The Millards' Happenings: 2015

One of the reasons that I haven't been up keeping our blog was because after October hit and we had an enjoyable trip to Maui, Darin got pulled away to Virginia for work 2 weeks, then 1 week later, went back for another week, then the holidays hit, then he had to go again at the beginning of January for 1 week, and then to Ohio for his final trip in February for 4 days. Yes... O.... EMMMM.... GEEEEE....

It wasn't just the traveling that was taking a toll on our family, he was trying to meet deadlines, so he was working like crazy even while he was at home. We all had to bite the bullet in this one.

Thankfully, I wouldn't know what I would have done without Grandma and Grandpa (they cooked meals and helped to babysit for us while Daddy was away) and friends were very supportive too! We were able to "survive" all this madness and Darin has a sense of relief! It's so nice to actually have some LIFE to LOVE back in our lives.

Eating some almond float at the grandparent's house

Lily and Keira got to spend some time with Mason Esaki (2 months older than Lily)

Mark hosted our annual secret santa exchange (January 2nd). Levi and Ezekiel had fun being Santa's little helpers. Santa grew a white beard just for the occasion!

Although Mark looks like he's not really enjoying everyone sitting on his lap,
he always agrees to be Santa every year...

I think the little elves wanted to open the gifts too!

Levi got a megaphone from Uncle Ben and he got a chance to sit on Santa's lap too :)

Playing in the laundry basket

With the warm weather (yes, in January!) we blew up the pool and hung out in the backyard.

Pool time!

Savannah had her second birthday party. Levi had fun in the bounce house, a year ago, he was too little to play around in it, and how he can jump and have fun in it. Emma was so helpful with Levi especially because I had to take care of him and Lily (Daddy was gone).

Levi was trying to give Savannah a hug good-bye and she kept walking away from him. LOL!

Levi has been practicing his potty training, and he's getting better at it. Yes, these undies are clean. I just loved his little smirk in this pic.

He's also learning his alphabet and names of things pretty well

Yay! Daddy's home!!!! STOKED!

Lily's eating all kinds of solids now days, she enjoyed this homemade popsicle
(spinach and fruits)

Lily @ 7 Months, not sitting still and about to fall off this chair!

Date night with Darin's company "Christmas" party in the middle of January

Uncle Jed came to visit for a wedding and so we decided to do a beach afternoon at Salt Pond. Not something we would normally do, but since it was close to Grandma and Grandpa Takayama, and Levi could swim too, it was perfect. We stayed until the sun set, and had a wonderful afternoon hanging out with family.

4 generations!

Lily took a nap there too :)

Uncle Jed helping to watch Lily girl while I was at work

Uncle Jed showing Levi some seaweed. The water was actually pretty cold!
Levi is our water baby submariner, just like Uncle Royce.

Lily made 8 months on February 17th, and I have been trying to take photos every month... It's getting very hard to capture her because she just won't stay still! Here's her action shots.

It's hard to remember everything about Levi when he was Lily's age, so here's a picture to compare the two of them:

Lily 8 Months

Levi 8 or 9 Months

Bath time is funny because Levi still tries to climb in to the little bath tub we have that's supposed to be for Lily. It's really crowded in there, and we may just have to bathe them separately soon! Until then, they seem to be having fun!

A smiling pic of the two of them!

Yes, this is our happy baby girl that won't sit still for a pic :)

I love this one.

If you haven't noticed by now, we usually go to the beach if the weather is nice. Lily is now starting to EAT. ALL. THE. SAND!

Lily and Selah

Levi is actually smiling!

Fishing in our backyard with Papa

Levi caught 4 fish! (Well, actually I caught 2 and Papa caught 2, and Levi reeled them in.)

Until this day, Levi was very cautious about going down the slide. Shaylen, on the other hand always has to be watched very carefully because she's the daredevil. It was cute watching them play at the playground together. Shaylen's due to have a baby brother any day now (March 16th due date).

I had to fly to Oahu for the day on Feb 13th and was able to spend some time with the brothers and sister. We ate dinner at the Pig and the Lady, and it was in China town. We all didn't know it, but they were celebrating Chinese New Year that night, and they closed the roads, had fireworks, and even the Chinese Dragons came to dance in our restaurant while we had dinner! It was a fun experience! Not something any of us would've have gone out of our way to see/experience, but glad we did unexpectedly.

Salted Caramel and Coffee flavored gellato at Via Gellato for dessert!

Levi got to have some pool time right before Darin went to Ohio. It was John's 4th birthday party and Levi and Lily had fun. The pool was a little cold for Lily.

Keira and Lily (2 months apart, but 1 week gestational age apart)

We spent a Sunday at Kalapaki doing potluck and hanging out. The water was cold, but we all had a fun afternoon. Someplace close to home but still nice to hang out at the beach!

Keira and Lily practicing their vocal skills

Emma, our future baby sitter :)

Our set up

Daddy making Lily girl smile

Some pics of our kids and their funny expressions. Yes, Tobi too :)

Last weekend we got to hang out at the Hyatt with the Ballards. Lily didn't eat as much sand, but she's still putting things in her mouth. Levi had so much fun he didn't want to leave.