hawaii. . .our favorite pastime

If I were to ask the kids what their favorite thing about Hawaii was, I'm guessing it would be boogie boarding at Pounders, hands down.  I knew of this fun little beach from my college days, and it ended up being the perfect place for us to play.  The waves were just the right size, the sand was perfect, and we were almost always the only ones there.  We ended up going there almost every day- and always had a blast!  My favorite thing to do was to sit on the beach and watch the girls play with their Dad.  Sheer joy!

Kate would always make us laugh so hard.  She was rarely able to catch a wave, and would get pounded, again and again.  She would stand up with her hair all awry, sand everywhere, and just smile!  Being the trooper that she is, she would just go right back at it every time!   I was looking over our pictures and smiling at the fun memories from our afternoons at the beach.  I asked Kate, "how many times do you think you got pounded?"  I didn't expect an answer, but she replied, "Do you need an exact number?" 

 

hawaii. . .our home base

When we decided to go to Hawaii, we knew we wanted a house on the beach- away from the business of Honolulu and Waikiki.  We ended up finding a little place up toward the north shore, about 15 minutes away from BYU-Hawaii.  We had the mountains at our back and the ocean in front.  Chinaman's Hat was just to the North of us.  The beach was good, but pretty rocky in the water, and so the girls spent most of their time at home beach combing.  The little rock wall was covered in their treasures, and every day they would show us their new finds. 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the first afternoons we kayaked to Chinaman's Hat.  It was pretty breezy, and I got an earful from a certain daughter who felt as though my kayaking skills left a little bit to be desired.  Once we got there, we beached the kayaks and explored a little bit, after which we traded passengers, thank-you-very-much.  My return passengers were much more complimentary (or at least held their tongues) and we all made it back safe and sound.

The weather was pretty stormy the first weekend and so we spent a few days relaxing at the house.  I read several books during our stay.  It was so nice to leave all the doors open and feel/listen to the ocean breezes.  Now that I'm thinking about it, I'm pretty sure we should go back.  ASAP. 

Ryenne had her own room, and the other three shared a room with two twin beds.  Claire was so happy with her "closet", where she chose to sleep on a little mattress.  She was so much fun on the trip.  She loved the decks of the house, and would cuddle on the deckchairs each morning, wrapped up in a blanket.  (Just now, she came to see what I was typing and told me, "I love everything about Hawaii!")  The other day we were cleaning up the house when she asked me, "Mom, did you like it in Hawaii?"  I told her I did, and then she announced, "Then let's get packed up and go back!  Right now!"

I agree!

 

 

 

A favorite part of our stay was breakfast at the picnic table on the back lawn.  Each morning we cooked up breakfast (fancy things like Ego waffles) and sat at the picnic table and ate while we watched the ocean.  We had lots of fun during those breakfasts (and lots of POG- a now favorite juice drink the girls discovered)! 

 

During the days we usually left to go explore, but it was so nice to have somewhere to call home.  Most nights found us cuddled together on the couches for a movie, popcorn (and some more POG, of course!). 

 



hawaii. . . a good day to be immodest

After getting our rental car and surviving what the girls refer to as "the longest Costco trip ever", we arrived at the beach house.  The girls had been waiting to go for a swim, and were a little bit disappointed that we were on a reef (not the sandy beach they had been dreaming of).  The beach in front of the house was great though, and they had a great time exploring and beach-combing whenever we were at the house. 

Our favorite line from the trip was Claire's announcement the first day after we arrived.  As we walked back to the car after getting groceries, everyone commented on how hot it was (we had just come from winter, after all).  Claire piped up and told here dad, "Well, Dad.  It's a good day to be immodest!"  We've had some good chuckles over that. 

 

That night we drove up to BYU-Hawaii to show the girls were I went to school and then stopped at the temple.  It was a beautiful night.  I forgot the camera, so all we have are phone pictures.  The girls thought it was beautiful, of course, and loved the huge palm trees.  They also had fun visiting with the sister missionaries. 

 

The next day was Sunday, and it poured rain all day!  We went up to Laie to church and then drove the kids to Laie point.  When I lived there, we used to spot turtles there every now and again, but it was far too stormy to see anything.  The girls were pretty impressed with the huge waves and all the spray as they crashed into the rocks.  After, we ventured to Sunset Beach to take a peek at the surfers, but it was raining so hard we didn't even get out of the car.  So, back to the house for a relaxing afternoon!

 

aloha! . . .getting to hawaii

 

 

Yay, Hawaii!  Since we used free flight miles to get to Hawaii, we had to fly out of Las Vegas.  (Well, actually we could have flown out of Salt Lake City, then back East, then South- you get the picture.  It was faster for us to drive to Las Vegas and fly nonstop!)  So.  We spent the first day driving south.  The girls were so excited and had been counting down days since Christmas.  That being said, the seven hour + drive might have been a little bit painful.  I might have threatened one certain daughter to get out and walk a time or two.  But other than that, the drive was a blast.

 



 

Once we arrived, we ordered pizza and got settled into our hotel room for the night (after a swim in the pool, of course). 

And then, a bright and early breakfast and shuttle to the plane.  The girls were troopers and the flight was lovely (as lovely as a six hour flight can go).  Claire was an outstanding traveler the entire trip and was so happy to be together with everyone.  Several times she said, "You know what the best part of this trip is?  Being together!"  Everyone except Samuel, that is.  He stayed with the Petersen cousins and had a great time of his own being the center of attention.

 

 

Let's get this party started!

young maid

Last week we started off on Monday with a messy house.  Seems like Mondays are always messy.  I knew I had a full week ahead, and was already tired.  Not a good combination, I'm afraid.  Besides that, sometimes I feel like shouldn't have to do all the work, you know.  So.  Being that we were in somewhat of a desparate situation, I devised a game.

It was awesome if I must say so myself.  (And I must.  Cuz I don't think anyone else around here thought it was very awesome.)



First, I had to set the stage.  I announced with great enthusiasm, "After the Family Home Evening lesson I have a fun game planned!"
Yayyyy!  (This was very exciting because we don't do FHE games, or fun treats that match the lesson, or anything else cool like that.  We just have a lesson.  Period.  And sometimes we throw in an ice cream cone if we're feeling crazy.)  After my little announcement, excitement was high.

As promised, we had a brief but meaningful discussion led by dad.  Then?  The game!!!  "OK, mom!  It's time for the game now!  Remember?"

Oh yeah, I remembered. 



Here's how the game went.  "This is such a fun game.  I made it up myself, and it's really fun.  You know the game 'Old Maid'?  It's kind of like that.  But this game is called 'Young Maid'!  Doesn't that sound fun?  It's really fun!  (Insert big, convincing smile here.)  This is how it works.  We are going to have two teams.  I've got this list of 'tasks', and you 'get' to be 'young maids'!  And who ever gets their list done happily wins!  Doesn't this sound fun?"

Silence.  Blank stares.


"And if we are all happy while we play the game, we will all get ice cream!  Won't this be fun?!!!"



They loved it.   Oh, they might have resisted a little at first.  There might have even been a few, "Mom!  This isn't a fun game!" remarks.  (Which I contradicted with an oh, contrare!  it's fun for me!!!!)  Dad might have even been less than enthused.  But really, my game was a hit.  Half hour "young maid" = semi-tidy house.  We wrapped up the night with ice cream in our freshly cleaned kitchen and I, at least, was happy as a clam.

I think I'm gonna market this idea.

mr. sam goes to work with daddy

 

 

 

 

When Courtney had to drive around and check out some jobs one day, he asked Sam if he wanted "to work" with him.  You've never seen a little boy get dressed and out to his carseat so fast.  I have a feeling that working with daddy is going to get increasingly exciting as time goes by.  What little boy can resist a ride on daddy's "quiptment"?

and then he proceeds to use his shirt as a pocket

Can I just say that we find the coolest stuff inside Sam's clothes?