Hawaii

Chris and I were able to go to Maui for 6 days last week. Sigh. Just saying the place makes me miss it. I haven't been in 17 years, and now remember why I loved it so much. It is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been, and on top of that you still speak their language and can drink the water! Paradise! We stayed in Ka'anapali, but went all over the island. Here's the view from our hotel room balcony,

and the next 3 pictures are from our drive on the Road to Hana. What a breathtaking drive. We were gone 13 hours, but well worth it!



This is at the huge Banyan tree in Lahaina. Such a cute little town.

One day we did a bike ride down Mt. Haleakala where we were dropped off at the top and then rode 23 miles down back to our car. It was fabulous - we were really able to experience Hawaii with the far away views, close up sights, amazing smells, while being out in nature. Awesome!


Chris was so excited to do some snorkeling as he'd never been to Hawaii before. Boy, it didn't disappoint. We found a few places right off the shore (after researching the best spots) that were amazing.

On this day while were were snorkeling at Black Rock, I was just wading about knee high in the water and these 2 HUGE sea turtles came swimming right around us. Crazy!

On our last night there we went to a luau right on the beach, which was very fun. But after going I realized why it cost so much - it included all "drinks". Guess we didn't quite get our money's worth! :)

I already can't wait to go back. I could go every year. Oh well. I am SO grateful to my in-laws and Lauren and Kim for watching our kids while we were gone. Carter even got Strep while we were gone (SO sorry, Lauren). Thankfully no one else got it. We couldn't have done this without them! I'm so lucky to have such wonderful family! Thank you guys so much!

Sydney's Baptism

Sydney was lucky enough to be baptized on her actual birthday, the 22nd. What an exciting day! She was just a little ray of sunshine that day. I am so lucky to have been blessed with such a sweet little spirit. We loved having Grandma and Grandpa come from Arizona for the big weekend,

as well Nana from Guatemala. What a treat!

Sydney's Birthday

Sweet little girl, big exciting birthday! I love this sweet girl of mine. She truly melts my heart and we get along like no one's business. We are so alike and attached to each other. For her party we had a backyard full of costume-wearing, screaming, running, silly girls. We played lots of Halloween games,
enjoyed a fun scavenger hunt,

had dinner,

and topped it off with the cake balls I finished the night before.

This weekend we'll be taking her out for her birthday dinner and to get her ears pierced, another big activity we let our girl's do when they turn 8!

Gavin's Birthday

Oh, blogging. You're not as fun to me as you used to be, but then I realize I love to read others so I'll keep it up in spurts here and there. Anyway, crazy Gavin turned 3. I'm loving 3. Much easier than past years with this wild child of mine. He's in preschool 2 days a week which is QUITE a change for me. Of course, a few hours of that I spend volunteering in the elementary school, which I love. And we're having a great time doing lots of fun stuff together on the other days he's home with me. I LOVE this kid of mine and look very forward to the next 3 years we have together before real school starts!

3 in Elementary? Really?

Where did the summer go? We had a great summer and really loved having so much time with friends and the more laid-back days, but it was time to start. Of course, sending a Kindergartener is always SO hard for me. It never gets easier. I just have to hurry out of that school after dropping them off before too many people see my tears. I'm VERY ready for 2:50 to come so that I can get a full update, especially from Carter.
On the way, Carter wanted nothing to do with holding my hand (a first for him), Sydney let me kiss and hug her all I wanted, and Brighton was not ABOUT to let her mom walk her to her class as a big 5th grader (another first).

I'll have to say it's really different having just 1 child at home, but I've had a great time giving him so much attention today. He said at lunch today "Mom, it's just you and me now."

Cancun, Part 1

My sweet parents take turns bringing each of us and our families down to Cancun to stay in their time share. We were thrilled that it was our turn this time! We truly had the most wonderful time!

They get to come home from Guatemala for the month of July so we especially appreciate them taking a week of that to do this for us (and above all, to go BACK to Central America)! I must admit that I now understand why people bring nannies or travel with grandparents on trips. It was FABULOUS to be 1 on 1 by having 4 adults and 4 kids. I really felt relaxed after this trip rather than ready for a vacation!

The beach is so beautiful there! It's been a few years since we were there last, and I'd forgotten how clear the water was.

Part 2

We had the unforgettable experience of swimming with dolphins. The girl's said this was their favorite part! We loved receiving a kiss from them,

swimming around with them,

and getting to do the "foot push" where 2 come up behind you and push you from your feet where you sail through the water! So fun!

We also enjoyed parasailing one day. It's so quiet and peaceful up there!

Since Carter was too young to do this, he very happily opted to do the bungie jumpy thing instead.