We're back!!

We were able to spend 4 days on the Big Island and I can honestly say that it was one of the best vacations I have ever had. We stayed at the Kilauea Military Camp that is right in the Volcano National Forest and is so spectacular!!!! We had a 2 bedroom cabin with fire place and kitchen and the kids had almost as much fun in their "new home" as they did touring the volcano.

We saw some breath taking waterfalls and beautiful tropical forests, we spent an afternoon on one of the black sand beaches were we saw sea turtles and 2 humpback whales really close to shore jumping and playing in the water (AMAZING!!!!) We spent a day in Kona and Waikaloa at the Hilton for my cousins wedding and the kids swam with more turtles and had a lot of fun riding the boats and taking the "train". All in all it was an awsome trip, but I have to say that my favorite part was the volcano. We were able to hike right down into Kilauea crater and walk the lava that erupted for 36 days about 50-60 years ago and took 36 years to cool down. if you look at the pictures, yes I am wearing slippers and a sun dress. Jeremy decided to do it last min. and I was not prepared but I made it down with only one near mishap! The trails were amazing and there was so much to do we could have spent a week just at the volcano. It was well worth it and I am so thankful that we were able to do it! The kids had a blast and Jeremy and I had an equally good time if not better!!!!!

I had trouble uploading these pictures just click the box with the ? to access the photo album, sorry!

fun weekend

Here are some pictures from last Sunday. When we came home from church we found three military helicopters hovering over our back yard. it was really neat. We stood out there and just watched for about 20 min.






We had a fun and full weekend. Everyone but Jeremy and RIley have been fighting off a bad cold but we did not let that keep us down. Friday night Jeremy had a concert that we went to. The kids had a lot of fun running around and Lorenzo met his little Friend whose name is also Lorenzo and it made for a fun night of eating McDonalds, climbing trees and gecko hunting. I am sorry to say that they were not very much interested in the music but oh well. Saturday we went for a family run/bike ride the kids were on bikes and Jeremy and I ran. Jermey and Lorenzo made it 5 miles before they had to turn back and Riley, Liam and I managed a little over 7. This is much better the the 2 we did with them a few weeks ago and the complained the whole ride that they were tired. Later lorenzo and Riley were playing outside when Lorenzo took off a big chunk of his toe so we spent a big part of the afternoon at the doctor (he did not need stitches) and trying to keep him bandaged up. Sunday we all left Church after sacrament so that we would not be sharing our germs with everyone else and I went to the Doctor to get some meds for my sinus infection. All in all it was a fun weekend.

Kenny Rankin: Haven't We Met

Well, last night Jeremy and I had our first date since Olivia was out here last summer. We went out to Dinner at Sam Choy's (very over rated) we passed on the 50.00 a person valentine special and just ordered appetizers . After, we went to see Kenny Rankin in concert. While he did not play with a combo, and we missed that, it was still very good. He is a very talented singer. We were able to meet him before the concert began and to tell you the truth I would never have been able to pick him out of a crowd. All in all it was a very nice night. On a side note, Jeremy bought me his CD, Professional Dreamer, while we were down in Salt lake getting our engagement pictures taken and we listed to it the whole drive back to Logan. So, needles to say he will always have a special place in our hearts.

Humbled by an 8 year old

This morning as we were having prayer it was Riley's turn to pray and among the things he felt inclined to pray about today there was a "special" part reserved just for me. I think it went something like this, "please bless mom as she stays home with Lorenzo and Liam to not complain so much like she usually does" I almost started crying! It really put me in my place as I have done a lot of complaining this week. In my defense it has been a rough weekend with sick kids and lots of things breaking, but that is no excuse. I had no idea that that was what Riley thought of me so I am going to try really hard to be more positive and not to " complain like I usually do"

Morning run

I decided to take some pictures of the path we have been running. This is one of the many things I LOVE about Hawaii. It is so beautiful and so diverse. Within a 5 mile radius you have country and farm land, a big power plan (sorry I did not get a picture) neighborhoods, beaches, wild overgrowth and streams, and nicely manicured paths. I did buy a new stroller and today was our first run with it and it was GREAT!!!! I can not believe what a difference it made. We went about 6 1/2 miles today and I could have done another mile or two. Liam liked it too, it has shocks so I am sure it is a better ride for him as well. It has been raining a lot here so you will notice the stream water is really brown but hey, it's still beautiful. There are farmers out in the fields and they have on these hats like you would see japanese workers wear but they all wear them. I think these are taro or water crest farms, I am not really sure. We also saw a wild pig out which was a little scary as they can be really aggressive but it was running from all the runners out and was squealing all the way. I did not get my camera out in time or I would have had a picture. Also some of you may know about the huge homeless population out here. In our area it is not so bad but there is a picture of some of there "huts" that they put up on or near the beach. This has taken me a while to get used to. In some areas where it is more prevalent you even see kids toys and bikes out by these "lean-to's" it is really humbling and makes me grateful for what I have.

Stroller frustration

After a lot of thought I have decided it is time to get a new jogging stroller. The one I have is a double stroller and is on it's last leg. As Liam and I were running yesterday against the wind, feeling like I was dragging a parachute behind me, I realized that it was probably time to get a new one. The one I have now has been great and has logged many a mile with both kids but I am only pushing one now and it has been through a lot including the time Jeremy backed over it in the van (it had never been the same since). It has been making a strange clicking sound the last month or so and it seems to get harder to push everyday. I decided to look on craigslist to see if I could find a used one. There were a few that I email people about but they have all been sold. I forget that living here on the Island there is not a huge selection of stores to just go pick one up at. Most people buy them on the mainland and have to pay the huge shipping cost to get it over here. Needles to say it is making shopping for one a bit of a headache!

The Big 30

Well I turned 30 today. As much as I was freaking out about it earlier this month, I am ok with it now. I feel no different today then I did yesterday so it is obviously just a number!! I have however doubled my efforts running now and am hopping it will help me stay young in the long run. Although I was a little slower this morning, I hit mile 3 and felt like I was finished, I am hoping it was just my being tired and taking the last 2 days off and not my age, hah!! It is funny, I remember my mom turning 30 like it was yesterday and now, all the sudden I am there. Oh well here is to 30!!! May it be a great year.