Happy Birthday Grandpa!!

So as everyone has informed me...I really need to update our blog!! Here goes one of many updates.

The second week of December we decided to hit the road and head down to Redmond, OR to surprise Ray's Dad for his Birthday. We left on Thursday afternoon and returned (despite all the snow) on Sunday morning.

We sure did surprise Grandpa...we drove quietly into the driveway and then left Noe on the porch to greet him.

We had a great time with the parents as always.

We also got to see Auntie Crystal and Cousin Colby as you'll see in the pictures below. Noelani loves her cousin Colby...

I think it's the red hair...she just can't stop staring at him. :)

Noelani got to open up her first Christmas present ever...Elmo Live! She loves her Elmo but I think she loved eating the wrapping paper even more.


We got to decorate Mom and Dad's tree which was fun...Colby and I had a blast!!


Noelani loved to look at the Christmas tree and see all the sparkling lights!!

Tis the Season!!!

I can't even begin to express how excited Ray and I are for Christmas!! It's so fun knowing we're creating memories that will last a lifetime for Noelani just like our parents did for us!!

We took Noelani for her first pictures with Santa today and they turned out fabulous!! She didn't even shed a tear when she sat on his lap...I suppose that will come next year. I'm not sure if Ray and I had more fun than she did but either way we'll remember it forever!

We bought Noelani a Step & Play Piano for Christmas but I caved and we've given it to her early...this is the only year she won't know a difference between today and Christmas Day so I figured it wouldn't be a big deal. She loves her piano and is so proud of herself when she pounds on it makes music!!


On Thursday we're heading down to Bend, OR to visit Ray's parents and surprise Papa for his Birthday which is on Saturday.

Speaking of Grandparents...Noelani and I have been counting the days down on the calendar and it's 1 week until Papa and Grandma come home for the holidays from Arizona!!! I'd say time has flown but it hasn't...we can't wait to see them!

We also just found out today that Grandma and Grandpa Rentas are coming up from Arizona in January so Noelani is looking forward to spending some time getting to know them. With all these Grandparents this little girl is undoubtedly the most loved little girl I've ever seen!! How lucky she is to have so many Grandparents that love her so much!!! Now we just need to get Uncle Kevin up here so she can meet him too!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We have not had a very good week at home this past week. Noelani came down with a bad cold this past Saturday and was up most of the night for 3 + nights...then low and behold both Ray and I caught it...let the good times roll. I didn't think it could get worse but it sure did...it's not fun tending to a sick baby when you can't even tend to yourself. Oh the joys of being parents! Everyone kept telling me 'Wait until she gets sick and then you get sick'...I believe it all now.

Thankfully Noelani got some sleep on Wednesday evening so we were able to still head up North to Jamie's house to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. We were doubtful there for a few days but we made it and it was actually nice to get out of the house we'd been in lock down in since Saturday. Jamie cooked the full blown turkey dinner and Ray and I even got to enjoy eating it together (Noelani picked a great time for a nap!). The entire Phelps family was up for the big day as you can see in the picture below. It reminded me of the good ole days when we were 14 only this time around we all have kids!! I can't believe we've known each other now for 20 years now!!! In the picture below are Jim and Heather and Danel with her little girl Taylor and Jamie with her two boys Jack and Jordan and Tamie with her little girl Hannah and of course Noelani and I.

Noelani is on the upswing now but still has a lingering cough. We take her to the doctor on Tuesday for her 6 month check up...I can't believe it's been 6 months since we brought our angel home!

Pictures from the McCoskery's

Scott took some pictures of Noelani the last time we all got together and I just have to post some of them here for you all to see. She's so beautiful!!!!
It's great having a photographer in the family!!

Time flies when you're having fun...

We've been so busy the past few weeks I haven't had any time to post any updates until tonight. I don't have much new to report on aside from Noelani getting her first tooth!! It's not all the way through yet but when it does poke through I'll be sure to post some pictures. I can't believe she'll be 6 months in just a few short weeks. Time really does fly when you're having fun.

Spencer came to stay the night with us two weekends ago. We had a fun time. He loves his cousin Noe and was a big helper. I'm enjoying seeing Noelani's and his relationship develop.

As you can see in the picture below Noelani loves giving her BFF, Teia, hugs...


Noelani enjoyed her first Halloween even though she almost missed it. It was way past her bedtime so she only got to hit one house and then she hit the bed.


Papa and Grandma sent a care package to Noelani and inside was her first Green Bay Packers hat and an Army Basketball t-shirt. She absolutely loves wearing her hat.
Thank you Papa and Grandma!!!

Weekend Update

Tamera and the kids came over last Sunday and hung out while Scott ran errands. Here is a picture of the kids. Teia is getting bigger and Spencer has lost his front teeth. He's been making a fortune from the tooth fairy. :)
Ray's parents came into town on Friday. We went to El Toreador on Friday night for some Mexican food and then on Saturday night we met them for dinner at Red Lobster. Noelani enjoyed Red Lobster much more than El Toreador...All things considered she did really well for being up way past her bedtime. It was great to visit with them and for them to see how big Noelani is getting. I can't believe it's been since July since we last saw them. We are planning on going down to spend Thanksgiving at their house. I can't believe that will be in just a few short weeks!!

Below was a video we just took of Noe today. Ray was playing with Kea and Noelani thought it was the funniest thing ever. This is the first time she has laughed this hard and this long. So glad we have the camera and can videotape these special moments to share with everyone.

Not much else new to report on here. We can't wait for Halloween on Friday. The first of many special holidays! I also can't help but think that with Thanksgiving just around the corner that means my parents will be back in town soon!! Yay!!

Our Lil Pumpkin

So we were finally able to get a picture of Noelani in the pumpkin...here she is.

We plan on going to Bainbridge Island to trick or treat with Tamera and the kids. Ray and I can't wait to take Noelani out on her first Halloween.