Back to school is so so COOL!!!

The boys are back in school!!!  Not only am I excited about that, but so are they!!  After the first day, Anthony got in the car and was just soooo happy.  I asked how he likes his new class and all he could say was "I'M SO GRATEFUL!"  Nate is so excited to be in kindergarten.  The teachers are easing the kindergartener's in slowly by having them come every other day for only half days for the first 2 weeks.  Nate is not too happy about that.  He would love to be there every day - full time!!!  It was very cute to hear them talking to each other after the first day.  Anthony and his friends let Nate play soccer with them during recess and Anthony was telling Nate how all his friends kept saying they wanted the "Little Man" on their team.  Made Nate's day... and mine!!  I'm so grateful that my kids have fantastic teachers!  Fantastic classes filled with Fantastic things!!!  It couldn't be better!!

I am in awe every time I pull into the school parking lot.  Look at the back drop to the school.  Might be hard to see but there are 6 waterfalls cascading down the mountain.  It is simply breath taking!!!

Hanalei Sand Castles

Hanalei's 2nd Annual Sand Castle and Sculpture event was this last saturday.  We got there in the morning to see everyone get started and then came back to see the results.  I thought there would have been more castles, but the sculptures stole the show.  Here are just a couple of our favorites.

This turtle was pretty cool.  

This was the winner.  The shape of the dragon represents the shape of the mountains right behind it.  You know the song "Puff the Magic Dragon?" It was written here and the mountains were the inspiration.  (maybe not the puffing part) but the mountains look like a dragon.

I loved these two!  They were probably my favorites!!  Just simple, but cool!!!

This picture is a little overwhelming.  It looked better at a different angle.  It has a castle and a dragon and large octopus and much more.

There were a ton of people there.  We also learned a few tricks about sand castle building that we want to try out.  Maybe next year we will enter the contest!!!

Great day!!  Great fun!!

Zoo and Friends!!

Our trip to Utah wouldn't be complete without a trip to the zoo with some of our cute friends!!  Julie, Laurel and Ashton Iorg!!!  The zoo had a dinosaur theme going on throughout the park.  It was so amazing.  The kids loved seeing all the dinosaurs and being able to climb on a few!!

And of course, we can't visit the zoo without a ride on the carousel.  CJ thought it was so great!  Loved his choice of animal!!  The preying mantis!!  The carousel there has got to have the best animals ever!!  I love the amazing detail spent on each one.  Well Done!!!

These two couldn't have cared much about their animal choices, just as long as they were together!!!

Ashton and Nate are best buds.  They have the cutes friendship.  Oh how I wish they could see each other more.  After a play date at Ashton's house a couple of days later, Ashton sobbed and sobbed when Nate left.  Nate held his in until he got in the car.  Lance was there to witness the event and even he got a little emotional.  

The T-Rex was quite cool.  It roared and moved its head from side to side.  I love this picture of the two boys.  Just something about it!!!

We finished our long day at the zoo with the playground.  Always a good time there!!

Is this not the cutest picture ever!!!  If I could choose now who Anthony would marry, it is this cute girl right here!!!  There is something super special about her that I just love!!!  We'll just have to wait and see what the future hold!!  

So glad we could spend the day with our friends.  Love them all!!!!!

Anthony's 1st Scout Camp!!

Anthony went to his first scout day camp.  Day one was in Kapaa and day two was in Poipu.  He loved doing archery, shooting guns and even riding a horse.  Loved the home made slip n slide down the hillside.

The first night, was family night.  The kids performed a line dance and they each had a little skit.  Anthony's group did the "do your ears hang low" song.  Nate and CJ had a great time too.  They barbecued a baby cow rotisserie style.  The kids thought that was pretty cool.  

Nate and CJ loved Anthony's hat!!

Anthony and his friend Kai.  They have a blast together, in and out of scouts!!!

Mark and Liz Koga, Kai's parents, Anthony's scout leaders and family friends.  They do an amazing job with the scouts!!

Lydgate Park

Wailua has a great park that reminds me a little of the South Joran park.  It is next to Lydgate Park, but can't remember the name of the park.  The thing I like about this one is the island flare that it has.  Check out the tile scuba diver a couple pictures down.

All the boys had a great time.  It was fun to see Anthony take on such a big brother role and making sure both Nate and Christopher were having a good time.

I love all of these tile scenes everywhere.  

Anthony, behind that scuba mask.  

CJ turns 3

Happy Birthday Christopher!!!

Nate was so cute.  For weeks all he wanted to get for Christopher was a watch.    CJ loved his watch!!  Nate did good!!!  We had a great day.  We went to the Hemingways house for lunch and birthday cake and celebrated both CJ and Isaac's birthdays.  Then we took our families to see Cars 2 and met up with more friends!!!  And came home for presents!!  

And then we celebrated again when we went on our vacation to Utah.  The kids loved seeing their cousins.  Too bad Makayla is missing in this picture.  CJ, knowing that on his next birthday he would turn 4, was so excited thinking that is what was happening!!!  He kept saying, "YEAH, I'M 4". 

That cheesy grin........ yep...... he got that from me!!!!  He got a couple new shirts for his birthday, but it's not like he will actually wear them!!!  As Anthony always says, "we're locals!" (Hawaiin Locals)  I guess they think the locals don't wear shirts or shoes!!  I must agree, there is some truth to that! 

He loves these cars from Grandpa Dan.  We love the noise they make!!  

This is one of my favorite things right now.  I love how he shows 3.  Its usually with a little attitude, but he was just so happy the attitude didn't show through!!!  Love this kid!!!

Sunset at the Pier

Lance and Anthony have been talking about jumping off the Hanalei Pier.  Well, Lance decided they were ready to go.   Anthony so desperately wanted to look good to his dad.  But, Mom knows her boy.  He was terrified, but not wanting to let his dad down.  Mom to the rescue!!  

After much discussion, decided to give it more time.  

CJ on the other hand, cried and cried because he wanted to jump off.    This kid has no fear!!  Kinda a scary thought!!

But we were able to see an truly amazing sunset!!