pure michigan

pure michigan

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Hanalei Bay, Kauai

We had the opportunity to go to Kauai in early October with my (Janelle) parents, sisters, and our families.  It was so much fun to get away for awhile and spend time with the family.  We rented two condos for all of us to stay in and the kids LOVED getting to stay with grandma and papa the whole time.  Jace and Bailey were finally at an age where they were able to just play on the beach together without us having to monitor how much sand they were eating and Jace actually liked to swim in the ocean this year.  The past times we have gone to the ocean he has not wanted to even touch it.  We spent our days playing on the beach, swimming in the ocean, going on short hikes so that the kids could come (even though Bailey was not too fond of walking),  swimming in the pool, playing games with the family and eating way too many delicious snow cones.  Jace had so much fun going on the hikes or "adventures" as he liked to call them.  We were able to meet up with one of my college volleyball team mates and her husband and they took us on a really cool hike down to a beautiful waterfall.  We were able to swim in the pool below the waterfall and also go behind it.  Everything about the vacation was amazing and we are so thankful that we got to go.

Jace built us a fort to hide under when it rained.


On our way to Queen's Bath

This is where Brooklyn spent most of her time when we were
at the beach.
               
Hiking near the Napali Coast 

Heidi and I

One of the caves near Tunnels Beach

Our hotel had the coolest pool.  This is the kids swimming area.
It was about 1&1/2 feet deep and had a sand area to play in.


We made it to Queen's Bath. 



Bailey LOVED the sand and was always covered in it
from head to toe.

Wailua Waterfall.  It doesn't look like much but it was
80 feet tall.

Kristina and I

The hike down to the waterfall.  It was much
steeper than it looks!

Grandma, Papa and Brooklyn



Swimming in the kiddie pool.


They LOVED swimming with Aunt Heidi in the ocean.


This tucan floatie saved the day.  He loved swimming in the
ocean after my mom got this for him.

The first picture of the 4 grand kids on my side of the family.
Brittany and Cody will be adding another girl to the mix this 
coming March!

Sisters

Brody builds the best things for the kids to play in!

This was the amazing view from our condo!

Shave Ice Paradise was a daily stop.  Side note: DO NOT give
your kids snow cones right before nap time and expect them to sleep.

Headstands

I ordered this drink an Bailey's reply was, "Thanks mom for 
getting me such a pretty drink!".

Our hike to Queen's Bath

We made a friend named "Goosey" who came to our room every morning
for some cereal and crackers.

Thanks Ellen for showing us the way down to this beautiful waterfall!

Kristina and I at Wailua Falls.

Stetson and Bailey

Sunset view from our room

Swimming at Wailua Falls with Kristina.

 A big thanks to my parents for taking us on vacation!  We had so much fun and will always remember the fun times that we had together.  

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Jace's Pirate Party

This past Sunday we got to celebrate Jace's 4th birthday with our family and friends.  He had been requesting to have a pirate party for some time so that is what the theme was.  We started the party off with a reptile show by Reptile Ron out of Fresno and it was a big hit!  Everyone had the opportunity to hold a few different snakes, a tarantula spider, turtles, a variety of bugs and a few other things that I'm probably forgetting.  When the show was over the kids set off to find the buried treasure by going on a treasure hunt all over my parents yard and ending on a sandbar across the river where Brody buried the treasure.  After dinner we passed out pirate hats, eye patches and swords for the kids to run around with.  We had such a fun time planning the party and are glad that everyone had a fun time.

The kids were so excited to start the reptile show.


Stetson holding a tarantula.


 Owen


 Bailey 

 Carter

Amy and Carter

Owen

Jace and Uncle Brian

Stetson

Ryder

Carter, Amos, Jace and Wyatt

Carter getting to hold a millipede

Amos and a baby opossum

Brody is getting the kids all ready for the treasure hunt.  

And they're off!

Jace had to reel in a clue from the middle of the pond.

All the kids had to eat a gummy worm off a string in order to get their next clue.

Follow the orange flags to find the treasure!

Brady, Jace and Amos got there first

Digging for the treasure.

We dug in the wrong spot for a little bit but finally found the treasure!

Dividing up the loot!

Everyone was hot so they jumped in the river for a swim and then had a canoe
ride back to my parent's house.

Pirates Jace and Brady

Boys will be Boys!  They are off to fight the bad guys :)

And we LOVE our 4 year old boy!  Happy Birthday Jace!