Sk8 George-Spring Break

My kids had a blast at Sk8 George and the little park next to it. They biked, rollerbladed, and of course Skateboarded. It wasn't until we were leaving that we realized it was against rules to ride bikes there....oops!

My Sammy is growing up...one of the things that really hit me on this trip. Sammy can do so much now. And I think he had more fun than anyone on this trip. At home all he wants is to be outside....and he got to be outside the whole time! He was in heaven!


Sadie loving her little brother.




Sadie found some pretty blossoms.
Sam kept pointing to the Sk8 George sign and saying, "Aidan." I guess he was sure that was Aidan on the sign.







Jason couldn't resist....he had to join in the fun.


Future skate boarder???
Cole enjoying rollerblades once again.

Sick Day with Sadiegirl

Yesterday after the kids had been at school for an hour I got a call from Susan, the school secretary, to inform me that Sadie was ready to be picked up. Sadie spent the rest of the day sleeping in bed and woke up with a fever. She's feeling much better today (see above photo). We are super bummed that we missed the Repertory Dance Theatre performance at the Ellen Eccles... I didn't take her because of her fever last night. But Sammy and I are loving the extra playmate today. I've especially enjoyed listening to her sing...from her room. Sadie has her favorites. First Iz, then Jack Johnson, and now I'm listening to "I Love to See the Temple." it's been great to have an excuse to stay in jammies all day as well. Sometimes sick days aren't all that bad.

The mop bucket, candy bribes and distractions

Yesterday, as we were cleaning and vacuuming out our van, Sammy discovered Jason's big yellow industrial sized mop bucket among the chaos of all his work "stuff." Once he started pushing that thing around, he was hooked. He pushed it up and down the driveway and many times tried to push it into the street, each time being stopped by one of his older siblings, Dad, or Mom. And every time we stopped him he would scream and cry. He would not let go of that yellow bucket for anything. I spent a LONG time walking with him up and down the sidewalk of our street.... with passersby all smiling at him as he pushed this most exciting toy....the mop bucket. After what seemed like hours and several more attempts into the street and subsequent tirades, I decided I'd had enough...time to go in. Sammy was already screaming and screamed even harder as I started carrying him inside. I took him to his room where he had a FULL-ON TANTRUM.

I had forgotten about the mop bucket until I ventured into the garage this morning to help Sadie in unsuccessfully starting the motor scooter. Sammy was with me and immediately saw the mop bucket which I had forgotten to hide from his sight. So there we were again...walking up and down our street pushing the mop bucket. This time Sam wanted to push it up all the neighbors sidewalks and up to their front doors. Some of the neighbors were out and laughed as we walked by. Once again, it felt like hours had gone by when I decided I just couldn't take the mop bucket walk anymore. As I carried Sam inside he screamed again, but I was able to quickly distract him with lunch. Later, after his nap, Sam got his boots on (by himself) and ran to me saying "side" (this means outside) and "coat." I think those are his two most favorite words. Since I was right in the middle of making rolls...I did something that I hate doing. I pulled out some left over Valentine's candy. Oh boy was Sam excited. I almost never give him candy, but I'll keep distracting him... at least until his brothers get home. Then they can all go on a mop bucket walk.

Iditarod

Aidan and some of his classmates in action during the Edith Bowen Iditarod Race this morning.

Hawaii Fever- Kalalau Trip #1

Last night after family home evening, which we had two nights late, I told the kids that I had made reservations for Spring Break and to guess where we are going.

"ARE WE GOING TO KAUAI!?!" they all shouted in unison.

I looked at Jason and didn't know if I wanted to laugh or cry. I am dying to go to Hawaii....we're all dying to go to Hawaii. But we just don't have the funds for it right now...especially since we are trying to save up for another project we may start soon. So, what I thought would be a fun surprise, was actually a bit of a let down. We aren't going to Hawaii. We are going to St. George...camping at Snow Canyon, actually. To play in the red sand, ride our mountain bikes on the Poppy trail, hike in slot canyons, and whatever other adventures come up. We've gone there for Spring Break before and had a blast and I'm sure, if we ultimately end up going again this Spring Break, we will have just as much fun.

But Kauai still sounds SO much better! And then today I was looking for a photo we'd taken of a flower that I want to frame and hang on my wall...and I started looking at some of our past pics (which the majority of are taken in Hawaii). I try to avoid doing this in the middle of winter because it's actually painful for me....and I get very homesick.

Well, I happened on to these photos of a very beautiful, romantic adventure that I went on with my hubby not so long ago. An adventure that I wanted to think about, to reminisce, and to dream about doing again.

In July of 2006 we hired the Miner girls (Mallory, Melissa, and Monique) in our ward to stay with our three little ones while Jason and I joined the Clyde's (Patrick and Megan) on a very memorable kayak trip along the rugged Na'Pali Coast. It wasn't a long trip, just two days and one night. Two days in one of the most scenic places I've ever been and one night on a secluded beach with my one and only. Jason had done this trip before with the Scouts and had come home raving about it and how this was a MUST DO. But this was my first time seeing the coast from the ocean And ooooooooh the beauty was breathtaking. Not only was I in awe, I enjoyed the peace and the calm after spending my days taking care of my busy two, four, and six year old. It was a well-deserved vacation and the one-on-one time with Jason was deeply appreciated.

Megan, a kayak tour guide, knew all there was to know and took us in all the caves and caverns along the coast. She knew which ones were safe to go into for exploring and which ones to avoid. The Clyde's, just barely marrieds, were fun and playful, knew how to give us space, and were the perfect companions for our trip.

We set out early in the morning from Ke'e Beach, where the pavement ends, on the North Shore and strapped everything in and on our kayaks. From there we paddled and explored a few miles until Kalalau Beach came into view. Minutes later we tipped our kayak as we tried unsuccessfully to make a dry landing. No worries though, our stuff dried out in no time and Megan assured me that most people landing at Kalalau do tip. It is, after all, a rough beach with BIG waves. After a little lunch and setting our stuff out to dry, we were off on a hike up to some pools and a water slide down some slippery mossy rocks. We had fun sliding, playing and napping in the sun. We got to shower in the community Kalalau waterfall upon returning and I can't give too many details on our evening, except to say, it was perfect.

The next morning we swam and played in the rough surf and soon after got our kayaks loaded once again. We were headed next door, to Honopu. Honopu is a sacred beach to the Hawaiians...which means ancient burial grounds. No boats are allowed on the beach which means you have to SWIM to the beach. Hawaiian law makes it a little complicated for four people on two boats. But Megan knew just how to do it and after visiting Honopu herself just recently, she knew this was an opportunity not to be passed up. While Jason stayed out on the water with our kayaks, Patrick, Megan and I swam to shore. Megan showed us all over the beach. Patrick had never been there either. Of course, there was not a sole to be found. Patrick and Megan played and I snapped a few pictures. Then Patrick swam to Jason to keep watch on the kayaks as Jason swam to shore. It really was a beautiful and special place. The only tracks in the sand were ours. There was a huge arch, with an awesome waterfall and pool underneath it and there was a huge sand hill to run down and play on. I've since hiked above the beach with my family and looked down on it...remembering the fun of that day.

From Honopu we paddled and paddled, past other beaches and more beautiful scenery, enjoying the turtles along the way. When we arrived at Polihale Beach we made a perfect landing. We were glad, but sad that it was time to go home. We will be back there again some day.