Help Us Settle a Debate

Who does Will most resemble? Incrediboy or Mr. Heatmeiser? Your opinion is a pressing a matter in this house. Halloween may depend on it!

How Many People Can Fit in a Miata?

Evidently, six!
Will had a great time taking Sam and our neighbors, the Robinsons, for a ride! I think he was saying, "Settle down! Don't make me pull this car over."

This weekend we planted a garden. I think we planted a few too many plants for our space, but I am hoping it all works out anyway! If so we should have fresh veggies all summer.
Will was excited about helping

Until...he discovered a worm. At first he was very unsure and even a little afraid of it.

Then his curiosity got the best of him and he let it touch him.

Finally, he decided to carry it around with him, but he never quit saying "EWWWWW"!

Last Day

Today was our last day. We fly home on Saturday. So we decided that we wanted to end our trip by going back to our favorite spot, Lanakai. A walk on the beach with Dad
A little dance on the beach

All wrapped up and ready to go home

Thursday

Thurday morning Beth and I went to see the sunrise on Lanakai Beach. Breathtaking!

Next, we headed out to find the beaches where Lost is filmed.

Then we stopped back by the Polynesian Cultural Center and the boys fished in Tahiti.

Sam was the only one to catch a fish and this one was considered HUGE!

Then they headed over to the village of Hawaii for ukelele lessons

Hanauma Bay

We have no pictures of us today because all the excitement happened underwater. John, Beth, Jake and I had a great time snorkeling at this nature preserve. We did have an underwater camera, but I have to get those pictures developed. We saw every kind of tropical fish you could imagine. From enormous fish to tiny fish. From parrot fish to puffer fish and even the Hawaii state fish the Humu humu nuku nuku apua`a. Say that three times fast! But the best part was the sea turtles. Jake, Beth and I all snorkeled with sea turtles. It was amazing to watch them and swim along side them. This was the most peaceful experience I have ever had, just swimming through the water marveling at the beauty of the underwater world. I can't wait to get back!

Sam and Will stayed on shore. Sam says he is more of a land guy. He used the fish id card and was able to walk through the water and spot many of them. He was totally satisfied.

Tuesday's Adventures: Pearl Harbor and Pali Lookout

The Arizona Memorial
The Arizona is still leaking oil after 67 years. They are know as black tears.

It was an emotional day for everyone

Pali Lookout

It's a little windy there!

The Polynesian Cultural Center

A Hawaiian bath baby
After bathtime we headed to the North Shore for some snorkeling, which was great and then we went to the Polynesian Cultural Center. Everyone had a great time there!
How can this hat look so...well, dorky on one person?

And soooo cute on another?

Learning the Ukelele

In the village of Tonga the John and the boys learned to throw spears. They were all surprisingly good!

Sam won a prize for Grandma

Jake being crowned prince of Tonga

So many exciting things to see! Even the monkey is impressed! We hope to go back tomorrow!

Mother's Day

More Lanakai Beach

I know, I've posted a lot of pictures from this beach. But really, can you blame me? I think I could be content if there was the only place we could go on Oahu.

An Adventure to the North Shore

Saturday afternoon we went to Turtle Beach. There were turtles everywhere, on the shore and in the water! Will was very impressed and wanted to ride one. He cried and cried when the turtle he became attached to turned and swam back into the ocean.

Look closely in the water at the wave and you will see a sea turtle riding the wave.

Jake found a sand crab

This place is famous for shaved ice. It was invented here on Oahu. You can get it with ice cream and sweet beans on the bottom--it's surprisingly good!

Will really loved the shaved ice

But it's soooo cold!

ooooohhhhh!

Another Day at Lanikai Beach

We loved Lanikai Beach so much yesterday that Jake, Sam, Beth and I decided to go back this morning. It was even more amazing today. Like a giant saltwater swimming pool! More like a heated pool since the water is so warm. We are having a hard time pulling ourselves away from this perfect beach, but I think we are going to go explore the North Shore today.

Beth found a great reading spot!

Hawaii Day One

Yesterday was a fabulous day! We played on a breath taking beach, took a walk to a spitting cave where we also saw a sea turtle swimming and John and the boys saw sharks. We also found some tide pools which everyone enjoyed. We are having a great time!
Lanikai Beach
Tide pools at Sandy Beach

A sea turtle off the cliffs at the spitting cave

Life is good!

Sam's Confirmation and First Holy Communion

Yesterday Sam received the sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Communion. It was a lovely day and we were so proud of Sam. He worked very hard to prepare for these sacraments. He put together a wonderful scrapbook of his studies so he could remember everything he learned. It is something he will treasure forever. Just like John and I will forever treasure the memory of watching him receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the body of Christ for the first time. Neither of us could keep a dry eye. After he was confirmed and sealed with the Holy Chrism, I gave him a kiss. The smell of the Chrism lingered, and throughout the day I was reminded that just as the smell of the Chrism Sam received spread to me, we do indeed spread the mercy and grace of God to one another. It will be a privilege for John and I to watch Sam answer the Lord's call and spread the fragrance of Christ wherever he goes.

Hawaii

We are all very excited around our house because on Wednesday we leave for a vacation in Hawaii! We are exchanging homes with a lovely couple in Kailua, Oahu for ten days. When we decided to go on this trip we put aside our early American History studies for a while so we could learn all about Hawaii. The boys have been enjoying their studies of Polynesian culture and they especially liked making a salt dough map of the Hawaiian Islands. Even Will wanted in on the act. Stay tuned later this week for more pictures from Hawaii!

Just a Swingin'

John got Will a swing last week and boy does he LOVE it! He calls it his whee. He will stare out the window and look down at the playset and yell, "WHEEE!" In fact, all of the boys have a great time swinging and playing together!
Will especially likes for Jake to do underdog with him!

Just don't try and take him out of the swing. He throws quite the fit! I think he would swing all day if we let him!