Pillbox Hike

Ike and I have really been wanting to do some of the awesome hikes around our area and just haven't had the chance to do it. We had planned to do them alone the first time to see how strenuous it would be to do it with the kids. But, since we don't get a change to do it much we figured we would just go with it. We had heard wonderful things about the Pillbox Hike and had been told it wasn't too bad with kids so we decided to go for it. Julianna was on her own and Mason was in the new backpack. Let's just say it wasn't the most pleasurable experience. Julianna whined most of the time, the dirt was "winding" (blowing) in her eyes, and in her defense it isn't an easy hike. It is pretty hard to keep your footing, it is really steep in some places and the dirt is really loose. We were slipping and sliding all over the place. I had to really support her and carry her parts of the way. Ike was giving me a panic attack with Mason in that carrier. I asked him several times if he was sure Mason was safe in there. I did have to do a little "off roading" when my hat blew off my head. That was interesting. Also, Mason has had a low grade fever for the last few days and we thought this would be good for him to get out of the house and get some fresh air. Well, he got some air alright! It was windy up there and his nose was running like a leaking faucet. Needless to say, we did not make it all the way to the top. Julianna was complaining so much that we turned back around about half way. When we got back home we were all covered in dirt and Mason had a fever of 102.4. We win the Parent's of the Year award!!! LOL We tried.

At the start, everyone is still happy and smiling.

But not everyone wanted her picture taken.

Pretty steep incline with lots of loose dirt and rocks.

View of Lanikai and Kailua.

The wind was getting to Mason.

We're still doing ok. Heading up.

Julianna was still having fun.

Here we go.

Beautiful view, this is only half way. I can't imagine how awesome it must be at the top.

I can't believe we live here. Can't wait for round 2 with no children! haha

Aquarium in Waikiki

Last week we headed to the aquarium for the first time since we've been here. It is a TINY little place (especially for someone used to the Baltimore Aquarium) but it's just enough for young kids. Enough to spend about an hour there if you let them run around a bit! Julianna and her friend Evan had a fun time. As you can see from the last pic they were exhausted when we left.

This is a sign of a fun morning out!

Happy

These 2 make me happy. Love this!

Still Funny

Evidently the word "spaghetti" is funny to Mason too. Look at him laughing here and the go back to see Julianna laughing about it in January 2008.

After all that spaghetti these 2 needed a bath!!

I've started a new bath time method. Mason is all over the place in the tub so I started putting them in the stand up shower. He is more contained and LOVES the water coming down on him.

Beauty Rest

This is only the 2nd time in 3.5 years that she has fallen asleep somewhere other than her car seat or bed. You know she is tuckered out when it happens. How cute is she in her ballet outfit snoozin on the sofa? Such a sweetie. I guess it's exhausting being so cute all the time. :)

Way Cooler!

This is WAY cooler than helping your Dad wash the car!

Maori Poi Balls

So, I just realized that I had a short clip of the girls doing their other "dance." This is basically all they did the whole time and the balls were really a hilarious disaster. Thought I would share some laughs.

I have finally uploaded lots more pics from the last 5 days so stay tuned!

Hold your applause please....

With out further ado, we present Hula Dancing by Julianna.

Aloha Ceremony

This Hawaiian Beauty had her debut hula performance today at preschool.

Today was the Aloha Ceremony for the PreK students that graduated and are heading off to kindergarten next year. The 3 hula students had 2 numbers prepared for everyone.

The girls did so good. Julianna didn't miss one single move. She watched her teacher just like she was supposed to and smiled. She did great. She loves being on stage.

We really have quite the performer on our hands. I was trying really hard to take pictures, Daddy was doing a video, but Mason was dying to get to his sister on stage.

I finally put him down and let him crawl around...

...until he really started to make a break for the stage. Julianna still did not get distracted by all of the commotion.

Precious.

I loved every minute of it.

These "balls on a string" (I'm sure they have a name but I'll have to look it up) were HILARIOUS. The girls were all a little bit too short for the long strings and they kept hitting the floor, each other, the alter, themselves. SO FUNNY.

This is such a neat experience for her.

They all looked so pretty with their lei's and flowers in their hair.

Aloooooooha!!!

Shaka

Look at Mason's face. He wants to get down and walk around.

Julianna is putting a flower behind Mason's ear. Daddy got one next. I am glad Ike got to come watch, his schedule changed and he got there just before she started dancing. YAY!

Kauai Day Trip

We had friends from Memphis visiting Kauai and I was so upset that it hadn't worked out for us to do a family trip there at the same time so we could hang out with them. So on Saturday night I decided that if it worked out for them, I was going to take the kids over to the other island for the day so the kids could play and we could all catch up. I booked a flight on Sunday afternoon.

Wednesday morning we boarded the short 30 minute flight to Kauai and were so looking forward to playing all day with our old buddies.

As soon as we got to their condo we enjoyed a nice healthy breakfast of sugary, chocolate donuts with sprinkles. :) Julianna and Jack were so excited to see each other. You could tell they remembered all the fun they had together back in Tennessee.

Then we all headed down to the pool for some fun in the sun.

The pool area was so much fun. They had water slides, a lazy river, and this area that had "sand" like the beach for the kids to play but it was attached to the pool. Pretty cleaver.

Then we went back up to the room for lunch and naps. Yes, we actually got all 4 children to sleep at the same time!! Mason and Logan are just about 6 weeks apart and they got a kick out of seeing another little boy their size. They were fun to watch.

This is my attempt at getting all 4 of them to pose of a picture.

I tried again by the Koi pond.

The big kids were too interested in the Koi to look at the camera.

Then we took a nice stroll on the beach while Jon grilled out for dinner.

It was very pretty.

The big kids played with Stacey on the rocks.

Then it was time for a romantic, pool side dinner for 2.

I actually thought to get a picture of Stacey and I together and not just pics of the kids. This isn't the best pic since we had been in the sun and pool all day but at least I got one! We both look exhausted. :) PS. Thanks Stacey for the sunscreen application on my back... LOL The red is starting to turn to brown today.

Then it was back on the plane to Oahu. The kids were very excited to see Daddy at the airport. They were both exhausted and crashed hard when we got home. What a fun day!!!