Hawaii Day 2: Temple

On Day 2, we went to PCC but visited the temple while we waited for it to open.  

It's such a beautiful place.    

 

 

We are missing a kid in this "family picture" but you can see her feet if you look close.

Hawaii Day1.

I was determined to get us all to Hawaii this year, preferably before Chase turned 2 and we had to buy 6 plane tickets.  Last time we were there we had 3 babies and now those 3 are competent swimmers who love the beach and do well on trips...Hence the reason I knew we were ready for a return trip!  I searched the Internet multiple times and one day I found reasonable airfare for 1 week in March...YES! So off to Oahu we went with Grandma and Grandpa J. 

 The kids all have their own suitcases...Chase was feeling a bit left out so he pulled Andy's backpack around the airport.

The 1st day and most of the days that week were spent at Waikiki Beach. 
Warm water, easy waves, perfect weather = Paradise!

The kids loved the water!  They would play for hours everyday.  Once in awhile they would come up to our spot on the beach, Grandma J would think they were done playing but they were just getting a sand toy of some sort and they would head back out.  Total fish! 

 The 1st day Chase fell asleep cuddling with me while in the water.

 

He quickly learned that naps were going to be taken on the beach so everyday when he was ready he would get his paci, put a towel over his head and cuddle with Mom or Dad. He would sleep a good 2+ hours which was nice for everyone involved.  

Had to do the math but I am 34 now.

 Something happens after you turn 30, you magically forget how old you are.  The calculator confirmed it for me before I wrote this post. My birthday was the day before we left for Hawaii..not too shabby.  Tyler invited friends over and cooked for everyone.  It was a fun little get together.

 Our friend makes amazing cakes and she did this one for us.

 

I got lots of help blowing out the candles.

Yellow Belt!

Andy has been enjoying Tae Kwon Do this year.  In March he tested for his yellow belt.  He did great!

 I think he was pretty shocked that he actually broke a board with his foot.  After his group sat down with their boards all the kids kept talking about it and holding the 2 pieces together.  

They all thought it was pretty neat.

 

 He did end up with a bruised and hurt toe for a week. 

I was emotional watching him on this day.  He seemed so grown up.  He knew all his kicks and exactly what to do.  He showed respect for his instructors and to the sport.  It was pretty awesome to watch. 

Brian Head Utah

We were off track in March and we started the break with a trip to meet my mom and Trisha at our timeshare in Brian Head Utah.  1st thing we did when we got there was put the indoor pool to use. It required us to walk through the snow to get there hence the reason for our outfits except for Andy.  That kid would never survive living in a cold place where he couldn't wear shorts and flip flops all the time. Combination of hot tub, indoor pool air, elevation and dehydration resulted in my 1st passing out episode. Luckily Tyler was standing behind me so I didn't hit the ground.  Good Job babe! 

The 1st day there it was snowy and cold.  We did venture out but it didn't last long. No matter how bundled up we were, we couldn't stay warm and occasionally a glove would fall off.  Once the hands were cold, it was all over.  Chase lasted a good 5 minutes I think.  He did enjoy being pulled on the sled though and it was easier than holding him with all the snow clothes on.

 Taylor and Ash thought it would be fun to go hiking through the snow that came up to their tummies. Andy tried to keep up with his crazy adventurous no fear sisters.

 Thankfully the next day was beautiful.  We signed the kids up for snowboarding and ski camp.  I was SO nervous. It was an all day thing.  We were supposed to drop them and pick them up in the afternoon. I was so worried they would hate it, that it was going to be too long of a day, that they would fall and get hurt and just want to be DONE. Boy was I ever wrong.  They loved it!  The ski resort was empty so the kids received private lessons.  They totally exceeded my expectations.   

 How cute is this little snowboarder.

 After only about a 5 minute instruction her instructor took her on the lift.  Are you kidding me, I was freaking out.

 But apparently I didn't need to. She rocked it! 

 At one point my mom, Trisha and I were at the bottom of the hill watching and Taylor came flying down the hill, smiling at us. We all started freaking out envisioning her eating it. We started saying "Taylor stop, Taylor stop!"  She did, like it was nothing. Her instructor said he was so nervous.  She purposely got in front of him and just took off.  I love her fearless side but it makes me a little nervous.

 Andy and Ashlyn were so funny.  Ashlyn had a smile on her face the whole time.

 Instruction time.

 Looking pretty good.

 Let's go on the lift....Are you kidding me?

 But once again I didn't have to worry.  They did so good.  You always knew when they were coming down because they would be screaming and laughing the whole way down.  It was awesome!

 Hot Chocolate was a must have. 

We were so impressed with Cannon who went skiing with his dad and did awesome.  Check out his shirt...we learned that Cannon was soon to be a big brother! Yay for the Jacobsons!

 More pool time.

 The kids sure LOVE Cannon!

 The last day we had to head home and couldn't stay all day so we did some tubing.  The kids loved it.  They were able to do it all by themselves and the faster the better.  The workers said I could let Chase go down but he had to go alone.  Little ones do it all the time he said...RIGHT?! He was content to be hooked up to this carousel thing.

Such a fun fun trip that I hope can become a tradition.

2nd Grade Field Trip, Betsy Ross, and Crazy Hair.

 I got to attend Taylor's 2nd grade field trip this year to the Discovery Science Center. I'm too panicked to let her go on a bus on the freeway without me.   A little over protective???  YES!  Thankfully a mom that was supposed to go couldn't so I was able to.  Whew! 

Taylor was Betsy Ross for her class hero project.  She had to dress up in costume, act like her hero and give a presentation to the other 2nd grade classes.  She always amazes me with her memory and her complete confidence to present in front of a group. All O+'s this year for oral presentations!

 Having fun with crazy hair day!