Day 3 & 4 in Hawaii

Tuesday, Day 3:

We drove over to the North Shore, drove along the coast and did some beach hopping, checking out what they had to offer. Our first beach stop Waimea Bay and then over to Laniakea Beach. After some beach time we headed over to Cholos, a local mexican restaurant for lunch. We had to make sure we had some Hawaiian ice while we are in Hawaii so we stopped at Matsumotos Shaved Ice, which way yummy.

After lunch we went to Waimea Valley. It was very pretty and an easy walk to the waterfall (Jake was still worried about me). The water was cold and I didn't want to swim next to the waterfall with my big belly. So I just went and put me feet in :) I was excited to see the Peacock showing off for us.
We later had some more beach time at Turtle Bay. Which ended up being on of our favorite beaches. I was loving all the beach time :) enjoying the relaxation and my good book.

We stopped off the side of the road to check out a fruit market. They had a little pet pig which too a liking to me, I think it really was the baby it was liking :)

For dinner we grabbed some food to go from Ted’s Bakery and made our way to Sunset Beach to eat our dinner.

Our timing was perfect, and we were able to watch a beautiful sunset together. We crashed by the time we made it back to our room.

Wednesday, Day 4: 

We had an early start again and headed over to Ihop for breakfast. We were excited to go to Hanauma Bay and snorkel. Hanauma Bay is really very pretty. It is cool that is was created by an old blown out volcano that over time became a huge reef and a natural preserve for sea life. Snorkeling wore me out, I got a nice little battle wound from coral. :) It was a lot of fun but I couldn't last as long as my hubby so he explored more while I took a nap on the beach.

Lunch was at Teddy’s Bigger Burgers which I tried really hard not to eat too much since I knew we were going to have a really nice dinner. Afterwards we drove to see some sites such as Halona Blow Hole and Makapu’u Lookout. We also did some beach hopping again; Sandy Beach Park, Makapu’u Beach, Laniakea Beach, and Kailua Beach. Our favorite being Kailua beach, its' sand was so soft and fine and a great place to relax and swim. It also great for different water activities you would want to do.

After our adventures for the day we got cleaned up to go eat at a nice restaurant for our 10 year anniversary. We went to eat a Duke's which is just off Waikiki beach. We had a great view of the ocean. It was a great way to end the night. I have loved being married to my best friend, someone who excepts me, the bad and the good!

Day 1 & 2 in Hawaii

Sunday, Day 1:

We flew out Sunday morning at 9am. 6 1/2 hours later we arrived at the Honolulu Airport and grabbed our rental car. Once we finally found our way to hotel from the crazy streets we checked into our room. We decided to walk around the area to see what was around. We ate lunch at the mall and then headed towards Waikiki beach. We went to stocked up on water and some snacks at Walmart for the week. We went to Big City Diner for dinner, had some chilly dogs, the food was ok. We were TIRED by the time we went to bed, considering the 3 hour time difference.

Monday, Day 2: 

We had an early start, since Vegas was 3 hours, we woke up at 6:30 (9:30 Vegas time). We had breakfast at ihop since it was just across the street from our room. Afterwards we decided to head over to Pearl Harbor. We were going to spend the day at the beach but it was looking cloudy and a high chance of rain (which it did). We went to see the USS Bowfin Submarine and USS Missouri Battleship (where World War II was ended).

Afterwards we headed to grab some lunch and then made our way to the Waikiki Aquarium. It was fun to see all the many different types of fish. It would have been so fun to show the boys the sharks, jelly fish, eels, etc. We saw some huge and cool trees where there roots grew down from the branches. Super crazy but awesome!

 We drove to Diamond Head which is a cool crater of an old extinct volcano. There is a hike but we didn't go since we weren't sure how difficult it would be. We drove down to the scenic look out. We also drove down some neighborhood  till be could find an entree to the beach. We found some sort of sea slug, which looked very cool, but don't quote me on that since I am not very knowledgeable in that area.

We went and had dinner at Bucca de Beppo. Yes, I know, not very Hawaiian but it was right next to the theaters where we finally saw Captain America and then called it a night.

Random happenings

Carter got on the A/B Honor Roll! His teacher Ms. Casey is great.

Carter's car in the pinewood derby did great! He got 4th place, missed 3rd by less then a 100th of a second. The kids had such a great time watching all the cars race!

Devin started soccer with a bunch of his buddies from school and is loving it. His coach, George, is GREAT! It is so much fun watching the games and Devin does a really good job at playing.

Carter just started Martial arts. He is loving it! He is so excited for his classes. I am hoping it will help him to learn disciple and focus. I am so excited about how much he is loving it. Devin is jealous and wanted to be doing it to. Maybe this summer we will put both boys in. :)

My crazy little princess is getting so big! She definitely runs the roost. I have been working on her new room (which use to be the office). Getting things ready for when the baby come. But first starting with the princess room :) It was a lot of fun painting and making it all girly. We just now need to get a bed and start training her to sleep like a big girl! Aahhhh! :)

Devin's 7th Birthday

Devin is now SEVEN! Devin wanted cookies instead of cake for his birthday :) Crazy boy. Saturday was crazy day with Devin's soccer game, a small party (with Chase, Gavin, and Carter), and a baptism. Sunday we had Devin's favorite dinner (stake and mashed potatoes) at Nana and Grandpa Roskelley's house. Devin's favorite toy was his scooter from Grandpa Curtis, he has played with it non-stop.

Thanksgiving

We did a nice big Thanksgiving dinner at the Roskelley's. It was nice to have JJ and Nicole there and get a chance to see baby Simon. I was a little bummed that I had a cold because I wasn't able to hold him. As alway, I tend to get carried away with cooking and eating dinner :)
Holidays are alway crazy but it is still great to take the time to spend it with family.

Carter's 9th Birthday

Carter's birthday always seems to come too quickly. It is unreal to me that he is now 9 years old. We just had a simple birthday party with the family on Sunday. Saturday we took him, Devin and his buddy Chase to Jump it Up and pizza so he could celebrate his day. Carter's favorite gift was all his legos :)

Christmas

Partying it up at the Ward Christmas Party. 

Our FHE Graham cracker houses. I tried new glue and frosting which has worked so much better. Next year I will try to make gingerbread cookies. I am determined to perfecting the process :)

Has the kids take some pictures at the temple for a very belated Christmas card.

It seems like Christmas came and went so quickly. We were sad that Grandpa Curtis wasn't able to join us for Christmas, since he was taking care of Uncle Mark. The boys had fun with all their new toys and spending some time with the Roskelley's. It was fun to see Sydney's first real Christmas. All in all it was great.