Hello High school

It's official.....my little girl is going to High School. This past week has been very busy in the Andersen household. It's finally winding down. Whew!

Kylah had her 8th grade dance on Friday and the theme was Show Me the World. They put on an amazing dance, with such attention to detail: they had tickets that looked like real airline tickets, picture frame favors like it was prom, an actual ice cream truck, food from around the world, passport books, a photo booth and endless decorations...and it was all free...everything. Fancy! Then, on Tuesday the entire 8th grade class (460+ students) went to Six Flags for the entire day and they had a blast riding all of the scary roller coasters. I wouldn't! Oh yeah, and that was free too. Finally, yesterday she had her promotion ceremony. She looked beautiful and received many awards at the ceremony....the Presidential Award, the Academic Excellence Award, her Promotion Certificate, and the Million Word Reader Award....she loves to read. I am so proud of how much she accomplished in middle school. To celebrate, after promotion Kylah and I (baby too) went with some of her friends and their Mother's to Camelia's Tea Room for lunch and tea. Ryan picked up a little cake from A Taste of Denmark for us to bring. It was very special and we had the place to ourselves. Congratulations and hello Summer!

XO

XO, Tania

Baby's First Feeding

To celebrate Brenden's Half Birthday, he has moved on from only Breast Milk to solid foods. Woo hoo! For six months I have only been breastfeeding him and I am so proud of that. It has been such a special bonding experience for us. 
However, it was time for the real stuff tonight and he absolutely loved it. We enjoyed watching every minute of this special moment. His feet were kicking, endless smiles, reaching for the spoon and making all sorts of noises. His new nickname might just be Bird Mouth...like his daddy when he was a baby.

The new equipment!

XO,    Tania

Brenden : Six Months - Happy Half Birthday

Happy Half Birthday my little love!

18lbs. 13oz. and 26 3/4 inches

We have a .5 year old. I don't know what switch you flipped this month, Brenden, but you have become quite the independent, fun little kid. Those days where I wondered if I would have to hold you and rock you for the rest of your life are long gone. You just want to move. And you are. It's so impressive. This month you've become an expert at sitting up and rolling. You're really good at propelling forward and you're pretty much trying to crawl. Sometimes I just stare in wonder and can't believe that you used to be the little immobile newborn who slept curled up on my chest.
That's not to say you don't still sleep on me. In fact, it's one of the few places you will sleep. But now your legs and arms hang off the side and you drool all over the place. But you're still the same sweet boy, just way bigger.

I also love how you soothe yourself by singing yourself to sleep. It's the funniest thing. You are such the little ham and smile all the time. People just eat it up. You make everyone feel so special when you smile back at them. A new nickname for you this month is Sweet Cheeks and Mr. Sparkly eyes.

Brenden's Pina Colada Half Birthday Cake from A Taste of Denmark.

Not yet baby... you still have 6 more months to go!  You will get this yummy cake in the form of Breast Milk.

XO,   Tania

Hawaii { Baby in First Class}

Aloha! We went to Oahu for our first family vacation with a baby... and boy was it different. We arrived at the airport very early in the morning and it was kinda exhausting. Between the 100 bags we carried, the car seat, the heavy stroller to push, breastfeeding on the airplane, breastfeeding in the airport, getting through security and making sure to communicate clearly with my husband (because, you know, I sometimes think things and forget to say them out loud then get mad at him for ignoring me, Seriously.), we did it and it was actually really enjoyable. Well, let's be honest....upgrading to first class did help a bit!!!!! Yup......coach is for suckers! It was like a whole other world at the front of the plane and baby Brenden was the only baby up there. He was such a little ham on the plane and did amazingly well. I mean let's get real, he was the center of attention everywhere we went on that island. He smiled at everyone, had baby conversations with anyone who listened and people could not stop looking, taking pictures and pointing at him...kind of unreal. 

He thinks he was helping me pack!

Totally worth every cent.

Superbaby in First Class.

Fancy. That was just a breakfast snack.

A Totally relaxing and comfortable flight.

The view from our place! Thanks Annie and Gma Jo! We had an awesome time.

Leonard's Bakery....so addicting...we went twice!

Malasadas....a Portuguese doughnut without the hole. Super scrumptious!

Early morning snuggling.....Those chunky thighs are hard to resist.

Strollin' on the boardwalk with my little man.

 

This was by far the nicest Hard Rock Cafe that I have been to...even better than Paris.

Yummy tropical drinks.

Taking an evening walk on Waikiki Beach.

Hiking to the waterfall.

We made it!

With my girl.

We saw this peacock at the end of the hike and it loved being photographed.

Vintage Surf poster postcards for Brenden's nursery.

We explored and drove around the whole island one day. It was 90 miles all the way around and about 4 1/2 hours.

Pictures from the drive.

So pretty!

My sweet loves!

Spending time with Grandkids.

Enjoying this picture perfect view at The Royal Hawaiian Hotel.

What a cutie pie!

He was not sure about his little piggies touching the sand.

Not too happy when the waves came crashing!

My new obsession.... Hula Pie at Duke's Restaurant. Macadamia nut ice cream piled high on a chocolate cookie crust and topped with fudge, whipped cream, and more macadamia nuts.

Brenden loved staring at the colorful birds and people watching on Kalakaua Ave.

Lounging in his Hawaiian shirt.

Of course I have to find an ornament! I always search for the perfect one during every new place we travel. It makes decorating our Christmas tree even more special.

Kylah's Favorite place...Brandy Melville.

My Hubby and I with Hawaiian flare.

One of the Beach days. 

He loved the turtles and following the penguins waddle around.

Hangin' with the grandparents.

With my momma. :)

The Hawaii Five-0 Headquarters is located in Downtown Honolulu and we had to drive by and take a picture. We love watching the show!

Looking for deals at the Aloha Stadium Swap meet.

I scored this Hawaiian quilt for the baby. We got a smokin' deal because it rained so hard and we took shelter in this tent. Ryan helped the man take his quilts down so they wouldn't get wet.

Each design has a special meaning and we chose this one.

This piece we purchased is called a Tapa cloth. It is made from the bark of the Paper Mulberry plant and the artwork is the ink from the bark of a Mangrove plant.

Aloha....time to go home. Oh how they love each other!

XOXO, Tania