home safe

So here's a brief post on coming home from Hawaii. It's always sad to say goodbye and end a vacation especially know you'll be stuck in a plane all day. But this morning I was reconciled and figured everything would go fine. We were almost to the airport when Riley got sick, over and over again in her car seat. It was awful. Luckily we got her changed and cleaned up and she cheered up immediately. I was a little worried she would be sick on the plane but it didn't happen (only a few false alarms). Instead she spilled chocolate milk all over her lap before the plane even moved! Here comes outfit #3!
We happily paid to rent the little TV/Video players on the plane for her and it was worth every penny. Riley was engrossed in cartoons and Horton Hears a Who practically the whole trip! The rest she spent with Uncle Steven and Aunt Meredith who entertained her to her hearts content. Emma slept on the plane again. I am soo grateful! She slept at least 2 hours or more so that was awesome and again Meredith saved the day and played with her and walked with her up and down the aisle giving her a chance to crawl, climb, stretch, etc. So all in all, the plane ride was good. After that it was pretty late and both girls just had major melt downs as we tried to grab a bite to eat before bed. Oh well. You can't have perfect behavior 100% of a VERY long day traveling. The tantrums are over, the laundry is started, my family is asleep and I'm still adjusting to changing time zones. We had a great trip except for a little throw up here and there (Emma was puking Monday night too). I can't wait to post about all the fun stuff later, but for now you have the bookends I suppose.

Of course, 2 cute random pictures from the trip.

As Riley says:"Goodbye Ocean!"

later on the plane before we landed: "Hello land, here I come!"
Isn't Emma just darling in this picture? Thanks again Steven and Meredith for all your help with the girls. We loved having you around!

so far...fabulous!!

Riley has been so excited to go to Hawaii and to ride in the airplane. She just kept asking to go to 'Hawai' (she leaves out the third syllable) right now or to go on the airplane right now. Well we finally made it and the girls did pretty well on the plane. No major melt downs and Emma even took a little nap--twice. I was pretty pleased my babies didn't scream or fuss the whole trip. It really helped to have Steven and Meredith and the grandparents on the same flight for the girls to go visit.

But this is what we looked like waiting in line to check our bags.
It was pretty early in the morning, but that meant we got into Maui early enough to have time to play. So we changed really fast and did this:

















and Emma got her first ocean experience. Here we are in action in the waves with Aunt Morgan:
My family loves the water and I love my water babies! Emma and Riley just play and play in the water with no complaint. I can tell we will have a ot of fun this trip!!

We went out to a nice, relaxed restaurant for dinner and got this cute family shot
(I know, I know my eyes are closed. this is pretty typical for me when everyone else looks darling. I know it's not possible for my girls to look anything but cute, but they look it less than usual in the other shots where my eyes are actually open, oh well.)

I love that most of the restaurants in Maui are pretty laid back. This particular one is very unique in ways I won't get into, but they did really blast the music and Riley could not help but feel the beat.

More about Maui when I'm home with a more reliable internet connection.

and we're off

to Hawaii!
We leave tomorrow morning and I'm almost too excited to sleep. We've been going with Mike's family every year for a while now and this might be the last trip for a while (we are so spoiled, I know I cannot complain).

Here are some photos of trips in years past.

2005

Riley was just 2 months and got to experience the OCEAN for the very first time, but she mostly just chilled in the shade on the beach, snuggling and sleeping.

2006

Lots of good food and great restaurants!

Riley discovered how fun it could be to play in the sand.

2007
we added a few new things this year and 2.5 new people to the family.

We journeyed on the Road to Hana and discovered sunken pools and more.

Enjoyed the ocean with swimming and snokerling

and goofing around a bit on the beach

check out the gorgeous sunset!

(2003-2004 were pre-digital camera years)

Everyone says to have to have fun and I know that won't be a problem. I have no doubt we will have a fabulous time (even if I might not have internet access).
This will be Emma's first trip to the islands and I'm super excited to see her discover everything (sand!) but I am a little worried about how Emma will do on the flight but at least I have new in-flight amusement to peruse. Hawaii 2008, here we come!

kids a work (and play)

We recently discovered what fun the Children's museum can be. Why it took us 2 years of living here to figure it out, I'll never know, but we are beginning to make up for it by going 2 times in 2 weeks. We went with our good friends Bri, Violet & Ginny (thanks for cooperating and smiling/looking straight at the camera).

Ginny, Riley and Emma going down the Glacial slide. So cute!When we went with Aunt Monica we did a lot of building and had a blast. Sweet hard hats just like Bob the Builder (who Riley didn't know even existing until 2 days previous to this).

Emma liked to play too, but mostly just by eating the bolts..uh-oh.Even a sweet tool belt too! This is the final product.

She got to concentrating really hard and started to do cute things with her tongues. So silly!

Here is her tongue in action: ( you might have to wait for it)

This was a really fun part of the museum and some of the parents (read: Dads) got really into and took over the play from their kids and made fancy buildings and towns and who knows what while their kid got bored and went off to play with another family. I over heard a wife come in ask her husband how long they would be in this area. His response: 2 hours.
I am proud of Monica and myself for letting Riley creatively play (I can be a little perfectionist sometimes so it was nice to not be for once and have fun!) and I think her final structure turned out somewhat artistic, although abstract. Way to work Riley! So much fun to watch you play.

what were you do doing 5 years ago...

Exactly 5 years ago today

we were doing this

and this

and this

So lots of fun, work, love, 2 kids and five years later...

today Mike did this:

(check out my hubby, getting his white coat at a school ceremony, he is now officially a student-dentist)

and we also did this:

and..
I'll spare you the details.

I love you babe! Thanks for a wonderful 5 years full of fun and great memories! I'm so proud of you!!!!