Hawaii 2011

We took the boys to Hawaii after Disneyland and we had a wonderful time. We flew to Oahu and stayed a day and a half there. Then we flew to Kauai. This is our favorite island (so far). We want to go to the 'big island' some day. Since we only had a day and a half in Oahu we tried to squeeze a lot in. The first day there we drove around the island and visited the Dole Pineapple Plantation. The boys did the maze while Bryce and I shared some pineapple ice cream, YUM!

We visited the temple. It was a bit windy and cool actually.

The next day we hiked Diamond Head which was fun. It was uphill, but not a long hike and the view of Waikiki at the top was well worth it.

We went snorkeling at Hanama Bay. The snorkeling wasn't as good as I remember it 3 years ago but we saw some cool fish.

The boys had fun playing on the beach also.

This is the Pali lookout which is gorgeous.

We stayed about 5 days in Kauai at the Kauai Marriott Beach Club. It was an awesome hotel with an amazing pool. The boys loved it!!

This was one of the 5 hot tubs surrounding in the pool. You had to swim to each one. The boys loved this.

The boys practiced their snorkeling in the pool.

Brayden taking a dive into the pool. He got pretty good at this.

We drove to the north part of the island to Hanalei Bay. This is a picture of us at the lookout point. Then the boys enjoyed boogie boarding.

We went to a luau on Kauai that was close to our hotel. It was so much fun!! The food and program was wonderful.

This the part 1 of our Hawaii trip. We took over 300 pictures. I am just showing a few of our favorites. I will post the rest of our trip adventures in my next post.

Universal Studios

We had three day passes to Disneyland but were able to do it in 2 days so we decided to go to Universal Studios for the 3rd day. It wasn't as fun as I remember as a kid but I think the kids liked it. My sister Megan who lives in LA watched Ellie for us when we went to Hawaii so I told her to use the 3rd day of Disneyland tickets for her family before they expired. She was able to go and they had a great time. It was the least I could do for watching Ellie a week.

Jurassic Park ride- tons of fun!

There were some characters here too and of course Ellie had to be with one of us for the pictures.

She wouldn't even have her picture with Dora alone.

Here are the boys being all serious. They had a good time.

Disneyland 2011

We took our family to Disneyland in January. This is the first time the kids have been and Bryce and I haven't been since before we were married. Bryce has not wanted to go to Disneyland but he gave in. We had a lot of fun!! However, the boys liked California Adventures better and Ellie wasn't too keen on the characters, even the princesses.

"It's A Small World"

(the boys hated this ride, but Ellie and I enjoyed it)

Gotta love the tea cups!!


Splash Mountain
We actually made Ellie go on this ride too.

She cried the whole time and I felt so bad that I bought her a princess autograph book after.

Waiting for the ferry ride

On the deck of the ferry

Isn't that cute?

DUMBO

Ellie loved the carousal

Ellie wasn't too sure of Snow White

Going on California Screamin' roller coaster

Brayden earned a goofy hat for going on this ride.

Roller coasters aren't his favorite.

She didn't like Jessie so much.

Getting ready for the Toys Story 3D ride--FUN!!

GOOFY'S KITCHEN




I made Bryce be in one picture with a princess

This is the only picture of Ellie alone with a princess.

She wasn't too excited about it.






Goofy's Kitchen was great!! The dinner was yummy! Well worth the money. :)

Christmas 2010

We had a great Christmas this year. The kids were excited about their gifts. Brayden got an electric scooter. He even got to ride it on Christmas day because it was nice weather and there was no snow.

Ellie got a doll and a shopping cart. This is actually all she wanted. Tyler got a real bow and arrow.
He is planning on deer hunting this summer with his dad.

Ellie loved her new barbies too.

I got Bryce this new clock for his new garage out back.

We were lucky to have Grandma and Grandpa Garfield here from Montana. This is an art project that Ellie made and she wrapped it up for Grandpa.

The boys loved their new sunglasses from Grandma and Grandpa too. They also got new swimsuits and swim shirts to wear in Hawaii. Oh yea, we are going to Disneyland and Hawaii in less than a week. That was part of our Christmas presents too. We are very excited!!

I gave Grandma and Grandpa some framed family pictures that we took while we were in Arizona for Thanksgiving. They loved them.

We were able to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa Clark too, but I didn't get any pictures. Sorry!! What I love most about Christmas besides all the yummy food is spending time with our family. It was a great holiday season.