Kauai- part 2

This turtle Craig and E saw while paddle boarding around in Hanalei Bay. E was totally excited to see a sea turtle. He had high hopes of seeing one- I was a little unsure- However, he saw two.

We took a kayak trip together. It was so much fun. Elliott had such a good time. He was full of giggles- he and Papa Dave kept running into the bushes on the sides.

Most of our group- isn't that a beautiful view?

Jason, Mandy, Luke and Etta Jane.

Brad, Jen, Hunter and Madde.

Me and E

We'd been talking this kayak trip up and E was so excited. All of the kids did such a good job paddling and helping out. They had a great time!

One of my favorite pictures from the trip. I wish that little part of boat
wasn't in the way of Trevor.

Craig, Brad, Meri, Mandy and Jason got to go scuba diving one day- they had a great time.

Cute Hunter pretending he has a pair of binoculars. This may be the only picture Hunter willingly let me take of him. Shy guy.

A beautiful lighthouse we went to. Funny, I thought I only had one child.
We love and miss Trevor.

Beautiful view from the lighthouse.

Kauai- part 1

The whole crew. This is Craig's whole family. Everyone. We were all lucky enough to get to go to Kauai together- stay together under one roof- everyone. It really was fun- Elliott hasn't had so much fun- seriously- I don't think he's had so much fun in 10 solid days like this ever. He was so happy. As a result of that fun- we are missing everyone quite a bit- even those that live right here in town.
I am updating in parts- so this is part 1. Pictures may be out of order- but you can get the gist, nonetheless. Kauai is beautiful- serene- and memorable. Elliott has asked me daily when we are going to go back.

Elliott just playing outside of the house that we rented. This was the backyard.

Hanalei Bay- such a beautiful bay. We spent two separate afternoons there- this is the view of the opposite side of the Nepali Coast- right here while we played in the water- this was our beautiful view.

Just an ordinary day

Seriously- where to begin? I find that time just seems to be going so quickly in some areas of my life- mostly Elliott growing up- but other areas- too slow.

We had the greatest day the other day- Thank you Karlea and crew!
It started out as an ordinary day- just a visit to a local nature center with some good pals. Next thing we knew the boys were all fishing for crawdads and catching butterflies- 2.5 hours later- SERIOUSLY!- they (we) were that entertained for that long! It was more fun than E and I had had in quite awhile. Can't wait to go back!

That's what he said-

While tasting a new treat-

These are so good they just....they just BLOW MY MIND!!!

Running

Before Craig and I left on our trip Mandy (Craig's sister) had us sign E up for a little race with his cousin Luke. Luke has done this race before- he is a pro- he knew the ropes. Look at these two cute boys- are they not the cutest?

Seriously- E had the best week while we were gone. I'm so proud of my little runner. Apparently when he crossed the finish line (he is new to the this stuff) he just kept on running- down the street and around the corner. His Auntie Jen had to go find him- he cracks us up!

Next year, I hope to be there, front and center to see these cute kids (hopefully Etta will join in too) run their little hearts out!

Thanks Mandy- E had a great time! And- thanks for the pictures. The one of him running is my favorite!

THANK YOU!!!

We are also lucky to have such good families who at a moments notice are so helpful with our little guy. Thank you to sweet Auntie Jen for coming to take care of Elliott while we went on our trip. 3 days after getting her appendix removed nonetheless. She had Elliott busy, busy-
tickets to The Lion King, a little kids race- Dolphin Dash, preschool, karate, spend-overs at Grandma Ede's house (sans Grandma Ede who was with us!), and lots and lots of fun with cousins- who could ask for more?

We truly hope to repay you one day. Just knowing E is home, safe and happy is a wonderful gift. Thank you! We love you!

St. Thomas

I don't even know where to start! Every year all of the partners and their wives at Craig's office go on a retreat somewhere. This year it was St. Thomas.
It was ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!

It took a little too long to get there and the plane rides weren't exactly easy for me. The humidity downright took my breath away (suffocating literally- couldn't breathe)-

HOWEVER


After a good dose of steroids and a pep talk from the most amazing husband a girl could ask for and I was focused and set.

We were able to take part of the day after Craig went scuba diving to go to St. Johns.
Oh man, the pictures don't even do it justice. We were told this beach was the most beautiful beach by Craig's mom and that we should see it- so we decided that if she thought it was the most beautiful beach she has ever seen (she has seen so many beaches- and they just got back from Samoa)- we had better go see this beach. It truly was the most beautiful, perfect, serene beach that I have ever seen. The water was warm, the sand was perfect and soft- satin like. You could see EVERYTHING in the water- there wasn't much right by me- but every little fish was so vivid. To enjoy such a perfect moment and then to look around me and see islands all around- was pretty surreal. It was amazing. AMAZING!!!

St. John's harbor. It was as if it was out of a movie.
I would have liked to spend more time in St John's.

Craig sitting at a little fish place before we got on the ferry to St. John's.
It was a little dive of a place- awesome Caribbean music playing-tasty fish tacos and the beautiful blue ocean right in sight.

This was the beach in St. Thomas right behind our hotel. Seriously!
Seriously- I wish I could describe it better!
My writing nor my pictures can do these islands justice.

These Iguanas are EVERYWHERE! They are quite docile little (huge) things. They were fun to watch and almost more fun to take pictures and videos of for Elliott to see later. This guy was watching us eat our lunch- it was as though he was eying our food and wanting some- so we threw him some lettuce.

He didn't want it. Licked it and kept on walking- under our chairs on over to the edge of the pool. So strange to see these creatures just hanging out with everyone.

Our last day there we decided to do a bunch of the stuff right at the hotel. We kayaked a little (notice the rope holding me to Craig- he's the BEST. I am not what I once was- and he just picks up the slack and makes me feel like I'm still the same.)

This is Joe. A good friend and co-worker with Craig. We decided to try a little sailing. Craig is a jack of all trades- he knows how to sail. Who knew?

And a leisurely peddle boat ride. Nice beauty queen wave, eh?

Craig even paddle boards without falling off. Seriously- puts me to shame. However, the rash guard does not put me to shame- it is a shame. Kidding! I haven't stopped laughing at this camo rash guard. Especially paired with the polka dot sexy board shorts!
Wew, wew! I love him. We are working on finding a rash guard that looks like tattoos now-
why not right?

It was the most beautiful place that I have ever seen.
The people there are humble, sweet, appreciative and sincere- they love their islands and they don't mind sharing and telling you all about them.

The best part you ask?
Just being able to get away for a little while and forget my
everyday cares and be with Craig.
I don't have to go to St. Thomas to enjoy that though- anywhere will suffice.
We had a great trip. If the opportunity arises I highly recommend going for a visit!

Small Obsessions....

E is totally obsessed- as of late with scuba. "Do you scuba?"

Craig is such a good dad. He got out and brought in all of his gear- Elliott wore it almost every waking moment we were home and slept with it right by his bed and night-
only to come into our room first thing in the morning with it all on.
I love his sweet obsessions. He thinks Craig is the greatest (me too) because he scuba dives and is adventurous. E has such a passion for life and for imagining things. I can't tell you all how many different scenarios he comes up with daily- he could really care less about his toys- he would rather create a scenario and act it out. Just last week- I was- a scuba diver, transformer, many a Star Wars character, alien, patient, mere spectator (I was told to just watch an clap or react in different ways...)- I can't keep up. I think as an adult I have lost my imagination a little bit. It is sad really. He keeps me thinking and creative, that is for sure. Oh, I love him.

Spring Soccer

Spring soccer has come and gone- where does the time go? We had a blast watching the games this season. It has been fun to see him grow in a sport- he is starting to catch on to soccer. He can't wait to start again this fall. It couldn't come soon enough for him.

I love this boy. He has a heart of gold and a love for beauty and simplicity. Never a day goes by that I don't know how blessed I am.

That's what he said-

While making a banana dance (yes, a banana)- this is what I heard-

"Who's that lady....Sexy lady....."

Wait- what? Did the word SEXY just come out of my 5 year olds mouth?

Sure did.

Damn commercials.

I skip them every time I am watching with him- he, however, thinks commercials are better than the shows.

Visit from Grandma Lauralee

The kids had Spring Break at the same time. My mom was able to come visit- we had a lot of fun. We wish we could see her more often, way more often. The kids loved having her around- one more grandma to spoil them- they loved it.

Golf

Did a little miniature golf with our little buddies. The last shot was my favorite part of the day!