The build up to Christmas

I had to document all the excitement leading up to the big day,

with the anxious moments of the school singing performance,
the visit from Santa at the Parker Ranch employee party,


and the making of the Gingerbread Cookies,
Jackson had a very wonderful Christmas vacation.

Little bit o' Christmas

After months of hiatus, I'm finally pushing myself to blog a little here about Christmas. Just a few pictures.
Among all the other wonderful gifts he got from family and friends, Jackson's Auntie Elizabeth (the nurse) sent him a doctor's kit. Big hit. He ran around all day putting bandaids on people, taking temperatures, blood pressures, and giving shots. Very impressive.

Later we had dinner at Auntie Katherine's house, with Grandma and Grandpa Pirie, who have just moved up from Hilo. Also there was Ward and Jennifer and family. Jackson was especially thrilled that Doug was home visiting from California.

Back to Kauai!

It's been such a long time since I've been to Kauai, since before Jackson was born! So I was thrilled when Anthony said "ok fine" when I suggested a visit. It helped that we had a place to stay (more on that later) and enough airline points to make it possible.
Jackson and I went first, and then Anthony joined us a few days later.

 

We were SO lucky to be able to shack up at Kirby and Renee's Kauai Cottage in Omao. What a wonderful place, and so nice to see old friends.
Jackson and the two Kester boys quickly became new friends. They had all kinds of fun togther and Jackson cried when we left.
I took Jackson and Kaleb to Salt Pond the first morning there, and then we stopped at Salt Pond General Store for musubi, wasabi ahi poke and tako tomato. YUM!
I saved Hamura's Saimin until after Anthony arrived. Big Mistake. First of all, the service was more than a little slow that day, then the stools made him feel like he was in a kindergarten class (he may have lost 42 pounds, but he is still 6'5"), then of course he's on a low carb diet... so he didn't even have one noodle. I however, made up for it. While he and Jackson sat there in misery, I slurped down my sorely missed heavenly hangover cure/elixir of the gods/best noodles evah! Some good!

We also visited the amazing Kilohana (where Gaylord's is) and took the new sugar train ride.


The train ride was pretty much a highlight for Jackson - where he was able to hand feed the wild (but tame) pigs and goats. Cute! 

 

 

 

On Renee's advice we visited Lydgate Park, and enjoyed the
wooden park (Just like our wooden park in Waimea!) and the beautiful safe snorkeling pond.

Time for Some New Pictures!

Summer is in full swing and our little boy is growing up so fast and doing all kinds of things that make his mama and daddy proud. And what could be more cool than rockin' and surfin'?

Here we find that all that time watching VH1 classics with Daddy might actually pay off!

Jackson is slowly becoming slightly more comfortable in the ocean. For a boy who wiggled his toes in the salty surf at a few weeks old, he's suprisingly "scaredy". He has had a bit of a breakthrough with the floaty vest thing we bought on Oahu at the Sports Authority (it makes Anthony feel happier too).

In this picture though, it's just him and me and the board. Go Boy!

Happy Fourth of July

Despite the blustery day, we braved the winds to go to (our third annual) Parker Ranch's 45th Annual Rodeo. The cowboys were out in force and Mama managed to squeeze in to her old Tony Lama's for the occasion. I was able to catch a few of the competitions and Anthony was working as usual, which from my observation, seems to involve a heck of a lot of smiling and chatting.

Last year Jackson wasn't brave enough to sit on the horses, but this year, he's a big brave (cow)boy. I'm sure his Texan cowboy shirt (Thanks to Grandma Dee and Grandpa Frank) and his cowboy boots gave him all kinds of extra courage.

Recently he also seems to be under the impression that he's a Rock Star:



Whether he turns out to be next Iggy Pop (he's certainly got that "skinny but muscular" rockstar physique) or the 55th POTUS, he's always gonna be the apple of his parents' eye.

The Big 3rd Birthday!!

We delayed Jackson's birthday a week so that we could take adavantage of the supah cheap air fares to Honolulu and have fun in the big city for Father's Day. As Anthony was heard to say later: yeah - Father's Day..seemed more like "Jackson's Weekend". We went to the zoo


and shopped for hours at Ala Moana - focusing on the Disney Store and the elevator.

Eventually we did have the party. Complete with best buddies Ian and Emmett, girlfriends (!!!!) Sofia, Anolani and Kawena, and of course the favorite of the day - THE SPIDERMAN CAKE.

We all had a great time, Jackson loves his gifts, and we managed to survive his first "public" birthday. Mama even managed to hand out the goodie bags!

Three Years Ago Today!

Anthony says:
On June 15, 2004 at 6:05 AM Jackson Dylan Roberts was born. Judy went into labor on Sunday night. Jackson was born on a Tuesday morning in a wave of delirium, exhaustion and absolute joy! Now our little baby is three years old and a self-proclaimed "Big Boy"! Every Father's Day I am reminded that the best gift I could ever receive as a father arrived in the form of a wonderful, amazing, exasperating, hugging & kissing, stubborn, intelligent, beautiful little boy.

Judith says: I can't believe time has gone by so quickly. I know everyone says that, they are right. I am so proud and humbled at the same time by this little wonder. We are lucky indeed.

From a Tiny Tiny to a Big Bigs!

Jackson graduated from Toddler Class yesterday and is now on his way to preschool. Here are some pictures of him getting his diploma, the successful graduate with mommy & daddy, and his wonderful teachers, Auntie Tami and Auntie Baki. These women were so wonderful. We were very fortunate to have them caring for little Jackson Dylan.

Thoughts on the Big Day:

Jackson: "I'm no longer a Tiny Tiny. I'm a Big Bigs!"

Judith: We got to the graduation ceremony just in time, it only lasted about 4 1/2 minutes. Jackson grabbed his "diploma" and raced over to Mommy and Daddy for his plumeria lei. My favorite part though came a little later, when Jackson presented each of his teachers a vase full of roses with a thank you card. He was so proud and shy at the same time. Both teachers were obviously touched, I think I even saw a tear or two in Baki's eyes. There were certainly a few in mine.

Anthony: It' a little comical to have a "toddler graduation" but it was very sweet. The class more or less made their way through the song, "Silppery Fish", then Auntie Tami handed out the diplomas. Jackson started school when he was 18 months old. At one time he was the youngest child at Hawaii Montessori School. He actually had to have an interview at 18 months to get in ... "Master Jackson ... we don't see a lot of experience on your resume. Can you explain the gap?" "Well ... I spent about 9 months in the womb, then for the last 18 months I've been pretty involved with growing and exploring, and of course, I've spent a lot of time filling diapers." :-)

Watchful Eyes

A little over a week ago one of our cats, Blue, vanished into thin air. We searched everywhere, checks all the roadways and all the shelters. Poor Mr. Blue has turned into a sad mystery. His brother, Kia, is still with us. Since Blue's departure Kia has adopted Jackson. He wants to sleep with Jackson, play with him and follow him around. You know you are lonely when you want to spend a lot of time with a terrible two year old. These are a couple of shots Judy took recently of Kia monitoring Jackson in the bathtub.

Grandpa & Grandma Roberts Hit the Beach in Hawaii!

Jackson Dylan is a very lucky boy with three sets of Grandparents who treat him like a prince; Avis & Peter Pirie (Hawaii), Dee & Frank Pinegar (Texas), and Tony & Pam Roberts (California). Last week Grandpa Tony and Grandma Pam came from California for a week's vacation in Hawaii. They stayed with us for a couple of days in Waimea and got to know a little about Parker Ranch then enjoyed a relaxing week down on the Kohala Coast. Judy invited us all down to her resort, Hali'i Kai where Jackson has what he thinks is his own private kiddie pool and hot tub. Jackson's mantra for the hot tub is "Hot Chub in a Hot Tub!".







We also took the Grandparents to one of our favorite beaches "Sixty Nine's" where they frolicked in the waves with little Jackson. Later in the week Grandpa Tony and Grandma Pam treated Judy, Jackson and I to a Luau down at the Marriott Resort. Jackson was scared by the Maori Haka warrior dance but he loved the Samoan fire knife dancing! The performers were great, the pig was juicy but Judy and I seemed to be the only ones eating the Hawaiian foods (poi. lomi lomi salmon, fern shoots). We had a farewell dinner for the Roberts at Huli Sue's in Waimea with Auntie Katherine, Cousins Makee and Hayden and Grandpa and Grandma Pirie. Huli Sue's is a BBQ joint that could be straight out of Austin, Texas. A little weird and out of place in Waimea but good eatin'! It was really nice for the Hawaiian side of the family to meet the California Roberts. A nice week all around!

Mama's Little Angel

 

Sometimes Jackson just looks so darn cute, there's no need for words.

Anthony Turns 46!

I turned 46 today. I'm closer to 50 than 40 - yep, ain't no denying it. For my birthday Judy and I spent the weekend at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel on the Kohala Coast.
Jackson spent Saturday and Sunday with us swimming and playing at the resort but Saturday night he spent with his Auntie. Judy asked Jackson to take a picture with Daddy while eating strawberries. Note the boy’s professionalism and calculated pose.

Auntie Katherine's gift was keeping Jackson Dylan for his first night away from home without Mommy and Daddy.



Auntie Katherine also got Jackson swimming in the deep end using noodles - something Mommy & Daddy can't get him to do.


Other noteworthy events ... Jackson tried to take control of a "big-boys" beach construction project much to the perplexed annoyance of the big boys.


Judy taught Jackson to jump off the edge of the pool and go under.



Judy treated me to a deeelicious steak at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse (yes, they are everywhere) and we had a wonderful breakfast at the Mauna Lani Bay Terrace. A nice relaxing weekend was had by all!

Spring Has Sprung!

The Historic Home that I manage at Parker Ranch, (Puuopelu which means folding hills in Hawaiian), is surrounded by 300 acres of horse paddock. Last week three of our mares had foals. This morning I was driving to work just as a light rain ended and a rainbow appeared in the sky. I always keep my camera in the car just for moments like these. What a great way to start the day!

Spring Break Adventures for Jackson

When little Jackson Builder Roberts (see below) gets out of Montessori preschool for 2 weeks of spring break, it's all hands on deck for childcare assistance. Mama takes one day off, Daddy takes one day, Auntie Kaki (who I think probably prefers just to be called Katherine) takes at least one day, and Grandma and Grandpa Pirie, (along with dear visiting friend, Ione from Wisconsin) chip in for double duty with two days a week.

Fortunately for all, I can bribe them with the occasional Hali'i Kai Ocean Club swim. Jackson loves going to Mama's work.

Sins of the Father

One night while channel surfing with my young, impressionable, almost three year old son we ran across "Jonny Quest" on the Bommerrang Channel. As a young boy I LOVED Jonny Quest. I wanted to grow up and be Race Bannon. What male child from the 60's didn't? It had a hip jazzy James Bondish theme song and you knew that at any moment Jonny and his best friend Hadji would grab rifles and start blasting away at the bad guys or the Monster of the Week. This was a boys show - TOTALLY politically incorrect and 100% action-packed.

Because of the cold-war stereotypes and the fairly constant gun-play "Jonny Quest" became one of the main targets of parental watchdog groups such as Action for Children's Television (ACT) along with shows like "Tom and Jerry" and "The Road Runner Hour" which were deemed too violent. I personally think it's OK for kids and even pretty tame compared to the non-stop horrorshow of most modern television. But I also understand why Judy is rightfully horrified as Jackson has now become a Jonny Quest fanatic. One day soon he will burn himself out on the Quest clan and move on to the next big thing in his life ... but until then Daddy gets to relive a cherished part of his childhood with Jonny, Hadji, Bandit, Race Bannon and Dr. Quest.

Judy's Big Fat Job

Anthony wanted me to post something so that the post below this, CATS, wasn't the first thing on the page. "We can't have CATS as the first thing people see!!"
So, I decided to talk about my job.

This is the job that I got after working at the Four Seasons Hualalai for about 2 years. The FS is a wonderful place, I loved being there. Working there? Not so much.

We referred to this new job as "the big fat job" during the months of the application process. Then I got it!
Now I call it the best job I ever had. I am in charge of this gorgeous resort on the Kohala Coast. We opened up the Ocean Club Bar and Grill about a month ago and now we are working on getting the vacation rental program up and running.



The place is stunning, the staff I've hired is awesome, and I look forward to seeing them everyday. If you are thinking of coming out to the Big Island and staying in a condo, this is the place. I'm not just saying that.