Last night around midnight Jeremy and I were awoken by the the water being turned on in the boy's bathroom. I got up to see what was going on to find Riley in the tub with his pajamas on. When I asked him what he was doing his reply was "I just felt like taking a bath". I am not sure if he was sleep walking, or bathing, or if the urge to take a bath was so strong that there was no time to take his p.j.'s off either way I am glad I am a light sleeper.
We are so fortunate to have Lorenzo is the ABA therapy program that we do. They are AWESOME!!!!!! Nearly every weekend they have some sort of adventure planned. A few weeks ago it was ice skating then paddle boarding and today it was kayaking. Lorenzo was having one of his days but warmed up quickly. He loves one of the skills trainers (pictured in numerous shots with Lorenzo) and if anyone can get Lorenzo out of his funk it is Mr. Matt. Riley missed out on kayaking today because he had a sleep over at school for student council. Yes you heard me right, I think it is a bit strange but maybe it is just because we never did things like that when I was in school. We missed him but he had a ton of fun at school. 
Here is Riley's first attempts at surfing. he only wiped out a few times and I think the instructor fell off the board twice. He loved it. Aces hooked up with this awesome organization that takes kids (and adults) who have disabilities surfing. It was so much fun to see all of these people out there helping each other. They are awesome, they even took Riley so he would not feel left out.
Well summer vacation has come and gone here. The kids went back to school today (with the exception of Liam, he starts Tuesday) and the house was quiet without them. It was nice for a while but I have a feeling I am really going to miss them during the day especially since Jeremy is gone.
Lorenzo had a wonderful day with minimal crying and was super happy when I picked him up. That always puts me in a good mood. Riley loves his new teacher and is excited about a bunch of the new classroom policy's they have lol.
I also thought I had better put up some pictures from Liam's birthday. Jeremy this is for you! We missed not having your harmonies :( We love you!
I love you! Happy Anniversary! from Briana Ward on Vimeo.
Here are a few pictures of the wands we made last week. Lorenzo has become obsessed, I have been making wands all week. He is coming up with the designs and it has been my job to make it. he about flipped out when he discovered he had left his favorite wand at the store while we were school shopping but what a relief to be able to tell him "that's ok, we can go home and make more".
My brother Zach came out for a visit last Monday and we have been having a good old time. For those of you who do not know my brother he is really in shape (he is a personal trainer) and he wanted to do a lot of the trails and hikes out here.
We started out his visit with a 4 mile run and a little work out at the park we have so lovingly named the bum park (don't ask). He tried to convince me to go with him when he hiked up Olomana also known as Hawaii's Matter Horn, I had to pass on this as I was sure I would not make it and would end up ruining his hike, lol.
We did a few smaller trails out here with the kids and then today decided to do Diamond Head, which we have done many times, and Koko Head Crater. Diamond Head is not a big deal and is quite an easy hike. We just had Riley and Liam and they both did great. We then went over to Koko Head and let me just say that it kicked my butt! I have driven by it many times and never thought it looked that difficult but that was because i was no ON it. It is a strait climb up about 1200 stairs. Well I am not sure if you can really call them stairs. They are railroad ties and it is quite steep and more like straddling 3 steps at a time. Riley went first and Zach went behind him to keep an eye on him. I was with Liam taking up the rear and thought we would be fine. let's just say that I got to watch my awesome brother climb the whole way with Liam on his back. Zach even came back a couple of times at the beginning to help me with Liam. There is a section of bridge that is a bit intimidating, the railroad ties go across a gulch of maybe 15-20 feet and a lot of the ties are not in very good condition or are missing. Zach managed it with Liam and I held my breath the entire way. The views from the top were amazing, much better then the views from Diamond Head. My legs feel ok now but I bet I am going to be feeling it in the morning.
He leaves tonight and we are going to miss him, but I am glad my body is going to have a chance to rest :)
Here are a few pictures I had to take of the web as i forgot my camera every place we went. (Those who don't know, I am terrible at remembering to bring it)
Make an awesome Harry Potter wand from a sheet of paper and glue gun glue - More DIY How To Projects
This is what the kids and I have been doing today. Lorenzo about had a melt down when the only paint choices I had were pink, blue and red but luckily our wonderful friends down the street had some more wand like colors. Ours are out drying in the garage, but I will be sure to post how they turned out!
A million thanks to whomever posted this!!!!! Lorenzo has had a chopstick in his had for over a month now, it really has just become an extension of his arm, this is so much better!!!!!
The date on the photo's below is obviously wrong. I will have to tell my dad he needs to go in and fix that lol. Honest these really are pictures from the last few days, I promise!
Dear Jeremy,
We have missed you so much the last few weeks. We figure 3 sundays down only 12 or so more to go (fingers crossed).
We have missed all of your obnoxious jokes and even some (I said some) of your teasing. Most of all we miss not being able to talk to you. We miss the sound of your voice and hearing your unique laugh. We are sad that the ship can't get skype to work and love the few email's that you have been able to send. We hope you will be able to write more.
Here is a little update on what has been going on at home.
We have had a packed visit with my dad. He has been out here the last 10 days and we have tried to fit in a lot of sightseeing into our schedule.
His first full day out here we went miniature golfing and these are the before pictures 
Here are the after....
He fell off the kiddie ride (while it was stopped) and that ended his great day. Afterwards he told me he never wanted to go miniature golfing again.
We went to Koaloa Farms and Beach with Lorenzo's ACES calss on Saturday. Lorenzo not only played in the sand, he got in the water and ok, this is the big one, he put his head in!!!! Needless to say this was a great trip!!! He was able to go kayaking and then they went across the way to the farm. he had so much fun, so did the rest of us, we were glad we got to tag along. (side note, good motivation for loosing a few lb's is looking at candid beach pictures of yourself eek! Zach says it is all the garlic butter hot dogs and he is probably right.)
Here are a few other random shots from the week.
If you are wondering what that is on Tink's head it is a cool whip container. She would not stop inching her back so we had to put the collar of shame on her. She also went missing last week and I left the door leading out to the garage open because Riley was taking a nap in the car and she managed to hop up in the car with him and take a little snooze with him. I still do not know how she got up in the car.
Well we hope you are not sea sick and that the time is going by quickly. We miss you and will take lot's of pictures to keep you updated. WE love you!!! Be safe :)
Love the Fam
