The Big Island - Day 3

Saturday we took a whirlwind trip around the island.  We really meant to just go see the active volcano, but since it was a 2 1/2 hour drive with little kids, we took many stops along the way.  We stopped in Waimea because we saw an awesome playground.

We then went to Lanaipoepoe to see the raging seas crash into the rocks.

 

We went to Akaka Falls.  We knew the kids were tired, but we really wanted to hike this short (paved hike) to see the falls.  The kids completely melted down.  Jackson and Hallie were SO whiny   It was a moment that we questioned why we brought them at all.  Totally embarrassing and annoying.  After trying our patience to the max we finally finished the hike.  I carried Mariah and Dave took turns carrying each kid (it was only a .4 mile hike!).   But I still think the hike was worth the view of these falls.

When we got back in the car, both kids fell asleep for the rest of the way to the volcano.

Dave and I took turns getting out of the car to see waterfalls, overlooks and the sights of Hilo.   It was cool to see the dry side of the island in stark contrast to the wet side.  It was so green and rain was falling.  We couldn't imagine it was good weather at our hotel, but that is the way the islands work!
This is rainbow falls in Hilo.



Right as we made it to Volcano National Park the kids woke up.  Jackson was in a MUCH better mood.  Hallie took a while to warm up, but finally we were having a good time again.  It was raining when we hiked through the rain forest and Thurston's Lava tube.  The kids were really nervous and scared (maybe it was the video that showed all the flowing lava) so we had many discussions about what Lava is and how it works and that we would only take them to safe places.  I think Jackson learned so much about lava (I only wish I were more educated so I could explain it completely properly, but I did have a random woman comment on how knowledgeable I was on my geology as I was explaining it to Jackson!)  This made me think about how informational field trips can be. 

We then saw the active crater.  It was super foggy and raining, so the steam from the lava lake didn't seem too amazing.  I wish we could've seen it at night, but not to be.

 HOT steam vents

Jackson chose to buy a junior ranger hat for his souvenir   The visitor's center did a huge ceremony welcoming Jackson as a JR ranger because he completed this packet through our trip.  He was pretty proud.  

 

 

 

Finally, we went to see some craters (I was thinking they were small divets and they were huge holes!!) and real lava from the 1975 flow (that was almost in our lifetime!).   Once again, the kids were nervous and stayed close to us.  It was so interesting to see the different kinds of lava.  It was awesome to imagine how it was formed.  It is incredible to think about the geology of the islands.    One crater had a great echo that the kids enjoyed.

 

 

 

We left the park and headed to the Black sand beach.  This is one of the only TRUE black sand beaches.  Other black sand beaches are formed by streams eroding lava as it heads out to the ocean.  But this one was formed when the lava hit the ocean and was shattered into sand.  It was awesome!

Can you find my black Jacketed arms holding Mariah?

 I loved feeling the soft sand, but seeing the black.  There was a turtle beached on the sand.  It was great to get so close.  Jackson was very brave. 


We headed home.  It was a little too long, the kids watched a movie to pass the time.  All three kids were asleep when we got to the hotel, so we were hoping to eat a meal together in peace while the kids slept in the stroller (they had this super nice Teppanyaki grill and we had vouchers for food in the hotel).  But we were 10 mins late, so we missed our chance to eat out without the kids :(.

 

 

This is our bag-mobile.  Jackson is actually sleeping underneath the carseat carrier, so all three kids fit in it, not to mention a bag of food, beach toys, extra clothes and the diaper bag.   We are so happy we got a little nicer stroller.  It made it so much easier to get around.

The Big Island - Day 1-2

We knew we wanted to take a trip to Hawaii for our birthdays in June.  However, as we scouted out options for flying in, we realized flights were already looking really full.  We saw that this may be our last weekend to go with lots of extra seats.  We were able to trade hotel points for buddy passes with Dave's sister and brother (THANK YOU LORI AND JIM!)  and we got to stay at a SUPER ULTRA AWESOME hotel.  Usually we go with the cheapest room we can find.  But this resort treated us like royalty with all the extras you could EVER ask for.  It is like a mini-disneyland.  There is a tram or a boat to take you to your room or around to the swimming pools, man-made beach, dolphin lagoons, shopping and artwork all the way around the hotel.  This Hilton was amazing.  We found ourselves thinking maybe we would want to spring for nicer places in the future.
Anyway, back to the beginning.
We packed for several days before hand.  I shopped and packed an entire box with food, snacks and meals for the 5 days we would be there.  We had everything very planned out because I was nervous to fly and stay for so long with a newborn.  It went really well .  I don't think we forgot anything.
We left Thursday morning.  We checked 3 bags, a box of food and a car seat so we had very little going through security (diaper bag, 2 backpacks, 3 kids, a car seat and a stroller) Dave had the worst flight of his life going to Hawaii.  Mariah ate and slept pretty much the entire way, so I got some time to relax and even sleep a bit.  Jackson and Hallie were demanding and Dave gave most of his time and attention to them.  In out past trip to Hawaii, we gave them some 'sleepy meds' and they slept for half the flight.  We thought this would work great. .  .but it backfired.  Both kids did fall asleep, but were woken up within an hour and cried and whined because they felt awful.

Hallie had diarrhea and we almost ran out of diapers by the end of the flight.  The plane was the older ones and didn't have a changing table.  Luckily, we had the last two rows of the plane and were able to change he on the seat without too many people noticing. Finally, we arrived at the Big Island.  I had been warned but I was still shocked at the ugliness of the area surrounding the airport.  It was dry, black lava rock.   It took so long to get our luggage and car.  Luckily, I figured this might be the case, and I was able to continue to entertain the kids.  We stopped by Costco for pizza (despite Jackson's impatience to be at the hotel) and then headed to the Hilton resort.

We spent our first night swimming at the kids sandy pool and the hot tubs.  We were amazed by the resort and loved exploring it a bit.  despite it being 11 pm Arizona time, the kids were having a difficult time settling down in the hotel room.  We sat on the balcony enjoying the view while they finally crashed for the night.
                                                  On the boat ride around our resort

P.S. I LOVE the moby wrap!!  Why has it taken me 3 kids to discover this little wonder?!?

Sunset from our the pool

 

Friday morning we explored around the tide pools around the hotel.  The kids are total scaredy cats.  I guess I should realize that, I am a pretty scared person myself, but they kept asking if the things we saw could hurt them.

Later, we went to a beach called "A" bay.  It was windy, cloudy and the sand was rocky.  The water was a bit murky (for Hawaii).  The kids were scared of the water and didn't play much in the sand.  It wasn't exactly what we were hoping for.

 

Jackson and I hiked 1/2 mile on a coastal trail back to the resort.  It was a gorgeous walk and helped me appreciate the black lava mixed with the white rock (I'm still not sure what it is).

We headed back to the resort and  played at the pool and hot tubs some more.  We were exhausted from the kids getting up early, so we watched a movie in our hotel (they have free DVD and play station game rentals!)  We went back to the pool for the sunset and then had late night hamburgers.  One of the only problems with the resort was that it is so big that it took a while to walk places.  Plus, there were a few places we had to carry the stroller up and down stairs.  We really liked the stroller to hold all the stuff we needed (plus the car seat and the baby), but it was a bit inconvenient at times.  Dave was a trooper to keep loading and unloading it from the car.  We eventually realized that we could get it onto the tram and that helped us walk a bit less.

Another day in paradise comes to an end. . .  taken at our resort pool. 

 

3 more days to come!

 

Getting out and about

Somedays, being a mom of three feels so overwhelming and stressful (like the day Jackson swallowed a penny and Mariah got a toy put in her mouth by Hallie).  Other days I feel like I can handle it.  It is amazing that I feel like a champion (I DID IT!) when I go on outings with all three kids (going to 4 stores in one day!).  Other times I wonder why I even try (checking out of the library with 2 screaming and one running kid).  I am definitely learning to slow down and take things a piece at a time.  

This Saturday US Airways employees got in free to the zoo, so we took advantage and had a great time.  The kids loved it and are at the perfect age to find and appreciate the animals.  It was hot, but bearable. 

 Hallie even pet the goats (as long as she was VERY near Jackson.  He is already a protector for her)

 Mariah slept the ENTIRE time until we were leaving the zoo, then she screamed the whole way out to the car.  She was so sweaty.  Summer is going to be challenging!

In other events, Hallie is still smothering Mariah with her love.

Jackson found my 3 inch boots and likes the challenge of walking around in them.  

 Jackson chose an artist pallet as his toy from the $ store.  He figured out how to make an artist hat from his chef hat and I helped him set up an easel.  He is becoming quite the little artist.

Mostly, I am loving being home with my children.  Jackson and Hallie try to drive each other crazy sometimes (especially when I have my hands full with Mariah.)  Mariah is fairly easy to get to sleep, but she does get woken up often.  I wish she would take a binky, but she will not have it.  She is sleeping fairly well, She sleeps a 5-7 hour block nightly, although I am usually not asleep for it.  

I love my  kids and want to be a better mom than I am for their sake.  I hope that I can improve.  I find hope in the atonement in becoming better and repenting of those moments when I am not who they need me (and Heavenly Father needs me) to be.

Mariah's first flight

Since Mariah was born in to a family with 'benefits' we thought it was only fitting to take her on her first airplane ride before she was 4 weeks old (plus, my little sister's farewell was important to us too :) )

She was terrible and cried all the way through security and the terminal (if you know phx airport this is LONG).  I finally got to feed her (which is super awkward in an airport might I add!) and she slept the rest of the trip.

Unfortunately, the damage was already done and I am very hesitant to fly again with a baby.  My mother-in-law (bless her soul) traveled with the 3 kids and I.  But it was still very stressful.
Once we got to Utah, Mariah kept sleeping for another 2 hours, waiting until we were home to be fed again. The rest of the trip was wonderful.
We stayed in Bountiful with Dave's brother on Friday night.  We love the food and the company.  They have a trampoline IN their home, which was so fun for the kids. We went to Sheel's and rode the Ferris wheel forced the kids to get photos next to the terrifying stuffed animals.  We're terrible parents.
Mariah slept the entire time.  I love newborns :)
Our extended family got to meet Mariah for the first time.

 She looks so little next to a 6 month old!

Jackson loves to ride with Grandpa!

My little sister Marcie was the reason we went to Utah.  She gave an amazing talk in church.  She will make a great missionary in Kennewick Washington.  I am so proud of her.  I can't believe she is actually at this stage in her life.  I was almost 14 when she was born, so I remember so much of her life and loved her like my own baby :)  I feel a bit like my little girl is leaving.  She will be missed!  My kids will miss their aunt "Mardy" as they like to tease her.

Time Flies

Mariah is nearly 3 weeks old and has found a place  in our hearts and home.  I am so thankful for my mom for coming to help with this transition for nearly 2 weeks and for my mother-in-law for coming for the next week.  It has been wonderful to have so much help with meals, cleaning, time with my other kids, babysitters so I can go shopping or to appointments.  The first week with Mariah home I was wondering how I would ever survive with 3 kids.  I am still worried, but I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel better.

I am feeling great!  Mariah is eating well (although she is a shallow sucker so I am still in quite a bit of pain while she eats.)

 The kids are still so in love with her.  Jackson is helpful, sweet and gentle with her.  Hallie loves with every ounce of energy she has in her (not-so-gentle or sweet, but VERY loving)  She wants to hold her, kiss her and love her every second she gets.  When she hears the baby make a peep she goes running to her.

I think I just might have the cutest kids.  I am so thankful again for my mothers in helping me stay sane while we adjust to another little one.