The Carlson's hit the road

 

We made it to Tahoe! We had the pleasure of taking a long weekend and staying at my Aunt and Uncle's cabin in Northstar. So beautiful! It was just what the doctor ordered. Hot cocoa next to the fire, no snow but still chilly. The air is just so fresh. Definitely something magical about Lake Tahoe.

Peace of Paradise

Model: Christine Brinkley

Wearing: 70's Vintage Score I found at a thrift store in Pennsylvania

Location: North Shore, Oahu

Nikki Carlson Photography

Alex's 1st Birthday Party

It was small and intimate but hopefully everyone had as much fun as Alex did! She really enjoyed being the center of attention, can't you tell? We are definitely thankful for this Hawaiian winter weather that enabled us to have this little shindig. We are also grateful for our good friends and family who were able to make it special. Thanks everyone!

Baby Beach Day

Alex had her first official baby beach day. She loved it! There was so much to see from the pounding waves to little chickens running free. Her Aunty Julie put her little toes in the water for the first time. She got really stiff from the chill of the water.

I, on the other hand, had a difficult time. Taking a baby to the beach is stressful! But those that know me understand how I stress about quite a lot of small things. I am an over thinker. Taking Alex to the beach I have all these things going through my head; is she over heating, is there sand somewhere it shouldn't be, is she getting sun burnt, is the sunscreen going to give her a rash, is it too bright for her, etc. Like always, I just needed my other half to remind me I was stressing about the small stuff and from there on I tried not to worry as much.

All in all, it was a great first experience and with summer around the corner there will be many more beach days to come!

My Garden

I am not sure what it is about gardening that makes me so happy... maybe the new life that I get to watch grow and mature, the ability to have fresh herbs and veggies, or just being out in the sun light tending it. Maybe it is the memories of my parents planting their summer garden in spring and knowing that my mom's beefsteak tomatoes would be a plenty just around the corner, or that summer is almost here.

Yes, I live in Hawaii and many people claim that it is always summer in Hawaii. But now going on my 6th year out here I have become extremely acclimated. 70 degree weather is cold especially when it is raining almost every day! I am ready to get back to my 82 degree days with not a cloud in the sky and only a bikini on.

I am so excited for everything to ripen. In my garden I have:
2 different kinds of tomatoes, Romain lettuce, kale, eggplant, green onion, cilantro, parsley, basil, a whole bunch of marigolds to hopefully keep all the bad bugs away. I have 2 strawberry plants, the start of a blueberry bush, and pineapple in their own pots. 

It feels so good to finally do something with our little patio.

How We Built Our Planter Box

Tools you will need:

• wood
• nails/screws
• landscape fabric
• rocks
• soil
• handy husband

I am not going to take any credit for building the actual box, except for all the nagging so that it would finally get done. Dane built my veggie planter after looking at simple examples like this.  Now once he built the frame- I will take the credit from there! At the gardening store I bought some landscaping fabric which is just really thin plastic with a bunch of holes so that water can drain through. Oh I forgot, I did make Dane go to the other side of the island to pick up bags of rocks on the side of the road... thanks Baby! It is so helpful to have someone strong to manhandle 3 huge bags of rocks!

On Oahu there is this awesome place called Hawaii Earth Products and they sell this great composted soil they call "Menehune Magic." They sell it by the cubic yard, which is a lot! We only got a half cubic yard and it filled this planter and then some.

After that I was able to do my favorite part, shop for plants! 

Losing the Baby Weight- Exercise

I have never been a runner, nor will I ever be, but I don't mind walking. For my exercise this week, I will be walking at least 4 miles every other day. Hopefully. With the little one in tow it is just about impossible to plan out my week let alone my day. But it is a goal.

My Dad told me about this app for your iphone called Endomondo. I had never heard of it (not really up with the apps and such) so figured I would give it a try. I find it very motivating because it times and it measures the distance you are going. When I think I am ready to turn around I open up my phone and try to push myself for another mile or so. Here is what the app looks like and our walk from today.







I love how it gives you a map of your exercise route. I like how you can change what activity you do from running to windsurfing they have everything!

 

My little Hawaiian Babe loving walks that put her to sleep and sun to keep her warm.

Lately

according to my iphone.

Dane and I. Floating around.
Dinner. Carrot cake.
Childbirth stories. Ice cream!
Spices. The ocean. 

The Mokes

 
The "Mokes" also known as the Moku'ula Islands, in Kailua, are a beautiful place to explore. Today I had a great day with some friends kayaking, stand up paddling, and enjoying some good old sunshine. Today was a perfect day, blue skies, clear blue water, a few sea turtles along our journey and barely any wind! All factors that make for a perfect paddle, good company of course helps too!
Thank you April for the pictures.

Out on the Mokes, Kailua and Waimanalo in the background.