Crab hunting and shave ice eating

I'm just getting around to editing some family photos from these past few months... I'm WAY behind.  Like almost a year.  But there's a new babe to care for, and I still have the two older ones  ;) so we've been busy around here.  

The North Shore of Oahu is one of our favorite places on the island.  Specifically near Shark's Cove.  It's a huge tide pool area you can snorkel in, with a deeper space where there are tons of turtles and fish.  But we can only venture into the deeper water during the summer because the surf gets pretty high during winter.  And across the street there are some wonderful food trucks!  They have a great Thai place there... of course all I ever get is Pad Thai.  But it's delish.   I was about 8.5 months pregnant when we visited... I probably looked crazy balancing on rocks and squatting to take pictures.  I was.  But I gotta get the shot, right?! 

And then of course there's Thai Coffee and Shave Ice at Green World Coffee Farm.  One of our favorite places. <3

Out for a walk, Hickam Officer Housing

So the little one an I decided to take a walk the other day.  He needed to get some energy out - we had just eaten at Fat Burger for a going away on Pearl Harbor - and I always need a walk. Anything to get this baby out.  As we speak, I am 2 days away from DUE DATE.  Which always ends up being disappointing for me cause I usually go over.  And that's fine, you know?  But when you know you're going to see that date come and go, you wish you could be one of those that comes even 2 days early.  Just so you don't have to go ALL THE WAY.  

Anyway.  He's gotten so much better at getting out for exercise!  He's been kind of lazy up till now.  But lately the energy has found him and he loves riding his bike and walking with the rest of the family.  He was going to ride his bike today, but decided to walk with me instead!  Why yes - I'd love that!! Of course he had to bring his little tupperware so he could collect bugs.  We really ended up collecting seeds.  He's either going to grow up to be a gardener or an entomologist.

This kids Loves.  Bugs.  

He calls them "Little Fellas".  

It's the cutest thing. 

So I grabbed the camera!  Always love those chubby fingers.  I grabbed my Nikon d800e with my Nikon 50 1.4.  I have a d750 as well, but that's locked and loaded for the hospital!  I can't wait to take photographs of my little girl.  Can't.  Wait. 

I scream, you scream.... you know the rest

One thing my family does VERY well together is eat ice cream.  Just one of those things that my kids will do anything for!  Here in Hawaii, it's nice all the time.  So you have to force yourself to just get out and go do something once in a while - even though you may not feel like it.  Well, this was one of those days.  After a long week of work and home projects, we all needed out!  So we made our way to Oahu's North Shore and had a picnic lunch... blog post to come!  On the way home we stopped at Scoop of Paradise in Waialua, HI.  We've been to the one in Haleiwa, but never knew there were two! Both AMAZING.  The second one was actually created so they could export ice cream to Japan!  So all their production is right on site - right here in Hawaii!!  Such good homemade ice cream - really homemade.  We had a chance to sit down with the owner and chat.  The way it should be when you visit a family owned store.  Loved everything from the ice cream to the local handmade jewelry displayed.  There's even a massage parlor upstairs.  Massages and ice cream....  mmmmmm.

 Do yourself a favor and check them out!

Scoop of Paradise Website

Skiles Nursing and Home Life Story

Cheryse was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.  Considering her littlest is less than a year old and still nursing, we wanted to make sure to capture these last special moments before treatment began.  As you know with these things, treatment begins rather quickly.  So we just picked a random Wednesday night to document!  

We had actually planned on doing more of a family and nursing session over in Kaneohe / Kailua area, but sometimes the weather doesn't cooperate on the windward side of the island!  So, being the awesomely flexible woman that Cheryse is - and knowing how important the little moments are - she asked if I could just come for dinner and their bedtime routine.  

Perfect. 

Check out her family's video at the end of the post - it's so much more than just a picture.  A life story/lifestyle session tells a whole story!  And although others may not see everything she sees, the little things - like remembering the sour extract she accidentally put in the smoothies - that is something SHE will remember.  And her kids will probably not forget either... Check out the "yucky" faces!  

Live for the story - not just the perfect shot. 

Stay tuned for more from this precious family.  A cancer story isn't one to be taken lightly.  It's a fight to remember and celebrate. Because every fight, every victory - even the small ones - need to be celebrated.

You can read more about Cheryse's story HERE

a life story video...  Their story