Helicopter Ride!!

This was my most favorite activity we did while in Hawaii. The views were incredible!

Check out this rainbow! They were all over the place!

Oh yeah! We are ready to go!

Thank you for America, Grandma!

We spent Independence Day on the beach! Grandma and Grandpa J bought a huge box of fireworks! The Grandkids were super excited to light them. It was a nice firework show. Zander is just at the age when events like this are so much fun. He really enjoyed himself. When the show was all over and we were coming inside, Zander ran up to Grandma and said, "Thank you for American Grandma!"

It really was a fun night!

A little break from Hawaii

Here are the directions: 1. Add a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I have had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember. This can be about me, or any related memory of my family.... 2. Next, repost these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It is actually pretty funny to see the responses.

Going Boogie

Going Boogie is the best way to go! We spent a lot of time testing out the waves of Kauai.... and let me tell you, they didn't disappoint!

This was my favorite picture of the entire trip!!
















The video is a little grainy, but it still captures the massive waves we got to ride and the great time we had in the ocean!!

Napali Coast

The next day we all boarded onto a boat to explore the Napali Coast by way of sea. It was spectacular!!

Zander wasn't able to go out on the front deck of the boat. He chilled out with Grandma and asked a million questions.

The kids all had a blast on the front deck. Within 5 minutes they were soaked from the the splashing waves.

There were some incredible views to behold. Even the kids were astonished by the views.

I didn't take any pictures on the way back because I got sea sick.... along with Grandma J, Lisa, Camille and John. I can't believe I got sick!! It was a beautiful site to behold (not the sea sickness, but the amazing mountains).


After a long day of fun, sun, and boat riding it was time to go back home and soak in the hot tub.

My little Snorkler

Zander wanted to snorkle just like everyone else. But if anyone knows Zander, he isn't like anyone else (laugh). I got a kick out of watching him try..... I hope you do as well!

First Day in Paradise

The second day in Kauai was spent relaxing and settling in. It seems like every time my eyes would look around I saw beauty everywhere. The clouds were beautiful, the sky was the bluest blue, the water was so clear, the mountains were green,... every sight my eyes looked at looked like a picture taking moment. It was incredible!

In this picture below you can see the fluffy clouds and clear blue water.... and also you can see two little sticks in the middle of the ocean. Those two sticks are Niel and Grandpa J. They are walking out to the reef..... yes, that is reef out there. The entire family joined them. It was like we were standing in the middle of the ocean... like walking on water. Even me, the person who is deathly afraid of the ocean went out there! We could see coral, little fish, crabs, and plenty of sea creatures.

Stockton bumped into a large coral castle out there. He got scrapped up pretty badly on his chest and foot. He didn't complain about it too much. I got a tiny scrap on my knee and every time I got into the salt watered ocean you would here my say, "Ouch... it stings!" What a tough little Stockton! He was an true ocean kid. I think Stockton fits perfectly in Hawaii. He didn't have a care in the world.

We spent most of the day testing out our secluded beach. We made sand castles, went snorkeling, boogie boarded (on no waves), played, relaxed, and played some more. I will have to say, it was the best relaxing day of my entire life.

We pulled ourselves out of the water for a short time to feed ourselves. We headed down to t he North Shore for some tasty lunch at Bubba's Burgers!
YUM!

Do you see the little lizard on Stockton's chest? These little critters were all over the place. The kids liked to catch them and keep them for pets.

After lunch, it was back to the beach. Conner buried himself alive, with his head just sticking out. Grandma J has that picture. Megan, Conner and I made an attempt of a sea turtle made of sand. Very fun!

One of the many beautiful sunsets we got to see. But for me, this was the first one I got to see. What an incredible sight.... and an incredible day!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

We picked up the boys with just enough time to drive all the way home from Montana, get a little rest, and head to the airport. It was so good to see the boys!!
They were excited to get going on our adventure to Hawaii! For Garrett and Zander, this was their very first airplane ride. We were all excited!!

This is a picture of us catching the shuttle bus from the parking lot to the airport.

The kids did pretty well in the airport. The anticipation of boarding and getting going made for some anxious kids. But they did well. Zander just kept saying, "We are at the airport! We are going to fly on a BIG airplane!"

"We are flying! We are flying!" I wish I got as excited about flying as Zander. He was really cute!

We landed in Honolulu airport and jumped on another flight to Kauai. It was a really long traveling day, but everything went really well. We made it to Kauai with just enough time to jump into the ocean. It was a beautiful sight!

John, Joyce, Megan and Camille all flew in a day before us. They got the house all ready for us... stocked with tons of delicious food. The house was incredible. Just enough room for everyone. The best part was the beach right outside our back door. It was like we had our own little private beach. It felt like we were the only people in the world. The ocean stretched for miles!! It was perfect and our adventure was just beginning!!

Montana Road Trip

We have been on vacation for the past 11 Days. I have so much to post!!! I am sure this will take me several days... we had such a great time!

To start the trip off, Niel and I headed to Montana to pick up the boys. Niel and I love road trips. There is so many beautiful creations to see, plus we enjoy the time together. Montana marked some more wonderful memories in our book. The sites were incredible. The pictures don't even do it justice.

We stayed at a quaint Bed and Breakfast in Missoula Montana. The Gibson Mansion was a very historical and Victorian place to stay. The people who owned it were super nice. We really enjoyed the experience!!

Niel and I took the scenic, less traveled road just for a little fun. We didn't realize that the roads were dirt roads and there was no towns, gas stations, or even cars and people. It was me, Niel, the open roads..... and no gas. We drove in panic for about 45 miles when we realized we might be stranded and have to walk quit a ways.... luckily we landed in a small town, with one gas pump. How long as it been since you have seen gas pumps like this? The lady who was running the place had to get her binoculars out from inside the store to read the dollar amount we owed for gas. Talk about a small town.

It has been ages since I have seen a phone booth like this! Where does Super Man change into his super hero clothes these days? .... I guess Montana. The place was very historical in many ways!!! We had a great time!