"The Mitten" Starring Will

I love that a Kindergartener has no inhibitions about wearing a snowflake headband and playing the part of a dancing snowflake. Will's Kindergarten class did a musical production of the book "The Mitten". So cute! I love having the opportunity to see my kids perform and demonstrate the things or songs they've learned. Each child was supposed to wear mittens. I sent Will to school with one set that he lost and then another set that he left in his backpack. He and his good friend Matthew were the only ones without mittens on. I tried.

Date Night with Will

Last year Eric and I decided to start taking our kids out on some of our date nights. We aren't really regular about getting out on dates so Will's turn didn't come around until 4 or 5 months after Taylor's date night. We hope to get out a little more than that going forward. I still remember very vividly when my parents took just me to an ice skating rink when I was in first grade (leaving behind probably 3 younger sibs at home). That undivided attention from my parents made for such a fun time for me so Eric and I decided to take turns taking our kids out with us. Will choose to go to McDonald's for lunch and Yogi Bear in 3D. We have really enjoyed getting to know our kids better and see them in a different light as they behave differently when they have our full attention.

December in Quick Review

Santa Train Sweethearts Bridger and Reagan
We loved Mrs. Claus.

Santa not so much. Lyndsee didn't want anything to do with the "man in the red suit".


Our first year riding the Santa Train and we all had a good time.

Taylor and Reagan danced in a couple of holiday parades.

Dad and Will waiting for the girl's dance concert to start at Henderson's Winterfest.

Taylor on stage.

Reagan dancing and singing on stage.

We took the kids down to The Bellogio to see their atrium display and to see for the first time the fountain show.

Watching the fountains dance to "O Holy Night"

Reagan did such an impressive job decorating her gingerbread cookie she made at Jasper's party that I had to take a picture.

We enjoyed spending this Christmas at Nana and Papa's house.

New jammies all around!

One of the highlights of our Christmas season was the live nativity put on by the Red Rock Stake. I wish I had brought my camera. It was far more amazing than I anticipated. It was a short but poignant production and helped my kids have a better understanding of why we celebrate Christmas. I look forward to taking my family to this again next year.

Day 8 - The Last Day

Today we would get up, get ready, and move out. We checked out of our condo this morning before venturing out for the day. Since our plane wasn't leaving until 10:00 that night, we still had plenty of day in which to take in the sights. So we headed up to Maui's Upcountry stopping for breakfast at the Kula Lodge. I had macadamia nut pancakes with coconut syrup. Yum!

The view from our breakfast stop.

Merry Christmas from Maui! Taylor is posing next to a big poinsettia bush in front of the lodge.

After breakfast, we continued to climb upwards winding our way up Haleakala Volcano.

Lyndsee and Papa
We stopped and got out to hike above the clouds.

Daddy and Reagan

Will and Mommy

Taylor at the volcanic overlook.
The sights were amazing at over 10,000 feet in elevation.

Later that night we would fly home on the most miserable flight of my life. When I was younger, the plane ride was always part of the fun of going on vacation. I feel less and less invincible the older I get which translates into a nervous wreck in a flight with any amount of turbulence. It doesn't help when its the middle of the night and we're flying over a vast ocean below or the flight starts with the plane losing its power, the engine shutting off and the lights in the cabin leaving things pitch dark with no explanation before they start the plane again and take off. It also makes it worse that I can't sleep even though its 2am and my kids are restless around me--Reagan crying out uncontrollably at times while my husband sleeps like a baby. He's used to flying. We had a layover in LA at 5am and finally arrived home in Las Vegas at 9am Wednesday morning.

Despite the sour note the trip ended on (only because of my paranoia), we had a marvelous time on Maui and I would recommend if you have the means (sky miles and lodging in our case) to go--do it! And don't think you can't take your kids. It was every bit a family destination as a romantic hotspot. And for those that wonder if their young kids would appreciate such a trip, Taylor told us each day we were in Hawaii how much she loved being there and how happy she was we took her with us. She and Will both continue to write about the trip in their school assignments and I know the things they experienced there will stay with them for a long time to come. The memories made may fade because they are young but the time together as a family will leave an everlasting impact for good. I can't wait until the next family adventure!

Day 7 - Day at the Beach

Today we stayed close to home (our condo where we were staying at) and spent time at the beach and pool. We never get very many pictures when we go swimming because we are either wet or sandy. Here are a few that we did manage to take that day.

Lyndsee's sandy piggies

A good reason to bring beach chairs next time.

Styrofoam coolers don't hold up when you sit on them.

Day 6 - Day of Rest (but not really)

It just happened to be Stake Conference on the island of Maui the Sunday we were there and Elder Holland spoke. I liked going to church in Hawaii and anywhere we may travel to as it testifies to me that the Church is true no matter where you go in this world. Many of the members in Maui were wearing there traditional Sunday best which I loved seeing and they seemed totally appreciative of the opportunity to have an apostle of the Lord visit them. I love to hear Elder Holland speak but I must admit that as of late, Eric and I dread Stake Conference because its a 2 hour sacrament meeting with kids. Not fun! However, our kids were actually quite good and we were able to enjoy the spirit of the meeting.

After stake conference, Shannon took us into the Upcountry to see the first LDS meeting house in Maui. She retold miraculous stories from these historic grounds. I really appreciated her knowledge as I didn't even know this chapel existed.

Inside the chapel, my kids can't resist an opportunity to play church.

The whole lot of us in front of the Pulehu Chapel.

After our time at the chapel, we went to Iao Valley State Park where we did some walking amongst the nature trails there learning about the history of this area.

Ioa Needle

We then went to a near-by park where Shannon's family had lunch waiting for us. It was fun to visit and hang out with cousins and their new families (with some adorable babies!) We all enjoyed some down time in Paradise.

Boats and Trains - Day 5

We signed up for a simple boat ride with the Pacific Whale Foundation to take us out on the water but then they decided to consolidate two boats into one. This was exciting news for us because they put us on the snorkeling boat with free equipment and lunch for no additional cost.

Taylor enjoying watching the spinner dolphins right off the front of the boat.

Taylor snorkeling with Daddy.

We weren't sure if our kids would take to snorkeling but figured we would give the older two the chance to try it. I was so surprised and thrilled with how well they did. My chance to go out with Will and let him experience swimming with the fish was priceless! I will never forget what an exciting new discovery it was for him to breathe under water like the fish.

Reagan spent some time on the back of the boat but never got into snorkeling.
Papa and Reagan
On the boat ride back, the kids got to learn more about sea life and animals. They learned and experienced more on this day than they could ever learn in a classroom. We really liked the staff on the boat and attribute them for some of the success we had in getting Taylor and Will out to snorkel. The staff was very accommodating, informative, and genuinely helpful. (I promise they didn't pay me to say that.)

After spending some time visiting our cousins at Shannon's house, we decided to do the Sugar Cane Train which goes right past the back of Shannon's house. Though the kids loved it, I'm not quite sure it was worth the high ticket price.

Taylor

Reagan
Watching the train turn around.
Waving to Shannon and her grandbaby as we rode by on the train. She is standing in her backyard.
All of us on the train. Did I mention how nice it was to have my parents with us on this trip?

That night at cousin Shannon's recommendation. we ate at a restaurant that looks out onto an expensive Luau so that we could watch some of the dancing without the expense. Someday I'll go to a Luau when I don't have my kids in tow so I can actually enjoy it.
These sturdy sandals have had some fun adventures so far!