Maui 2013

Get ready for picture overload!  We took the kids to Maui last month and I think I took almost 500 pictures.  The kids were counting down for months before our trip.  They were so excited!  I was excited, but I was also dreading the flight with Grayson.  You'll be happy to know that they all did surprisingly well!  Grayson had a few small meltdowns on the way there but slept the whole way home.  I even had a lady come up to me when we landed in Maui and compliment me on how well our children traveled.  Yay!  We stayed in a condo at the Honua Kai Resort in Lahaina.  I thought it was fabulous!  There were three big pools, a water slide, and Duke's Beach house restaurant.  I think I tried just about everything on the menu!  And we were just a hop, skip and a jump away from the beach.  Every morning we ate breakfast and then came the big question, should we go to the beach or the pool?  The kids were in heaven!  It took Grayson a few days to get used to the water and the sand.  He never really did love the sand and didn't want to get too close to the ocean.  He loved playing with his sand toys and tools in the kiddie pool.  We did drag the kids from the pool and beach to see a few other things.  We walked around Front Street.  They loved the big Banyan tree!  We went to Whaler's Village for ice cream once or twice.  And watched the Hula show.  We went to the Maui Ocean Center.  They loved seeing all the fish and sharks.  We attempted a scenic drive but didn't get too far before some of us were feeling car sick.  We're kind of crazy like that! We went night swimming a few times.  It was fun with all of the torches lit around the pools.  The kids were happy to hang out on their pull-out bed and play the Wii when we were in the condo.  It really was such a fun trip!  I'm sad that it came and went so fast.  I think this is a trip that we will definitely remember for years to come!

My Baby is 2!

My little baby Gray turned 2 last month.  And let me tell you, he is every bit a 2-year old!  This kid gets into EVERYTHING!  Makes MESSES everywhere!  Draws on everything!  I don't think either of my other kids have drawn on walls, dressers, toys, windows.  He literally leaves a trail of mess wherever he goes.  He's my little darling though.  He gives the best hugs and kisses.  He has the best smile.  He sings the cutest little songs.  He is so independent!  It drives me crazy sometimes that he wants to do everything by himself.  "No, me" he says.  He loves his brother and sister.  He calls Hannah "La La" and it's just about my favorite thing.  His favorite toys right now are his tools.  He takes those things everywhere and will even fall asleep holding them.  He loves to play outside and tries to go out any door he can.  He runs to the door to greet "daddyyyy" every day when he hears the garage door open.  He talks so much and is just a little smarty pants.  A few of my other favorite words are "school bus" and "lul lou (love you)".

When I took him in for his 2-year check up he was as tall as ever (90th percentile) and even skinnier (like, not on the charts).  He is not a good eater!  We've really had to work hard this past month to get him to eat more and more often.  We throw in a PediaSure or Instant Breakfast any chance we get.  He seems to be doing a little better.  He still likes his ba ba and binky.  I don't care if he's 2, it's my baby and I'm going to let him have them!  Happy Birthday!

We invited our families to come and celebrate at The Very Hungry Caterpillar party.  We had some fun decorations.  The kids loved the big balloon caterpillar on the wall.  My sister Rori made a cute caterpillar out of cupcakes.  The caterpillar grape skewers were a big hit too!  Oh, and I love Hannah's sign welcoming everyone to the party.  Grayson was spoiled with lots of new clothes and toys.  Thanks everyone for making it such a fun day!

Some of our guests...

Madi's Bridal Shower

We (sisters and Mom) had so much fun throwing a bridal shower for our baby sister.  Mind you, this was back in March.  She got married last week.  Let's just say I have lots of catching up to do.  We decided on a vintage/shabby chic theme, similar to what she had planned for her wedding.  I think everything turned our really cute!  I love the tea cups and vintage pictures.  The little details really pulled everything together.  The food and desserts were delicious.  It was great to see Madison's soon-to-be mother-in-law again and meet some of Nick's other relatives.  Madison was showered with a lot of wonderful gifts.  I'm sure excited for Madi and Nick and everything their future holds!