Day 2-Hunama Bay & Family Pictures

We used the time  difference to our advantage and made reservations for Hunama Bay for 7:30 am. The sun was rising as we drove, parked, and walked down to the bay. It was quiet and peaceful. It was one of the first tour times of the day so they wasn't anyone on the beach either.

After we watched a short video about how to protect the coral we headed to the beach. Unfortunately we didn't consider that it might be to cold to really enjoy playing in the water but we made the best of it. I didn't even get in the water. I sat in the sand watching the kids and just taking in the moment. We purchased some really great scuba equipment and it worked super well.

Matt really got into the fish watching and shot some great video

We spent a good chunk of our time building sand creations

We bought the City Go Pass and had selected several things off of their website to do and had planned on doing the water park but spent way more time at Hunama Bay than we thought so instead we grabbed lunch and headed back to the hotel to get ready for family pictures. I found this photographer thru Facebook and they told us when and where to meet them. We stopped at a local grocery store and bought fresh leis for all the girls. They were a great touch. We had an hour to take pictures but it became apparent pretty quickly that the time change was now working against us and everyone was getting tired but Liam had the hardest time hiding it. Our photographers did a great job and you would never know how hard it was at times.

On the way back to the hotel we got ice cream as a reward. We also found this place on Facebook and it didn't disappoint. The prep for this trip was much bigger than any other trip we had ever done. One of the big things was where to eat...we had a huge list of areas of the island and things we needed to try. I really want to be a foodie but sometimes it can be hard with my dietary restrictions.

Day 2 is complete and we are thrilled to be going to bed and get ready for more adventures tomorrow.

Day 1-Off To Hawaii

 The day has finally come for us to leave for Hawaii. I still remember booking this trip when Liam was just out of remission and then COVID happened. At times I wondered if or when this trip would ever happen. But once they lifted the vaccination requirement we started to make plans and knew we would have to get tested and crossed our fingers that everyone would come back negative. I was worried briefly but I felt at peace and that everything would work out.  Although waiting in line for a couple hours to get tested wasn't fun within 24 hours we found out we were all clear to go. We flew out on a Friday morning and the excitement was pretty apparent. 

Once we boarded the kids quickly found the screen on the headrest and settle into the shows or games they wanted to do. Liam had the Paw Patrol movie on before we had even taxied to the runway.

We landed in Hawaii about 5:30pm Hawaii time which is 9:30 pm Utah time(4 hour difference). We picked up our rental car and headed to the hotel. We grabbed food on the way. After dropping all of our stuff off and checking out the hotel we headed to Costco to get groceries for the duration of the trip. For the first part of the trip we would be staying in Honolulu in a resort in the city.

Dang Deer & Meeting Kennedy

 Matt was headed over Trappers to meet with Layton about the possible job switch and just as he went to drop into Mtn Green a group of deer were in the middle of the road. He managed to miss most of them but caught one on the passenger side. Luckily he didn't get hurt...which is all I care about.

Matt pieced it together until they could get it into the shop

My brother Nate has had a hard time finding someone that fits his criteria for dating so when he wanted to introduce us to a girl he is dating we were super excited. The kids immediately liked her and we loved getting the chance to meet and get to know her. She is a special education teacher and seems great with kids. We're hoping Nate will decide to keep her.

Happy Birthday To Mom!! 38!!

 Happy Birthday to me. I'm not quite sure what to say in this post about myself. One of my goals for this year is to take better care of myself. That seems like a loaded goal but Im going to give it a try. Matt and the kids are my everything but it makes it hard for me to take care of them if I don't take care of myself. Raspberry chocolate cheesecake for the win

January Fun

 With all the mandatory overtime and stress with COVID always these days. The hospital is trying to help so they put a massage chair on each unit in the hospital so on my lunch I regularly go and sit in one. it's a nice break. But with all that is going on I'm so glad to only be prn and not have to work all the time

Our friends Jamie and Parker are finishing up their new build and we've been over helping. The kids decided they wanted to pretend to be puppies

Making pancakes...at least I know they wont starve if I don't feed them

Corey has been gone 3 year. It's hard to believe in some ways but in others feels like it's been forever. I still occasionally talk to Mindi but it seems farther and fewer between. Just seems like we have less and less in common. The relationship she has with her neighbors is uncomfortable for me and I really wish she would move on and find someone of her ow to make her happy. But I'm sure it would be really hard

Our stove top has been having some problems and wont light. They found faulty parts and ordered new ones but then they sent the wrong ones so it has taken sometime to get it all put together. You never realize how convenient something is until it isn't working.

Snow, Trying the Potty, and Getting Ready to Ski

We're starting to get some great snow accumulation. I love to see all of this and we're so grateful for all the moisture we can get

We decided it was time to start with the potty. Liam found a paw patrol one that he is very fond of. The peeing is coming quickly but the pooping is gonna be a process

It seems like every time Matt goes out of town the snow falls heavy but Liam is such a good helper. He uses his tiny shovel and eats snow while I clear the driveway. 

The kids are all so excited to get on the mountain this year I hope it happens that way. We are trying to make sure everyone has gear to when we are ready