Waimea Canyon, Day 2

The Grand Canyon of the Pacific did not disappoint. It is a beautiful canyon with wonderful views and hikes. I think I was a little less prepared than Brett for some of these hikes. I didn't realize that Hawaii was so full of them. We took off after some people at our first stop having no idea what we were getting ourselves into or where we were headed. After about an hour, it broke off into two different trails. Unsure of how long each was and where each headed, we decided to turn around. Apparently we missed a beautiful waterfall, only about 20 more minutes to go. We didn't have any water with us though, so we didn't worry about it. I had bought myself a sparkly white pair of new running shoes that I took on the trip with us. I didn't know that Hawaii had "RED DIRT" and having rained every day, it was tough to keep them clean. It was funny how many people would actually comment on how white my shoes were as we hiked passed them. Our next stop we tried to hike but everyone we talked to had turned around because of how muddy it got. Didn't sound fun to me, so we did likewise. The views were spectacular but a little cloudy once we got to the top. Definitely worth the trip despite the twisty, whindy roads that made me sick.

Since we were out by Poipu I talked Brett into stopping at Spouting Horn. This land mark is a blowhole that is different from others found throughout the state as another hole nearby only blows air, making a loud groaning sound. Legend states that this coast was guarded by a large mo'o (lizard) who ate everyone who tried to fish or swim here. One day, a man named Liko entered the water When the mo'o went to attack him, he swam under the lava shelf and escaped through the hole. The mo'o became stuck and was never able to get out. The groaning is the cry of hunger and pain from the lizard still trapped under the rocks. There really was a load moaning sound, but much to Brett's dismay, he couldn't believe people actually stopped to look at water blow up out of a hole.

We also went snorkeling at Poipu and saw some pretty fish. There were two turtles just hanging out near the shoreline but way too many rocks to get close to. The sunset was awesome on the way home and we had to stop and get out of the car to enjoy it.

Kauai, Hawaii Day 1

Since I have to start somewhere to catch up, I decided to start with the easiest....our trip to Hawaii. I decided I needed a trip to Hawaii and since Brett is graduating, I jumped at the chance to make this his graduation trip. We wanted to go in January, but with his torturous Bar prep class that starts 2 days after Christmas we decided to head out over his fall break. I label this day 1, but it really is day 2. We had a rough start that I forgot about until just typing this. We left SLC around 11:00, got into LAX and were supposed to leave there around 2:00. Five hours later and a measly $6 voucher for each of us, we finally boarded the plane. I guess I should be grateful Delta decided to fix the door latch so all of us passengers weren't sucked out into infinity and beyond, but the wait was brutal and we lost a night in paradise.

Because of the time difference, I found myself up with the crowing of roosters, literally around 5:30 am. Then we happened upon these on our walk. Wandering around. Everywhere. We later learned that during a hurricane back in the 90's, roosters and chickens who were "cock fighters" escaped they rudimentary home to roam Kauai quite freely. They are known as the Kauai chickens and apparently are not very good to eat. I was told it would take a full day to marinate them long enough to even make them remotely soft enough to chew. Sounds appetizing.

I accidentally woke Brett up trying to figure out the Internet and we decided to take the chance to explore the resort grounds. Absolutely breathtaking!

This is a view of the beach from our room. We were right on the beach and had Kauai Lagoons golf course very close by. So, Brett being the avid golfer that he is, just had to find the world famous "HOLE 16".

I realize this picture doesn't do the hole justice, and I admit it was a very pretty hole, but it just a golf hole! We continued exploring the grounds and came upon this crazy spider. I can't believe how hard it is to see it in this picture, but it was one of the craziest spiders I have ever seen. It looked like it only had 4 legs, and they were so long! After googling it I learned that it was just a black and yellow garden spider, writing spider, or corn spider that is COMMON to the US of A.

We found this fun little cove with warning signs everywhere that you could be sucked out into the ocean and DIE if you tried to swim in the water, so we observed it from the rocks. We were so exhausted after our tour of the grounds that we decided to take a long nap. The rest of the day was spent relaxing and enjoying the POOL.

11-11-11

I decided 11-11-11 is one of those dates that makes you stop and really think about things. What was I doing, where was I, did anything important happen? And then the true answer comes: nothing, not a thing, usual routine. Except, I realized how far behind I am on my blog.

I guess the easiest way to sum up the last 6months of things is to say this: I am pregnant with child number 4. I think that is enough said. It explains why I am too tired or sick to post. I am still working, running kids around like crazy (what was I thinking when I signed all 3 up for soccer????), and also got put into Young Womens. I should also mention number 4 is another GIRL. Brett is quite worried about the level of estrogen already floating around the house; he can't imagine what more might do to his already calm and drama-free sanctuary.

But most importantly, Brett only has 1 month of school left. Typing that makes me want to cry. I think of all we have been through and accomplished and I really do get a feeling of triumph. Better yet, he has a job he will start January 1, 2012. Paying him while he studies for the Bar. I am counting down the required shifts I have left to keep benefits and as of today I have 16. More than I like to admit, but do-able. These nights are so much harder being pregnant and OLD. But it doesn't mean I lack the ambition to get caught up~

A Moment in Time

Today is one of those days, when I look back at things and think how life is just slipping me by. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I have been away from my family for practically the last week. And a lot to do with the fact that my kids really are growing up. I think of all the little moments to be cherished with them and those big moments that will never be forgotten. If only to capture it all. KK asked me the other day why Heavenly Father made her the way she was. I asked her what she meant, and she said, "blonde". She informed me she wanted to be like Dawson. Brought a smile to my face.
My friend is doing a picture a day for a year. I haven't really checked it out, but was killing some time on the internet and decided to revisit it. I realized it was a great way to capture the moments of the day and thought maybe it would help make those moments in time not seem to slip away like so. I guess I don't have to start on January 1st. Today is always a new day.
I am excited to have the next week off. The sky is the limit when it comes to deciding what to do to fill these summer days. And who knows, maybe I will take my camera along and start to capture those moments that seem to be forgotten.

Schools out for the Summer.

Graduations, programs, recitals, games. May has been a busy month. A little disappointing on the weather end of things as well. KK finished up her first year of preschool. She can officially write her name, recognizes most letters and loves to boss everyone around.

Princess finished her year of kindergarten. She has turned in to quite the little reader and surprisingly is good at math. She is still drama and very much a "girl". She gets mad when friends play with some friends and not others and not her. I think some girls are just born that way.

Tan man is still going strong in school. Two days left! He is finishing up soccer. Had the dilemma of wether of not to put him into comp soccer. Hard to justify it when he wants to give flag football a go. Besides, I really think swimming is his thing. He is passing me up quickly in the piano-not hard to do when about all I can play is "Mary had a little lamb".

Brett is finishing up his first summer class. Finished his last semester strong, just hoping it moves into the summer. It is hard to think that we are actually getting closer to being done, but the finish line seems so far away. I think that must be how it feels to run a marathon. Don't think I will ever find out for myself though.

I am just getting excited to lose some of the routine that comes with school. Here's to hoping that my kids learn to sleep past 7 am and that we might actually have weather where we can hit Cowabunga Bay. I am pretty sure none of the TMNT live there though.

Can you say 3L?

I figured you all probably could. I just had to see if I could spit it out for myself. I really wish I had exciting news or some fun stories, but life just keeps going, and going, and going. With not a whole lot going on.
My baby turned 4. I can hardly believe it. She has gotten so big and is pretty darn funny. Biggest tease of the family. And when I tell her she is my baby she tells me she isn't, that she is big now, which of course she is. She is actually quite gargantuion. Now, just how do you spell that word? But for now, she really is my baby, and NO, that is not an announcement.
Brett is taking his last final tomorrow! I better throw in: FOR THE SEMESTER, before any of you start doing cartwheels for me. Which is where the 3L comes from. In law school, they call you the number you are in school, followed by a L. I assume it stands for law, but you can adapt it to whatever fits.
Hard to believe we are finally on the final chapter of this schooling thing. I started counting down the days in January. I should have waited until May. I mean really, who wants to count down from 333? I should have known better.

More Magic

At least that is what they claim.

Disneyland and Las Vegas

I finally talked my husband into letting us go on a trip to Disneyland. We gave it to the kids for Christmas so T-man was pretty interested in the logistics of just how Santa really pulled this off.

Tough one to explain, but we managed. We had such a great time. KK was big enough to ride on just about everything. She even got off Space Mountain with a big smile on her face. I wasn't sure if she would even like the roller coasters, she isn't quite 4, but she did. Surprisingly enough, when we got home, my husband mentioned that he had a good time. I had to pick my jaw up off the floor.

Unfortunately, we didn't have great weather and had to hang out under the monorail for about an hour one day, eating lunch and trying to pry our frozen fingers off of our capri-suns. At that point, Princess looked at us and said, "I hate Disneyland, I want to go home". We managed to convince her that it would get better, which it did.

We went and stayed with Dan and Amanda for a couple of days as well. The kids were so excited to see Amelia and to see where they lived. We tried to avoid the strip, but the kids wanted to hit the M&M chocolate factory to have a tour. I guess they got rid of it, and instead do a lame 3-D movie instead. Don't waste your time. We went to the Hoover Dam, and despite Brett's attempts to let the kids climb up on the edge to look over, we didn't lose any of them. KK did manage to puke all over herself though in the car. It made for a pleasant smell the rest of the way.

I will post a few more pictures in a few.

Crafter's Corner

We tried out this new place in Pleasant Grove this year for P's birthday. It turned out to be so fun and cute. The girls each got to paint their initial to their first name. It was amazing to see how creative the girls were. I was worried that some of them might turn out not so cute, but found that they all turned out awesome. They all knew exactly what they wanted and how they wanted to do it. It was a great place, with good help and inexpensive! It was so fun to see how much quieter and well mannered the girls were compared to a big group of boys. Not that the boys were all that bad, just much more rambunctious! Happy Birthday Sweet Girl.

Tanner's Baptism

I think having a child get baptized is one of those benchmarks that ages you. I have never felt so old. I can't believe I have a kid that has chosen to be baptized.

It was such a great day surrounded by family and close friends. T-man knew exactly who he wanted to talk, to pray, and even what songs he wanted. He is such a great kid and we are so grateful we can be his parents.