Trying to catch up

I realize I haven't blogged in a very long time and we've had many trips with hundreds (not exaggerating!) of pictures to post. I'll get there eventually...my goal was this week, but more likely it'll be next week. Here's a few events I needed to post about before starting on our WA/CA/Disneyland trip.

While at Target one afternoon, it was quickly approaching nap time and Zachary was, as usual, hating the entire shopping experience and making it very unpleasant for everyone around us. I scanned the aisle we were in and grabbed some monster truck stickers which he promptly latched onto and we ended up purchasing. On the way home, he fell asleep clutching the stickers and when I transferred him to his crib he continued to hang on to them. I snuck back in to snap the picture of his "BEBE" in one hand and the stickers in the other .

Here's a video of Zach singing his ABC's and this video is his donkey kick flip.


Over Memorial Day weekend, we needed to drive to Virginia Beach to pick up some precious cargo. Our good friends down in Jacksonville, FL agreed to transport a ride on Grave Digger monster truck, which we found on craigslist, to VA beach while because they were headed there for a work trip. We knew it wasn't going to fit in my mini-van so we decided to make it a weekend trip and loaded up the boys in Michael's truck. Zach's car seat would only fit in the front which meant that Mikie and I would be riding in the little 1/2 cab. We managed to squeeze in and hit very little traffic so we made great time. To keep them happy we rigged up the DVD player. You can see from the pictures that Mikie had a "front row seat" for his movie and Zachary had to look up a bit.
The screen was seriously less than 10 inches from his face.

Zach's spot wasn't so bad, until the sun started shining right in his eyes.


The beach was the first thing on our list, but I didn't have the camera with us. It was such a pleasant surprise to have both boys enjoy the water this year. We spent a long time holding their hands and jumping as the waves crashed into us. That was my favorite memory and I'm sad I didn't get a single picture of it! After the beach, we had dinner with Carrie & Lenny and the boys and then enjoyed the boys' favorite past time....MINI-GOLF! It was another glow in the dark 3-D course with an ocean theme.

No scary volcano eruptions on hole 18....just a hungry shark.

While we were putting Mikie to bed, Zachary climbed under the covers and snuggled in. I decided to let them stay that way and see what happened when I turned out the light. They talked for a little bit, Zach wiggled around a lot, and Mikie kept telling Zachary to lay still so they could stay in bed together. I gave them 15 minutes and said if he wasn't asleep by then he would have to get in his crib. Well, wouldn't you know that he fell asleep next to his big brother with only 2 minutes to spare. I couldn't leave him there though, because I know I wouldn't get any sleep always worrying if he would fall out of the bed. So, I moved him to his crib and promised Mikie when Zach was older we could try it again. It'll be so fun to go on trips in about 1/2 a year.

The next day was filled with more anticipated fun: 2 more mini-golf courses!

The first pirate themed one was so perfect because Mikie had just finished his Pirates Past Noon Magic Tree House book.

What Michael did at least a half dozen times to retrieve the boys' balls that were "accidentally" dropped into the water.

Course #2 was the Jungle Mini-Golf.

By now it was close to noon and getting very hot! We found the cutest little restaurant only a block away and enjoyed our lunch on their patio. We provided the neighboring tables with a "dinner theater" as we managed to spill not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 glasses of liquid in about a 10 minute span. Thank goodness it was time to head home after that experience!

The next day, after church, we went to the Christian Youth Theater's production of The Little Mermaid. They always do an outstanding job with the set, but the lyrics to every song are almost inaudible.

Mikie really liked the sea horses.

On Memorial Day, Michael's parents, sister and her two kids came down to spend time with us. It was threatening rain all day so we decided to take the kids bowling!

Zachary was so cute, he'd pick out a color of ball, someone would carry it for him, he'd roll it off the ramp, stand there and watch it hit the pins, and then turn around and gallop back to us clapping his hands saying "Yay, Zachary."

Zachary and Grandmommy!

Time for Granddaddy to help Zachary try for a strike.

Hawaii - Day 8 Last Day

We saved one of the boys, favorite activities for our last day in Hawaii: MINI-GOLF! This was actually our first time playing glow in the dark mini-golf with the kids. The course was Hawaiian themed with a little story for each hole. The ocean holes had really neat decorations and made me want to re-do Mikie's mini-golf birthday party. Michael and I think we should open our own mini-golf course once he retires, but I would have to change the theme every year to satisfy my "obsession."

This video captures Mikie's reaction to hole #18:


For our final meal in Hawaii, we took the boys to another one of our favorite places: Bubba Gumps Shrimp Co. The little boats that their meals came in kept them entertained for the whole meal.

All too soon it was time for our vacation to come to an end. So, until the next time the Navy sends us to paradise..................

ALOHA!

Hawaii - Day 7

This was my favorite day on our vacation. We went for a hike in the rain forest at Manoa Falls. I was expecting a lot of whining and fussing but instead was pleasantly surprised by Mikie's enthusiasm and eagerness to explore the paths ahead of him and willingness to cooperate when I asked him to take pictures of each rain forest layer. We didn't have to carry him at all! Zachary was also cooperative even though he was very tired.

1st Level: Forest Floor

Zachary found some blue seeds that were perfectly round ball shaped.
Stream on the forest floor.

Having fun on the forest floor.A perfect hiding place.

They'll never find me here.

Is someone coming?

A giant leaf on the forest floor.

A great spot to take a rest (but not for too long....the mosquitoes were out in full force)

Peek-a-boo, Mikie, we see you!

2nd Level: Understory

Standing on the forest floor with the understory behind him.

Climbing in the understory and pretending to be a lizard with his tongue hanging out.

Zachary in the understory.

A tree tunnel with planks that look like train tracks provided a lot of fun for two choo-choo loving boys!

But it also caused a few frustrations (see video below):

3rd Level: Canopy

My little monkeys in the jungle love to climb.

After about 45 minutes we finally reached Monoa Falls

Good thing Daddy brought the camel back. The boys loved drinking out of the hose.

I think it took us an extra 15 minutes to walk back from the hike because we had to stop every 100 feet for one of them to have a drink.

4th Level: Emergent Layer

Zachary insisted that he wanted to walk all by himself on the way back. The trail wasn't easy and had a lot of exposed roots. This was about the only time I let go of his hand just for the picture.

All that walking tired him out pretty fast!

Look at how huge this plant is!

In case you need another visual reference:

He fell asleep about 10 minutes before we reached the car.

Back to the hotel for a qiuck change and then off to the Hale Koa Luau.

The boys in front of the emu pit (where they roast the pig). See the rug burn on Mikie's head. I told you I wasn't joking!

The YUMMY Kalua Pig!

"Let's Eat!"

Enjoying the hula show.

Video of Poi Ball Twirling:

Hula Dancing:

Mikie has been watching little video clips on National Geographic about ancient sea creatures. We were singing songs on the way to the rain forest and then he started reciting word for word (and tone for tone) what the narrator says on the clips. It's pretty funny to hear words like "Modern" and phrases such as "What is now" come from a four year old. Enjoy the video: