The Scivally’s
Shawn, Kim and our 4 little chicks
Random News
My blog posts are getting further and further between. It could be because we always forget our camera now days, so therefor I have no good blogging material. Or it could be that I now have a full time job of teaching school. My vote is for the later. My life is busy now. Everyday from 8:30 to 2:00 we are learning and I am teaching. I really love teaching. I feel like the girls are making good progress. Every once in awhile I have a freak out moment and I think I am going to mess up the girls for life. Then I think of all that we accomplished that day and I know that is way more then they would have learned at school. So its all good.
In other news…
We have visitors here…Yea! Andrew and Sharlynn are here for a week.
The girls were so excited to have there picture in the Island Newspaper.
I am stressing over a house we really like in Utah. It is old and a fixer upper. Nothing like we thought we were going to buy. But it has a huge lot. I could supply everyone that reads this blog with fruit and vegetables all summer long. We really like it but I don’t think others are seeing our vision. At first you will all say, “That looks like Grandma’s house.” But in five years you will say, “Let’s go hang out at Kim and Shawn’s house that used to look like Grandma’s house but now it looks awesome.” At least we hope it will look awesome. Decisions cause me anxiety.
The girls have discovered that we have two empty lots next to us. They somehow missed that the first six months we were here. They are constantly digging in the dirt and catching insects. The other day they were so dirty I wouldn’t let them in the house. I fed them dinner in the garage and then went to the pool. (I made them shower before getting in..I care about the pool too)
Heidi is becoming a reader. It is so rewarding to see the light bulb go off in her head. Shawn said to her the other day, “Heidi you are so smart.” Heidi said, “Yes, thanks to Mama.” Ahhh…isn’t that sweet and smart of her to say. I think so.
I spoke at Enrichment last week on how the Book of Mormon can heal. I learned alot. I learned that I knew alot of healing already. It just takes an assignment like this to make me realize it. It was a good experience for me.
Shawn is addicted. He used to be addicted to me…really. But now I am a close second to surfing. He is loving it. Last week I listened as he called all his friends to surf and they all said no. Probably because it was pouring rain outside. Shawn is addicted so pouring rain does not stop him.
And that is all the news I have for now.
I need to blog more often so I don’t write such random and unorganized blog posts, but at least I blogged.
Building at the Beach
“Camille just took the swing and ripped it right out of my hands.” says Heidi
“Heidi won’t share the swing with me.” says Camille
“Go figure it out.” says Mom and Dad
That is the story of Camille and Heidi’s relationship. They fight and they tell on each other. Sometimes they figure it out and sometimes they don’t. But when they do figure it out, they are laughing and the best of friends.
Yesterday we spent the day at Mahaulepu Beach. It was a cold day but it is such a beautiful spot. We have lived here for over five months and we still are finding hidden jems. Yesterday we saw about 50 whales jump out of the water. It was probably only a few whales but they jumped like 50 times. Some jumps were so high and you could see their entire body. Other jumps were just a fin or a tail. It was so neat to watch.
The girls got to work like they always do. Seriously they crack me up. They first built a dog house for the random dog hanging out on the beach. Then it turned into a house for them. They play together for hours and hours.
All the girls need to be entertained for hours are some sticks on a beach. I am so grateful that they have each other. There is always someone to play with and laugh with and build a house with. Yes, there is also someone always to steal your seat and make you mad. But thats what makes them all sisters.
Homeschool
Today I loved…
Sitting on the Lanai while the girls ate cereal for dinner.
Today I loved…
Taking four different walks. One with my honey to talk about life. Another with my honey to finish talking about life. One with the girls while they skated around. Another with the sunsetting on one side and the moon rising on the other. It was a perfect day for a walk, therefore I took four of them.
That is the beauty about life. Dang it. If I want to take four walks in one day I can and I will.
Do you want to know what else is beautiful about life? That I can decide what is best for my children and I have the freedom to act upon it. I know what is good for them and I know when they are not reaching their full potential.
So dang it…We are now homeschooling. As of lately I have felt that my girls deserve better and can do better. As their Mom, who is fully invested in their life, their education, and their success, I feel there is no one better who can teach them. We are so excited for this new chapter in life. Our plan is to homeschool for the next few months while we are here on Kauai. Once we get back to Utah we will put the girls back in public schools.
I have been researching curriculums and state cores constantly for the past few weeks. I have ordered all the appropriate books and programs for each girl. I am excited to give the girls all a big boost in their education. Of course we will be studying all the core subjects, such as math, science and reading. The beautiful thing about homeschool is we can add things that they wouldn’t learn in public school. The girls start the day out with Book of Mormon study. They have reading to complete and then a workbook to complete. They are learning to type. Kylie is going to learn spanish. They are reading like crazy. If one is struggling with reading then we can focus on reading. If one is an excellent reader we can give her books that challenge her. It is so exciting to see the spark in all of them and the excitement we all have to learn.
One of the main concerns people have with homeschooling is if the child will get enough social interaction. The girls have so many friends in the neighborhood and at church, so we feel it is not a concern. After school almost every day we are either at the pool or beach with friends their age. We are going to work hard at school and then play hard after school.
Some might not agree with the decision to homeschool. The beauty of it is that we all have a choice of how to educate our children. Some choose public schools, some choose private schools, some choose charter schools, some choose boarding schools, and some choose homeschool. Some would die to receive any education at all.
And we choose Homeschool…for now.
Camping with Dad
Shawn is an awesome Dad.
You probably already knew that.
I knew it too.
But in case you need proof, here you go…
He took all the girls beach camping the other night. I stayed home and enjoyed a nice quiet evening to myself. The girls loved every bit of it. Sometimes it is funner when Mom isn’t around. No one to tell you to wash your hands or stop drinking root beer or to stop getting sand in the tent.
Shawn is the best daddy. Not only because he takes the girls camping. He is fun and loving each and every day to the girls. He is the perfect man to raise four little girls. And that job takes the perfect man.
Christmas
I think I will let the pictures tell the story…
…and that was our Christmas. It was simple, quiet, and perfect.
I loved having Christmas on Sunday. The girls opened their stockings and played with their new barbie house before church. We saved all the other presents for after. Our sacrament meeting was so good. The best part was having Jeffery R. Holland there. He and his wife are here vacationing and gave the Kalaheo ward a nice Christmas visit. He spoke at the end of the program and shared a wonderful Christmas message.
The girls have been alternating between barbies and rollerblading/scootering. They have been going up and down our street all day long. I love it. I love that they are outside. I love that they are so excited with their new toys. I love how happy they are.
It is the day after Christmas and our house is already all cleaned up. Not really by choice. The wind from the lanai blew the tree over so it was either spend the time putting it back up or clean it up. Shawn threw it off the lanai. That is the one good thing about not having all your Christmas decor…the clean up is really easy.
We have one more week of Christmas Break. I’m sure it will be spent rolling up and down the street, at the pool, and some beach time. Then it is the new year and back to school and back to a routine. But for now we will just keep on rollin up and down the street.
Merry Christmas!
Carnival and Gingerbread
Christmas break has begun. I’m actually quite happy about it, mainly because we get to sleep in! Also because I love my children and want to spend time with them. But sleeping in sounds sooo nice.
This last week was a party week at school. The girls were so excited for all of the festivities. I only have two documented with pictures, so thats what you get to read about.
The first is the third grade carnival. All year long they have been earning “money” to spend at this carnival. I ran the bean bag toss game. It was a huge hit. My line was pretty long. I think the work spread that I would let you go until you win. I am a softy.
Here is a picture of the girls with there teachers. Colette’s teacher ,Mrs. Riveria, is on the left. Kylie’s teacher, Mrs. Gannon, is on the right. We love them both.
Below is a picture of Kylie’s class. This is taken in the school gym which is also where the girl’s take hula.
The third grade also made gingerbread houses at school. I had the privilege of making thirty bags of icing. It was a pleasure. My kitchen and I were covered in powdered sugar. It was worth it though to see all those kiddos make their cute houses.
Below is a picture of Kylie and her “friend” Jeremy.
It was a fun week but I am happy it is over. All of my cards and packages are in the mail. Neighbor treats delivered. The only thing to worry about this week is my own family.
I have to admit I am a little homesick this time of year. I miss our families. I miss what we normally do this time of year. But I am extremely grateful for my own little family and that I get to spend a quiet little Christmas with them in paradise. I will have plenty of family parties and white Christmas’s in the years to come. We are going to try to soak up every bit of the sand and the sunshine this Hawaiian Christmas.
Hanapepe Art Night
Last Friday night we went to the Hanapepe Art night. Up and down the old main street we looked at art and jewelry and we listened to Christmas carolers. The atmosphere was really fun. All of the old shops had christmas lights.
I think at least ten people said something like, “Wow four girls!” or “All girls, Wow!” We get that alot.
The Vacation within a Vacation
Yes, we live in Paradise. Yes, we go to the beach alot. Yes, I see a Hawaiian rainbow everyday. But it somehow became all normal. I get all worried about the dishes in the sink or the fact that we are almost out of milk and costco is 30 minutes away. I forget that we live in Hawaii. Visitors help you remember that fact and I like it. I went into vacation mode with them and I loved it.
First off, it was great to just have my parents around. I have never lived too far from home. Not the kind of far that you have to travel across an ocean to get home. And I get homesick sometimes. So it was nice just to see my parents. It was nice to have my Mom’s help in morning making breakfast and lunches. It was nice to have my dad want to take and pick up the girls from school.
We fit alot into their vacation. You see, not only our we a free hotel but we are also really nice tour guides and you don’t even have to tip us. Although our hotel is sometimes noisy and messy and you have to make your own breakfast. You can’t have everything.
We had an awesome day up on the North Shore. The North Shore never disappoints. I believe it is one of the prettiest spots on Earth. It is a little hit or miss with the rain but we lucked out and had a beautiful day. We did some beach hoping and ended up at Hanalei for a little surfing.
Another favorite day was up on the North Shore as well. Shawn was nice and stayed home to do the kid thing while my parents and I went on an awesome hike. We hiked the first two miles of the Kalalau trail. Kalalau is a famous 11 mile hike in to a gorgeous beach along the Napali Coast. It is rated one of the top ten most dangerous hikes in the United States. We hiked two miles in to Hanakapi’ai Beach. It was a great way to explore the Napali Coast.
Another great day was a bike ride with the girls along the east coast. We rented old beach cruisers and road up and down the coast. After we took Grandma and Grandpa for our favorite treat, Ono Shave Ice.
We also took my parents kayaking up the Wailua River and then hiked into Secret Falls. Kayaking is good marriage therapy. Lets just say my parents had a good “therapy session.”
Thanks Mom and Dad for such a great trip.
We hope that you will come again! There is still more to see and do!
Hawaiian Christmas Tree
We love our Hawaiian Tree. So different, so pretty, and so Hawaiian.
The tree is up and it is December 6th. I wonder when it will start feeling like Christmas.
It kind of feels like summer vacation and for some weird reason I have a big tree with lights in the family room.
Grandma and Grandpa are Here!
We have been busy showing Grandma and Grandpa the island. We had a great day yesterday up on the North Shore.
Too lazy to upload more pictures right now but here is a list of what we have done…
-Hiked to Maha’ulepu Beach
-Ate lunch at yummy Pizzeata’s
-Watch Shawn almost die in big waves in Kekaha
-Drove to the wettest place on earth, up Waimea Canyon. It was really really cold, probably felt like Utah.
-Ate at the Shrimp Station. Heard from people it was really good, but it was just really ok.
-Cookout at Breneckee’s with friends.
-Took mom to Relief Society and made Christmas centerpieces with fresh Hawaiian flowers.
-Watched the Lights on Rice Parade. It was our first Christmas parade we have been too. Lots of fun.
-North Shore…Ke’e Beach, Tunnels Beach, Hanalei Bay, Board swap and a new surf board for Shawn. Dinner at Duane’s on the way home.
-Hot Tub time
That was all in four days. They want to get a boat tour in still. We want to take them kayaking up the Wailea River. We still have to go stand up paddle boarding at Kalapaki. Also, we need to fit in the bike ride up the coast in Kapaa and Ono Ono Shave Ice. So much to do!
We are taking a much needed rest at the moment, we need to recharge for the next four days. We are going to go walk the trail in Poi’pu this afternoon and hopefully spot some whales.
Thanksgiving
We hosted Thanksgiving this year. We celebrated with two other families. It turned out lovely. Lots of good food and good company.
Heidi wrote all of the names on the place cards. Her sisters were freaking out that it didn’t look good. Something I normally would freak out about, but I thought it was cute. Instead of our friend “Shelly” she wrote 3 Helly. It gave some character to the table. And no that is not beer in the picture, although it really looks like it. We did go through alot of sparkling cider.
After our feast we went to the beach to play with lots of friends. We finished off the night with pie at the pool. It really was a great Thanksgiving. Three days later and we are still enjoying the leftover food. That is one of the best parts of Thanksgiving.
The day after Thanksgiving we spent at Kekaha Beach. It was the first time for us. We went with a few other families. The weather was perfect. We spotted our first whales! I saw three spouts and two arch up out of the water. So exciting. The girls went sand sledding and had a blast. No cold toes or wet feet, and just as fun.
We stayed late and cooked hotdogs and smores. The kids ran around with friends on the dark beach. The adults talked and laughed by the fire. It was a good time.
Now we are trying to get ready for Christmas. Time is going so fast! Before I know it Hawaii will be a dream of the past. That makes me sad. We are really trying to enjoy every minute. This week my parents are coming! We are so excited to spend time with them and show them the island that we love so much.
Love Notes
As I was cleaning out my church bag I came across a love letter from Kylie. It made me happy.
It reads…
Dear Mom and Dad,
I love you so much. You are the nicest mom and dad in the hole intire world. If I didn’t have you I would be so so so so so so so so so so so so sad! I really love you guys so much. You are the best. You are the awomeist, the colist, and nisest and the sweetest. I could go on and on and on with a list of things about you guys. I am glad you are my mom and dad.
Love,
Kylie
Hike to Maha’ulepu Beach
Last Saturday we had big beach plans. Shawn had been in Vegas all week and it rained all week, so we craved the beach. We woke up to another rainy day. The thing is, here in Kalaheo it rains alot. The past two weeks it has rained a good part of the day here. But you can venture to other parts of the island and most likely find the sun. I didn’t want to load up all the beach stuff (even though thats Shawn’s job) and go to a rainy beach. So we decided we should hike. Hiking in the rain is so much funner then sitting on the beach in the rain.
Kauai has so many hikes. Want to know how many we have done. Maybe like 3. I read that you could hike a different trail everyday for a year here and still not hike them all. We better get on that.
So we decided to hike the coastline trail to Maha’ulepu Beach starting at shipwreck. Shawn and I have had lunch before on Maha’ulepu Beach, you have to take a dirt trail for quite awhile to reach it, so it not very crowded. The other option is to hike from Shipwreck Beach. We actually never made it to the beach but the satisfaction is not really the end of the trail but more in the journey to it.
Seriously, look how beautiful it is. The dark stormy clouds actually made it more impressive.
It had the feeling that is was going to start pouring at any second but it never did. We were lucky.
We never made it to the beach. I didn’t realize how long it was and came totally unprepared. We had swimsuits and shoes, that’s it. But at least we had good shoes. We are the family of Keens.
The girls loved the sand cave along the way. It was a matter of five seconds, bedrooms were assigned and they were playing house.
I loved the scenery. The ocean is so blue, the sky was really dark, the mountains so green, cliffs were so red, and my husband so shirtless and tan. Haha. Doesn’t he look good though? I think so.
We ran into some friends along the way. Kauai is a small island. It seems like more then not we run into people we know.
Remember how I came totally unprepared. The girls were dying of thrist at the end. So I had to ration the one water bottle we had in the car.
Such a great hike. I can’t wait to do it again…with no kids.
This last Saturday we got the beach day we have been craving. The rain is gone! For now. I am now hoping for good weather when my parents are here…two weeks! We are so excited. They are our first visitors…and maybe our only. Come on people! You have a free place to stay in Kauai and the time is clicking away. (I hope I don’t regret saying that)
ELB and Vegas
I thought it was time to give Shawn a little “blog time,” and brag a little for him.
Three years ago when I meet Shawn he was working from home and all I knew was he was creating some type of game and trying to sell them online. I must have been so madly in love with him that I didn’t care much beyond that. His first office was in our bedroom, which didn’t work out well. So the next office was in the unfinished basement, probably a little bit chilly. I guess he still works in the basement but he has upgraded to an ocean view.
He started ELB from nothing. It was just him and his design skills. Now it has become something great.
I am so grateful that he can work from home. I am grateful for his crazy skills that make the company so awesome. I am grateful for Andrew’s crazy skills that make everyone want to buy Shawn’s awesome stuff. They are a good team. The company would not be successful without either one of their skill sets.
The picture below is from their recent Vegas conference. I don’t realize how tan and surfer-ish Shawn is until he gets next to all you “mainlanders.” (no offense)
It started with one, then two, then three, and now four. Next month there will be six official ELB employees. So exciting.
I guess counting Sharlynn and I there will be 8. Sharlynn does all the accounting for the company and does an awesome job! My title has always been the PPC (party planning committee). It is a very important job. But I have recently been promoted and will be the coordinator of all the photo shoots.
Trick or Treating
This is the first and probably only year that the girls will be comfortable trick or treating. No need for a big coat that covers up your costume. No need for hats and gloves. Everyone could actually see what their costume was. It was perfect. Not too hot, not too cold…just perfect.
We started off the night with a neighborhood party at the pool.
The girls are so good at making friends and just love being social.
I am surprised that no one fell into the pool.
The girls had to work a little more for their candy this year. The homes are further apart here and our neighborhood is one big hill.
It was a fun night. Shawn is enjoying all of the girls candy. Camille loves to share her candy. She even made a “donate basket” to me and Shawn. She makes sure that it is always stocked. Funny girl.
Moloa’a, Hanalei, and Duane’s
I am looking forward to some weekend fun. Shawn has been out of town all week. I was planning on spending my days on the beach while he was gone. It rained the entire time. Now he is home recovering from getting no sleep the past few days. The girls are making courses for their new hex bugs that Shawn brought home. It’s like we don’t have enough bugs here to worry about. Now I have to worry about glow in the dark vibrating bugs.
Lets jump back to last Saturday. A perfect Saturday in my book. Shawn and I were in search of a new beach. We stopped by a few but we are now “beach snobs” and they did not make the cut. We did finally find the spot. Moloa’a Beach. It was perfect. I want to live in one of the houses there. They are seriously right on the water. It is a beautiful and quiet beach. That is until we got there. Luckily waves are loud and drowned out the noise of loud little girls.
The girls got to work like they always do. I was recently told that the girls are so industrious. Wherever they go they get to work building something. I never had thought about it really. But since then I realize how true that is. The first thing they do is collect huge palm branches and rope… to make a raft of course. It felt like we were on a deserted island, so I went along with it and told them to make a raft for our escape.
After Mola’a beach we went a little more north up to Hanalei. Shawn has to get some surfing in.
The girls played around in the waves.
And I got a tail and some pointy new boobs.
On the way home we stopped by Duane’s to get some hamburgers. We have heard this is the best hamburger ever. It was pretty tasty. I got the Teriyaki burger, which was a mistake, teriyaki sauce does not belong on a hamburger. The girls agreed that this was the best hamburger they have ever had. I want to give it another try.
We ended the night with a dip in the hot tub. Beach days are not complete without the hot tub.
And that was our Saturday.
I’m hoping the rain goes away for tomorrow. I need another one of these days.
Our New Toy
Costco had stand up paddle boards again. We couldn’t resist this time. Dang Costco. It gets us every time.
Shawn even left the big hula performance because he wanted to go buy one so bad. They were closed though, served him right for leaving the recital. First thing Monday morning we went and bought one. In line I asked Shawn, “I wonder how much this will cost to ship home.” The board is huge!!
Shawn and I tried it out the other day. We went up the Hanapepe River. I laid on the front and he paddled me around. It was nice.
We took it out to Kalapaki also. The girls are pretty good at it.
