Our little girl

A few weeks ago, I was talking to a friend at the gym and she was asking about Jayne. She asked about Jayne's health and wondered if she was walking yet. I told her that Jayne wasn't walking yet but was close. Then she asked, "So, is it just a challenge everyday?" I said, "Honestly, I am just so thankful for Jayne everyday." It just came out and it is the truth. I am SO thankful for Jayne every day. She is such a blessing to our family and I am grateful for all that she has taught us and continues to teach us. I am grateful for the joy that she brings into our home and her sweet nature. I am grateful for her hugs and kisses and little laugh. She keeps us grounded, reminds us of what really matters and helps us to enjoy even the little things. Of course it is still hard at times. There are definitely still days when I wonder what I'm doing and how I will ever be able to help Jayne enough. There are still moments when I want to cry because her differences have just been made very clear. Sometimes it is hard...

But when I think of Jayne, I don't think of her as a challenge. I truly do think of her as an incredible blessing for all of us and all that know her. When Jayne was first born, I had a hard time accepting the fact that she has Down Syndrome. Every time I thought about it, my eyes would fill up with tears. Now, almost two years later, I still get all teary eyed when I think about Jayne-- but now, it is not because I am sad but because of how far we've come and how grateful we are for her.

The moment Jayne was born, I thought that our life would never be the same because we had a child with Down Syndrome. I was right...but now I know that's not a bad thing. Jayne is just Jayne and she is beautiful! We love our little girl!

(This video has been circulating and I just love it so I had to share)

TRICK-OR-TREAT the Star Wars Way

We had a lot of fun trick-or-treating! We thought we might get rained out but it cleared up just before we left our house. Usually Don and I don't dress up to trick-or-treat but this year, we just had to. Elle and Easton were so excited to have our whole family be Star Wars characters. They couldn't wait to dress up as Luke and Leia again and Jayne looked so cute as Yoda and stayed warm too. Don was a great Darth Vader because he could actually say, "Luke, I am your father..." and it fit since Easton was Luke Skywalker. And even though very few people knew who I was (Ventress) unless they had seen the new Star Wars Clone Wars cartoon, my kids were thrilled and that was what mattered. There is something fun about dressing up, no matter who you are...

Ken and Mitch came to have dinner with us and go trick-or-treating. Mitchell was a perfect BYU football player and even got a huge box of nerds at someone's house just because of his costume.


Easton, Elle, Jayne and Mitch before trick-or-treating

Easton loves to have light saber fights and since he is Luke, he usually always wins

Easton and Elle with Drake, who is also Luke Skywalker

Jayne and her friend, Ila, who couldn't wait to get to the next house

Happy Halloween!

Halloween Parades, Parties and Programs

I love Halloween! There is so much excitement trying to figure out what to be and how to put together the perfect costume. Then the big day, or should I say big week because there are so many different parties and programs, finally arrives. Elle and Easton were so excited for Halloween to finally come!
This year, Elle and Easton were set on being Luke and Leia, from Star Wars. For some reason, we had family movie night, a few months back, and watched the old Star Wars movie, "Return of the Jedi," editing out the inappropriate parts. My friend told me how much her little boy liked it and I remembered how much my older brother and sister loved Star Wars but I had no idea how hooked Easton AND Elle would be. They want me to print Star Wars pictures off for them to color, they check out Star Wars books from the library and they are constantly "training to be a Jedi." It is hilarious! Luckily, my friend's boys have outgrown their Star Wars costumes so we inherited them and Elle got to borrow her friend, Hadlie's costume. It all worked out perfectly!

ELLE'S PARADE AND CLASS PARTY

It all began with Elle's parade at school. She was so excited to wear a wig and to have the real Princess Leia costume. I'm not really sure why she was holding her arms up like that though. I guess to keep her sleeves up but she said someone asked if she was a puppet.

Elle with a few friends from class watching the other classes go by

Jayne at the parade

I got to help with Elle's class party after the parade. I love any chance I get to be with her in her classroom. It was fun to see all the kids in their cute costumes. Easton was so excited to be a part of the festivities too. He loves his big sister! We played games, made a Halloween craft, did a Halloween version of musical chairs, and finished with treats!

Jayne cruised around Elle's class exploring and everyone loved her. One cute little girl asked if I would take her picture with Jayne. Elle's teacher, Ms. Yawn, was really cute with her too and said she would babysit her any time.

EASTON'S PRESCHOOL PARADE AND PROGRAM

The next day we had Easton's preschool parade and Halloween program and since Elle was out of school (again!!!), she got to come too. Easton looked so cute in his parade walking by.

I loved seeing the kids in their costumes singing their Halloween songs as loud as they could!

A couple of the teachers do a little skit between songs and the kids love it. There is nothing cuter than seeing a child smile and laugh. Easton thought it was so funny, especially when they made special "witches brew" (root beer with dry ice) with bat juice, ghost breath and skeleton bones. It was cute!

Pumpkin Carving

We finally carved our pumpkins a few days before Halloween. October flew by and before I knew it, Halloween was almost here. My mom came over to join in the fun. We carved pumpkins, roasted pumpkin seeds and had yummy hot chocolate! I love holidays!!!


Elle and Easton are obsessed with anything Star Wars right now so Elle said that she knew just how to carve a pumpkin to look like "Princess Leia." She said she wanted to do it all by herself because she is big now. I must admit, Don and I didn't know how she was going to do it but it turned out great! She drew the design and punched the holes and only got a little help cutting the mouth out. Good job Elle! When she sets her mind to something, she figures out a way to do it!

I thought for sure Easton was going to want me to help him do "Luke Skywalker." Luckily, he chose one of the template patterns that you punch out, in the shape of skull and cross bones. He poked all the little holes on the lines and then I helped him cut it all out. He was so excited when it was all finished! He loves scary Halloween things.



Don decided to do Jayne's for her. What to do for our cute little pumpkin? Of course, a pumpkin smile inspired by her very own. Jayne's teeth haven't all come in yet so she has the cutest little Jack-o-lantern smile! We love you baby Jayne!

Finished pumpkins--Easton's "Skull and Cross Bones", Jayne's Jack-o-lantern, and Elle's "Princess Leia" (Notice the buns on the sides of the head)

Pumpkins, Pumpkins and more Pumpkins!!!

Elle and Easton are so excited for Halloween and couldn't wait to get pumpkins. We took them to this really great pumpkin patch and they got to pick out their very own. They loved walking up and down the aisles trying to find the perfect pumpkin. It was so much fun!

Fall Soccer

Easton LOVED playing soccer this fall and we loved watching him! It was so fun to see all those cute kids running around the field. This was Easton's first time playing soccer on a team and he did great! He even made a goal at his first game! Woo hoo! Easton and his buddy Drake got to play together and had a great team. We are so proud of him and glad that he had fun! Can't wait for spring soccer!

Easton and Drake

Check out his first goal!

Hawaii

We just got back from a really fun trip to Hawaii with Don and Diane. Don's grandma has a time share in Laie so, with a place to stay at the Hukilau house, we couldn't resist going and spending time as a family. We played on the beach, swam in the water, went to the Polynesian Cultural Center and got to see Pearl Harbor. The best part though was just being there together without the distractions of daily life. Great memories!

BEACH

Elle and Easton LOVED playing in the water and jumping the waves

Don got to do some boogie boarding

Jayne had so much fun playing in the sand and kept trying to eat it

We had fun building sandcastles with the kids

Digging for crabs with Grandpa

Swimming with Grandma

Burying Easton in the sand

Easton and I had fun burying Don in the sand

Elle was so excited to get a grass skirt

Funny faces

We love Matsumotos snow cones!!!

LUAU AT THE POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER

Don and Diane were so nice and watched Jayne one night so we could take Elle and Easton to the Luau and night show at the Polynesian Cultural Center. It was fun to have some time with just them.

The Pig at the Luau

Luau Dancer

We go all the way to Hawaii and what do Elle and Easton choose for their souvenirs? Light sabers

The night show at the PCC

We all went back to the Polynesian Cultural Center the next day to visit all the different villages and shows. It was so much fun!

In the Samoan show, a guy climbed up a coconut tree

WAIMEA FALLS PARK

We went and walked around Waimea Falls Park. Even though the Falls were really small, it was still really pretty.

Palm Tree fish

Looking for fish in the Tidepools at Shark's Cove

PEARL HARBOR

Don and Diane watched the kids for us and Don and I got to go to Pearl Harbor. It was an amazing sight and so moving.

It is crazy to see part of the ship above the water and oil still floating on the surface

On our way back to the kids, we stopped at a beach by Turtle Bay