April Showers

Seems like the weather can't make up it's mind.  These past few weeks we've had snow, a blizzard warning, and highs in the 60s.  I think there was a 2 day period where we dropped 50 degrees then shot right back up again.  Don't get me wrong...we love it here.  We just, sometimes, wish that mother nature would make up her mind.  Even with all the ups and downs with the weather, we've managed to keep ourselves entertained.

 I was shopping at Target and came across a bowtie and tie for Connor.  Doesn't he look pretty snazzy with his bow tie and sweater vest?

I'd like to say that I'm just on top of potty training Connor as I was with Brooke but I figured out it is so much easier with your first child.  We've gotten Connor to finally stay seated and he's one pee a couple of times and poo once (I'm sure you wanted to know) but I have a feeling he's going to be more of a challenge.

 

Connor has started taking a liking to shoes.  He's always pulling out the shoes that are way to small for him or not weather appropriate. 

 His favorite are boots.  I think it's because they're easy to put on.

We've started letting Squishy sleep with Brooke now and then.  It works in most cases except that Brooke wakes up way to early in the morning when she has Squishy in the room.

Brooke is signed up for a 6 week tumbling class.  The first week she did horrible...as in just sat and didn't participate.  This last Friday she did everything and loved it.

 Connor even got to join in on the zip line action.

We finally stuck a pillow in Connor's crib in hopes to smoothly transition him to a bed.  I think he kept his head there for maybe 4 seconds.  Every time we go in to check on him he's at the opposite end of the bed.  Who needs a pillow anyways?

All the watching of Brooke in her tumbling class makes Connor want to join as well.  He can just keep going and going and going.

While Mom and Dad Are Away...

The children will play!!!  My parents were so kind enough to watch the kids while we were sunning it up in Maui.  My mom even sacrificed her spring break to hang with these two.

 They spent their days hanging out at the park.

 Flying a kite

 And chilling at the toy section in Target and having egg hunts around the house.

When Troy and I got back, we headed down to Irvine to hang with some of cousins and let the kids go on an egg hunt.

 Brooke loved playing it up with her Easter Bonnet.

 Connor was just grateful for all the goodies that we lying around.

 Luckily the kids were contained by the iron gate or else it would have been hard to hold them back.

 I wish we lived closer to these 2.  They would be the best of friends. 

At first, Connor had a hard time grasping the concept of the Easter Egg Hunt.  He was more interested in playing with the piece of paper on the bottle.

 The older kids definitely knew what to do.  Check out Tristan's air!

 Brooke took the calm and timid approach...

 And found the biggest egg out there.

 Connor carried the basket for a little bit...

 But was more interested in playing with the bike and riding around on it.

We were able to spend Easter Sunday relaxing with my parents and eating good grub.  We headed home Monday and back to reality.  Thankfully Brooke had one more week of Spring Break so we could slowly get back to swing of things.

*Bonus-my parents rented a van so that we could all drive in one car.  Connor was fascinated by the "magic" doors.

Hawaii 5-0

A trip to anywhere on a plane during the winter is never complete without a little time spent at the airport.  A snowstorm came and caused our flight to CA to be delayed.  We spent 7 hours in the airport until we were off to CA.  All I have to say is better delayed then cancelled (we flew into Burbank instead of LAX.  If we had booked to LAX our flight would've been cancelled.  Thank our lucky stars!).

 

We met up with some friends of ours that were also delayed and luckily the kids were able to keep themselves entertained.  Besides a delayed flight, far too much $ spent at the airport, and lost bags the actual flight to CA went smooth.  Connor fell asleep maybe a minute after being picked up.

A brief time spent with my parents and then we were off to Maui.  (The Hawaii bag made it before we left.  Phew!)

 

Once we landed we headed to Paia, a cute, little beach town and had lunch at Paia Fish Market.  Love the taste of fresh seafood.

 After lunch, we began our trek to Hana.  We stopped and checked out the surfers.

The road to Hana is gorgeous.  Majority of it is going through a rainforest.  Majority of it is also very windy with sudden stops and yields.  Made for some fun carsickness.  :)

Troy found a yurt to stay in Hana for our first 2 nights..  We both agree that the idea of it was cool but there were several thoughts of how to improve it.

 Namely...how to keep a huge cane spider out of it.  If you've never heard or seen it before I dare you to google it.  I threatened Troy that if he didn't kill it I would sleep out in the car.

Aside from the bugs and outdoor shower that was way too close to the main road, the view from the yurt was spectacular.

The following morning we headed to Haleakala Volcano Crater to see the sunrise.  We headed out the door at 3:00 am and drove 2 1/2 hrs to get there but it was a sight to see. 

 After the crater we stopped to grab some breakfast then headed off for our zipline adventure.

 

Ton of fun as long as I didn't think too much before I ran off the ramp.

After ziplining, we had lunch at Haliimaile General Store.  If you ever go, we highly suggest the sashimi pizza.  Delicious!!!  Then Troy was kind enough to let me drive back to Hana.  We stopped and hiked to a small waterfall along the way.

Tuesday we hiked to Waimoku Falls and the Seven Sacred Pools.

  Gorgeous hike and we were very grateful for the bamboo forest.

 We also came across a huge banyan tree.  Not as big as the one in Lahaina but still huge.

We left early enough in the morning that we had the Waimoku Falls all to ourselves for about 15 minutes.  I'm so glad that we got a portable tripod that could help take pictures for us when no one was there.  Although trying to skip and navigate through rocks before the timer went off proved to be tricky at times.

 Later Tuesday we checked into the Westin and started our true relaxation; bug-free. 

Wednesday was spa day.  What a glorious day.  We got massages and facials and I finished off with a body wrap while Troy relaxed by the pool.

Later that evening we enjoyed dinner at Roy's and a walk along the boardwalk. 

Thursday we had planned on going paddleboarding and snorkeling but it was crazy windy and thought it would be wise to just head to Lahaina and shop around.

 Friday was check out day.  Luckily it started to rain so it made it a little easier to say good-bye to Maui.  After checking out we had a little time to spare so we headed north to check out a blowhole.  

Then we headed back south and stopped at Leoda's for some delicious hand pies.  I wish I hadn't eaten a big lunch so I would have had more room to eat more at Leoda's.  I guess I'll just have to wait until next time.

Maui was a wonderful, relaxing time and a great way to spend an early anniversary.  Here's to many, many more years.  Love you Troy!