At least we got to go to Hawaii

Our Exciting/Annoying/Memorable/Tiring Trip to Hawaii:

Day 1

Rushed to the airport so we wouldn't be late after running into some crazy traffic.

Waited for 2 hours until the airline informed us our flight was cancelled.

Waited in line for another 2 hours to get our hotel voucher.

Finally ate dinner at 9pm...and for a pregnant lady who didn't really get lunch, that was BAD, real bad!!

But, at least we were headed to Hawaii...

Day 2

Made it through our 6 1/2 hour flight...barely.

Arrived at our rental house 1 1/2 hours from the airport and realized Kya had lost her Ipod (luckily we called the rental car company and someone had turned it in!!!)

Here's the kiddos at the rental car place...it was so hot and sunny!!  

Only had time to get groceries and head to bed. 

The girls dressed like twins, hanging out in mom and dad's bed at the rental house

But, at least we were in Hawaii...

Day 3

Headed to Turtle Bay for some swimming, snorkeling and soaking in the sun.

 

 

 The girls tried a million times to get this "heart-shaped" pose!!  It still didn't really work, but we have some hilarious pictures from their attempts:)

Named ourselves the "Snowman" family, since we were the whitest ones on the beach.

After 4 hours at the beach, we headed to the Dole Plantation for some Dole Whips and lunch--YUM (for the dole whip, NOT the lunch).

The girls each picked an oyster and opened up their very own pearl (something that I did when I went with my parents to Hawaii)

Realized we were no longer snowmen, but tomatoes:(...and YES we wore SUNSCREEN--ugh.

Poor Jordan!!

But, we were happy to be in Hawaii...

Day 4

Headed to get some world famous shaved ice in North Shore...so yummy.

 

Braved the nasty traffic and our painful sunburns to play with the kids at Waikiki Beach.

Mike, Jordan, and I stayed in the shade as much as possible.

 

Headed to Cheesecake Factory for Jordan's late birthday dinner.

A great day in Hawaii...

Day 5

Spent the entire day at the Polynesian Cultural Center...why did I think it was a good idea to walk around in the hot sun all day while 6 months pregnant?!

Tyson was OBSESSED with buying a coconut to drink out of!!

Had a ton of fun learning...imagine that!!

Finished the day with the AMAZING night show...and a few mosquito bites.

Treated the kids to some ice cream during intermission:)

 

We were exhausted, but thrilled to be in Hawaii...

Day 6

Got up super early to snorkel at Hanauma Bay.

 

Saw tons of awesome fish and snorkeled until I got sea sick:(

Headed to Aloha Stadium for some last day souvenir shopping.

Walked around that stadium for TWO HOURS in the hot sun...once again, not smart for a pregnant lady, but boy did we find some great stuff!!

Kya spent some of her money on this adorable dress.

 

Went home thoroughly exhausted and ready to head home.

But, still happy we got to spend a fun-filled day in Hawaii...

Day 7

Left for the airport at 4am.

Boarded the plane for home, after about 1 1/2 in the air, the pilot turned around to take us all back to Honolulu because it was too icy to land in WA.

Struggled for about an hour to find a hotel anywhere near the airport that had any vacancies.

Ended up spending $300 for one night plus $40 for the taxi to take us to the hotel.

We made the best of it and headed to the beach, the hotel pool, and Outback for dinner.

 

Oh, and Mike finally got to see the sunset:)

 

 

Hey, at least we were in Hawaii...

Day 8

Left for the airport at 6am

Were given a weather warning and told that it looked worse than yesterday.

Boarded the plane and luckily landed in Bellingham during the small window that they were accepting flights.

I have never been so happy to be home...even though it was cold and snowy!!

This is at the airport parking lot.  Our car had about 6 inches of snow on top!  

But, hey, at least we got to go to Hawaii...and made memories we will cherish forever!!

In Full Swing

Pregnancy mode is in full swing at our house:

The belly is growing...a little bigger and faster than anticipated.

 

 

Things that fall on the floor, are getting left on the floor.

 

Browsing for baby stuff online seems to be one of my favorite pass times.  

(Doesn't baby girl NEED a pair of these?!)

 

Cooking is not happening quite as often as it should.

 

Chocolate consumption is at an all time high (maybe that's just because it was Valentine's Day).

 

We are excited and worried all at the same time!!

Love Hurts

When I was a kid, I loved my parents.  I loved my sisters and even my cats.  I loved my grandparents and all my friends...well, most of them.  Then I got a little older and found out what it meant to love a boy.  I had a few loves...some worth my love and some not so much.  Then I found my true love (as cheesy and corny as that sounds), and learned that whole other side to love that comes with marriage.  But nothing could have prepared me for the kind of love I found 13 years ago, then again 10 years ago, then again 8 years ago, and again now.

Being a mom is a whole new kind of love. I feel like as a mom, you expose your heart so much that pain is inevitable.  When your child hurts, you hurt...end of story.  I just want my kids to be happy, to rise to their full potential, to see how amazing they are and to never doubt how much they are loved.  I believe if everyone could see the love their mother has for them, they would never feel alone, never feel lost, never feel inadequate.

This week we got report cards in the mail (a little late because I always forget to get the mail these days).  I opened one up and raved about how great one of my children had done.  Then I opened the other one up, and immediately regretted making a fuss about the first one.  I watched my child look at the grades on that paper and decide that they weren't as smart as they thought they were (and the grades were not bad, just not as good as their sibling).  It hurt my heart.

I know this is just the beginning of watching my kids go through things that might hurt them, but it's tough.  So now, I will go on loving my kids...hopefully showing them just a glimpse into how wonderful they are and how fantastic they can become.

My 3 beauties, summer 2010

Here they are this past summer 2013

WE HAVE A TEENAGER

I can't believe that tiny baby I held in my arms is THIRTEEN!!  

We spent her birthday playing in the snow, watching home videos from thirteen years ago, and cherishing this time we have together.  Before we know it, she'll be grown and off to college!!  It all goes by way too fast:(

 She had a party with a few of her friend on Friday.  

They went swimming, ate pizza, and did a whole lot of giggling!!

She also got to meet her newest cousin Eric.

And, I think the highlight of her birthday...I let her join facebook:)  Oh, how they grow up so fast!!!