My Best Friend's Wedding

We've been friends forever, but when we attended Ricks together, she would introduce herself to others, "Hey, I'm Eike (Eye - key) , like Nike." A little cheesy but very efficient, rarely did people ever ask how to pronounce her name again and people never forgot her. Not because of this intro but because there's nobody else like her. I think she now goes by the correct German pronounciation, Eye - kah.

She's the type of person that always has a nickname for everyone. I was Squirt, or Yoshi, but mainly, Kame. (Kah - may, which is my Okinawan middle name.) She's still Schmitt to me, her last name being Smith.

My family moved to the Alaska bush when I was 9 years old, almost 20 years ago. I met Eike our first day at church in the Airline Hanger we used to go to before we got the double-wide church bldg. In high school we were inseperable, and we made a funny picture: I'm short, she's tall. We two completely different people and life has taken us down very different paths, but maybe that's why we've been friends so long.

She embodies the spirit of Alaska and this passion for life and the outdoors. People are drawn to her inner beauty and downplayed physical beauty. Once, we played one of those uncomfortable FHE games at Ricks, where you go around a circle and say nice things about each other. It can be really embarrassing making people you don't know well say nice things about you, but I remember one girl saying to Eike: "You are enviously beautiful." I don't think she knows how beautiful is. I think she was deathly embarrassed and she's one of those people who turns completely red - it starts in her cheeks and spreads to her ears. I used to give her so much grief for that.

She's a total guy's girl, she's resourceful and adventurous, loves camping, hiking, paddling, snowboarding, winter camping and she'll commercial fish right along side the boys too. I guess having six older brothers helped. Her mom was born in Germany and worked as a nurse in Alaska, where she met Lyle, Eike's dad, part Alaskan. He really looks like Abe Lincoln! He's an amazing storyteller and Silke is vibrant, so full of life.

We've been through so much together! It would take a book to tell all of our adventures. The one that's retold a bunch has to do with her green '50 (or 60's?) Chevy and me learning how to drive stick. She shifted and I played with the clutch. It went pretty good but ended with a, "TURN HERE!" a ditch, and a "DUCK!" as we tried to hide as people drove by insanely slow to see who was driving. I should add that our town only had a population of 2500, so the car pretty much gave us away.

I get a little emotional just thinking about how she's impacted my life and shaped who I am today! She's really like a sister to me.

This is her awesome fiancee, Reid Ten Kley. His family actually commercial fished along side Eike's family all their lives, but the two never met until three years ago after a bear broke a window in Eike's cabin. He brought over an extra window panel and helped her install it, and as they say, "The rest is history!" He's originally from Oregan, he's a practicing CPA, but I think he also has a business on the side. He's so accomplished so much for being so young but he's completely unpretentious, just like Eike. I think they are perfect for each other and couldn't be happier for them! Congratulations to the happy couple!

If you want to check out their cool wedding website through The Knot, click here.

Elise and Elijah look-alike and fun Anecdotes

I've been meaning to do this post for a while... I saw a fun comparison of Tiana's children and thought I should do one too. In pictures, Elise and Elijah sometimes look so much alike! This one is of Elise (left) and Elijah (right) with Grandma Yonashiro.

Their sleepy smiles, both taken around the same age, about 1 month old. I was so thrilled, I wanted Elise to be a happy baby, and she is now! (For the most part.) Elijah has always been a really happy guy.

I just think these photos show how similar their features are: same nose and eyes...

One day, Elise came running to me: "Elijah stuck!" This is where I found him (to the left) It was such a random place to find him, I ran to get my camera first before rescuing him! (He wasn't hurt, just a little fustrated : ) After Elise saw that he got good attention from doing this, she had to try too. If you've seen this kitchen, it's not that big so I was surprised they fit in it.

Other fun quotes from Elise and anecdotes:

Elise found my cleaning gloves and put them on her feet. She's such a silly goose!

My funny girl doesn't want Mommy and Daddy to hug or kiss. Today she said, "No huddle!" I think that was an accidental cross between 'hug' and 'cuddle'.

When she's especially excited she'll exclaim, "Wow, amazing!"

Today as I went to throw trash she cautioned, "Mommy, be careful."

"Elijah cry, like this: 'ahhh!'" My little tattletale and actress likes to act out or make sounds to tell her story.

"I love you too much!" instead of "so much" every single time.

Elise has a strong maternal instinct. If I cry while watching a movie or if I cough, she'll ask: "Mommy (or Jackie) you okay?"

Singing the chorus to 'I am a child of God': "Lead me, walky, help me fine a way!"

At the Sears' Portrait Studio, the photographer tried to make her laugh, "Does mommy or daddy have stinky feet? " We now have a cute photo of her sweetly smiling when she responded, "No, Elijah stinky feet!"

"I want teddy bears (her vitamins)!" I tell her she can one maybe two. I take my time and she says, "I want maybe two!"

Snowy Suprises

We love snowy surprises, especially if that includes Aaron comng home from work early! We were thrilled. We weren't expecting snow, I guess we hadn't watched the weather on the news lately. : )

We called Tiana and Ches to see if they saw the snow and found that Ches was asking to play outside, just like Elise. The Christensens have the perfect yard area for toddler fun and exploration. Unfortunately (yet very fortunately for Michelle!) Damon was sleeping so they couldn't come.

Fun highlights:
Elise and Ches throwing snowballs and then trying to throw some at Elijah (why doesn't he throw back?) until we directed their energies towards chasing Aaron. They seemed to have fun ganging up on him. I think Aaron liked it too. : )

The snowman built by Tiana and Ches. The kids loved it so much they ended up giving it a big hug. (I borrowed this one from Tiana's blog.)

Then there was Ches eating snow and making Elise giggle.

I loved how you could step from a snowy world onto green grass under the holly tree - like some fanasty world like Narnia or something.

The kids were so funny waiting under the tree for Tiana and I to throw snowballs at the tree so that they could be showered with snow that was sifted through the branches. Good idea, Tiana!

When we finally went home because we were soaked, Elise cried all night to go play in the snow with Ches again. And there were a lot of longing looks cast out of the window at the falling sleet.

Mr. Sulu & my husband the Trekkie

Great shot taken by Aaron of George Takei, or Mr. Sulu from Star Trek, back when William Shatner was Captain... Or if you've seen NBC's "Heroes", he plays Hiro's father.

Aaron grew up with Star Trek because his father loved the series and he really enjoyed it. So last night, he got to go see Mr. Sulu narrate for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at the Strathmore Center, here in Bethesda.

He is so funny. He said that he was trying to take pictures without flash so that people wouldn't notice, and he was shooting them from his shoulder. So we got a lot of blurry and "artistic" pictures.

BUT he did take some really great ones! He lucked out because the usher told him during intermission to go ahead and sit on the front row. Good thing because Mr. Sulu didn't stick around after the show. : )

A Very Blissful Birthday

(Elise admiring beautiful Ellie Rae.)

She was very content just looking at her. : )

I kind of expected this birthday slip by silently and unnoticed. I am now 28 years old, which I just find kind of crazy. A few years back when I turned 25, my sweet younger sister, Vickie said, "Wow! You're a quarter of a century!" When you put it like that, I feel old. But otherwise, I feel the same, young at heart. : )

I have really wonderful family that showered me with calls and sweet friends who surprised me by remembering my birthday. I feel so spoiled and I always love talking to my sisters, parents and in-laws! I have the best family, so generous and thoughtful.

A good friend, Elizabeth H. called to wish me a "Happy Birthday" - I was so surprised that she remembered! She told me that her husband Kent had our birthdays in his palm pilot from when he was our home teacher. Aren't they the best? She brought over these beautiful, delicious chocolate cookies dusted in powdered sugar. I put them in the bowl Michelle had given us for Christmas.

As if that wasn't enough, another good friend, Tiana stopped by with yummy oatmeal cookies and a gift from her and Elizabeth! Then, Michelle, Damon and Taylor came over too for a fun, impromptu playgroup! The best way to spend a birthday.

Elizabeth and Tiana picked out a foresty-olive green jacket for me (my favorite color!) from Steve & Barry's. They also gave me a beautiful set of earrings and a necklace, with blue beads and jewels. They are so thoughtful and so sweet. Thank you Elizabeth & Tiana!!

Every year it seems I make a goal to remember people's birthdays... I made the resolution to remember early this year too but now I am even more inspired to try remember everyone's birthdays better, because I felt so loved. So, if you read this please post a comment with your birthdate!

It's nice that people just remember. In the morning, I had called Trina for some random thing and she greeted me with a cheerful "Happy Birthday!" I thought that was super sweet. She had also offered to watch the kids earlier, but we wanted to include them in our celebrations.

I also got a suspecting email from Michelle, "Did I hear today might be a special day for you?" I think I successfully ignored that question, fearful that she would try to do something nice for me. She had just given me some really melt-in-your-mouth banana bread, which we devored in one day. This picture is Elijah first licking the bottom of the pan and then acting like it was a hat : ) It was so funny. He somehow kept getting it off the dining room table!

And then, there's my sweet husband...

He came home with a rose, some ginger scented perfume and body cream... Then, he took our whole family out to Ruth's Chris Steak House. We really enjoyed it! I got the kids all dressed up and Elise was so excited that daddy was taking us out to eat. They did really well but of course they got restless. I think it was the fastest time we ever spent in a resturaunt! We started off with Caesar salads, then Aaron ordered a "really good steak" : ), I think it was the New York Strip steak. I got the stuffed chicken breast (reccomended by Michelle), with lots of butter and cheese, so good! The kids ate the broccoli, asaragus and mashed potatoes. We took a few bites of our entrees and then asked them to wrap up the rest and bring us the check. haha! At least we got some fun pictures.

(These are before and after pictures of my hair.)

These pictures are of a Christmas present from Aaron, but it feels like it was for my birthday. Last week, I used the gift certificate Aaron gave me to go to a salon and cut my hair. I got some layers and warm highlights. It was so nice to be pampered (I don't think I've ever been to that kind of salon, mostly just hole-in-the wall places : ), and Aaron and the kids roamed the mall for almost 2 hours. I love my husband! I think I pretty much copied all my friends haircuts - Tiana, Michelle, Kaelene... I love it, I feel like a new woman. : ) Thank you, Aaron!!

Mt. Vernon & Washington's Eyes

This is a snapshot of a scene in "National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets." If you look close you can see the veranda of the Washinton's mansion on the Mt. Vernon Estate. I liked the movie, it made me laugh but I still think the first one was more interesting. I guess for the end of this month and part of Feb., you can visit the estate and they will allow visitors downstairs where a pivotal part of this scene was filmed. Click here for more info. Sounds fun!

We wondered aloud if we'd find any secret passageways, but we of course we didn't. We were lucky enough to catch the end of the holdiday tours. We got to tour of the third floor where Martha Washinton spent the last two years of her life after her husband passed away suddenly. She couldn't bear to stay in the same room that they shared so she moved upstairs.

We also got a lovely snack in celebration of the 12 days of Christmas. There was a white tent set up on the grounds serving ginger cookies and hot apple cidar. Yum! I guess they were also serving a famous recipe that Martha Washington made during the holidays: Hedgehog cake. We missed that one though!

This is a concave carving of George Washington in a wall - it's really interesting because his eyes follow you no matter where you are in the room, it's kind of eerie in a way. Cool, but eerie. It's probably more impressive in person because it's pretty large.

We loved touring the gardens, mansion, grounds and learned so much from the museum exhibits! We'd definately go again sometime.

Playgroup Photos

"Sweet Sickly" Aunas and Other Treats

I just loved how this card was addressed and the brownies were perfection! Michelle, thanks for being a such a compassionate friend! Actually, we missed church because the kids were getting over a virus, plus I forgot about the time change and we were jet-lagged.On another occasion, when I missed church because I had a headache, Kaelene came by with flavorful lasagna cooked with zucchini! (I borrowed a picture from the web.) It was so unexpected and so very thoughtful! Mahalo nui loa!

After our long, sickly flight from Hawaii we returned home to a much cleaner-than-we-left-it apartment, plus all of these fancy treats! I love the plush, soft towels that match our new shower curtain perfectly. The pumpkin roll was really beautiful. Elijah thought so too - I looked away for a second and he had stuck his hand in it! It was rich, creamy with a hint of my favorite holiday spices! Heavenly. Thank you, Tiana, CJ, Danielle and family! We are so grateful for and feel we don't deserve your kind generosity.

I thought this idea was super fun and unique. We recieved the Browns' Caramel Corn recipe plus all the ingredients needed to make a very delicious treat. It was such a great activity me and the kids and it tasted great. Thank you so much!

Christmas Collages & Clips

We had a fabulous time in Hawaii for Christmas! Some highlights include:
Seeing and spending time with the Auna and Yonashiro Grandparents.

Family pictures, and Marcus trying on Elijah's tie.

Jacelyn playing Santa's Helper and everyone spoiling the kids with presents.

Picnic-ing in the Maui Airport with my parents on our way to Hilo.

Perfect 70 degree temperatures. Gorging on delicious food like fish, poi, lau lau, Komodo Bakery rolls and pasteries... The kids actually sleeping at 6pm or 7pm. : ) The lovely virus we caught. It just doesn't seem right, almost like an oxymoron: sickness in paradise. : ) Karaoke with Baba and Lala: Congratulations to Marcus, the new Hawaiian Idol! Elise showing off and going potty on the toliet - no accidents! Even though she fell asleep in her big girl underwear one night. Jacelyn teaching Elise to say, "Shake your bon-bon!" and Elise saying, "Shake a bum-bum!" Great hugs, long talks with family and seeing Grandpa Aubrey and Larry wear their Father's Day shirts with Elise and Elijah's pictures on them. Watching Korean music videos with Mom Lyn. Jacelyn playing the piano beautifully and Aaron trying out his new trumpet. (He wanted me to add a disclamer, that he hasn't played for seven years since high school band. : ) Winning the Hilo High Alumni Soccer game! Elijah playing with the wrapping paper and trash more than his new toys. Getting taken care of by my parents and in-laws because I was sick. My mom's pillowtop guest room bed. Heaven. Thoughtful gifts from everyone, especially from Aaron. : )

Hilo High Alumni All-Stars...

Some people are surprised that we didn't make it to the beach at all, during our trip home to visit family in Hawaii. In fact, it rained the entire time we were in Hilo and it was super windy in Maui. I'm not complaining at all, I love rain and the way it cleanses and refreshes... This a picture taken of Aaron and his brother Marcus after a very wet alumni soccer game for Hilo High School... Our guys won! Elise had so much fun cheering fo her daddy and uncle Marcus. Aaron made a goal and Marcus played goalie.

The first video is Elise cheerng for her daddy and Uncle Marcus. The second video is a silly, impromptu post game interview the boys took. Here are some of their quotables:

Marcus: So, how was your game today?

Aaron: It brought back a lot of memories... Memories of past glories.

Aaron: So, who won today?

Marcus: I did. I basically saved the game. If I didn't save those balls, they would have been winning.

Aaron: Who's better - K.C. Keller from the US team or you?

Marcus: I think me. Keller's old that's why, they need young people like me.

"You'll never guess who..."

The magic of reality TV is that it has the power to turn anyone into a celebrity. I received THE funniest voicemail just before Christmas, I'm so mad it got deleted because the actual sound bite would have been the best, but this will have to do...

My best attempt at recreation, the message on my voicemail sounded like this but in a very serious stage whisper:

"Jackie, you will never believe who came into Potterybarn today."

It takes me the briefest minute, then I realize it's my good friend Michelle. I chuckle, feeling like I'm getting the inside to some delicious story. And it is...

"Tessa from The Bachelor!" (She's still whispering, I start to laugh out loud!) "I even gift-wrapped a present for her sister. Like, her actual sister from the Hometown date. Anyway, I just wanted to call you and tell you, (In a singsong voice,) I saw Tessa from the Bachelor! I'm so cool. I'll talk to you later, bye." I had to listen to it a couple of times, and I even made Aaron listen to it - we both thought Michelle was hilarious! (Picture below, Tessa and Andy in Hawaii.)

You have to know that it was Michelle that introduced me to the Bachelor that particular season and that that we spent every Tuesday morning of that season of The Officer and a Gentleman watching it on my computer while the kids played because our husbands didn't really care for the show. (Truth be told, Aaron detests it.)

We'd dish and gossip about the ridiculous things the bachellorettes did, and really came to feel like we knew the contestants. I was rooting for Tessa, she looked like she's from Hawaii and The Bachelor had ties to the islands. Michelle was rooting for Bevin the "Clinic Research Coorinator" who was outdoorsy and athletic. We'd contemplate inviting our other friends to watch with us, but then conclude, "They're probably classier than us." : ) It was so fun!

I was naive because it was my first time watching, I watched anxiously hoping for a sweet romantic story. And actually, there were two romantic storylines, and even though he picked my favorite, Tessa, I couldn't feel happy that the guy had a romantic relationship with Bevin too, and that she got crushed. It's like polygamous dating. It's bad enough in a movie, but this is supposedly "real!" So since then, I've tried not to watch the show (I still snuck in a few episodes), but I have to say I really enjoyed that season. Thanks, Michelle for making me laugh!