Waterfall

We went to Waimea Falls today with Grandpa, Aunt Katie and Uncle Michael. We took a mile hike through a beautiful landscape and then got to swim under a waterfall. It was such a beautiful day for a hike. The boys were pretty good hikers too. Haydn is so independent and wanted to do his own thing. It made the hike a lot longer but lots more interesting.

Ben's star

Here's a pic of me and all the boys in the ocean. Ben got a new star floaty. He is really happy in it and Connor and Haydn think it is awesome. He's definately decked out.

Michael's Return

My brother returned from his mission today. It is great to have him home. I made this cake for him to celebrate. Unfortunately, I took a picture after Haydn got his fingers into it and ate half the face and smeared some words but I fixed as best I could. Connor and Haydn are SOOO loving having a man in the house to wrestle with. Welcome home Michael.

Primary Program

Today was the primary program in my Mom's ward and since Connor has been a visitor for a while he was invited to join them. Let's just say he did wonderfully and horribly. He was brave and had to qualms about getting in front of the microphone. He said his part clearly and loudly and held up a picture. He sang with gusto, although sometimes a little too much. However today he was the biggest wiggle worm I have ever seen. It was nice that he chose today, in front of the whole congregation to be so irreverant. He couldn't sit still and when he did he chose to chew on his tie, something he's never done before at least in front of me. The worst moment was right after the sunbeams said their parts and were going to their seats he found a toy truck, whoever allowed that on stage with four year olds is crazy. He got this contemplative look on his face that said, "Should I play with it or be good." He started to make the right choice and tried to hand it to the teacher but then got pushed down the line by the teacher as the other kids sat down and then he decided to just go with it. He then showed the toy to one of his friends and together they started driving the truck up the side of the wall. I about died! He redeemed himself somewhat when they sang the song, "Called to Serve." Connor loudly sang/shouted the words and became the voice that everyone could pick out of the group. He ended with a bang when he sand the last word, "King" half a second after everyone else and loudest and longest of all. We couldn't stop laughing! This boy is so adorable! I love him sooo much. I am so proud of him, even though his is sentenced to practicing his reverence this week so we can do better at that part. The best news is he gets to do it all over again in our primary program back home as soon as we get home. Hopefully we can be just as brave and happy but a little less wiggly for that one.

His part was, "I am Connor. I am a soccer player." This is the picture he held up. The sunbeams were trying to prove we are all different but all children of God. Then the sunbeams and nursery children sang "I am a Child of God" by themselves.

Jousting

Today we went to an event at BYUH that had some fun activities for the kids. Connor and Haydn jumped together in one of those inflatable houses. Haydn didn't like it AT ALL at first but after a little convincing that it was funny to fall down he took to it like a champ. He's such a little dare devil, so quick to get out of his comfort zone. Then Connor tried out jousting. He stood on an unsteady inflatable surface with a boxing helmet on while swinging a pad (as big as he was) around to knock the other player off the unsteady middle of the ring. He played with an older young man that was running the ride. He thought he had gone to heaven. He was giggling like crazy. He would swing and the guy would pretend to get hit hard and fall off which would wiggle the surface he was standing on around and ultimately send Connor flying too, laughing hysterically all the while. I just HAD to get my camera and let him do it again. The pics aren't great because it was dark out but it was worth every penny just to watch him have so much fun. Scott, I wish you could have seen this...these pics are for you! Look at our tough guy!

PCC

We spent the week at the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC). We got to tour and learn about traditions in Samoa, Aoteoroa (New Zealand), Fiji, Hawaii, Marquesas, Tahiti, and Tonga. Connor's favorite part was riding the canoe through the middle of the villages. He tried to touch all the bridges that we would go under by jumping and trying his hardest to scare his Mom. But I didn't need to worry because the guide was nice enough to tell us the water wasn't deep, "like he said mom, I can just stand up if I fall in!" He DID NOT like the Samoan fire dancing. He was afraid they were going to throw the sticks to him or hurt themselves. He kept saying, "I'm done, I don't like this!" It was a fun few days and we learned a lot.

Boogy Boarding

Here's my little surfer dude. Connor wanted to bring a boogy board to the beach and try it out today. He did pretty awesome and most of the time LOVED it. He was really brave too and would fall off but get back up. He did take a couple of bad dives while being helped by my sister (just the luck of the waves) but after some convincing and remembering the fun he was having he chalked it up to my sister's incapability to help him and tried again. Whatever works! He determined he likes the small waves better.

On the other hand, today was not Haydn's day. He got on the boogy board, at first, on his hands and knees. He wasn't happy but he was ok. I brought him all the way in to shore with a wave. He decided then that this was NO FUN. He cried/whined pretty much the whole time at the beach. He didn't like Connor riding the board either. Maybe he sensed danger? Who knows?! I was surprised since he is my little dare devil. Then again he is only 19 mo. old, maybe boogy boarding is too much to expect. It was fun to try it though. Poor Haydn!

CONGRATULATIONS!

MY AWESOME HUSBAND JUST FOUND OUT HE PASSED THE BAR! WOOHOO! I AM JUMPING UP AND DOWN AND WISHING I WAS THERE TO CELEBRATE WITH HIM. DON'T WORRY HANDSOME, WE WILL CELEBRATE LIKE NO OTHER WHEN YOU GET TO HAWAII! WE LOVE YOU LIKE CRAZY! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

Boating With Grandma

We went out in a boat yesterday morning with Grandma. Connor had been begging to go since he saw the boat in Grandma's garage. He finally talked Grandma into taking the morning off work and taking us on a boat trip. Connor LOVED it as expected. Haydn had a slow go at it but was perfectly content between Mommy's legs, just not sitting by himself. Connor didn't want to stop and he especially liked being in the boat with Grandma. While riding with me he kept saying, "Ok, I want to ride with Grandma again!" I guess he thinks I'm not as experienced even though I thought I did fabulously well controlling the boat. Today we took the kids to the beach today and enjoyed high tide. I love Haydn's face in the last pic where he's freaking out because a little too much water is splashing into his pool. GOTTA LOVE HAWAII!

Cool Dude

We were having a little fun with Haydn this afternoon. He's got a nice little mohawk and sunglasses. He goes around saying "Oooo Dooo" (Cool Dude). He's always trying to carry too much. He can't ever just hold one car, for instance, he needs 3 or 4. In the pic he wouldn't let go of the cup to play with the ball. He insists he can do both and doesn't need help.

Burying Boys

Some of you may get tired of all my beach pictures but really we just try to live it up while we are in Hawaii. We go to the beach about every day so believe me there could be many more. Today we buried Connor in the sand. He wasn't thrilled at first but we started with his legs and then he wanted his arms covered and soon he was buried up to his neck. After he escaped and washed up he wanted us to do it again. We tried to get Haydn too but we were interupted by a huge wave which came up right in his face and he didn't like that very much. They both still love digging a pool to catch the water. Since I didn't bring my double stroller I'm using a single one at my Mom's house and the boys like to squeeze in it after we've worn them out on the beach. I took a picture as Haydn grabbed Connor and yanked him back to lay on him. What a brother hug!

Saturday at the Beach

We went Saturday and enjoyed a nice afternoon as a family at the beach after General Conference. We like this beach because it is more like a shallow bay so you can walk out pretty far. Here's some pics of the kids enjoying time with their Grandma and aunts as well as their newest cousin, little Ben. This pic of Connor is just the funniest face I've caught on camera in a while. Ben is enjoying sucking on his sandy fingers. We are loving spending this time with our family. When the three ride in the car together Ben will hold Connor's hand and Connor loves it. Haydn will try to hold Ben's hand too but it doesn't work as well. When Hadyn approaches the baby he speaks with a cute high pitched voice and says, "Hi Baby!"

Building a Pool

One of the favorite new things the boys like to do is dig a pool at the beach so that we have a spot to splash in outside the ocean. Haydn LOVES this. He'll go around the back of the pool, where a lot of the sand is built up from digging, and jump in the water. Here's some more pics of us enjoying the beach!