Hawaii + Zebras + Crawling + Surveys + Office = Us?

Brian here. Thought I'd do my customary stop-in and send everyone love, pictures, videos, etc. We've been really busy over the last month. So...

Wells Family Hawaiian Adventure


Let me give the abridged version because there are a lot of details to why. So Megan's little sister Cherokee elected to move with their real mom in Hawaii, and Megan was asked to be a chaperon for the transition. Well, Megan wouldn't go without me, so... hence we had a beautiful week on Oahu.

We enjoyed all the sides of the island. We went snorkeling twice (and Megan LOVED it!), we saw the Laie Temple, enjoyed local shopping (where we saw my cousin Heidi and her husband Craig), and went to a fantastic luau at Paradise Cove (AMAZING!!!).

Eliana was mesmerozied by the hula dancers (and who wouldn't be)

Eli meeting her future husbands... I mean, the hula guys


Eli meeting a hula dancer

Great weather. Did wonders for our skin. Megan's step-dad made some awesome videos of parts of our journey, which I've linked for your enjoyment:

Seeing Oahu -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itHJtemXaYI&feature=channel
Paradise Luau -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDLPk5lD3pg&feature=channel
Fire Dancer from Paradise Cove -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZSlNFudJVQ&feature=channel
An Eliana montage -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0V66B0rx08&feature=channel_page
(or search oahusteve on youtube.com)

Independence Day starring a Zebra


Our 4th of July was great spending it with Jason and Megan (holla!), who are also moving down the end of the month (yippee!). We visited the Hogle Zoo the day before the 4th which Eliana loved... mainly speaking to the animals. (They did not respond for comment.) Fireworks were cool, and Eli just stared wide eyed.

Our Pride and Joy

Then there's Eliana. She turns 8 months this week. Her last doctor's appointment put her at 18 pounds and 27 inches (right where she should be along the 75th percentile). Eli loves all types of food, especially if its off our plates. She loves vegetables, fruit, Cheerios, whatever's for dinner. In the last month, she has started a full crawl with the moving arms and legs, not the hopping around stuff anymore. We've taken a few videos. The first is from last week of Eliana and her favorite "Right Round" toy.

The same day she got her crawl on, she started pulling herself up on furniture (as seen below).

Now she walks along the table, the couch, the TV stand, etc. Walking, I'm sure, is around he corner. Here's another one, showing off her amazing "Table Walking" ability.

Not a lot of hair or teeth yet. Words are not exactly words yet but the essence of "Mama" is there. But we're loving every minute seeing her grow. She's our little blessing. Happy as a clam.

If Mama Ain't Happy...


Megan is loving being a mommy and seeing all of Eliana's growth. She's been doing some online surveys to make a little extra money during Eli's naps. Her garden is flourishing with huge squash plants and huge tomato plants. None to eat yet but the babies are all over. Cooking new foods and eating healthy have been her recent goals. (I'm working on the liking a vegetarian meal, still. I'm just stubborn.) Of course, she makes wicked desserts (banana pudding, cheesecake, etc. drool. etc. drool.)

She's recently a Class A residential house finder (for Megan and Jason), a Class A wedding invitation designer (for Chris and Miriam's wedding, which were phenomenal), and a Class A "squee"-er (thanks to Erika, who stopped in from Michigan, much to Megan's enjoyment). She's been putting her major to use by getting to redecorate some of the house including a new love seat, new shelves, new lights, new curtains. She's really made it feel like our home.

And by the way, I'm still utterly, completely in love with her (2 year anniversary next month).

Brian, Resident Statistician


So, epic fail. When I wrote my title, I spelled "statistician" incorrectly. I'm totally going to succeed in this field. **droops head in stupidity**

Anyways, I'm just working full-time for FHSS Research Support doing statistics for the College. It's been slow, with the occasional grad student or professor, but I've been learning a lot. The big things going on with me is getting ready to decide if it's time for grad school or a "real" job. I'm taking the GRE and my last grad-prep classes this Fall, so we'll see if I'm graduate school material. Elsewise, I'm just enjoying being a handyman for the wife with all her projects and playing with my little girl.

Well, I think that's about it (give or take a 25 page dissertation). We want you all to know that our love is with you. We're loving our lives and invite any of you to stop by for a visit. Come see Eli. She would like it.

God bless y'all.