Hawaii

 We had a wonderful time in Hawaii!  Once we got there, we began to forget about the horrors of the plane ride with Cade, and were instantly able to relax.  (It wasn't that Cade was outright naughty, but he would not sleep in my lap, got overtired from missing 2 naps, and is loud to begin with.) The kids did shockingly well with the 4 hour time change, and everyone slept great a nights!  Sophie was so excited to be in the warm weather and by a pool that she wanted to swim all day everyday.  We usually persuaded her to wait to get in the water till after breakfast.

 Sophie got braver each time she got in the water, until she was doing running leaps into the pool.

 In Maui, we took a ride on the Sugar Cane Train.

 Sophie Loves Thomas the Train, so she was excited! The first half was a lot of fun!  She watched from her window the entire time and was thrilled to be on a real train.  The second half was hot, the kids were hungry and tired- so not so fun. We were excited to get off.

 Sophie had been to the Oregon coast before, but never in a warm ocean.  She loved it!

Cade loved the water too!  He didnt however like the salt water and would spit it out.  He also loved putting sand and rocks in his mouth, which is why he had to have his passie in at all times.

Aunt Jen helps Cade swim!  We loved having extra hands around!

 Sophie learned the time honored tradition of jumping waves.

 It was hard to tell who enjoyed making sand castles more- Carl or Sophie?

 All of us together again!  When everyone lives in different states it is rare that we all get together.

 Sophie loved swimming with Bekah.  Swimming with Bekah helped Sophie learn to use her goggles and dive underwater.

 We took a glass bottom boat ride in Kona.  This was a great way for the kids to get a "snorkling" experience.

 Sophie followed Bekah everywhere and did everything she did.  We are at the open air market in Kona where we got the best produce I have ever tasted!  It was amazing!!

Nana and all her grandkids. Even though it was hard for all of us to get to Hawaii, I am grateful that we did it and now have the great memories!  We would love to go back, but maybe when the kids are a little older and can experience all that Hawaii has to offer.