On the way to the doctor yesterday we started talking like trolls with no teeth – this is how it looks to smile that way 🙂 Here we are eating lunch in our backyard in the only 3’x3′ patch of space that is not filled with men or tools. I think there are 6 guys in the house – I’ve lost count since sometimes they disappear under the house to run wires. Sammy pointed to a red container on the grass next to the big saw and said “I think that’s an air compressor.” I was amazed, and didn’t think that was right – how could he know? But I asked the contractor hanging our cedar ceiling and he said it was indeed! Then he offered Sam a job 🙂 Sam and I both want a saws-all for Christmas. Auntie – imagine the pruning possibilities!

So no ultrasound yesterday – mom, Sam and I spent about an h0ur doing a lot of nothingness yesterday getting registered for OB care. ugh. No more celebrity VIP treatment for me now that I’m “routine.” Oh well. Because of my age I get a genetic consult and a level II targeted ultrasound in two weeks, so that is one nice perk of being considered “elderly.”  Maybe then we’ll find out if the baby is a boy or girl. Somehow Sam is sleeping through saws, drills, nail guns etc. His room is pretty quiet thankfully. There’s no way we could have done this work while he slept in our WA condo. No way. That place rattled around and echoed despite being brand new. This 20 yr old double-wall tiny shack is much more sound-proof. Weird,  huh?

Cross your fingers we have a functional kitchen by the end of next week. 🙂

As soon as I dropped Doug and Mary off at the airport, I came home to begin pulling our kitchen apart for the remodel. This is not something a nesting mother wants to do. It is contrary to instinct. So I shirked and gave Sam a “yong, yong, yong reyaxing baff” while Dave dug into the awful task. The next morning, Monday, I was up to it. Here’s how things are looking after a day of demolition – no cabinets or appliances! The awful pressboard laminate pieces are at the curb.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with Doug and Mary, Mom and Pete. We enjoyed remembering Thanksgiving gatherings of the past and thought of all our family and friends as we celebrated together. We miss you and love you!

[I got all the photos posted last night before our kitchen remodel starts today. Click on photo above to view album. Demolition begins in 45 minutes!!!!]

Sammy and I enjoyed going on a hike with our friends yesterday. Here he is eating lunch with fellow hiker Anneliese. She is sharing her grapes with him. The kids did a great job hiking about 2+ miles on the Aiea Loop trail. The weather was cool and the trail wasn’t too muddy. They enjoyed poking their hiking sticks into puddles along the way, finding a butterfly, and “baby fern.” It was really nice to be on the trail again after several busy weeks. My friend Kathy also had her 1 yr old daughter in the backpack as well, so I got a preview of hiking with two on board 🙂 It’s much easier toting a child in the belly!

My brother and Mary will be here in less than a week! We are all so excited for them to come. Doug is game to try kite surfing so I hooked him up with lessons. Mom found this great guy on the beach and got his number for me about 6 months ago. He is so nice – actually an Olympic gymnastics trainer, if you can believe our luck! Sounds like Doug should be able to get up on the board in a day or two. What an adventure. I am jealous. Pregnancy is sparing me the adventure this time, but before we leave… [Click on the picture above for some new Nov photos.]

I have been too busy to post or update my album! Sorry 🙂 Mom took some cute pictures, so check out www.skeneclan.com to see what’s up here 🙂 Hopefully I’ll get caught up a bit this weekend.

Here is Sammy at “Learn with Me” on base. It’s a program sponsored by the Armed Services YMCA. Three days a week they have structured play and circle time for $1/visit. We try to go on Fridays. Here is Sammy on his second visit. He wanted to help with singing by playing his guitar. His favorite spots are the tool area and the kitchen (just like daddy!). He has also been making me create silly new songs. Like the “mayonnaise” song – “mayonnaise, mayonnaise, I like it with my turkey and cheese; mayonnaise, mayonnaise, can I have some more please?” He recently started making one up himself in celebration of Pig and Bear’s forthcoming visit for Thanksgiving – “Tita Bear, Tita Bear, I love your long hair; Tito Pig, Tito Pig, how did you get so big?”

We’re busy busy busy this week. We secured a loan to remodel our kitchen. Now we’re steeped in the tedium of design and sourcing appliances. That’s no easy feat – many many items are not available on island and you have to wait 6-8 wks usually, or 8-10 wks when near holiday season. We found a local cabinetmaker, so that is all set. My task these past few days is finding appliances that are on island AND meet Dave’s specs. I am a tad burnt out on all the phone calls to Home Depot and Lowes, on top of doing my own work, playing with Sam, trying to fit in some exercise, redesigning Doug and Mary’s wedding announcements and staying on top of their wedding details. Oh, and continuing to manage some issues with our homeowner’s association. Thankfully the insurance issue is resolved – we found a new carrier and saved over $2000 a year! Wow. I wrote a letter to all the owners to accompany this month’s bill detailing where their fees are allocated as well as the accomplishments the board has achieved in the short 6 months we’ve been “on duty.”

Sammy was a fierce pirate, thanks to a costume Tito Pig sent months ago 🙂 My brother has several (SEVERAL) pirate outfits that he takes on vacation with him. One never knows when such a guise might come in handy 🙂 He has funny stories of getting into mischief as a pirate. So Sammy’s outfit has special meaning. We went to my friend Leo’s neighborhood for a block party and trick or treating. It was fun. Turns out our neighborhood goes all out for Halloween, so next year we’ll have to host a bonfire and trick or treating to check it out! The carports on one street are turned into great Halloween scenes, all lit up and festive. Click on the photo above to see more pictures.