Who needs toys?

On our last day in Hawaii all Nainoa needed was Popo's dog bed and a few hair ties to keep him happy. I love it when it is just that simple.

Daddy's Ohana in Hawaii

Pappa Al & Nainoa watching Yo Gabba Gabba

Auntie Kathy

Uncle Neil

Pappa Al, Tutu Charlotte, Uncle Jeff, Auntie Abby, Uncle Neil and Auntie Angela

Our last day in the islands was a perfect day spent with our ohana.

Grandpa Del Delaforce

Nainoa and Grandpa Del

My favorite shot. Three generations of the Delaforce men.

Del Delaforce

Nainoa being silly.

The Delaforces

Hipstamatic Hawaii Part 2

Cousins

Nainoa not only loves saying "COUSINS!" he also loves playing with them. It's a trip watching him go from parallel play to playing with other kids. He's never been surrounded by so many little cousins before. At one point he was surrounded by nine kids from the age of 20 months to 8 years old. He just fits in here. Hawaii has changed him in ways I can't explain. Summers or Winter breaks in Hawaii are going to have to be a must as he grows older. He needs to always remember where his Daddy comes from. I want him to be an island boy at heart. I want Hawaii to be his second home like it is mine.

Hanging at the Honolulu Zoo with Brogan and MJ

Nainoa loved riding along with MJ

Alema, Donovan and Nainoa. Nainoa loved playing football with these two. I seriously thought Nainoa was going to have a heart attack because he was running so fast up and down the col du sac. He kept yelling "Alema! Alema! Alema!" He even said Alema's name while sleeping.

Kylie and Nainoa were so cute together. He kept following her around all morning.

My favorite picture of them. They are staring at a trapped fly in the window.

Nainoa Delaforce

Nainoa loves saying his full name now. Of course you have to prompt him. What's your name? Nai-n0-a Del-a-force. His Uncle Jeff Delaforce was really impressed that this 20 month old can say his 6 syllable name. It's so cute because he says his name with such pride. I feel like he has grown up even more in this past week that we have been here. I don't know if it's the new surrounding, the beach, meeting his other family but he has definitely changed since we got here. Yesterday at Uncle Jeff's house Nainoa bit his 2 1/2 year old cousin. It wasn't out of anger or frustration either. He hugged C so hard that he fell down then Nainoa took a bite! He has never done that before so it kinda freaked me out. I don't know if it's because he's teething or he just got so excited or what. I immediately hugged C and told 9 that we don't bite. Biting hurts and we never bite. Guess I'll be watching him like a dog everytime he hugs someone.

We've been going to the beach everyday. Nainoa loves the water. He like to float in the ocean. He puts his hands in the sand and let's his upper body and legs float. He usually says, "Mommy do it!" or "Daddy do it!" He can be a bit bossy when he wants you to join in on the fun. I don't mind because I just love hanging in the water with Nainoa. I love watching his little toes in the water. He's getting so brown. Eye wants to live here one day. I wouldn't mind that at all. :)

The Delaforces.

Loving Uncle Jeff's backyard.

Where's the drum circle at?

Zzzzzzzzz.

I love his Quicksilver rash guard with the Hawaiian islands on the back.

Hipstamatic Hawaii

Uncle Verge & Auntie Paula

We have been spending a lot of time with Eye's best friend Verge. He is a brilliant musician singer song writer. Many nights Uncle Verge will jam the guitar with Eye on the cajon. Nainoa loves it when Uncle Verge plays the guitar. He is totally mesmerized. He'll actually stay still for more than 5 minutes and watch him play. It's been a real treat to be surrounded by such amazing talent and wonderful friends. So lucky.

Nainoa playing the shaker and jamming with Verge and Daddy.

Sitting on the cajon trying to play like Daddy.

Jamming with Verge.

Drawing with Auntie Paula.

Nainoa has such a funny sense of humor. He loves to make people laugh.

We Made It!

We are here! The flight was totally manageable. Thank goodness for the nice Hawaiian Airlines stewardess who gave us 3 seats instead of just two. Having that extra seat was key. I gave him a present to open right when we were about to take off which held his interest until we got in the air. He ate lots of snacks and took a two hour nap. When he woke up we opened another present, watched 2 episodes of Yo Gabba Gabba and then all of a sudden we were landing. We didn't even have to walk him up and down the aisles. It was awesome. So much different to have that extra person, even though I did most of the entertaining. We are having a great time so far. Nainoa loves hanging out with Tutu and Papa Al. He LOVES the water and just wants to swim all day. He takes the best naps after! More to come.

Nainoa chillin' at Tutu's house.

Ala Moana Beach

Just so happened that The Fabulous Sin City Roller Derby team was on our plane from Vegas to Honolulu. We watched their match with Hawaii's Pacific team. Vegas won!

Nainoa finally likes to ride on the shoulders. So cool to watch roller derby outside in Hawaii.

ALOHA!

Nainoa 7 months January 2010 , Hukilau Beach, Oahu.

I can't believe we are leaving tomorrow for Hawaii! All week I have been prepping Nainoa about how we are going on an airplane to visit Tutu in Hawaii. I tell him who he's going to meet what we are going to do. How he's going to sit on Mommy and Daddy's lap the whole 6 hours. (One can dream right?) He's been repeating the story back to me in his own words like, "Tutu airplane...Wiki bus...get off airplane...Uncle Verge guitar...Uncle Kipe hula....Popo" etc. So hopefully it will be smooth sailing tomorrow. I wrapped a few new books and travel doodle thing. I downloaded a few episodes Yo Gabba Gabba. Since he's never seen the a full episode, maybe that will kill 24 minutes and 36 seconds of hour 6 hour journey. Lots of snacks and lots of patience. I'll let all you know how it goes! ALOHA!

Happy Anniversary! (2nd try)

June 11, 2006

Daddy's Ohana

It was so great for Nainoa to meet Daddy's ohana on this trip. I realized that we need to be here more. I want Nainoa to know where Daddy came from, what island life is like, how much he is loved by his ohana here. Tonight we are leaving and I am sad. I wish we lived closer. It was so nice to see the baby play with his Tutu, Grandpas, cousins, Aunties, and everyone here. Sigh...maybe we just live here part of the year...one day...one day.

Auntie Barabara

Nainoa is as big his 4 year old cousin Brogan!

Grandpa Del

Auntie Kathy

Uncle Jeff & Uncle David

Tutu Charlotte

New Years Sunset

song by Bruddah Iz

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!

Wishing you a Happy New Year!

ALOHA!