Gary's Imagination

Since Liv is in school for four hours Monday through Thursday Gary and I have been given a lot of bonding time.  And with Todd also in school now, Gary's normal playmate is gone.  But I'm not complaining, I am actually loving our one on one time!  It has given me time to watch Gary's own imagination at work, and, boy, is he creative!  And he is such a boy!  When I was studying psychology I fought for nature in the nature vs nurture argument... I believed that kids were what we made them.  After having a boy and girl of my own I totally disagree with myself!  While Gary boy has fun dressing up and playing along with all of Liv's girly things (as you have previously seen) when it is just him he turns to tools, tractors, dump trucks, etc!  I have loved watching his little mind at work, it's so priceless!

Circles

This was a fun pattern... I love when I come across fun patterns!  I actually have attempted this one once before and quit for one reason or another.  Since I couldn't remember why I decided to give it another try because I like the look of it so much.  Turned out to be really cute and a nice size!  I can't wait to see it wrapped around the little baby that is actually being born any minute as I write this!!

The Dark

The Dark by Marianne Curley was a page turner throughout the whole book, just how I like it!  I was blown away by all the excitement and how the story unfolds.  Sometimes it's slightly predictable, but overall, it was a fantastic read!  While The Named was kind of slow, this book made it worth it to read the first!  I am anxious to hear where the adventure goes in the next and last book, The Key!

Chellie's Awesome Tutus

I have been such a slacker lately... about a week ago I received these fun tutus from Chellie.   She does such a good job at making these cute outfits for little girls (but, as you can see from the last picture, my little boy loves them just as much), so I arranged a deal with her... She was to make these for Liv in exchange for the "cupcake" blanket I gave her.  Although, she broke the rules... I asked for two tutus and some money, but she went the extra five miles and also embroidered two matching shirts and, my favorite, a pair of flip flops which had large white flower and polka-dotted ribbon... I want a pair now!!  When the package arrived, I think Liv was overwhelmed by all the fluff.  But once she figured out just what was in it she was full of smiles.  My two kiddos love to put on their tutus and dance... it's the funnest thing!

Back to School

Liv started preschool this last Monday, and it's been quite the adjustment for our little family.  We definitely all enjoy sleeping-in, and so it's been a rough couple of days.  I learned long ago not to ever wake Gary boy up, yet now I do it every morning.  I'm sure we will all adjust and on the weekends be waking up earlier than we would like, biological clocks are a very interesting thing!  But it is worth it to watch Liv be so interactive and excited once more!  I'm excited to watch her further grow in knowledge as the school year progresses!  Plus, it's such a treat to hear Gary whine when I take him away from the school because he wants to stay too... I hope that means his transition to school days will be a slide! 

Hawaii Part Four

We were really anxious to get back to our kids after being away for nine days, but Grandma and Grandpa Young kidnapped our kids... okay, not really.  They had to go to Springdale, Utah because Todd's Grandma Young had a plumbing problem so their services were needed.  In the end we waited two hours before we finally got to see them.  The kids were all smiles... Gary ran straight to his dad and would not come to me.  Turns out when his Great-Grandma Young asked him if he was excited to see his mom, he replied, "No, just Dad!"  I'm actually not surprised :)  They are such buddies!   On the other hand, Liv made up for it with warm smiles and big hugs!  While we were gone she drew pictures of the family, but her mommy had a frowny face.  When her Grandma asked why, she said, "Because she misses me!"  Precious!  After reuniting, and finally getting my hugs from Gary Boy, we gave them their gifts we brought back from Hawaii... they were so genuinely happy, like Christmas!

Hawaii Part Three

I've been trying to decide how I want to tell you all about the trip.  We did a whole lot, which is why it went by so fast, but I'm not sure how to hold your attention for that long.  So I'll just tell you the highlights of each day...

  Saturday we arrived in Hawaii

 time afternoon, we checked in to our condo which happened to have boogie boards already in there.  Probably someone else's purchase they couldn't take home.  

 Our condo is conveniently located right across the street from a beautiful beach.   So 

right away Todd was ready to experience sand between his toes, so to the beach we went!

  Sunday  was pretty laid back, being the sabbath and all.  We rented our snorkel gear and hit a nearby beach.  Todd loved it from the start, and was diving down right away... a natural

 fish!  In the afternoon/evening we drove around trying to find surfers (Todd's desire).  We saw a beautiful rainbow, complete and breathtaking!  When we found the surfers we watched from an overlook.  It was amazing because it started to rain on us... but it shouldn't be called rain, because it's more of a mist!

  Monday we headed to Lahaina, after more snorkeling (where Dad, Linda, and Todd found the first turtle of our trip), to do some shopping before a Luau.  We had to wait two hours before

 the Luau so we could get a good spot , and then an hour later until food was set up and ready for eating.  But it was worth the wait because during it was another gorgeous sunset!  We were accompanied by a newlywed couple that had eloped from Holland to get married in Hawaii, it added to the experience incredibly!

  Tuesday morning we took a boat ride to Molikini where the water was so clear... the most amazing color of blue!  Then we head to Turtle Town, which was funny cause we later read "Where is Turtle Town?  Anywhere they say it is" meaning they take tourists wherever the turtles are.  Right away Todd and I found one & swam a ways with it.  In just about the same area we found three more resting on the bottom.  I was there when one finally came up for air, they are amazing!  On the way back, after a yummy barbecued lunch, we saw four more swimming along the boat just before the harbor!  It was awesome!

  Wednesday we took The Road to Hana!  I still love the drive, but I definitely had allowed myself to forget the windy roads!  But the stops are beautiful!  I would definitely suggest Dramamine (sp?) if you ever go!

  Thursday we actually slept in for a bit (meaning 8am) and snorkeled.  That afternoon we went to the top of the volcano, Haleakala.  I loved the cool mountain air, made me feel like I was 

back in the Rocky Mountains.  And there's this amazing plant called Silver Sword... it can live for 50 years, but only blossoms once & then dies, so sad.

  Friday was our last day to play in the water, so we started with snorkeling at the first beach where turtles were seen.  It was awesome... it's a bit of a swim out but then we found two turtles, one soon came up for air & I got a lot of the pictures I posted previously.  Todd and I

 swam further and found three more and watched as another came up... it was the perfect last snorkel trip!  That afternoon we went to Iao needle, pretty enough.  Then came back to experience Big Beach... that was so fun for the guys!  Plus, to watch the locals with their boogie boards was very entertaining!  The guys got beat into the shore a lot, but caught enough waves to keep playing until the sun set!

  Saturday we had to check out by 9am, so we had the day to kill.  That's when we went to the Maui Ocean Center... that's the best time to go, morning, because they're feeding all the creatures so they're very active!  Then we did more shopping in Lahaina to make sure we bought all we wanted and ended the trip watching the sunset from the restaurant Bubba Gump... it was the best ending to our great trip!