1,000 Steps Beach

 On New Year's Eve day we went and checked out 1,000 steps beach. For as many times as I have driven through Laguna, I have never really explored their beaches. But I hear the have some cool ones that I want to check out. 

 The kids really wanted to come back another time and bring their Lego guys. They all agreed this (above) would be a perfect spot for a miniature adventure. 

 This beach was just a cool place to take pictures.

 We came across this cave.

Ending a very weird/very interesting 2018 exploring with our family was just what we needed.

Christmas Twenty-Eighteen

 The children in their, the Sunday before Christmas best.

 Graham cracker gingerbread houses. 

No Christmas is complete without them and with it comes so much joy and so much tears.

 The Christmas Eve Nativity.

 Grandpa and Benny rocking out.

 Christmas Pajamas.

Cousins.

A Pre-Christmas Surprise

Surprisingly, we had made it pretty far with the whole none of our children have really given themselves a really good haircut. There's been pieces here and there, but not one of our kids have been brave enough to just cut most of their hair off. That all changed the Saturday morning of the day that we were driving out to be with family for Christmas. Millie changed the rules of the game. I came downstairs, (under the stairs is this great kid hang out spot that Millie and Ben especially love) and there was Millie and Ben with scissors. I grabbed them from Millie and immediately looked over at Ben because I was sure he was the one getting a haircut, but he was fine. Then I looked down at the ground to see long blonde locks all over the floor, I look up at Millie and I finally notice that she had given herself a pretty sweet haircut. She kept the length in the back and mostly focused on her crown and the sides. I did my best to get it all one length and that's what you see in the first picture but we needed a little professional help. On our way out of town we stopped at a Supercuts and I asked them to just try their best to make sense of it. The second picture is the haircut after the salon. The first picture was compliments of Ryan because I was so mad, I was not going to document this. But in hindsight, I'm glad Ryan got a picture.

There is never a dull moment when raising kids. 

And, you should never leave one of our kids alone for too long. Especially the 5 and under children.

Mele Kalikimaka

Ryan had to go to Hawaii for about ten days to be there for the Vans Triple Crown events. When it was getting closer, his work asked if he could stay longer and he told them that his wife wouldn't be happy about that. Then they said your wife can come out for the last three days. We secured a flight and my parents said they would love to watch our children. So I went. It was a little tricky because Ryan was there for work and he had to work, so our days were broken up, but we made the most of it and enjoyed what we could of a real (well kind of real) vacation.

Flying alone is so weird after you've done the whole flying with your children thing. 

I felt like I should be taking care of someone and I wanted to help all of the Moms with crying babies but I cleaned out my purse so there was not a children's book or toy in sight. So I read my People Magazine and I slept.

The sign coming in to the North Shore.

The view from Ryan's hotel room and the stormy weather and choppy sea. 

The Triple Crown was called off everyday I was there except the last day.

There was a work BBQ the night that I got in so we went to that and got some good people watching in and I got to meet a lot of people that Ryan works with.

The next day we went to Waikiki real quick and also walked around the China Town which was really cool to see.

I told Ryan he had to check out the Royal Hawaiian, so we walked through it and admired it's beauty. It made me really want to watch Gidget Goes Hawaiian. It's a good one if you haven't seen it.

The next day, Ryan was shooting all day, so I did some exploring by myself.

A picture of the Turtle Bay Resort and this cute little cove that I spent the morning collecting sand and shells at.

I drove over to Laie which was only about a half an hour away and I had to stop at the Hawaii Temple and the Polynesian Culture Center.

Then I drove further East or South? I'm not sure, but I drove and enjoyed all of the views and would stop and take pictures if I wanted to. It's amazing what you can do on your own.

Came across these guard rails that say "Aloha It's A Life Style."

I read about this lookout point that had some great views and I thought, "Hey, why not?"

I read about this one truck that sold really good coconut shrimp, I found it and was all excited and they said they didn't sell coconut shrimp so I got this Scampi that was pretty good. But let me warn you, you do have to pick off the shell. Who knew shrimps had shells?! The first one I just popped in my mouth and quickly realized something wasn't right. I'm not totally a fan of having to really work for your food especially when you are by yourself. If you have someone else there you can at least talk while you are working. But long story short, it was good.

Then I saw a row of brightly painted souvenir shops, so I stopped. 

I came back and walked around the hotel grounds more.

I loved all of the vegetation. 

And the shells.

I even caught a rainbow.

The next day, it was time to go. We went early and walked around downtown Honolulu, where the King Kamehameha statue and the Palace are. It was all decorated for Christmas which made it fun.

I really am sounding like an old lady this post.

Loved seeing these markers. I'm a sucker for historical markers.

It was a quick trip, but it was nice to have a break. 

Thanks to Ryan's work for letting the wife tag along and thanks to my parents for holding down the fort for me.

Thanksgiving Twenty-Eighteen

We kicked off the festivities with Kate running in the Turkey Trot at her school.

Little brother came along to give his support. He is always a good time.

The bookends.

The next day, the parents were all invited to watch the kindergartners have a Thanksgiving feast.

Once again, little brother was there to give his support to his other sister.

Then we headed up to Summit, Utah to have Thanksgiving with the Stephens family.

The kids were so excited when a storm blew in bringing snow.

There were some archery lessons and a little bb gun action.

We had a talent show. Here are some of the participants.

We just barely made it through Christmas pajama pics.

And there was clay time with Grandpa.

On the way home we stopped at Silver Reef. 

I think it has always been here, but I think in recent years they have made it more tourist friendly.

Benny. You really can't take him anywhere. But we love him.

We got there just in time for a reenactment and you know how we love a reenactment. 

The big kids got front row seats and the little kids watched from a safer distance.

It ended up being a fun weekend. It was nice to be in a cabin with the family and just hang out. And, I always love a road trip to Utah.