Hanakapi`ai Trail

This trail is the beginining of the Kalalau Trail, but doesn't go to the very dangerous part. You can go 2 miles, to the beach or do 4 to the Falls. We would have liked to make it to the beach, but Mad wasn't having it. Next time, we'll get a better carrier for her. The older 2 were troopers, though and wanted to keep going. This trail is breath-taking. So insanely beautiful and we can't wait to go again!

A

The best way to cool down after a hot hike is by jumping into a nice cool ocean!

Baby #4...

is due February 10th!!! Since the last 2 came at 37 weeks we're thinking it might be the end of January, though. Everything is looking really well and the baby was moving so much even the Dr. commented on it. And no, I hadn't been binging on cookies or drinking caffeine. It's just a little jumping bean. We are all very excited and I will be very happy when my morning sickness passes, which seems to be getting worse the last several weeks. I am very grateful for it though, because I was never sick with the babies I miscarried. It has been reassuring in it's uncomfortableness.

Na Pali catamaran with Nana

My Mom was able to come and help babysit my kids for 2 days while I was in Montana and Spencer was on the Big Island for youth conference. Obviously after that, we played. She has been writing a book and going on a catamaran trip was part of the story so she needed to go for research. After the insanity of the trip we took with the kids a few months back, it was decided that just Nana, me and Sienna would go this time.

It was amazing. The weather was great and we actually got to see the Na Pali coast. So breath-takingly beautiful! The 3 of us got to snorkel in crystal clear waters. We even saw a white-tip reef shark (not to be confused with white-tip sharks). It was small and mellow, but still cool to see. I panicked for about 1 second when I saw the tail fin at the bottom, but then I realized it would be too small to do much damage. It was nice to know I wouldn't have a heart attack and die of fear. I can be rational and think. It was the perfect day.

We were so tired by the ride home!

May Day

I am forever behind, as always. Here in Hawaii, the Elementary Schools have May Day celebrations, but not necessarily on May 1st. It was on the 22nd this year. I'm not quite sure how it works, but it is a big deal. It was pretty chilly and rainy, but the kids did such great jobs on their performances. I don't have many pictures of Sienna because it was crowded and I couldn't really get to her. But she was beautiful during her dance.

Montana

I was very lucky to be able to attend one of my best friends' wedding in Montana on June 5th. Spencer was attending Youth Conference in Kona while I was there, so we helped my Mom come and watch the kids for the day and a half we would both be gone. Denise and I met while we were room-mates right after High Schoo, right before Spencer and I got marriedl. I am so fortunate to have her in my life because we have an amazing friendship and I don't know what I would do without her. We call each other 'sister' because there truly is no other word to describe our friendship.

Right after I flew in I was also able to visit with Shanna, my step-sister, who I hadn't seen in about 6 years. It was amazing getting to talk with her again in person after all that time and catch up. I am so grateful for it. The trip was a whirlwind, with almost no time to do anything besides attend the wedding, but I am happy I was able to be there for Denise's special day. I don't have many pictures of her and Shawn together, but he is amazing and treats her the way she deserves. I am so happy for her.

Me and Shanna in Wolf Creek

Denise and the Matrons of Honor

Old School friends/bridesmaids

I got to give the toast, which just means I made myself and Denise cry

Denise and Tyse

I thought it was cute how the little girls stood and watched them dancing.

Philly trip

How to condense this amazing trip! I had the awesome opportunity to go to Philadelphia for 10 days to help care for my sister-in-law's children after she had her 4th c-section at the end of April. I cannot even begin to express how much I was helped on this trip, which I know sounds weird since I went there to help. I feel so much closer to Jeff, Janell, their beautiful kids, and I am so grateful that they let me come to serve them. Janell is a fantastic mother and even with all the chaos and the hard times, she was amazing and made me want to be more like her. I came back a better person because of this trip and I can never thank them enough (THANK YOU!!!)

I was able to see Ethan at a t-ball game, we went to the Philadelphia Zoo, watched the kids dance around, cut some hair, (which I especially love to do since Jeff was living with us when I first went to hair school and he was one of my first guinea pigs) and snuggle a yummy, adorable baby boy. I am thankful for having this amazing family in our lives. Love ya Gregerson Gang!!

Mr. E's game

Cutting Hay-bay's hair

Naked popsicle fun on a very hot day

Jeff and the gorgeous Baby Chase

Dancing around to some awesome tunes

At the Zoo

We're missing Brookie because she was sleeping. She reminded me so much of Mad!

Easter

Wow! I am so behind. I didn't even realize I hadn't posted about Easter. Silly me. Well, first I have to say how much I love this holiday. I love knowing that my Savior died to save me, but even more than that, I am so grateful to know He lives!!! It is such a gift and blessing in my life to have this knowledge and I thank Heavenly Father daily for it. Getting to hear General Conference that day was extra special; hearing the words of the latter day prophet while celebrating the Savior's resurrection was amazing.

On the secular side of the holiday, it was different, as I am sure all holidays will be while we are apart from our families. Having spent every holiday of my life with them and just now being away these last few months is a hard thing some days. We are supposed to be here, though and I am so grateful that we are. It is such an amazing gift for our family. We are so blessed with great friends and had them over to celebrate the holiday. I don't have a lot of great pictures, but here are the few I did take.

Mad and Baby Shay

North Shore trip

Since it would be at least a grand to fly the 5 of us to even another island, we decided to take a little trip to the North Shore of Kauai and see what is here around us. It's about an hour from our house, but staying somewhere else and relaxing made it feel like a real vacation. We played in the awesome pools at the hotel, even when it was a little chilly and raining. We went to the beach, as usual. We drove as far as you can on the highway and thought about trying a new beach, but they seemed too rough or hard to get to, so we went back to Hanalei, one of our favorites.

We did walk along the beach at Lumaha`i, but there was no way I was letting anyone near that water. It's nicknamed "Lumadie" because it is one of the top 2 most dangerous beaches on Kauai. It was cool to see though because it's where the scene in 'South Pacific' was filmed with her washing "that man right out of her hair". It is extremely beautiful. We also explored the Dry Cave, but not the 2 Wet Caves yet. We'll get around to that someday. There are so many things to do and to explore. We have barely touched the surface. I can't wait to see more!

Surfing

Warning: there are a million pictures of me, from the back. Sorry!

There will be more pictures of our trip, but while we were up on the North Shore (Princeville), I decided to take a surfing lesson. I have tried stand-up paddle boarding which is awesome, but I had really been dying to try surfing. There is a company right by our favorite place at Hanalei and I kept seeing a bunch of people out in the water. It was a pretty calm day, just enough surf to be perfect to learn on. I broke down and got the lesson and it was honestly one of the coolest things I have ever done! I cannot wait until I get another chance to get out and practice. Luckily the bay closest to us tends to have great beginner waves.

Pretty much all the pictures Spencer took of me were from the back, so obviously not the most attractive pictures. But, I work out, I am strong and I got up on the first try, and pretty much never had a hard time after. The board was really big, which helps, but the teacher said I should start practicing with a smaller board, because he thought I could do it. Now the searching on Craigslist for the right board begins...

Paddling out

Talking about how to watch the water and see what it is doing

Starting to paddle before the wave

Getting up

I wish I had some pictures of me standing up more, but I am glad Spencer took the pictures so I have something to document this awesome learning experience.

A few thoughts on Hawaii-updated

There are always things running through my mind about Hawaii; things I love and things that really drive me crazy. I wanted to share a few while I am thinking about it.

Slippers: that's what we call flip-flops. I love it!
Radio birthday calls: every morning on the main radio station people call in and say happy birthday to friends and family. They spend a lot of time doing this and I think it's really cute.
School Zone speed limits: The speed limit is 15 miles per hour, which is fine, but it's not very clear where the speed limit covers exactly. Sometimes there are signs that just say the speed limit is 15 mph, (like all the time?), but other ones say it is when school is in from 7-3, and others say 'where children are present'. There is also not a clear end to the zone, unless it's the next posted sign which is a half mile after the last crosswalk. I am always so paranoid that I will drive too fast, but I don't want people to hate me for going 15 when I don't have to. Annoying!
Turning lanes: For some reason, it seems like the Kaua`ians aren't too fond of turning lanes. So even though there are only 60,000 or so people that live here, there are a lot of traffic issues. The main highway is only 2 lanes so if you need to turn left, people behind you have to wait forever. So stressful!
Keiki: (pronounced kay-key) I know I mentioned this before, but I still have to share. This means little child and I just think it is so cute sounding. We call Mad our little Keiki all the time.
Kama`aina rates: this is a discounted price for people that live on the island. Some things are only slightly discounted, but others, like golf, can be really cheap. Spencer still needs to go get his driver's license so he can get out and golf. His brother, Jeff, bugs him all the time about it. :)We're really grateful we don't have to pay full tourist rates very often.
Aunties and Uncles: This is one of my very favorites. Basically any adult woman is an auntie and adult man is an uncle to pretty much anyone else. The kids will call me Auntie Erin or even kids I don't know will call me auntie to get my attention. Spence and I have been lazy about having our children call their aunts/uncles with the title first, like Uncle Dave, but it's definitely something we will do now. Except friends, ward members, neighbors will all be aunties and uncles too! Love, love, love it!

That's all I can think of right now. I'll post again when I come up with some more.