BR was docked at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu.  Here's a little info on this HUGE exercise Tony and his squadron have been involved in for weeks now...

Darb's just chillin' on the flight deck of the USS BR

You can see the USS Arizona in the background.

A little vessel/size perspective...

Our Navy tour guide

 

Darby and John so excited to see the boat!

More 4th of July madness to come....