A Special Visitor

CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW

They have been filming Pirates of the Caribbean IV for the past little bit here and in Fiji. The Black Pearl was here for a while but we didn't get the chance to see it. The ship that we got to see was the Queen Anne because they began filming when the Captain arrived between 8-10 every night. For an AMAZING pictures of the ship and Captain Jack taken by my friend Leisa, who is a photographer with a nice camera go here (she has posted a few since then so you will have to scroll down a bit but its well WORTH IT). Leisa went the night before with her family and the kids couldn't wait any longer so they left without seeing him :( She then got a text 10 minutes later saying he came : ( : ( : ( That just meant she was going back the next night without kids but adults, THAT WAS US (and Brennan of course because he stays up late)! It was fun to see how he made it a point to touch as many as he could reach and sign something for the kids. We got there around 8 and there was already a line 2 people deep. As time went on more and more showed up and it ended up being 5-6 people deep.

Taylor made a comment that really got people thinking about their actions. He said how would it be if the Savior was to come? Would we be pushing our way to the front or wait patiently knowing He will reach us? Would we have cameras and find every way possible to get a picture even if that meant it was covering someone else's? Will we be reaching for a phone camera because our other one's batteries are dead? Will we have the spirit of contention and only about ME? How are we going to act/be prepared when He comes? Just some food for thought ...

Random

I forgot about the pictures and videos we had on our camera until we used it the other night so here are some random adventures we have had.

PAWNING

Our friend Joey is from this area so he knows all the places to go! Close to where he grew up there are several fresh water ponds up in the mountain. After 2 plus hours of wandering in the wilderness : ) we decided on a place to stop!!!!! This is the place:

There were 3 spears so the rest of us watched and cheered as they caught a few for us to eat. Being that there is so much water, the mosquitoes were everywhere! To help chase them off we built a fire (also to cook the prawns) so that is where Taylor took the pictures from. Brennan being the water boy that he is couldn't stand the fact that he was so far way so we ventured down and he climbed right in. I wasn't prepared for him to get in but he had other plans : ) so in he went with clothes and a diaper on!

Here are the 3 hunters!

Tyler's needs his eyes checked - it's a fish!

Brennan practicing his kisses!!!!

MORE BEACH

Brennan has made little friend whose dad is in the military and has to go on trainings for long periods of time. We tried to keep his mom and him busy by going to the beach so here are a few pic. Yes he only has one swim suite, but it is getting small so we just bought a new one. It is orange as well!!! Easier to spot!!!

FATHER'S DAY

I wanted to get a picture of the boys but when I remembered Taylor was headed out the door for work and Brennan was asleep already (rare occasion). It was a good day! We gave talks in church on talents and how we can bless each other! Both of our dads were mentioned OF COURSE!!! Then Taylor requested breakfast for dinner because he works nights he doesn't eat breakfast (he wakes up around lunch). We had friends from New Zealand over even though it wasn't Father's Day for them! I debated whether to make Taylor a candy lei or enjoy the smell of flowers : ) I decided I could make a candy one at home so I better get the fresh flowers while we are here!!!!!! He is the most handsome father : ) even with his nap hair!!! We LOVE you Taylor as well as the other fathers in our lives!!!!!

VIDEO

Brennan has found his favorite drawer in the kitchen - the plastic bags! As most kids, he plays with household items more than his own "toys".

The video won't up load but I will keep trying so check back and hopefully there will be success!

SPLASH

The weather here has been odd (from what we have been told). There have been some really cloudy/rainy days. It keeps the temp. down but makes it more humid. Just after dinner the other night there was a down pore (like a an Arizona Monsoon) so to use up energy we took Brennan out to play in the puddle (the homemade pool as all the other kids were calling it)!

He is a water boy for sure!!!! All we have to do is turn on the water in the bathroom and he comes running whether it is for him or not. His feelings are crushed if you don't let him in with you. Also, now that he is walking/running as soon as his feet hit the sand at the beach, they are headed for the water. Before he would crawl until the wave hit his chin, but now there is no stopping him!!!! His is definitely one of those kids Taylor's dad always told me about: born in Seattle = webbed feet!!!!!! I know that's referring to the rain but Brennan has taken the myth beyond its origins!

If ever you get the chance to watch him and he won't stop crying, turn on the water and he is all SMILES.

An Addition

We have told family but friends have not been informed. On November 19th there will be baby Smart #2!!!!!!! Enjoy the 3D pictures - there are captions at the bottom!

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One Year - Check!!

Time has gone by quick! Our little man has turned ONE already! Not having an oven at our little apartment meant we needed to make friends who did have one so he could enjoy his first cake. : ) Here in Hawaii the first birthday is the a huge celebration because before modern medicine they lost most of thier babies within the first year. If a baby made it to the first year that most likely meant they would have a long life. We joked with people everywhere we went who asked how old Brennan was that we needed friends to have a big party when he turned one and they all said they would be there!!! One lady at Costco said I have 6 kids and they would be happy to attend!

Regardless, it was an intimate group but a fun one. Here are pictures of his cake and him eating his own little portion.

If you can't tell what it is (no hurt feelings :( ), it is a shovel on the beach. He has two of them, a yellow and a blue one, and that's all he plays with even though there are few other toys we always take.

"Are you sure this is okay?"

"You didn't stop me so I am going in for more!"

He loved every minute of it, but that night trying to get him to bed made for some not so lovable moments. It was worth it though now that I look back at the pictures and see his enjoyment!

Memorial Day

We had the amazing opportunity to spend the weekend with our friends Tyler and Lauren. On Saturday we wanted to go to a new beach so we headed over to the North Shore area to find a spot. We didn't leave early enough to get the one we wanted before all the parking was taken so we ventured on farther. We ended up finding a fun spot in Haleiwa!!!



Before Taylor built Brennan a sand pool!



After a wave added sand to his pool.



This was the first time Brennan was able to use his birthday gift from Papa and Gigi (the yellow floaty)!!!!!!! Tyler is Brennan's new favorite (if you can't tell). When we go places together, people always think he is Brennan's dad because he has him most of the time and he has cool blue eyes.



An unexpected wave!!! Tyler to the rescue!

Lauren was taking the pictures, but we will get her in one so you can know who Tyler's other half is. She is just as amazing and fun!

That night we went on a double date to see what we thought was going to be Iron Man II. Here in there is a 2 screen theatre so the movies move in and out quick! It had already left and Prince of Persia took it's spot. Needless to say that is what we watched instead. Taylor was way bummed but once the movie started he got over it because that one was great!

Then on Monday it was another beach day, but this time we went to our usual, Hukilau. We didn't take a camera as we usually don't, sorry. We weren't there 5 minutes before we spotted about other couples from our ward, enjoying the day off of school and before finals started. That night it was attempted #2 at Iron Man II. Thank goodness we have a lot of newlywed couple that just adore the little man (aka Brennan) so we could go out again. This time we had to travel to a bigger city : ) I am happy to report we had . . . SUCCESS!

New Adventures

The day we got to Hawaii we saw the posters for the World Championship Fireknife May 12-15th. The best part is now that we are residence of Hawaii ,we can get year passes to the Polynesian Cultral Center (PCC), where it was to take place, and not have to pay. There are alot of perks to this pass so if you are ever here let us know and we can work something out : ) Since it was the championship round there are the top three. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!!!!



Tahitian


Samoan


2009 Reigning Champion!!! Hawaiian



The winner of the 2010 Fireknife World Championship!! Since he has back to back wins he is not allowed to compete this next year, as a rule that was established when the competition began.