Aloha

We went to Oahu! And we are so so so glad we did. We left the kids with my Mom and Dad and took off, just like that! (Even a 6 hour plane ride is something to look forward to when you get to sit by your best friend and worry about taking care of only yourselves! Heavenly.) Our trip was quick, but a perfect get-away that, months later, is rejuvenating us still. 

Our Hawaiian vacation included usual things like...

Leaving chilly Salt Lake City

 Arriving in sunny Honolulu

 Basking in the beauty that is nearly everywhere you look on the island
 

 Eating delicious shrimp from a sketchy-looking truck

Ordering a "Cheeseburger in Paradise"

'

Chillin' in Waikiki

 Savoring what we agreed really was
 the "Best Pineapple Shave Ice"

 

Taking pictures of Hibiscus flowers
 because they are just so Hawaiian 

And all of those things were awesome. But what really made out trip was the not-so-usual adventures we had. Like...

Going on an incredible hike with our favorite locals - Jonny's sister Emma and her boyfriend Bear

Borrowing Bear's kayak, paddling out to the Mokulua Islands, and saying hi to sea turtles on the way

Getting scraped up so I had to wear character band-aids the whole trip (I have a cool scar though - takes me back to the beach every time I look at it.) 

Pulling over suddenly because it is just too amazing that the beach is right beside the highway (plus there was tree we just had to climb)

 Touring Bear's family's WWII "Brewseum"

Snorkeling along side a huge manta ray at Shark's Cove

Bumping into some neighbors from home at the gorgeous Laie Temple

Splurging on a 2-hour ATV tour 

through the breathtaking Kualoa Valley

  

And then we rounded it out in our last precious hours with a few more basics that you just can't leave the island without experiencing...

Plate Lunch, of course! 

Pali Lookout

Stocking up on Li Hing goods

 and kissing on the beach at sunset

Time to go back? I think so. 

But until then, Aloha, beautiful Hawaii. 

Halloween... at last!

This may be the most exciting holiday of the year for the kids. But boy is it a long time in coming! I felt like we were celebrating Halloween for two months. Julia and Gabe covered the walls of our house with pictures of ghosts, bats, and vampires. We read the handful of Halloween books we have at least 30 times each. Finally now all the candy is gone. And they are already planning how to dress up next year!

Gabe seemed to turn over a new leaf this year and cooperate in a little photo shoot. He takes this super hero stuff seriously. And of course Pirate Julia has no trouble hamming it up. 

 

 

 

 And here is our little evelant... I mean elephant. She actually really enjoyed wearing her costume. And I couldn't get over the tail! 

 Don't mess with Evy when she wants this car. She is crazy about it. 

 

 

What is Halloween without a tantrum?

 These next three pictures show her increasing excitement over the peek-a-boo game we were playing.

 

 

 Daddy joined in the festivities. 

 Game Plan:

 

 Getting it done. 

 

 

 And now onto MY favorite holidays...