Hawaiian Anniversary: Day 2

After our sunrise adventure, Patrick and I went to the grocery store and back to our room to get ready for the rest of the day. I loved the flowers that were just outside our door, especially the orchids. How can you not take pictures of flowers when you're in Hawaii?

Then we decided to drive along the coast a bit to see what we could see. We ended up at the H.A. Baldwin beach which is east of Kahului just before you hit Paia. It was a beautiful day for looking, not so great for being on the beach due to high winds that threw a lot of sand in our faces. Patrick couldn't help himself and had to at least stick his feet in the water. 

Then we found the Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum which was housed in the old caretaker's home across the street from the still-operating sugar cane processing plant. There were a lot of neat old machines and farm trucks outside used for harvesting and transporting sugar cane. Inside we learned a bit about the different climate regions on the island, the history of irrigation there, and a little about life as an immigrant worker on the sugar plantations.

Hawaiian Anniversary: Day 2 Sunrise

After hardly sleeping our first night on Maui, we decided to give up the fight and just get up around 6. We got in the Jeep and drove until we found a little beach north of Kahului. We watched the sunrise from there. The beach was mostly rocks and washed up coral and coconut husks. We did see a big piece of driftwood with a funky shape. It was so peaceful and definitely what I needed to start off our vacation. I really am in love with the water and the earth and sky as they all come together at sunrise and sunset. It helps that I was there with my sweetheart too.

Hawaiian Anniversary: Day 1

Patrick and I were able to take a trip to Hawaii for our 7th anniversary in February. Our first day was spent all in traveling from Salt Lake to Honolulu and then to Maui. Patrick was amazed at the lushness of the green space in the middle of the Honolulu airport. He was also already missing air conditioning as we felt the full force of heat and humidity in the open-air walkways there. We were able to call and talk to the girls before they went to bed from a food court there.

By the time we made it to Maui, we were exhausted and we still had to pick up our rental Jeep before finding the room we rented in Kahului. It was dark and late, but we didn't end up sleeping very well due to the heat and the different bed.

February Art Museum Trip

We took the girls to the free family day at the art museum in February. They did not have an art project this time, but we explored the exhibits using an art scavenger hunt worksheet. Then Rachael and Anna spent time in the children's room making their own art. They both were excited to create pictures using stencils. I spent my time arranging magnetic blocks into an aesthetically pleasing pattern. ;)

Finally!

After a lot of mental anguish, worry, and frustration, on January 19 we finally received confirmation of a long awaited blessing. I actually had a hard time trusting the test results and it took several days to really let myself feel excited and confident.

More Hair

Here is a sampling of some more of Rachael's cute hairdo's. No, this is not an everyday, or even every week, occurrence. 

After Christmas

The day after Christmas, my mom, Trystal, her kids, and Marti and Emersyn came up for a visit. Rachael and Anna had so much fun playing with their cousins. We did a bunch of different things. I gave Marti a fancy hairdo. We all helped make up a song for Uncle Mark's birthday to the tune of My Favorite Things.