Our little bug is growing up!

We've finally got it!! Total piggy tails!! So our cute little Kea came with hair, and then lost it. Struggling to recover from being like pappa, follically challenged, she has finally gained enough hair to pull back into two cute little bunches. Mom is soooooo excited!

Oh mom, I'm too cute to care!!

Kea loves hats, especially when they are from Uncle Nicky and are of the ANAHEIM Angels!

Hey Batter Batter!!

Kea's First Baseball Game :)

The day before July 4th we went to Kea's first baseball game at Tucson Electric park (and it was quite "electric" that night!) Kea lasted the whole game with a big smile and attracted attention everywhere we went.

The most beautiful storm hit while at the game. The clouds gathered and we all got wet, but we had the greatest time! Once the warm rain came on the game was stopped for a little while, but after the rain everything was right back on. Kea was so excited through it all, waving at Sandy Sidewinder (the mascott) and clapping and dancing to the music. She especially loved the firework show afterwards and didn't even notice the noise. What a great memory!!

WE'VE GOT GRASS!

So Heavenly Green...

This is a piece of our yard before. The yard is pretty big and it wraps around the house. It was all rocks out back, very tough , and hot, on the feet. Tommy and I missed lounging around and having picnics in the grass, so we created our own. He spent time doing two others yards as well, and they all turned out so awesome.

After a great amount of hard work, we finally got our grass! Tommy put in 980 sq feet of sod. It is the softest, fullest, grass I have felt. Kea loves it too! Now we have our grass, a gazebo with mosquito netting curtains and patio furniture (so nice to sit in while it is pouring rain outside!), and a nice cool pool to play in. Tom really loves mowing the lawn every saturday, just like his dad use to when he was a kid. We call the grass on the other side of the pool "the football field" because it looks so perfect. Good job Tom!!




Kealani was a little hesitant to be on the grass before. She would just sit in one spot and not dare move while she looked at me with a scrunched up face. Now she loves it... running around and playing, and even trying to eat it now and then!! We love swimming, and Kea even got her own pool and had a play day with her friends. Then we took a break to eat frozen grapes underneath our umbrella from GG (Thanks GG, its perfect!). We love our little baby fishy!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KEALANI

HA'OLI LA HANAU

Our cute little one year old!! Walking and trying to talk, this little 'nilla bean' keeps us busy. It has been so amazing to see her grow, and it really does just keep getting better. She is such a friendly, happy baby. She truly is our 'brightness of heaven' as her name signifies. Tom and I love her so much and thank Heavenly Father everyday for a gift like her.

In Hawaiian tradition, the first year is the biggest with a Luau to celebrate the blessing of one year. Kea had a very big Luau of 150 people, the BEST hawaiian food, and lots of dancing. She even performed her own solo to tahitian beats! The decor was beautiful, toole with hawaiian lit lanterns hanging from it, a big picture wall of Kea, beautiful centerpieces with candles and plumeria in a glass bowl, and lots of beautiful plants and tikis. It turned out to be one of the best Luaus ever, thanks to EVERYONE that helped!!

Here I am dancing Kanaka Wai Wai, one of the amazing dances that Tommy's mom choreographed. It was dedicated to her, Love you TuTu Kamalu!!! Tommy getting ready to light the other end of the fire knife by tossing it down hard enough that the flame catches. He did an awesome job, and looked hot as usual!! Love you Babe!


A special cake made for Kealani by Uncle Nicky, last minute too-Thanks Nick, it turned out beautiful!! Once she got over getting dirty by the cake she started to go for it. She would carefully dip her finger in and take a lick with a big smile on her face :). Then she started to share with everyone, putting cake filled fingers in their faces.

Kealani opening her sea of presents. Who knew a kid could get so much stuff?? I think her favorite part was all of the wrapping she got to rip open. :) Happy One Year, Kea, We love you!!

Aloha everyone!

So Excited To Be One!!

This is a big week for me, I turn one on Sunday! Mom and Dad are throwing me a great big Luau and lots of people are coming from out of town to see me. Hopefully I will be able to show off my stuff, especially my dancing moves to those tahitian beats. This year has been the best, and I can't wait for lots of growin' and lots of fun to come!!

Kealani Michelle

My Little Baby Pua (flower)

Kea had a great time playing in some leis for her Luau. She looked like such a little princess, I couldn't help but take a pic.

Kealani's First Camping Trip. May 16, 2008

Kealani (KAY uh LAW nee- some people have a hard time pronouncing it right)

Kea was so excited for her first camping trip. We went up Mt. Lemmon here in Tucson for the ward campout. The camp was very nice and had cement slabs to put your tent on. The only thing is that our tent was way to big, so we couldn't put up Kea's crib. But she was so hyper as she crawled around on the air mattress with her little birdie in hand. I love the hat, she is already mom and daddy's little cougar!!!
So tired from the exciting day. Especially from the ward talent show, American Idol style. I had a great time being Paula Abdul on the judges panel. And me, Tommy, and mom got to do a number. Mom and I dressed up like haole guys, and Tommy was our hula girl! So hilarious! But for Tom's sake we already put him through enough, so I won't post pics! Yet!

Baby K and Daddy enjoying the beautiful morning in the woods! We are so happy to have another 'happy camper' in the family!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!! May 5, 2008

I had such a great day!! Though I can't believe that I am 29...so old!! Mom and I went out shopping, Tom really wanted me to go to the salon or spa, but I just wanted to hang out with mom and baby K. We met the boys, Dad and Tommy, for lunch at chilis. Later that night we had friends and family over for a bbq and presents. Thanks to all those that pitched in for my ipod, I LOVE it! I just can't get enough of music, so its the perfect present. (Sorry to Tommy who always has to hear me singing so loudly in the shower or around the house! Now he will be happy to hear the ipod blasting music instead!) :)

Happy Anniversary!!!! May 1, 2008

Tom & Jada Crofts
It feels like it has been forever! We have known each other for almost 10 years...and have been married for 4 of them! It has been a great year...especially now that we have Kea in our lives. Mom and Dad gave us the best present ever...peace of mind while we took off for one night and two days at the Westin Resort.

Tom took me to the Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa. They upgraded us to a big beautiful room on the top floor overlooking the golf course out to the mountains. It was such a relaxing time and everyone treated us sooooo well. Once we checked in we took a ride in a large golf cart out to our room. The guy that took us learned it was our anniversary and sent us a treat to the room. Instead of champagne we had Italian water, a card, and some very delicious treats!

We had an amazing, fancy dinner out on the balcony overlooking the pools and waterfall. The view and sound of water created the perfect ambiance. Tom also gave me my present, a beautifully elegant diamond "Journey" necklace. The meaning behind it is, "With every step, love grows".

When they found out it was our anniversary the chef created a special dessert for us. I'm not really the biggest chocolate lover, but this was really mouthwatering chocolate! They even put four candles on top.

Although I really dislike any cactus, the scenery was beautiful. Tommy and I ordered room service and enjoyed having breakfast out on the balcony.

One of my favorite parts is the pools! There are 5 pools, 3 spas, and a waterslide!! So we go from one pool to the next like giddy little kids. One of the pools is salt water so you float really well (this was my pool of choice when I was prego). There is also a a grill connected to the poolside so we got to order a great lunch and not even have to move. So spoiled!!

Playing out in the sun was great. And for the first time in a long time I got to enjoy the waterslides along with Tom!! We had so much fun rushing back up to the top to see which 'riding technique' would get us down the fastest.

There is a beautiful waterfall right next to one of the spas. Props to Tommy for this one, that is the only pool that wasn't heated, it was freezing!!

So, here's to another great year with my man! For those of you who know him I'm sure you will agree, I am truly blessed!!

Going Back Home...

Tom had a business trip to CA and took Kealani and me along. The best part about it was staying in some great hotels. Here we are at the Portofino Hotel and Yacht Club in Redondo Beach. It was so beautiful, right off the beach, and we had a gorgeous view outside our balcony. I love going on vacation!!!


Kealani is our little i'a (fish). She loves to splash in the water, kick her feet, and scream real loud.


Of course every trip back home includes as much surfing and beach time as we can fit in! We might be in AZ for now, but we will forever be beach bums. This is one of the waves Tom caught. I missed the big one though, Tommy was the talk of the day for catching the perfect wave.

At the Cheesecake Factory we had such great food! We were so happy that Melanie and Chris could come. Mel is about to have her little girl in a couple weeks and we are so excited to meet her. We met Mel and Chris at BYU in a halau (hawaiian dance group) and became instant dancing buddies, and good friends. We know that they will be amazing parents!!

Family reunion! It was great to be able to go the family reunion so that everyone could meet Kea. This is our four generation picture, Kea and I, Great Grandma, and Grandma (Maiya)

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Visiting with the Heider family, Emma made a great dinner! Ed gave Tommy a present, one of his old surf boards that he loved. pic on the right is with Uncle Henry Kamai. He played and sang (one of the best there is) while we danced. What a great night!

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Kealani has been to the beach before, but this time she was afraid of the sand. She cried everytime we sat down in it, so she would crawl up on my belly and stay there until we left. It was so cute.

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We all went to baby beach and tried out stand up paddling. Grandpa was the pro, Tommy caught right on, and Jada and Rex did great too!! It is harder than it looks. Kea loves standing on surfboards, except when they are on water. But we think she will be a true surfer...eventually!!

The last stop of the trip was the great Rainbow factory where they make some of the best slippers (sandals) in the world. Grandpa treated us to our own pair of slippas and a great time. Thanks Grandpa!!!!!