A Getaway

Seth and I took a little getaway to Kauai to celebrate our 11th anniversary. It was our first time leaving our girls. Yes, we (or maybe just I) were a bit nervous (you should have seen the ridiculously long list of instructions, numbers and contacts I left. Luckily our families know I am neurotic and love me anyway!) , but we were also really excited because we knew our girls would be well loved while we were away! It was the little things I began to anticipate - watching the movie on the airplane, uninterrupted conversation, no strategic nap planning, doing something on a whim, diving or snorkeling together without worry, leisurely dinners, and the list goes on....

The bungalow we stayed that had gotten grandfathered into being literally right on the beach! It was so nice to leave our sliders open on the top floor at night and be lulled to sleep by the crashing of waves! Or run down to the beach with just swim suit and snorkel.

We drove a little red Mustang convertible and had alot of fun just pressing a little button and having the top roll down!

We ate yummy food over leisurely meals with lots of (non kid) conversation!

We snorkeled alot and saw some amazing wildlife including shark, turtles, and lots and lots of fish! And our day of scuba into the caverns was exciting!

We surfed (or at least tried to catch a wave or two).

We paused to take in every glorious sunset.






Ok,now we are just having some giggles and fun with our camera!




Each night the sunsets got better and better! Lasting long after the sun had gone down....

We drove around the island and saw some of the island's beauty.



We walked on the North Beaches with the big surf.

Apparently the North Beaches were not fit for entry!

What a beautiful place.

We enjoyed lounging on our veranda over looking the ocean.

"our beach" right out in front of our bungalow. Most of all, I enjoyed having the gift of giving my husband my undivided attention for 5 whole days. So thank you to all of you who stayed behind and took such loving care of our girls. And thank you Mister for planning such a glorious getaway!

Thanksgiving (and the world's longest post)

Our Thanksgiving festivities were full of wild and woolly fun!

After celebrating a Thanksgiving feast with Josiah's Kindergarten class of soup they had made, bread and cookies....



Josiah and Kaia

We headed to Disneyland!!

Adalie and Papa looking up excitedly at Dumbo!

Josiah chose the pink Dumbo for her and I, a perfect fit for our girl who likes all things pink and pretty.

Uncle Jon and Aunt Jen

Adalie and Papa flying.... I guess we should have told Papa who is afraid of heights that Adalie likes to fly high!

Aunt Jen and Josiah (5yrs) waiting in line.

Adalie (3yrs) people watching.



Josiah has always been our girl who will try anything once and if she likes it she will do it again. Although I am sure there will be a time in our lives that we will not like this quality as much, right now it is alot of fun to experience new things with her with very little convincing. Adalie on the other hand takes a bit of convincing. Good thing she has such a sweet sister who encourages her and shows her the ropes.

So, this trip to Disneyland, Adalie had some fears to conquer. The first was Mr. Toads Wild Ride (Daddy's Favorite). The cure, she pointed right back at the Judge who pointed at her.

The second, was The Matterhorn. Her strategy, growl back at the pretend bear whose eyes light up. From the look on her face at the end of the ride, she might not have been so successful with the whole conquering fears thing on this one. But she did note that the bear's arm was broken? and she would like to go again the next time the bear is not in the mountain. Request noted!
Good job being so brave pee-wee!

Mommy and Adalie on Pooh Bear's ride while everyone else rode Splash Mountain.



As fate would have it, Papa got SOAKED from head to foot on Splash Mountain while everyone else stayed relatively dry. Thanx for taking one for the team Papa but too bad it wasn't some other random guy.



The closest Adalie would get to this bear was touching his hand and running while he was distracted with another kid!

Uncle Tay-Tay missed a midterm to meet us in Disneyland... ooohhhh busted!!

But at least there was someone who would spin the teacups fast!

Waiting for the parade.

Front row seats.



One last photo-op.




One last churro.

One last ride.

Disneyland is so much fun to see through the eyes of these little girls!

Tired Sisters

Then off to Shaver for a relaxing few days of turkey eating,

book reading,

cooking,

crafting,







motorcycling,



and family picturing.

Campbell-Taylors, Stewarts, Waltners and Hurts.

Papa CT, Mimi, Grammy and Papa with the girls (5&3yrs)

Uncle Jon and Aunt Jen

Uncle Tay

Daddy and his girlies

The siblings

Papa and the girls

Once again we had alot to be grateful for this year. As we went around the circle Daddy was thankful not only for the provision of the things that are necessary, but a few of the unnecessary too, Mommy was thankful that despite her many flaws she still has a family and a God who love her, Josiah was thankful for the whole world and Adalie was thankful for her family. But the list goes on and on. We have been greatly blessed!