Happenings On Oahu

So I was reminded by a friend that it has been a LONG time since I wrote an email out to everyone. So I guess there is a lot to catch you up on. I think we have to go all the way back to Halloween. This year for Halloween Kaden and Jarom were Batman and Robin! They were way cute! I forgot how warm it still is here and Jarom's costume was fleece so I cut it to be shorts and t-shirt so he wasn't burning up all night. I'll have to remember that for next year. We had a trunk or treat at the church along with a ward party with chili and rice (a staple here :)) cornbread, pumpkin carving contest and costume contest. I bought a huge bag of candy and was out in like 20 min! Who knew there would be that many kids! It was my first trunk or treat. So now I know to decorate our car to the max and buy like 1000 pieces of candy! There was also a free carnival with bounce houses, rides, games and food on Halloween we went there for a couple of hours and then did a little trick or treating before turning in for the night. Kaden finally finished off his last piece of candy 2 weeks ago! After Halloween was my (Amy) birthday. A whopping 28! We had some friends take us out to lunch at Kua'Aina Burger. YUM! We had cake and ice cream later that day and I gathered up a few friend to play some volleyball at the church. It was really fun. Jarom turned 1 a week later! This cutie is still my baby but he's not acting like it anymore. He is wanted to be more and more independent. Says mama, dada, baba (bottle), ball, signs more, thank you and blows kisses. He started taking steps around 10 months but now is walking as his main mode of transportation. He used to walk with both arms in the air like monkey arms and his little bum would be waddling side to side. It is so cute! We had cake and ice cream with just our little family. (later our friends found out and were a little upset they didn't know, nor did we throw a big party so we'll make up for it next year. Love Samoans! The week after that was Thanksgiving and we had it up in Pupukea at our friends house. Jimmy did the turkey which he put in a brine for a day. It was amazing. After dinner we all broke the cardinal rule and went swimming in their pool. Our ward started playing volleyball every Friday at church and we love it. Usually it is us 3 Samoan families and the missionaries and it is so fun! We get some really good rally's going and there are some crazy awesome spikes. Whenever any one messes up even in a major way we just start busting up laughing! I love it! Usually we start to keep score but then after about 10 points no one keeps score any more so we just play till about 9:30 when the missionaries go home. Now we are getting ready for Christmas. Our tree is set up and waiting to be decorated. We have gingerbread houses to create, Oreo truffles to make and give away and devour. Carols to sing and friends to be with. We are sad that we will not be spending it with all of you. But we cherish our time with each other reflecting on the birth of our Savior and all that he has done for us. Be kind to one another this Christmas! With much Aloha! -The Browns Jimmy, Amy, Kaden and Jarom PS If forgot to mention we got chickens! They are much bigger than in the pic. They will be going to the DeFretias family as soon as Jimmy is done building the coop :) Cute though hua? PPS The bus pics are because our ward rented a bus to go up to stake conference. Kaden's first time on a bus and he loved it! In no particular order... The pumpkin I carved for the contest Amy's Birthday Batman and Robin Bus Ride! Chicks! Family Pic at Ali'i Beach Park Swimming at Thanksgiving Jarom's Birthday Rides at the Halloween Carnival So cute! Ah Brothers!

Aloha!

Aloha! That's right my friends we have moved to Hawaii! We love it! Jimmy got a job out here and I have retired from teaching. We are loving the sun, sand and surf and are looking forward to lots of adventures. I know that I haven't been updating my blog lately and honestly, I don't plan on it. But, if you would still like emails with our happenings and pictures email me and I'll add you to the list! Below is an email and pics that I have already sent out to friends and family. I'm not sure if this will be my last blog or not, who knows, maybe I will end up blogging a lot more? Who knows... Enjoy and Mahalo! Aloha family and friends! I almost feel like I am on a mission and need to write to you about our happenings this first week. It is sunny and warm and we can go to the beach whenever and we love it! We got to our place last Tuesday really late (1am wednesday) and it was way better than we thought it would be considering we only had pictures to go off of. It has a big porch (lanai) in the front with a little courtyard for Kaden to play in. There is so much landscaping we feel like it is our own little private place. The neighbors are mostly young families and there are 4 kids (4-7yrs) That asked the very next morning if Kaden could play. And they play for hours! The courtyard is pretty enclosed naturally by the plants so it is very safe and the kids are so nice. They already have called Jimmy and I auntie and uncle. We have been busy settling in and going to the beach. We went to Haleiwa, Pupukea (where the turtles come up and eat seaweed on the exposed rocks during low tide) and Sunset. We are still waiting to find a good time to go to Waiamea and get a parking spot so we can go there. Our ward is awesome. They were so excited that we were staying and suprised that we weren't military. I got a lei in relief society to welcome me there as well as the other 10-15 visitors. They do that every week and have several visitors in the summer. We finally got our car off the boat today and feel a little less touristy. We are required to register it in 30 days. I can't wait for a Hawaii plate! Now if only we could find a babysitter for our anniversary on Thursday... Anyone wanna fly out? I've attached a couple of pictures. Enjoy! I'll email again with more adventures soon! - Amy, Jimmy, Kaden, and Jarom

My first go at Hawaiian Mac. Yum.

The two cuties at BK after we picked up our car at the port

Jarom the crawler at our house

Kaden at Pupukea beach.

Waiamea Bay, A-mazing!

3

Jarom is growing so much! I cannot believe that he is already 3 months! He had a bout of RSV at 6 weeks. Except for the night that he stopped breathing for a little bit and we rushed to the hospital, it was a pretty mild case and after about 2 weeks he was rid of it entirely with no consequences. He loves to sit up as much as he can and see the world around him. He loves Kaden, except when Kaden is a little too rough for him. Loves his daddy and mommy. Whenever I call home from school Jarom turns his head to the direction of my voice looking for me. I think I can safely say that he is a momma's boy! We love to smile, coo and talk to each other, and he has even started laughing. He's doing great with tummy time and we are excited for him to start rolling and sitting up. He loves his binky, very different from his brother. He loves his swing a ton and sleeps in there most of the time. I'm trying to toughen up and let him sleep in his bed but I just love having him close to me. He weighed 11 lbs at his 2 month appointment and grew 3 inches. He hardly cries except when he is hungry and tired. We love having him in our family!