It's a Wrap: Beloved Guests

Christmas is a week away! It comes quicker every year!

We are staying on island this year. In just a few days, Tim's parents fly in for the holidays. Yay!

At the moment, it's silent in my living room. I'm soaking it in.

Although, I'll always choose a house full of loved ones over a quiet, sunny afternoon alone. Don't get me wrong, I crave the down-time, it's just that I also adore hosting family and friends!

Andy and Alicia left us for a week on Kona and are back home in Yelm. How we miss the NW right about now! Just this morning we officially said farewell to our dear island family Chris and Amber. Lucky for us, we had them (and baby Luke) at our house for a bonus few days! We are especially grateful for the time we have with family and friends at this time of year!

I have a few cute pics to share today, but this week I plan to share a favorite (easy) Christmas cookie recipe and some failed family pics... just for fun!

Fortunately for me and Tim, Blakely doesn't get tired of the beach (which is close and free). Her new favorite beach activity? Sand boogie boarding! Especially with her cousin, Sawyer!

Mele Kalikimaka! Enjoy a gingerbread latte and warm coat for me! xoxo

Strawberry Shortcake: The Wrap

I thought the light-hearted parts of Halloween would be a bit more fun this year now that I have a 1 1/2 year old, but I didn't expect this much silliness and joy!

I've always lived for costumes and celebrations, so naturally this opportunity would be up my alley!

Here's some of the goofiness of my Strawberry Shortcake!

p.s. -- this was an easy DIY costume if ya wanna file it away for a little girl next year.

 Our little astronaut friend, Natalie.

 Hey you, Strawberry Shortcake..over here!

 First stop, our dear neighbors!

Where to next, Strawberry?

 Getting the hang of this... :)

 A kiss from Strawberry! Lucky me!

All tuckered out!

Pre-Halloween Night Lovin'...literally!

Halloween can be a tricky night. While it's silly, light, and sugar-filled for some, for others it's much more serious and possibly darker. I'm not willing to ignore the reality of darkness, but I'm also not compelled to flee from the night. Darkness cannot be where light shines!

I hope you all had a lovely, blessed, light-filled Halloween, harvest weekend--however and wherever you were!

Can you believe it's November already? A month to focus on blessings! Happy being-thankful-month to all of you!

Peace, love, and Jesus,

Katie, Strawberry, and Justin Beiber ;) (more on that later...)

The Wrap: Kickball, Pill Box, & Pork Chops

It's late in Hawaii. And if it's late in Hawaii, well, it's late everywhere else in this country too (even later). I hope you aren't reading this now! I hope you sleeping soundly. Monday is just a few short hours away--again. ;)

I played this weekend! Yay!

We did church on Friday, a surprise kickball party on Saturday, and The Pill Box hike in Kailua today. But, I sorta feel like whatever comes up, must come down. So, after all our escapades, I had to zip home today and start my online University of Phoenix work.

This made me realize--again--that I really dislike bringing work home. I love teaching for so many reasons, but I'm sometimes envious of a job where work is at work and home is at home. I feel blessed to do some of my work from home, but it's also stressful. I feel pulled a lot of different directions and I rarely feel "done." Ya know? :) I'm not good at finding a stopping place. Somethings gotta give though. Tonight it was dinner prep. I just couldn't wrap up my online work fast enough to make those dang mashed sweet potatoes. Tim, bless his heart, bbq-ed our yummy pork chops, but I couldn't pull through on my end. I hate that feeling.

Anyway, I did make the mashed sweet potatoes much later this evening. At least they are in the fridge for later. I just used Okinawan Sweet Potatoes from Costco, Simply Apple Juice from Target, and I Can't Believe it's not Butter, Butter. My KitchenAid did all the hard work. I guess I made up the apple juice part. I figured natural sugar is better than me scooping it in. And sweet potatoes are best when they're, well, sweet! It's a perfect family dish--Blakely, Tim, and I all dig the potatoes.

Well, here's to finding that balance between work, play, love, and Jesus! Cheers. Happy Week! ~Some pics below~

Rachel planned a clever and perfect surprise birthday for her hubby, Nick.

 Nick was surprised! Let the games begin!

My pep talk from Blakely!

Blakely's first hike. I can't believe we waited so long!

Ten months old! (Pill Box Hike in Kailua)