It's finally here...Party Day!

While it's 7:40am Portland time, we're just creeping towards 5am in Hawaii. Today already feels a bit busy & Duane and I are feeling the calm before the storm. He'll be leaving with his father and brother to grab our spot at the park in just another hour. They will unload a bunch of gear, Duane will stay, and they will continue on gathering more items to return and start setting up. My goal is to blow up some water balloons here to bring later on --- we'll see if Connor is so allowing. The other goal is for Joc & I to gather the kiddo's and be at the park by 9-9:30am. The bouncer & shave ice will be there at 10.

Family here has been so huge in helping put this party on that I honestly believe it should go pretty smoothly today. I just wish I could do more to help out. I Thanks to Momma Mely & Papa Dante, Jon and Joc, all of the Aunties, Uncles, and Cousins... We couldn't be more lucky or more appreciative of everyone & all the effort put forth.

So here are a few facts to remember should you be in the mainland & planning one of these bad boys from afar... that or we ever have another little one.

• Most important, Your THEME! Make sure that it's fun but also accessable. You'll be buying many things! for those not in hawaii -- oriental trading company is your friend. make nice fast! oh & ship!
  
• Invitations, Thank You Cards, and stamps -- order early as it's nice to have done & out of the way.
  
• Balloons, Balloons, and more Balloons...oh & don't forget the helium tanks!
  
• a themed Pinata filled with candy goodness
  
• Party favor bags/boxes -- 5 or 6 themed goodies inside
  
• a deccorated money box - THANKS JOC, it was a blast making.
  
• a sign-in book
• a Cake - keep with theme. THANK YOU Aunty Myrna.
  
• a Banner - THANK YOU RO & CRAIG!
• Games & Prizes -- I'll have to report back on this one, as I'm a novice - so I'll be taking Joc & Aubz lead. Thank GOD for them.
  
• if outside -- a bouncer inflatable/combo, face painting, shave ice machine -- something along those lines is nice to have
  
• if outside -- tents, tables, and chairs... definite MUST haves!
  
• other misc. decor for the party (i.e. 6 foot inflatable monkey, beach monkey crafts that we did earlier in the week to serve as more party decor)
• last but not least - food & drink.
  

Just another beautiful day at Mokuleia Beach...

We're Here...

Let the pictures begin!

Awhhh, the cousins are together again...

Was like no time had passed...

Finally, Connor & Papa Dante!

Hula Hoop King!

Connor with (great) Grandma Venancia...

So precious.

Out for an evening stroll!

Cousin playtime, lol.

LOL, lots of loving.

We went to the swap meet in town & oh my it was HOT!

Connor's first official piece of SUSHI!

He was having sooo much fun.

Aunty Ro!

At Jymee's Party.

Playing with Papa.

Waiting to see Aunty Ro to get Connor's eyes checked out!

A quiet moment.

Connor's Birthday Gift Bags!

We made 48 in total. Hopefully we'll have enough!

Bunches of fun stuff inside!

Coming next --- beach pictures!

From Wake-up to Touch-down...

A day in the life of our 1st family plane trip!

Connor at 4:30A.M.

Duane pregnant with bags!

Getting ready for check in...

Check out my ride!!!

The 3 Musketeers!!!

On the plane at last!
(at this point we're hoping he's going to sleep the whole flight!)

So far so good! Thank God for Benadryl!

Don't let the pictures fool you.
He only slept for a half hour at the beginning of the flight & at the end!

Can you see the ship?

Finally off of the plane...just waiting for our stroller!

Eh, nice shirt Braddah?!!

Aloha Momma Mely!

~ Carbery Castillo Ohana ~

In 8 Hours...

We'll be checking in at the airport.
At last Connor & I will have our chance to meet our Hawaii Family.
I can't even begin to express how excited I am to see everyone.
Per Duane, this is about 10 or so minutes away from where we'll be for the next ten days.
So much love to you all. Thanks for being a part of one the most amazing years of my life.

Most of all, love to you my Birthday Boy!
You have single-handedly made my life exponentially better!

I will do my best to add a couple picture entries while we're there.
Love, Sarah Ann

Bathtime BUBBLES with Mom...

So the countdown is officially on. We're at six days & counting til' we arrive in Hawaii. I can't tell you how excited I am for the next week to pass already! It will be such a wonderful thing to meet family that I've been talking with for such a long time... :-)

Onto other subjects...

There are moments that take my breath away & put me in such a state of awe that I feel so overwhelmingly blessed. Well the following moments caught by Duane were exactly that.

What a lucky and blessed Mom I am.

Plane, here we come...

With our Hawaii trip coming up, we're going to be tackling our first plane trip with a little one. LOL, any tips or advice would be appreciated! Anyway, after my family left on Saturday, we decided to rest up a bit. On Sunday, we went over to Kennedy School to see Kung Fu Panda & later around to some garage sales.

We ended up finding a gem for Connor. With all the pilots in our family, this could be telling!
He's just too cute I tell ya!