Hawaii

Hi Everyone,

Well, we had a great trip to Hawaii last week!  We went at the same time as our friends (Naomi and Trent) from Kamloops who have two boys, ages 3 and 4 (Cameron and Malcolm).  They also had other friends (Patty and Jamie) that came with their two boys that were 2 and 6 (Aidan and Joshua).  It was great to have the kids playing together everyday.  It also made it easier and more fun to do other activities because if you wanted to surf or something you had other people to do it with and if you were watching the kids while your spouse was doing something, then you had someone to hang out with while you watched the kids play.  We also had meals together so it was easier.  The guys mostly barbecued every night down by the pool and it was up to us ladies to come up with the veggies etc.  We took turns with that so I really only had to organize dinner a couple of times.  I hope we can do this again next year because it was such a great way to holiday.

Anyways here are the photos from the trip.

Anika on the plane - she was great for the plane ride.  

Anika, Ken, Joshua, Aidan, Malcolm and Cameron feeding the goldfish at the hotel.  The hotel staff gave a handful of fish food to each child who showed up at 9:30 am each day

Ken looking on as Malcolm helped Anika down the slide at the Pirate Pool - a highlight of the day for the kids

Anika enjoying the beach

Trent and Ken heading out to surf at a nearby beach

Anika playing cars with the boys in the sand.  She doesn't normally like to get dirty so this was a bit of a shocker for us

Ken out for a ride with Trent and Jamie.  They saw lots of beautiful scenery.

Anika, Ken and Jennifer checking out the scenery at the northern end of the island

Jennifer, Ken and Anika checking out the "dragon's teeth" a little drive north of our hotel

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Ken trying out the paddle boarding which was somewhat short lived as he paddled down the shoreline to some bigger waves and tried to surf in them.  This normally wouldn't be a problem except that he hit the reef and cut his hand quite badly and his knee.  He is fine now but it kind of curtailed his activities for the last couple of days.  Actually, it didn't stop him from going for a 4 hour ride a couple days later:)

Anika spent about 2hrs in the water floating around like this and 'jumping' off the steps into the pirate pool.  She loved that seal.

Naomi and I trying out the paddle boarding.  We felt like a team as we were wearing the same thing:)

Anika and Aidan checking out the turtles at the Maui Aquarium

Anika and Jennifer checking out the beach.  Anika did not want to give up that seal since we bought it for her.

Ken, Anika and Jennifer out for dinner on our last night in Maui.

Anika on the last day as we got into our rental van to go to the airport.  She actually asked to wear her sunglasses every time we were outside which was a big change from the summer and last winter vacation.  She loved pulling her own suitcase.  

Well, it was a fun week and we wished it was longer.  Now back to reality.  We have already visited with Anika's friend Kenzie and have gone to two playgroups so we are keeping busy.  We hope you enjoyed looking at the photos.  Anika is just getting bigger and bigger.  When Anika was sleeping sideways and overlapping into our seats on the plane she looked about 4 ft tall!!  She is actually about 3ft tall and 33 lbs or so.  So she is a good size.  She is 2 years old and 7months now.  I can't believe she will be starting preschool in the September!  What has happened to all the time??  She is trying to sing the abc song and many other songs now.  It is fun to hear.  We can't believe how good her memory is.  

I should go now.  I hope to add to the blog again soon.  Take care,

Love Jennifer (and Ken and Anika):)