January Update

January seemed to fly by this year.  I can't believe that we are only one day away from starting February!  We got back from Hawaii on the 15th and have been going non-stop since then.  Brody has been super busy grafting a lot of new trees at the ranch and he finally is getting close to wrapping that project up.  We are all so excited to get to see him more!  On one of his less busy days the kids and I went out to visit.  The kids and Brody drove the tractor while Brooklyn and I rode in the bin trailer.  It brought back many good memories of doing the same thing with my dad growing up.  

Since the weather has been so nice and warm lately we have spent a lot of time playing outside at the river ranch.  The kids have loved working on building a fort and exploring all of the motorcycle trails with my dad.

  

We finally got some much needed rain today!  It was a big answer to prayer!  Since it does not rain here very often we took advantage of the few puddles that we did get and went and jumped in them.  It didn't last very long because everyone got wet and cold but it was fun while it lasted.  

Enjoy the pictures!  

We went out to visit Brody at work and see what he has been busy
with lately.

Brooklyn was rocked to sleep by the rocking of the
bin trailer (or exhaust of the tractor). 

Our tour guides of the ranch

We took a short stop to play in the sand and go on the rope swing.

We finally got a little bit of rain and thought
we would take advantage of the few puddles
that we could find.

This is what I get when I say to smile big.

Hold hands and jump!

They were so excited to go out to play.  

Jace thought he would be funny and wear dad's shoes.

I LOVE her curls!

I showed the kids how to dig rocks out of the driveway
at the river ranch using sticks.  They thought it was the
funnest thing and it took us about 30 minutes to make it
to the end of the driveway because we dug up every
"treasure" they saw.

Extra warm weather in January called for no shirts.

Getting big sticks so we could build our fort

This is the beginnings of our fort at the river.  The kids love to work on it each
time we go there so it is much bigger now.  

"Brooklyn wants to wear princess dresses and
watch Cinderella" -Bailey

Snow Cones after doctor appointments and shopping.
Bailey's shirt was no longer white when she finished.

Aloha!

We had the great opportunity to go to Hawaii with my extended family for 10 days in January.  In total there were 36 of us who went.  We went to the resort that I grew up going to so I have so many great memories from being there.  It was fun to see the kids running around and doing the same things that I remember doing when I was little.  We spent our days playing on the beach, swimming in the ocean, catching geckos, finding coconuts, boogie boarding, snorkeling, catching sand crabs, paddle boarding and eating too much good food.  The ocean was super calm while we were there which was perfect for the little kids.  They would swim and boogie board for hours at a time.  Jace loved playing in the sand and drinking strawberry smoothies. Bailey's favorite think to do was swim in the ocean with anyone who would take her and Brooklyn loved playing in the sand too. I was amazed at how much she loved to swim too! We took her in the pool expecting her to cry but she just started splashing around and trying to get Jace and Bailey.  The next day we took her in the ocean and she loved that too!  It was a wonderful and relaxing vacation and we all had a great time!

Brooklyn's first day at the beach.

Jace and Stetson

Jace found a coconut and Brody helped him crack it open so
we could all try it.

Aloha Hawaii!  The first night we ordered pizza and had dinner on the beach while
we enjoyed the sunset.

Sand crab hunting.  We like to go to the beach at night with flashlights and find sand crab holes.
When we find one we dig until we find the crab and then catch them.  This year my mom got smart and
brought head lamps :)

Jace and Bailey playing in their "spider web".

Every day the hotel had activities at the beach for the kids to do.  One day the activity
was hula skirt making.  Jace and Stetson were fire dancers.

She loved the beach.

Bailey and her hula skirt

Jumping over the waves.  They stayed out here all day.

Tennis lessons with Papa. 

Enjoying the beach with Brooklyn

Breakfast.  Everyday his breakfast consisted of banana bread, strawberries, bacon, tomatoes,
a coconut pastry, a waffle with coconut syrup and guava to drink.  Hey, it was all you could eat :)

Stet and Bailey at breakfast. 

Brooklyn loved playing in the ocean.

Sisters

Jace caught a gecko and was trying to put it on my while I
took his picture.

We can't wait to meet you baby Goldie!

Jace, Bailey and Stet boogie boarding.  The water was shallow and the
waves were small.  A perfect combination for kids!

Gecko hunting with dad.

Jace and Bailey were so excited to have Brooklyn in the water with them and Brooklyn would
laugh and try to get them whenever they were close.

I got a new underwater camera for Christmas.  We were just trying it out but I like this picture of Jace and I.

Bailey teaching Brooklyn to boogie board.

The kids tend to fight over who gets to play with Kristina.  What a good Aunt!

Great-Grandpa George and Brooklyn

One of the activities they had for the kids was Hawaiian dress up and a parade around the pool.
Before I knew what was happening I was dressed up as well :)

The life guards let Kyle borrow their spear and he was
able to go spear fishing.  They ate the fish shortly after.

Bailey at the all you can eat crab and lobster feast.

On one of the days Brody and I helped the kids build a giant sandcastle.  They were pretty excited to
have some help.  It kept them occupied for the rest of the day.

Family Picture.  Why is it always so hard to get everyone to smile?

Bailey, Jace and Brooklyn

This was my swimsuit when I was little.  My mom saved it and I
was so excited that it fit Brooklyn.

Brody and his girls.

Bailey and I going for a paddle board.  She had been wanting to go the whole trip so she
was very excited when she finally go to go.

One of Jace's favorite parts of the trip was getting
Lava Flows.  He decided to share this one with
cousin Brylie.

Paddle boarding with Stet and Aunt Brittany (and Goldie).

The last night of the trip we ordered pizza and ate by the beach.  According to Jace it was the best night ever!

Brooklyn

Playing on the hammock.

Brody got the chance to go scuba diving on our last day.
They saw a lot of cool fish, a shark, eel, octopus and a turtle.

The scuba divers.

Brody and some of the cousins went out with a life guard again to go spear fishing and came back
with two octopus.  The life guards were really excited because apparently they are pretty
good to eat.

Soaking up the sun on our last morning.  We got to play at the beach until 10 and then
it was time to head home.

Aloha!