oahu ohana

okay.. so, here are a FEW of our aloha pics...

On Oahu we stayed at the Ihlani Marriott on the southwest shore.

Our room was on the 10th floor with a gorgeous ocean view.

We loved it and were just getting settled in when our three days were done!

A classic..

Matsumoto Shave Ice on the North Shore.

mmm..mmmm. good.

Hangin' loose at the Polynesian Cultural Center Lua'u.

Lovely roasted pig for all (except me. ick)

We got to meet up with Kel's cousin Lori and her kids.

We LOVE them all and we really could have enjoyed a couple more days in such great company!

...and Kimbel and sweet little Lena proved that second cousins CAN be long lost twins!

They were immediately attached at the hip for the evening.

We missed Kelly's cousin, Delsa

(she's in snowy Utah for spring break),

but we really enjoyed watching her son Darrell dance in

Ha, Breath of Life, the night show at the PCC.

It was an unbelievable show.

WOW.

We loved our Friday at the PCC.

More to come... aloha.

Aloha!

Well, while I wait for everyone to wash off the sand from the beach - I thought I would post a couple of pics from our first couple of days on Oahu.

We arrived Thursday around lunchtime and stayed until Saturday evening.

Okay, so no pics.. technical issues.. apparently.

Anyway, we are safe on the south shore of Kauai. Pics to follow.

Kimbel is recovering from her fall off the waterfall. Seriously.

Only a short 10 feet compared to the height of the 800 feet falls. whew.

Chickens run wild here. They were scattered in the '92 hurricane.

Roosters crow day and night.

Well, off to the island costco for a restock.

(after my kids were embarassed by how much food I bought at the beginning of the week. "mom. how much do you think we eat?" yup, we need more.)

Anyway, happy day.

We wish you were here.

Lovin' the 80 degree weather - even if the wind is crazy here!

kimbel vs. the rope

kimbel tangled with the jumprope...

while racing across the playground on friday.

Too bad, the jumprope won...

march madness.

Happy Birthday, Big Guy...

Grandma D. started St. Patty's day off with a bang..

and the first Lego set of the day!

Basketball cake and goody bags... check.

Cookies for Kindergarten... check.

hmm..

Jazz jersey for a basketball party... check.

Stick the basketball on the hoop... check.

Little boys lined up ready to drop m&m's... perfect.

Done with all my games in 15 minutes?

Outside for some basketball drills

(with a whole lot of running!)

Whew.

Present time... awesome.

No, seriously.... awesome.

Making a wish....

One great party for a really great kid!

(who knew boy parties are a whole lot different than little girl parties?

No crafts or coloring around here! :)

happy st. patty's day to the birthday boy!!

REALLY?

Has it been six years?

We weren't quite sure what to expect when

we brought our little boy home to a house

full of girls!!

But what an amazing six years of

somersaults, smiles and lots of giggles!

(a few temper tantrums, too... but who remembers those?)

Love those baby blues...

they have talked me into way too many cars and lego sets....

You are one amazing big boy, Braden!

I am so thrilled to be your mom and so excited you are SIX!!

(even if I do miss my baby!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR

FAVORITE LITTLE LEPRECHAUN!!

Braden, you rock.

a girl and her beads.

Today was "Moostroms" at school..

the third graders earn "moose money" for the things they do,

i.e. assignments on time, being nice to somebody, good grades.

Well, they have been saving up to spend their dollars at

"Moostroms", think Nordstroms.

Kimbel wanted her store to be something cool,

not the "junk" from home that other people were bringing.

So, we headed to Walmart, bought her a package of beads,

some string.. and away she went.

She made 30 bracelets over the last two evenings

and sold them all!

She was so excited.. I am so proud of her creativity,

they were all different and super cute.

Now she wants more beads...

the cat in the hat.

why do they have to grow up?

it almost made me cry

when braden came to the car after school with a

huge smile on his face

and a huge hat on his head.

i love kindergarten.