Maui 2011

What a fun trip we had to Maui! It was the best family vacation ever. My whole family went, including my parents, and the Gailey family. We enjoyed 10 sunny days together. I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend the beginning of this holiday season. We are truly blessed. It would not have been possible without the generosity of my awesome parents! We love you!!!

While we were in Maui we had many days on the beach just having fun boogie boarding, swimming, snorkeling and soaking up the sun. We also went on a snorkeling excursion where we saw many fish and even a few turtles. One night we went in to Kaanapali and enjoyed a Luau which was awesome. The kids loved it and the food was delicious. We did some exploring and shopping but mainly just took it easy and enjoyed being together as a family. I will always remember the fun we had and I know the kids will too.



I didn't think Brooke would be able to snorkel, but I was sure wrong. She is such a "fish", it didn't take her long to figure it out and I was with her when we saw our first turtle. She was so excited.

Connor enjoyed it all. He was not afraid to try anything and was in the water 24/7!!

Me, grandpa, Kaylee, Cierra and Brooke on the snorkeling boat!

All 13 of us! I'm so blessed we all get along! I love my family!

Connor and Chance snorkeling

Kaylee and Chance

Turtle!!!!! My goal was to see a turtle while we were here and I did it! Yippee!

Kaylee, Brooke and Me!Cierra, Mindy and Shay!My mom and dad:)

Sean, Connor, Kaylee, Jodi, and cousin it! Brooke was back at the condos with grandma.

You can't go to Hawaii and not enjoy some shaved ice. It was yummy!

This tree was amazing. It had so many little trees growing off of it. It was really cool to see.

This was before Brooke knew how to snorkel and she was using a board that had a window so she could see all the fish.Brooke and Sean

The gang!

Brooke and Sean again

Cierra getting ready to head out!

Sean and Connor boogie boarding

relaxing in the warm sun.

We saw more than a few of these around!

Yes, that would be a penguin with Kaylee.

Mindy and Doug at the Luau!

Sean and I at the Luau!

Grandma and Grandpa at the Luau!

The food that was Sooo good!

We loved the fire show. Brooke didn't take her eyes off of it for a minute.

Boogie boarding in a puddle at the beach when the waves were just too big to go in.

This would be the wave that knocked Sean off his boogie board. He hit his head hard on the sand. We are so lucky he didn't do more damage.

This is what it looked like right after it happened. Skip down a few pictures and that is what it looked like the next day. It is pretty much healed now, except a little scar.

We loved the condo pool and was there every day after a long day at the beach.

Fred's was a really good Mexican restaurant where we all went for dinner.

Brooke was a little whiny by day 9. Sher was beyond exhausted!

Here is the aftermath!

Hawaii was amazing. This was my 4th time there but it was Sean and the kids first time. They all loved it. Sean loved the warmth and the smell of all the flowers. We can't wait to go back although it may just be Sean and I next time.

Costco Trip!

I went to Costco with a budget to spend 340.00 on the things I needed. I didn't use a calculator and didn't even add it up it my head. When all was said and done, my total was 340.01. Dang, I'm good!:)

Terrific Kids!

Last week I received two different letters in the mail saying that Cierra and Brooke would be receiving an award at the "Terrific Kids" assembly. Brooke was getting an award for being respectful and Cierra would be getting one for having all of her work turned in on time. I was so proud that they both got an award at the very first assembly of the year. Both of the girls have been doing really well this year and I love both of their teachers.

Brooke and her 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Smith.

Cierra with her friend, Phoebe.

Cierra and her 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Alston.

What a great day to be a mom!!

Halloween 2011

We had a good week leading up to Halloween. We went to a annual Halloween party we go to every year and had a lot of fun. Sean and I were prisoners. Not original, but it worked last minute.

I brought my camera to the party but the battery died. I was so bummed because there were so many awesome costumes. I did get one of Jen and Josh. They looked great as the queen and the Mad Hatter.

Lisa and I didn't plan the duplicate costume but it was fun to match since we will be related in about 10 years when Connor marries her Daughter, Ellie.

We had fun carving pumpkins like every year. Brooke is the only one that needed help so the others went to town. Kaylee even likes to do it still. Hopefully we still have a couple more years to do it all as a family.

This is at our church trunk or treat. Connor had a great time with his friends. Cierra had fun too. Kaylee passed out candy and chose not to wear her costume(zombie princess-which I never got pictures since she only wore it when she was at her dads). It was a sad year for Brooke. She got a fever a few days before and wasn't able to do the trunk or treat or trick or trick on Halloween night. She took it better than me. I was sad for her. I did take her bucket around at the trunk or treat and got candy for her, and her brother and sister were so nice to share.

Connor and Cousin It (Indy)

my 50's girl! (I love this girl!)

checking out the loot and sorting it all!

And Halloween is over for another year!!! I actually made it through Halloween without having one single piece of candy! I was pretty proud of myself since I love candy!