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.

Star Wars fans

Aidan is in love with Star Wars, all of them (except episode 3 which he has only seen through the Lego Star Wars video game because I think it's too dark). At Disneyland he was picked to do the Jedi Training (which will be posted as soon as I find it!) and while we were there he got a double sided light saber light like Darth Maul's. He loves to play with Madelyn. It's always cute, but she was making all these faces while she was fighting him while using the extra big light saber. It was hilarious, especially since she will only wear dresses but was making all these mean faces. I mean, she really will only wear a dress, and occasionally a skirt. She wakes up in the morning and says "I wanna wear a pretty dress", but in a grumpy, angry sort of voice. So funny!

So Tired!

 We came back from camping and everyone took their showers. After a little time, we noticed Aidan was missing. We looked all over and finally found him; behind the door, wrapped in a towel, sleeping! Poor little man was so tired!

Shirley Temple

Madelyn has amazing curls and I took some pictures while they were still perfect. She tends to mess them up! I remember my mom wrapping my hair around the pink styrofoam curlers and she would call me Shirley Temple the next day. I have my own little Shirley, but all she needs is a little leave-in conditioner and it's perfect.

Camping at Polihale

We had the opportunity to go camping with some friends to Polihale. If anyone knows Kauai, it is the farthest you can go to the west before the Na Pali coast. We literally went to the end. It was beautiful. The kids didn't get to play in the water because there is no reef protecting the area and it has very dangerous currents most of the time. It was insanely windy the first day, but we found a spot somewhat sheltered and made the best of it. The next day the weather was perfect. We will definitely go again! The picture at the bottom with the island is Ni`ihau. The island is private; you can only go there if you are invited by someone who lives there. 

Beware! Wound picture

I just had to post this little battle wound I had. I have been in the process of making Aidan a queen size quilt for his bed for months. I decided I really wanted to finish it for him by his birthday, so I was scrambling to get everything done. I was talking to the kids while using my rotary cutter and didn't pay attention to where my thumb was hanging over the edge of the ruler. Those things are sharp! It went right through nail and skin and took off a nice big chunk, literally! We had to go to the Dr. because I couldn't get it to stop bleeding. There is a special powder that will help the blood clot, since there was no skin left to stitch. What a crazy thing to do! At least I will be extra careful where my hands are before I use the cutter!

Aidan's 6th Birthday

Aidan wanted to go to Hanalei Bay for his birthday and jump off the pier again. Unfortunately, it was the day that the tsunami was supposed to hit Hawaii. We were so lucky that nothing really happened. If it had been high tide, there might have been problems, but as it was, Hawaii was safe. Instead of the beach, Aidan got to have friends over and hit a pinata, which is a tradition now in the family. The kids loved it as always. After cake and ice cream, we all traded turns playing Rock Band, which is also a tradition it seems for birthdays. I know he was a little disappointed about missing the beach, but he still ended up having a great birthday.

I just cannot believe that my little baby boy is 6! He has yet to lose a tooth, but he is reading signs and papers everywhere. He loves Star Wars, Lego video games and toys, and the movie Newsies. It is his favorite movie and he loves the music. He walks around all day singing it. He is starting to love baseball and really wants to throw the ball around with Spencer. He is getting pretty good at kicking the soccer ball around too. He is such a sweet, tender-hearted little man and we are so blessed to have him in our family. We love you big boy!

Brennecke's Beach

We love visiting all the different beaches around the island, and I am trying to at least get pictures at all of them. The kids have so much fun and love going. The day was cloudy and overcast and did sprinkle on us for a while but the waves at Brennecke's which can be really rough normally, weren't that day. It was very nice and great for boogie boarding. Sienna was in the water the whole time trying to catch the waves. She is getting better and better. So fun to watch!