Kaua'i Island 7th anniversary celebration

We got to take a get-away for our 7th anniversary.  As usual, we weren't able to leave on our actual anniversary as planned, but a few days later we were lucky enough to still have my mom in town to watch our little ones (and Mariah agreed to taking a bottle!) so we left for a quick  trip.   We rented a couple of red boxes for the plane (Since we had already watched the plane movies a couple of weeks ago when we went to the Big Island.)  I enjoyed a nap and some quiet time.  We like getting the exit row for more leg room, but the seat next to the door leaks the coldest air and freezes my feet out!!  

We LOVE getting a car from National because it is SO fast! (luckily it was cheap for this trip too).  We grabbed dinner at Costco and raced to our hotel.  We were hoping to get a hike in before the sun went down and luckily found one close to us.  Unluckily, it was the island Christmas light parade night, so traffic was a bit crazy.  With only 1 main road there aren't many other options for getting to when you want to go.  

We finally found the trail head and as the sun was going down we literally ran to the Ho'opi'i waterfalls.  

  We got in the murky water and had fun on this rope swing.  We were both a bit nervous about the light going down on a path we didn't know so we hurried back on the trail.  Luckily, we corrected our few mistakes and made it out of the frog and chicken infested jungle just in time!

Our hotel  (Marriott courtyard on Coconut beach) had an awesome view of the ocean, a hot tub and fire in front of a water fountain.  We spent the night sitting in the hot tub, the beach listening to the waves and enjoying the fire.  

In the morning we found ourselves back on the beach (right in front of the Courtyard Marriott).  It was a gorgeous sunrise.  We usually stay on the sunset side of the islands, so this was a first to see the sunrise in Hawaii.

 We made a quick stop to gaze at these 'Opaeka'a falls 

We then started out on a hike.  We hiked 4 miles up "sleeping Giant" to see a fantastic jungle trek, and great views of the island and ocean.  

 We did some snorkeling at Lydgate beach park.  It was a totally protected cove, so it was relaxing and enjoyable (but not many fish).

We checked out of our hotel and picked up a shave ice from Hee Fat (amazing with Mac nut ice cream!) and some motion sickness pills.  Because we were off to the most awesome (and most expensive) Hawaiian experience ever! In Lihue we boarded a helicopter and went around the entire island in only 55 minutes to see the most incredible sites ever!!  We started at the airport, flew over Hanapepe Valley and Waimea canyon (the famous Jurassic park falls) then we rounded the coast to see the Na pali coast, amazing canyons, a pod of dolphins swimming in the ocean, the Hanalei valley with millions of waterfalls, then we saw (up in the clouds) Mount Waiale'ale (the wettest spot on earth).  We  ended with Wailua Falls and back to the airport.

We were both feeling a bit woozy after our flight so we went to eat dinner on the beach at Dukes.  The coconut shrimp appetizer was one of the most amazing dishes I have EVER eaten.

 We ordered the raved about "Hula Pie" .  Althought it was delicious, it wasn't necessarily my favorite dessert.  I'm not a huge fan of nuts in my ice cream.  I'm glad I tried it, but will likely stick with shave ice in the future :)

We went out to spouting horn on the south side of the island to be able to see the sunset.    

We were so tired that we headed back to our hotel, hot tubbed and fell asleep in an on-the-beach canopy bed with Hawaiian Christmas music and waves crashing in the background.  I slept the entire flight home (including the hour delay to fix something).  People think we are crazy for 13 hours of flying for only 30 hours on the ground . . .but I'd do it every month if I could.  It is so gorgeous there.  I love the beach.  I think Kauai may be in the running for favorite island . . . but I need to experience a bit more just to make sure :).

Thanksgiving weekend with Family

Words can't describe the fun and fabulous time we had over Thanksgiving weekend!  I was so happy that my entire family (without my two sisters on a mission :( ) made the effort and sacrifice to be together in Arizona at our house!  4 states were represented and MANY miles and hours in the car.  With little ones I know how difficult this can be, so I was even more thankful.    Also, thankfully, we found houses of relatives in my area so people were able to spend the night close by, and spend the days together.  

All 12 adults in my family and 11 grandkids (and 2 on the way) were together for 3 full, fun days.  

A little pre-feast snack.

Brining the turkey and making food.

 Hallie and Afton

 Jackson and Dayton

 Carter and Mariah

Playing in the backyard  (thank goodness for the gorgeous weather!)  The kids loved jumping, swinging, running and playing.  They were occupied most of the time with very little faciliation needed.  

 Dayton and Grant

 Hallie and Luke

 Afton and Jeremy

 We celebrated my moms 60th birthday.  She was happy to get memories and thoughts from all of her grandkids (Who all liked to play games with her) and get letters from other family members.

 We hiked the "A" and watched a light parade. Enjoying a gorgeous sunset in the process.

 We also had a shower for Carly's new baby boy (due around Christmas day).  We enjoyed pedicures together and gave a few outfits.

 The whole clan!  We have grown so quickly!  Dave and I celebrated 7 years together on December 1st.  Since we got married, my family has added 3 more in-laws and 13 more grandkids!  I am so happy my kids have such great cousins to be friends for life with!

 And one of this sweetheart just because she melts my heart everyday :)

October and November 2013

I ran in the ROC (ridiculous Obstacle course) with 12 different obstacles.  A few girls in my ward and I dressed as cats with the one male in our group dressed as "spot" the dog. It was a blast!

I went slow and steady and did surprisingly well on many of the obstacles.

I hosted another craft night in which I made customized Yahtzee games with photos on them.  We had a short black out which was interesting to try to craft with no light.

We finally finished the yard.  We laid our own curbing and got several tons of rock.  We are  not super pleased with the outcome. The time and energy put into it feels like a huge cost for an imperfect and disappointing outcome.  We may be willing to pay for landscapers next time (although we learned a lot so maybe we would try it again . . .

(Mariah was sleeping so we are missing her hand.)

Halloween was fun for the kids.  They both really LOVED their costumes (which was easy for me to buy at Costco . . ) Hallie LOVED being her favorite princess and really got into it.

Jackson sang at a school function.  He loved the actions more than singin the words.

We took Jacksons class bear for a weekend and played at the Arizona Museum of Youth with them.

Jackson was the "super star" of the week at school.

Jackson finished up his first soccer season.  He sure liked dressing up like a soccer player every week, but I'm not sure he really enjoyed playing or not. I guess time will tell.

We got our tree up in Early November to try to enjoy the season longer.

Family haircuts . . .Jackson's first time in a salon (Daddy usually cuts his hair).