Hawaii Happiness!

Our trip started by surprising the boys that they were going with us. They thought that only mom and dad were going...again...by themselves. So when we checked them out of school and asked if they wanted to go with us, they were so excited!!

We went with some of our favorite people, the Mason's and the Coomb's. Although we didn't see the Coombs as much as we would've liked to. The Mason's stayed with us in the house and so we had a lot of fun...especially because the twins love their daughter's Abbi and Kenny. They were troopers, Bobbi is sick all day with morning sickness and Rizz hurt his back before we went, so he couldn't lift anything...not even the kids. But they kept up with anything that we wanted to do.

I have so, so, so, many pictures (and they are all way out of order)...but that's because we had the best time ever and we were on the go all the time. What a great vacation!!

Had to get a family picture in.

Boys acting like monkeys in the tree...Ryder really wanted a banana!

Look at those muscle men, off to board in Waiop'io Valley. Rizz, Hunt, Greg

Beautiful view of Hawi...we hiked down to the beach, not to play in water, but in forest of trees and swing on ropes.

Bobbi, Kenny and Rizz at Lua'a last night.

Ryder & Peyton in Hawi

True love! They were like this alot!! Abbi & Peyton

Thanksgiving Day. Melinda, Bobbi, Cathie, and Christy (cathie's sister)

Our non-tradiditonal Thanksgiving dinner. Took ham and turkey to beach with rolls and pie...it was great and so much fun to spend it with the mason's and coomb's!

We saw a little sign off one of the dirt roads and of course greg, hunter and austin had to check it out. It was this cool little place to swim, close to one of the beaches we had just been to.

Sea turtle sun bathing.

Greg's sand skills: Austin as merman

Again Greg's sand skills: Peyton as mermaid.

Always flexing those muscle's. Getting ready to board at Waiop'io valley. Awesome black sand beach that you have to 4-wheel drive down to.

Melinda and Ryder at Lua'a. Ryder's been funny with his smiles, but look at that sunset!

Rizz & Greg at Lua'a

Beautiful sunset at the Marriott where we were at Lua'a

Hunter got chose to dance at the Lua'a. Shake those hips, Hunt!

Ryder just hanging around! (kona house)

Hunt on paddle board at the Hilton...great man/sea made area for us to play in.

Greg, Peyton, & Ryder on paddle board. Those things are hard to balance on...can you imagine the local's that are out on the real waves.

Peyton watching the dolphins at the Hilton.

Regular occurance...at least one of the twins peeing somewhere...ususally where they shouldn't be.

All my guys practicing their budda pose at the Hilton.

We bought nine throws at the guy in the tank and I got him with the last throw! This was downtown Kona. They close off the main street every third sunday and have vendors everywhere.

Greg did NOT hit the target.

Hunter did NOT hit the target. Only mom!

We stopped at a park for lunch and Hunter saw the local's playing football and was itching to join in...he doesn't stand out, right?

Abbi & Peyton...so cute!

At history site...lot's of lava and sooo hot. Lot's of red faces after this visit!

Hunter pretending to torment Aust. Usually he's not pretending!!

Kids playing ancient board game...something like checkers.

Greg's sand shark

Greg & Hunt admiring the end result...what a great sand artist greg is!!

We went to Mauna Kea beach one of the days...one of the best beaches in Kona and you have to have a permit to get into because it's behind a hotel. Hunter and I went out snorkeling and it was lot's of fun!

Bobbi and Rizz first day on beach (Hapuna beach)...hang loose!

Austy with snorkel mask ready for a swim.

Ryder and Austin checking out the beautiful flowers.

Austin playing in sand. He really likes playing in the sand...I think more than the twins.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GREG!!

I know, I know...his birthday was last Sunday, but I didn't want to leave him out of the spotlight (even if he did leave me for five days to go to texas and wasn't even home on his birthday).

Anyway, a couple of things about Greg...when he was little he was very mischevious. He popped his brother's water bed, just to see what would happen. He shot arrows into the camper of his dad's truck. He pointed BB guns and police men when they were just feet away from him. He pushed on the gas of his g-ma's car when he thought she should be driving faster. Do you wonder why the twins are always into trouble...they come by it innocently.

But we have been together since we were 14 and he was slowly growing out of being mischievious, I thought, until when we were dating and we got into a fight in front of my house, in his truck. He told me to get out and then spinned his wheels so lot's of mud flew up all over me! Nice! But I still stuck around because I was head over heels inlove with this guy (ask my sister's about all the crazy stuff I saved from him) and I'm so glad I did. He is the sweetest man I've met. We have our moments, like yesturday when we got into a small fight (I will blame it on PMS) and so I thought I'd better apologize. So I did by text and I didn't hear from him all day. I thougt he was still mad. When he did finally call he didn't say a thing just started playing Elvis Presley's song "Don't be Cruel". I did have to laugh!! He's a great dad and the boys want to be just like him and I hope they do!! Happy birthday Greg!!

October's Events

I had a bunch of pictures uploaded and my lil stinker snuck under the computer while I was typing under the pictures and turned the computer off! I was livid because it takes so darn long to download anything on my computer. But two days later I've calmed down enough to try and upload some pictures again.

Greg and I went to Hawaii over confrence weekend. Our last night we went to one of the resorts and had a crab bake. It consists of tons and tons of seafood, which did not sit right in my tummy...but the company and our table being right on the beach made up for all of that!

We did a lot of exploring that had us using our 4-wheel drive, but took us to some pretty remote places that were beautiful!

This view is breathtaking! It is at the top of a road that goes down into a valley where people live. You have to either have 4-wheel drive or you have to walk the couple of miles down. Lot's of people backpack down in and stay a few days. That would be fun!

So this happens ALOT with the twins! They are constantly into something, my makeup mostly. They have been potty trained for a few weeks, which puts them in the bathroom constantly and they do naughty things in there like flood toilets or pee all over, but at least they are potty trained!!

Greg took the boys to UT to hunt and Austy got a bumble bee stuck in his ear. So Greg did what any father would do...he got pliers and got it out! Poor Aust!

Carving pumpkins

Myself, Cathie, Robyn and Anne ran the Zombie 1/2 marathon. I was so worried that it was going to snow, but we couldn't have asked for a more perfect fall day! I was border line pnemonia, but I have a goal of running one 1/2 marathon a year and I hadn't done it this year. So I finished 7 minutes slower than I would've liked, but I mostly contribute that to the hill that was ALMOST the whole last mile. Next year the course goes the opposite direction so for sure I'm doing it :)

The kids at joy school had a little party. They practiced a few songs and performed for the mom's. It turned out so cute...which is a miracle because these kids cannot sit still to learn anything!

Chablis and Merm had a fun "witches night out". We ate yummy food and mostly laughed. Thanks for hosting, Chablis!!

Hunter's 11!!

It doesn't surprise me that he just turned 11...it mostly surprises me because he acts so much older than 11. I have to remind myself he really is still a kid. We got both Hunt & Aust bikes this summer for their birthdays. Austy decided that he wanted Hunter to have something to open for his birthday. So I took him to the store and he chose out a lego set for $35...using his own money. I tried to tell him that Hunter probably didn't need something so expensive, but he wanted to get it for him. He couldn't wait for Hunter to open it. I thought that was really sweet.

Austin's Baptism

Austy turned eight in July, but because of schedule's he was finally baptized the first Saturday in October, by his father. Way to choose the right, Aust!!

All six of us

Austin and Carter (they have a love/hate relationship, but are best of friends)

All the men in my life!

Austy and his dad

school pictures

HUNTER

Hunter is usually my peacekeeper...although keep in mind he is a boy and he is just turning 11, so he's also the instigator. He's usually the one that is trying to do what's right in our family. On a busy night (most nights are) the kids were all going to bed at different times and when I went in to kiss the boys good night, Hunter invited myself and dad to his and Austy's goodnight prayers. I'm glad that he has such a special spirit...someone's got to have it in this household! Greg can't stand to watch him play sports because he's like me, we both try hard, but it's not a passion for us. He loves everybody, and is a pretty-well rounded kid. He loves to hunt with his dad and has a mature personality, it sometimes gets on my nerves, but I love the kid!

AUSTIN

Austin just started taking piano lessons a few weeks ago and LOVES it. You never know with him what he's going to love and just kind of like. He's got a very sweet heart for little kids and animals. I love this picture of him because it is his personality completely. He doesn't let people persuade him into anything, he does whatever he wants to do. He's not a pleaser but he still wants to do what's right. It's fun to go one-on-one with him and see him dancing in the car when he thinks your not looking...love him!

RYDER

He's my sneeky child. He's earned the title "check his pockets" whenever we are leaving somewhere. He has a talent of stuffing his pockets to the max. Things that I never think will fit into his pockets end up in his pocket. He's always got a sway of his head, like a he's got some sort of song in his head at all times. He's usually the instigator of all sorts of mischief...mostly sneaking into my make-up and snacks. His picture is also perfect for him. He did not want to smile for the camera, so this half smile will do. He's always got on some superhero costume. Love the kid!

PEYTON

Peyton is our jokester! He's always making us laugh. If I try to kiss him he acts like he's going to kiss me back, but he licks me instead. We are potty training both boys and he makes jokes out of everything...needless to say it's a challenge to take him serious. He is my only child that constantly tells me he loves me. He has so much energy and seems to bounce off the walls. When it was time for pictures he walked right up to the chair sat down and started smiling, even before the camera lady was ready. Super cute kid...and of course I love him!!