We're BACK!!!

What a trip!!  SO much sunshine that we were desperately in need of!!  I've got tons of photos to share and will try to do it in chronological order for lack of any organization!  The Big Island was so different than Maui or Oahu, it took us quite a while to adjust, but, we think it's worth another visit when all is said and done.  However, we won't be dumb enough to fall for the ol' "you don't need air conditioning with the trade winds..."!!  All I can say is what trade winds!!!  Although the reported temp was right around 80 every day, it was actually above 85 and the humidity was between 50 and 85%...that's pretty extreme for this cold weather girl!!  I was sticky and sweaty 24/7!

Our flight down was pretty good.  The kids did great, even Olivia who we were the most concerned about loved it.  On every take-off and landing (we were on 3 flights in the course of 2 weeks) she'd yell "YAAAAAAY".  It was really funny.  The only problem on the way down was the jerk in the seat in front of her that complained to a flight attendant...not to me...that Olivia was "kicking his seat incessantly and he couldn't nap".  Dude, you're in coach on a 2pm flight, what do you want, spring for first class tickets you &@!!$&*!!!!  (I have a lot of thoughts of what to put in place of that!)  She wasn't kicking the seat, but, the car seat did position her feet so far forward, any time she wiggled her feet would bump the back of his seat, even without shoes on.  But, I think what was really bothering the dude was that she had the tray down and was coloring.  On the red-eye flight home, I had a woman next to me that was so big she was half in my seat and fell asleep on me and the guy behind me had his knees wedged into my back with his nasty feet in flip-flops stuck all the way under my seat and up into my foot space...now that was reason to complain to the flight attendants!!!

We had 6 hours of sitting, so, I took a few pictures with the phone...these are all just goofy...

Part of the reason Olivia did so well on the flight I think, is that there were 16 of us on the flight going down for the wedding.  So, she had lots of people to visit...including Grandma and Grandpa...

Of course, you can't complain when brother is around either.  This poor kid, Olivia has become so clingy to him since the minute we got on the plane.  Here they are watching a movie on his ipod...keep in mind we had no less than FOUR other electronic devices, including the large screened ipad, that she could have been watching.

Thankfully, we did eventually lose them both, for an hour or so at least...

 When we arrived, we were immediately reminded that we were now on island time.  There were some delayed flights ahead of us, so, there was a line at the rental car place and it ended up taking Dave over an hour to get the Jeep.  By then, it was pouring rain and dark.  We were disappointed not to be able to check anything out, but, what can ya do.  It was the last time we saw anything more than a sprinkle of rain our whole trip, so, can't really complain.

In the morning, we checked out our digs.  I tried to take a picture of both kids to send to everyone back home letting them know we made it, but, as you can see, Liv was less than cooperative.

These are the sandals Olivia picked out when we were supposed to be shopping for white ones to go with her flower girl dress....she LOVES shoes!

Dave took this picture later that day, I'm guessing to rub it in to someone that they weren't drinking a beer in Hawaii...but, it gives you kind of an idea of our condo.  We had this grassy area out the back and then just beyond the hedge is the lava rock and basically a 20 foot drop down to the ocean.  Not exactly the beach front I anticipated!

This is the view from the other side of the hedge, although, it's a bit steeper than this picture makes it seem.  The fish were so big here though, on a calm day like this one, we could actually see them from all the way up top!  Made us want to snorkel down there, but, later, the surf picked up and we realized why nobody does!! (I've got pics to show that later.)

Here's some more pictures taken with my camera so they aren't so grainy.  The one with Owen gives some perspective to how steep a drop it really was.  

We had some visitors come by to welcome us the first few mornings too.  The dolphins were jumping out of the water and spinning and doing all kinds of great stuff....but, this is the best shot Dave got...hahaha!

We had an AWESOME pool at the condo, but, Liv preferred playing with the pool toys from the side of the pool instead of in it...so frustrating!!!

This is how Olivia made Owen watch tv EVERY day while we were there!!  I don't know why, she's never done it before or since!!

Our first stop, after Dad made it over our way from his hotel, was Kahaluu Beach.  It was an easy walk from the condo complex.  It's rare to see a turtle in Maui or Oahu, but, we saw so many here, especially on this beach, it kind of became like eagle sightings here in Alaska!  Olivia was totally infatuated though and was thrilled with each and every one of them!

The water here at Kahaluu is increadibly shallow...or it is depending on the surf and the tide anyway...so, spotting the turtles in the water was really easy.

With the tide out, you could see all kinds of fish just by walking around on the rocks.  Liv was all about it, as long as her feet didn't get wet!! ;O)

After checking out Kahaluu thoroughly, we headed out and grabbed some lunch on our way to meet up with Shawn at Hapuna beach.  It was about a 45 minute drive and our intent was just to stop in and check it out, especially since dad isn't much of a beach dude.  But, everyone had so much fun, we stayed too long...and were definitely unprepared!!  Shawn got Olivia this little sand set though and made her day!!  Olivia is all about a sand box and who could ask for a better one than Hapuna Beach! ;O)

To our shock, Owen wanted to go out into the water and not only did he feel comfortable, he was immediately wanting to boogy board.  Considering the kid took his first swim lesson in January, we were pretty impressed!!!

We hit Bubba's for dinner, I don't care what anyone says, it's delicious and I wouldn't miss an opportunity to eat there!!  Dave and I had the BEST fish sandwich there on a second visit for lunch.  Can't wait to go back!

The next day we managed to spend some time at the pool and back at Kahaluu Beach before the rehearsal dinner.  I'd have to say, the black sand isn't nearly as great as the white sand at Hapuna...but, we can't afford Hapuna Beach hotel prices...so, Liv had to settle! ;O)  The boys did some snorkeling (also shocked how well Owen took to snorkeling!!) which I didn't bother to photograph.  But, Dave got some amazing shots with the under water camera Mom and Will bought us for Christmas!  I'll share those next time.

Happy New Year!

I'm SO way behind its frustrating, so, this is a picture heavy post!

Here's our boys on the ice, Dave is an assistant coach this year.

We had a birthday party for Owen's big 7 and got this shot of him with his cousins.  They crack me up!  Both little ones look thrilled, don't they!!

 Owen wanted to decorate the cake himself.  It's a red ninja attacking a ghost...don't ask...;O)

 We did a few fun things for Owen's birthday/Christmas this year.  We went to the Nutcracker and the Cirque Dreams Christmas show.  We also took the "Holiday Train" from Anchorage to Indian.  It was fun, but, not all we hoped for.  I think maybe once was enough! ;O)

Owen's class performed a song at the Holiday Concert at School.  I put a red triangle on Owen's blue shirt (Lower right) to help identify him, not sure it helped though!

This is just a goofy shot I took of Liv trying to make adjustments to the camera.  Her expression kills me in this one, even though her face is a mess...she somehow wiped blue marker from her hands to her face and then cried so it ran down her face...again, don't ask!! ;O)

Crouse Christmas and the cousins enjoying a movie and some cookies.  Don't those little ones crack you up with their matching crossed feet!

 One posed shot of the three of them.  It wasn't easy this year!!

Some cookie decorating at Owen's request who did three and then wanted to quit....ummm, no!

Liv insisted on helping decorate one of her own and then was livid when I didn't want her to eat it.  I caved so she'd quit screaming while we were working, but, as you can see, she was still angry!  Man this kid is opinionated!!

Our finished masterpieces!  Yes they are all the same shape and yes I have a million shapes I could have chosen, but, this isn't my first round of cookies that Owen "wanted" to make.  So, I knew better than to get creative....I'd be spending hours alone decorating if it took any longer or required any additional creativity!!

Christmas Day!  Liv loved the book from her cousin Madeline and wasn't too interested in opening anything else.

Dave got a Kindle Paper White and I haven't seen him since....

Just for comparison sake, this is our Christmas photo from last year!! Look how much our little chunker has grown in one year!  I think she's gaining on Owen!!

Olivia got a Kitty Cat from her Grandma/Grandpa Smith and her Auntie Shawn.  We weren't sure what to expect, but, took it up to ride with her cousin Blake on New Year's day.  She looks upset, but, this is just a serious face.  Between her and Blake, they wore all of us out!  They aren't ready to run the controls themselves, but, LOVED sledding.  Owen took each of them around on his 120 when he got sick of riding the smaller machine until he too got wore out.

 And just think this is too hilarious not to share.  If we give Liv a snack and don't put her at the table to eat it, this is where she ends up of her own choosing...on the dog bed...with the dogs!  She's such a goofball!

Visit With Santa

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!!  We had a good dinner, but, my grandmother had this nasty and highly contagious stomach bug thats been going around up here and having had it ourselves just two weekends ago, we weren't anxious to risk being around her!  So, it wasn't all I'd hoped for, she's really the reason we make the effort to get together to begin with.  She's doing better though and we plan to have dinner for Owen's birthday this weekend, so, hopefully, that will make up for it!

But, the day before T-day, I came home from work early and despite some sketchy roads (its been this weird freezing rain lately), we grabbed the kids and took them to the mall to see Santa.  As you can see...Olivia was thrilled about the idea! ;O)  I know what she's getting for Christmas!!!  She wouldn't even look at Santa during the pictures and when we went to leave, he said watch this and waved at her and said goodbye.  She smiled and waved emphatically back like she was thrilled he acknowledged their time together was over.  He got a big kick out of that!

Owen's been cracking us up lately.  About 2 or 3 weeks ago he came home from school and asked to put up the Christmas tree.  I told him that it was too early and we had too much to do to even consider it.  He said, "I'm just so excited, I can't help it, I'm just so jolly!"  I have no idea where he learned the word "jolly", but, I couldn't help but laugh.

On Wednesday, Dave told him our plan to visit Santa after school.  He looked at Dave and said something to the effect of "Oh good, I need to ask him for some light sabers, I think he misunderstood me last year".  Turns out, last year, "santa" decided that light sabers are ridiculously over priced and impractical and that it would be more fun to get the Wii Light Saber controllers and the corresponding Star Wars game.  I cracked up when Dave told me.  I've never heard Owen use the word "misunderstood" before either.  He never ceases to amaze me!  I think he managed to set Santa straight, so, hopefully, he gets it right this time!