Hawaii 2012!!

We recently returned from an AMAZING trip to Hawaii with our family. AJ and I were away for 11 days and I’m thrilled to say that we not only survived, but we had a blast!

We left on Friday and flew into California. We were lucky enough to spend a day with Pop & Grammy Cory. We went to lunch at Ruby’s on the Huntington pier, walked around Main St. and then went to the park. It was so good to see them- even for a short time.

 

These two couldn't get this thing to work. Leave it to Mom to be the only one to figure it out!

AJ and Grammy walking the pier

AJ gave Pop a run for his money at the playground :)

Silly Pop!

Huntington Beach Pier 10/2012

 

 

 

 

On Sunday morning we all got up early and headed to LAX. No traffic, easy parking, quick shuttle and short security lines at the airport made this trip start off wonderfully! I was grateful to have Grandma and Papa on our flight- I thought I would need them to help out with AJ on this 5 hour flight. Thankfully, AJ was wonderful for the first few hours and then slept for the last 3! It was a quick trip and super easy.

I had been talking to AJ about this trip for months. I feel like he had a really good idea of what we would be doing in Hawaii. He was truly excited to spend time with his family. He LOVES his family so much. It’s so sweet to see the love he has for everyone.

When we got there, we hit Costco (thank you Papa for keeping him entertained while Grandma and I did the shopping) and then headed to our BEAUTIFUL timeshare. We stayed at the Westin Kaanapali Villa’s. We’ve stayed there a few times and it’s fantastic! They have amazing pools with slides, beautiful restaurants, bars, gorgeous views and a quick walk down to the ocean.

Our beach..

From our balcony!

 

Our home for a week!

 

On our trip we did not to make tourist-y type things. We mainly hung by the timeshare pools and the beach. One night we did go to the Old Lahaina Luau- it’s the best! I made the mistake of telling AJ that they cook a pig and then we eat it at the luau. He wasn’t quite sure why they would do that.. And then he really did not want to eat it. But, when I offered him some of my “chicken”, he could not get enough J He loved watching the dancers, but was a little bummed that they didn’t do fire dancing. I think I told him they would be and he was looking forward to that. We had a great time!

The BEST Luau in Maui!

Hang Loose!

With Auntie Kristin and Uncle Matt

With Grandma and Papa

Matt & Kristin

The group!

 

We spent a lot of time in the water. The timeshare has 2 pools that we spent a ton of time at. AJ’s favorite pool was the pirate ship pool of course! This pool was awesome! It was very shallow and had a pirate ship in the middle of it so kids could go down slides on it, play with the fake cannons throw balls around and just have fun together. We were there most days J AJ was really good about finding new friends to play with each day. Also, right by the pool there was a small playground that he enjoyed too. The other pool was more of an adult or older kid pool for the most part. There was a kid section but no fun toys to play with- or a bigger section with a slide, but he didn’t want to do that.

SUCH a fun pirate pool!

He met tons of new friends

Such a cool playground!

He met some great little boys he and had such a good time with them!

 

We also spent a lot of time in the ocean! I was INCREDIBLY proud of how brave AJ was this entire trip. The first morning he and Papa went out to the ocean and just played around

I was incredibly proud that he went out there on our first morning. It doesn't look too far out, but he can't touch

We rented snorkel gear and I took AJ out many times with me. He never “snorkeled” but he did go out on a raft a number of times- a few times to the very end of Black Rock and he was never afraid. I tried so hard to get him to put his face in the water with a mask, but he was afraid. He did tell me he could see some of the things I saw- a few bat rays, turtles and tons of fish! It’s so clear in Hawaii that I think he probably did see!

Uncle Matt jumping off Black Rock

 

AJ also learned to body surf! I was soooo impressed! We would go out just past the shore break and when a wave came, he would ride it in. Over and over and over! He loved it! One time Matt was in there with him and they were playing “dolphin”. It was so cute!

Ready to ride the wave!

GO!!!

 

Each day, Matt, AJ and Papa made sand castles. And each day they got bigger and bigger! AJ loved that they were a “guys club” and that this was only for the guys to do. The girls were pretty happy laying on the beach watching J One morning the “guys club” went to a blow hole together and they had fun!

1st sand castle

Hard at work!

Waiting for direction from Uncle Matt

Boys club ice cream!

The sand castles got bigger and better every day!

This stuff is hard work!

 

I think this trip, we did many things right. AJ napped everyday which made life easier on everyone. He was exhausted and because we knew we would be staying up late we wanted him to be happy and rested. He typically woke up about 5:30am and while that was earlier than I wanted, it wasn’t NEARLY as early as our last trip. (1:30am most days?) We got into a routine of him watching TV until the sun came up, then we’d sit on the patio and each breakfast, then be at the pool or beach by 8:30 daily J Naps around 1 and BBQ’d dinner by the pool around 6:30.

More random pictures:

Breakfast with Papa

Testing out his snorkel gear (the first and only time he used them)

Happy boy in the sand

One morning we decided to feed the birds on the balcony. At one point, we probably had 50 birds!

AJ found this adorable girl to play with one day

They had such a fun time! She really helped him be more brave in the water.

AJ and I went to the Banyan Tree one morning. We also went to see the little pigs on Front St., but sadly their weren't any that day..

Front St. Lahaina

Uncle Matt is SO silly!

Cooling off in the pool with Grandma

Matt & Grandma

The last day hangin with Papa

 

AJ's First Soccer Party!

AJ and his buddy Luke

Us 3- VERY proud of our boy!

With his trophy!

Listening to to Coach Jenn talk about how AJ is such a nice boy, and always so concerned when other team mates fall down. He's such a helper! She really hopes he continues to play in the Spring.

Proud boy!

Take Me Out To The Ball Game!

Out of nowhere, Saturday night, AJ starts singing this. More like yelling. And it was HILARIOUS! I think he did it about 5 more times :)



Root, root, root for the ROCKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Excellent Fall Weekend!

AJ and I had such an amazing weekend. It was truly unforgettable. He was a really great boy, and he was so brave and tried new things. The weather has cooled down a lot and thanks to the change of seasons, our state is just beautiful and full of fun things to do!

On Saturday morning, we decided to attempt to climb Castle Rock. AJ and I drive by it almost daily because it's on our way home and we have talked about climbing it before. I always knew AJ could do it, but he was very into being carried everywhere until not too long ago and there was NO WAY I could or would carry him. Plus, it was a blazing hot summer and I didn't have much desire to be outside, much less hiking in that heat. When I asked him Friday night if he wanted to climb it, I made it very clear that if we did it, I was not carrying him. I told him we didn't have to get to the top, but no matter what, he had to walk. He was cool with that. The climb is really only about 1/2 mile up, but for a 4 year old, it can be quite steep. That morning when we set out, it was only in the high 60's. I packed snacks and water and we headed out.

I am so happy to say that he did the whole thing! He ran and skipped up most of it. We brought a bag with us to pick up any trash we found- we've been doing this a lot lately and we both find it very gratifying. When he picks up trash, I tell him the Earth thanks him- and he does it to me too:) We took a few water breaks, but he never complained or asked to be carried. We looked around from up top, talked about how beautiful the trees are, pointed out places in the city that he would know (his school, Dad's house, our house, the library, etc..). Then we headed down. That part, surprisingly enough was a bit tougher for him. There was a lot of gravel on the trail and he was slipping a lot. He got tired and wanted to be held, but I never did. I can't carry him much at all anymore. He's 40 POUNDS!

About 1/2 way up. Taking a water break and check out the city.

Made it to the top!

Then later than day, we met up with Ki, Dax and Skylar at the park where the boys played, ate lunch and rode bikes for over 2 hours. They had a great time! (see video's in the previous post).

Sunday, we went to our favorite fall place, Anderson Farms! This is our 3rd year and it was just as good. Because we went so early in the season there were not nearly the amount of people there. It was wonderful! No lines! We went with our friends The Zambrano's, and Ki and the boys. The kids did the corn maze, the hay maze, barrel train, tractor to the pumpkin patch, rode bikes in the farm, and took a tractor ride out to see the pumpkin launcher. It was awesome!

Here are some pictures:

Ashlyn, Kellyn, Braylon and AJ headed to the farm!

We made it!

 

Barrel Train!

Children of the Corn

Bike rides!

 

We went on another bike where AJ got to ride in the back and make me do all the work! Was so fun!

Such a beautiful pumpkin patch!

These kids are crazy!

They had a big dance party on here for a while and then all jumped off!

Love us!

The whole group!

He Rides a Bike!

Up until now, AJ hasn't shown much interest in riding a bike. When he was two, his great-grandma Betty got him a Big Wheel, but his legs weren't long enough and he wasn't too interested in learning to ride it. At three, I bought him a Mickey Mouse bike with training wheels and he still really didn't want to ride. I tried to talk him into it, but he rarely would try. At times, I'd bring it to the park across the street (because we don't have a yard, this is where we have to ride) and he said he would ride, but then the playground was more fun for him.

Just last week, I took him to get his own skis and boots to prepare for the upcoming ski season (Because he WILL love skiing!) and that day when we got home he was really into his new helmet. I told him he could use it when he rides his bike too. This seemed to peak his interest. We went outside and he practiced. Of course, he was very unsteady because he hadn't practiced much. I was SUPER proud that he wanted to try and had a great time. I was thrilled he didn't fall. I didn't want him to get hurt of course, but I also wanted him to gain some confidence and keep doing it.

Here's him the first day :





After a while, I realized the bike he has, a 10 inch bike, is just way too small. He can ride it, but I can't raise the seat anymore and because the wheels are so small and seat is so low, he can't start off without a push. He just doesn't have the leg muscles to do it yet. I decided since he was really getting into it- even taking the bike to the park with his buddy Dax and riding it a much longer distance- it was time to get him a bigger bike. We looked many placed this weekend and of course, in Colorado it's really not time to buy a  bike. Therefore, no consignment stores had them and they weren't on sale. UGH! Oh well, I think it was a good investment. This bike is a 14" bike and it is so much easier for him to ride. Check out some videos of him getting better and better on is new Avengers bike :) I am beyond proud!

Biker Boys! (Dax, AJ & Skylar)



Proud boy!

Right before we bought the new bike:




Practicing with his Avengers bike!



Went to the park and he did SO WELL!