We had a great day at the Natural History Museum.. my boys fav place to be in Vegas. After spending a few hours digging dino bones and learning about rainforests, we met Aaron for lunch at Wendy's. I love Fridays. On the way home, Ben and Luke were playing the Alphabet game.. finding letters on various billboards. Today I heard Luke say, I found an O in "topless" and I was so glad to hear them get on with their game without any questions. just one of the perks of living in Vegas.. there are many.
5. Who eats more? I like to think he does. But I love food more.
6. Who said "I love you" first? It was pretty mutual, but when he was about to say it, I said, "I know you love me." which pretty much ruined it, but I DID know it. He found a shirt that says the famous line, "I know you love me." on it and bought if for me... I wear it with pride.
7. Who is taller? he is 6'3". I am 5'11".
8. Who sings better? We both think we can sing and belt it out at church.. but neither of us really have any talent.
9. Who is smarter? He is by far.
10. Who's temper is worse? Mine is, I guess. Aaron is the most relaxed, chilled person ever. I have never seen him get mad.
11. Who does the laundry? All the way me.
12.Who takes out the garbage? My boys usually do, but Aaron keeps them up on it.
13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Right now he does, but it switches from time to time.
14. Who pays the bills? um.. usually me, but is always aware of what's going on. We totally agree when it comes to money issues... meaning, neither of us spend.
15. Who is better with the computer? probably the same. He knows a lot more about spreadsheets, etc. I am the pro when it comes to photo editing, blogging, html codes, etc.
16. Who mows the lawn? We have lovely rocks in our back yard.
17. Who cooks dinner? always me. Aaron's specialties are grilled cheese and pancakes.
18. Who drives when you are together? always Aaron. Even on really long road trips.
19. Who pays when you go out? He has always been the gentleman. And I hardly bring my wallet.
20. Who is most stubborn? Me.
21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? I am always wrong.
22. Whose parents do you see the most? I suppose mine, although we've seen quite a bit of his side lately.
23. Who kissed who first? Aaron kissed me.
24. Who asked who out? Blind date. Although it was a girl's choice dance, so I asked him.
25. Who proposed? He did, with the ring. But I am pretty sure I told him we were getting married months earlier.
26. Who is more sensitive? me.
27. Who has more friends? me. I am so cool.
28. Who has more siblings? I have nine.. he has four. I win again!!
29. Who wears the pants in the family? Most people think I do, but it's not the case at all. He is SO in charge of me and I do whatever he tells me to. We balance each other well, but he is the man of the house.
Doing it all inside a FORT.It was one of those days today... you know, where you just don't feel like doing anything. I can usually get my kids to relax and watch something if it's inside a homemade hut, but having only boys does have a downside.. the movies had to be Zathura and Shark Boy. I wanted an Anne of Green Gables marathon or Pride and Prejudice A&E style. Better luck next time.
Oh-- a side note. The other day the boys (including Aaron) were watching Pirates of the Caribbean. After a scene with Elizabeth (Kiera Knightly) Ben comes over to me in the kitchen and says, "Why does Elizabeth on Pirates look exactly like that Elizabeth in that girl movie?" (referring to the new pride and prejudice.) Well, it's the same actress, and she so happens to have the same name in both movies. A little hard to explain to a 6 year old..
My answer: Girls are fickle, Ben. We can't seem to make up our minds. She does love Darcy, she really does. It's just that sometimes she gets bored and wants a little excitement. Will Turner is the only one who can give that to her. Does that make any sense? Ben: Um, I guess.
Since we homeschool, we had every reason to celebrate the beginning of the school year, especially when that means we can get together with our friends! I know many of you think that homeschoolers are weird.. and some are, just not us. We're totally cool, if I say so myself.
On Monday (the first day of school here in Vegas) we had a NOT back to school party. We had relay races, jump rope contests, lots of playtime, a BBQ lunch and popsicles to boot. It was a grand time.
I really miss the old group of homeschoolers in Spokane, but there are great people everywhere. This group has a lot of young kids and tons of boys! We are going to have a lot of fun this year.
What I am stressing about it music lessons, since I have no talent myself. I really want to find a great piano teacher (for me too!) Any suggestions? I wish I would have stuck with my lessons when I was 7! My mom told me I would regret it someday...
Last weekend Cody and Jake had their Hawaiian style reception in Elsinore, UT. It was a small town shin-dig and we knew few people who came.. but it was fun to hang out with family again.Aren't my boys getting big?? They grow up too fast!It was great to see Lisa and Von and kids. These are Aaron's only cousins.. the only ones they will claim as cousins, anyway.
Zack was obsessed with licking the big rocks. He knew it was making everyone laugh and he just wouldn't quit.
Either licking rocks or poking his finger in the cake.. this kid is a handful, but oh so cute!
These are from the morning after. Luke is a chip off aunt Cody's block.. or something like that.
This is Zack's new face and I am so glad Aaron got it on camera. He pulls this all the time.. mainly when he knows he doing something he shouldn't (which is all day long.)
We finally have our underwater pictures back and I am ready to post. There are a LOT of pics, but these are just the chosen few of what we actually took.. If you can't get through it, that's fine with me! I wanted to document for journaling purposes.
Day 1-Aug 6th We dropped the boys off in Salt Lake at my sister's home. Big props go to the Clawson clan for watching them!The kids were so busy playing with their cousins, they didn't even bother to say goodbye to us.Right before we left.. I was having anxiety about leaving them, but once we were gone, we didn't look back! Aaron and I kept saying during our trip, "I'm SO glad the boys aren't with us!" Mean, I know... but it was that kind of vacation.At the airport getting "lei'd" by Cody. She was the perfect Hawaiian hostess!Arriving at our place on the North Shore. We shared a small house with Aaron's parents and Brett and Kate. We slept on the floor on a mattress for a couple of nights, but we were so excited to be in Hawaii... it didn't really matter. Aaron and I were up the first morning at 5am.. (when the roosters crowed.) We walked along the beach and watched the sunrise. We were only a few blocks from the temple, and it was so bright and beautiful in the morning. These pictures don't do it justice. After we returned from our walk, we ate a quick breakfast and headed back to the beach. This time to "Pounders." The waves were big and we had the best time with almost everyone. (We really missed you B&K!) We just kept saying, "I can't believe we are in Hawaii!" This was one of my favorite things we did..(if you consider I have about 20 other favorite things.) The guys spent most of the time playing in the waves, while the ladies relaxed and chatted on the sand. It was absolutely heavenly.Can you see us in the big ocean? Still the first day... we showered and headed to the Polynesian Cultural Center. If you've been to Oahu and not to the PCC, then you better go back. It was an action packed day...A cool Samoan climbing a tree The Luau was DELICIOUS! The fresh pineapple was to die for.
Next Day-Aug 9th- Snorkeling at Shark's Cove.Brett and JadeI touched this turtle (before I knew it was against the law.. oops.)Aaron and some big fish.. believe it or not, we saw much bigger!Coco and meJaderbugsBrett and kateCodyliciousJade and Janetkt, aka: kinkyIf you dare moon me underwater, you better understand your butt is going on my blog.. (viewer discretion advised.)some pretty coral
Later that night, we went to Cody's place to help her pack, clean and get ready for her big day! Both she and Jake had a lot going on... a wedding to plan, family to entertain, moving, plans for Korea.. and they were total troopers. After moving Cody out, we ordered pizza and ate on Jake's deck. They both lived in huge homes on Laie Point, meaning their backyard was the ocean--so beautiful. Pizza, family, the ocean.. how can you NOT have a good time? Cody and Jake's love story was the highlight of the evening...well, that and the pizza getting flung off the deck.Aren't these ladies gorgeous? I love them!! I miss you already!We laughed a little too hard that night. "Walter, Walter!!"Thanks to Brett for taking pictures of everyone.Cody, you don't look very excited for your wedding...our "girl talk" must have freaked you out! jk
Aug 10th- The Wedding The bride and groom were glowing. We're so happy for you two! Mother of the bride lingering on her kiss to the groom! Stan's looking jealous!the little sqirrelsBronmin-- We missed you and Kirk so much!
After the wedding, we changed and went to the beach for a luau. We ate some of the best BBQ chicken and steak! This is the only picture I have of the event... Isn't Jade juicy? After the Luau, Jade went with Aaron and me to the beach for her last bit of ocean. She flew out that night with the parents. Cody and Jake flew to Maui for a week of honeymoon bliss. We went out to dinner that night with Brett and kt and stayed up late talking and laughing. I almost peed my pants over "whatever, doesn't count, and UGLY."
Aug 11th- Saturday We woke up early to go on the coolest hike ever! We were heading to Waikiki that evening, so we made the best of our time with Brett and Kate..4 hours later, we found some disgusting cascades. It was the dry season and the waterfalls were mossy rocks dripping into a germ infested waterhole. Brett and Aaron still jumped in (and somehow survived.)We gave Brett a hard time, but it's now a distant memory. We weren't laughing after being attacked by bugs in the rainforest, but it's funny now.We survived and packed up our things on the North Shore. Brett and Kate were kind enough to take us to our hotel in Waikiki. They stayed on the north shore at Turtle Bay..
Aug 12th--Waikiki Our place in Waikiki was super nice. We stayed at the Royal Gardens and I think we may have been the only guests in the hotel... or at least the door man and bell hop made us feel like we were. We were in walking distance to everything.. shops, nice restaurants, and most importantly, the ocean.Inside our pad.. trying read a little Harry.The view from our balcony.. on the 18th floor. Kayaking in WaikikiWe did a little snorkeling, but it wasn't good. This is right before I tipped the kayak.. sorry Aaron, again. oh-that's Diamond Head in the background.Hawaiian shaved ice with ice cream. yummy.
August 13th-- We waited until Monday to go parasailing.. and this was our only regret. By the time we got out to the boat, about to put on our gear, the captain told us "the Hurricane's acomin'!" It was too windy for us to go.. This was a crazy old man who loved talking Aaron's ear off about law stuff. He was very funny and made the bummer parasailing trip almost worth it.
HANAMA BAY We snorkeled and relaxed on the beach. The fish in Hanama Bay were incredibly large.. I was a little scared of them.Overlooking the beautiful bay.
Waikiki's night life was a blast. Great food, good entertainment, fancy shops, tiki torches, loud music, and people from all around the world.Trying to be Vanna.. Roy's=the best Hawaiian food around..Out of all the places we ate, our favorite was a little mexican restaurant called Senior Frog's. It was a party there.. karaoke, loud music and free tequila jello. (no, I didn't try the jello. Aaron wouldn't let me.) We didn't need a buzz to have a good time.
August 14th-- Our last day. We didn't fly out until evening, so we decided to rent a car and drive up to the North Shore for our last day of adventure. We saved the best for last.We met Brett and kt at the Hukilau Cafe for coconut pancakes. delish. After breakfast we went to Three Tables for more snorkeling. It wasn't crowded and there were a lots of colorful fish. It was my favorite beach, too. The sand was funky, like warm bird seed.. (but in a good way.) We were there for a couple of hours before going to Haliewa for pizza, shaved ice and the surf shops. And last, but definitely not least, we went to Waimea Bay to jump off the point. Aaron and Janet Video of Brett and kt's jump. I love kt's legs kicking.. as if she had changed her mind after the jump. You were a brave, brave girl, kt! Our last sunset on the island was a sad one. It was not easy leaving, but we were ready to see our boys. Until next time, Aloha.
not this cute anymore!
On the way home, Ben and Luke were playing the Alphabet game.. finding letters on various billboards. Today I heard Luke say, I found an O in "topless" and I was so glad to hear them get on with their game without any questions. just one of the perks of living in Vegas.. there are many.
It was one of those days today... you know, where you just don't feel like doing anything. I can usually get my kids to relax and watch something if it's inside a homemade hut, but having only boys does have a downside.. the movies had to be Zathura and Shark Boy. I wanted an Anne of Green Gables marathon or Pride and Prejudice A&E style. Better luck next time.
Since we homeschool, we had every reason to celebrate the beginning of the school year, especially when that means we can get together with our friends! I know many of you think that homeschoolers are weird.. and some are, just not us. We're totally cool, if I say so myself.
Last weekend Cody and Jake had their Hawaiian style reception in Elsinore, UT. It was a small town shin-dig and we knew few people who came.. but it was fun to hang out with family again.
Aren't my boys getting big?? They grow up too fast!
It was great to see Lisa and Von and kids. These are Aaron's only cousins.. the only ones they will claim as cousins, anyway.
This is Zack's new face and I am so glad Aaron got it on camera. He pulls this all the time.. mainly when he knows he doing something he shouldn't (which is all day long.)
The kids were so busy playing with their cousins, they didn't even bother to say goodbye to us.
Right before we left.. I was having anxiety about leaving them, but once we were gone, we didn't look back! Aaron and I kept saying during our trip, "I'm SO glad the boys aren't with us!" Mean, I know... but it was that kind of vacation.
At the airport getting "lei'd" by Cody. She was the perfect Hawaiian hostess!
Arriving at our place on the North Shore. We shared a small house with Aaron's parents and Brett and Kate. We slept on the floor on a mattress for a couple of nights, but we were so excited to be in Hawaii... it didn't really matter.
Aaron and I were up the first morning at 5am.. (when the roosters crowed.) We walked along the beach and watched the sunrise. We were only a few blocks from the temple, and it was so bright and beautiful in the morning. These pictures don't do it justice.
After we returned from our walk, we ate a quick breakfast and headed back to the beach. This time to "Pounders." The waves were big and we had the best time with almost everyone. (We really missed you B&K!) We just kept saying, "I can't believe we are in Hawaii!" This was one of my favorite things we did..(if you consider I have about 20 other favorite things.) The guys spent most of the time playing in the waves, while the ladies relaxed and chatted on the sand. It was absolutely heavenly.
Can you see us in the big ocean?
A cool Samoan climbing a tree
The Luau was DELICIOUS! The fresh pineapple was to die for.
Brett and Jade
I touched this turtle (before I knew it was against the law.. oops.)
Aaron and some big fish.. believe it or not, we saw much bigger!
Coco and me
Jaderbugs
Brett and kate
Codylicious
Jade and Janet
kt, aka: kinky
If you dare moon me underwater, you better understand your butt is going on my blog.. (viewer discretion advised.)
some pretty coral
Aren't these ladies gorgeous? I love them!! I miss you already!
We laughed a little too hard that night. "Walter, Walter!!"
Thanks to Brett for taking pictures of everyone.
Cody, you don't look very excited for your wedding...our "girl talk" must have freaked you out! jk
The bride and groom were glowing. We're so happy for you two!
Mother of the bride lingering on her kiss to the groom! Stan's looking jealous!
the little sqirrels
Bronmin-- We missed you and Kirk so much!
4 hours later, we found some disgusting cascades. It was the dry season and the waterfalls were mossy rocks dripping into a germ infested waterhole. Brett and Aaron still jumped in (and somehow survived.)
We gave Brett a hard time, but it's now a distant memory. We weren't laughing after being attacked by bugs in the rainforest, but it's funny now.
We survived and packed up our things on the North Shore. Brett and Kate were kind enough to take us to our hotel in Waikiki. They stayed on the north shore at Turtle Bay..
Our place in Waikiki was super nice. We stayed at the Royal Gardens and I think we may have been the only guests in the hotel... or at least the door man and bell hop made us feel like we were. We were in walking distance to everything.. shops, nice restaurants, and most importantly, the ocean.
Inside our pad.. trying read a little Harry.
The view from our balcony.. on the 18th floor.
Kayaking in Waikiki
We did a little snorkeling, but it wasn't good. This is right before I tipped the kayak.. sorry Aaron, again. oh-that's Diamond Head in the background.
Hawaiian shaved ice with ice cream. yummy.
We waited until Monday to go parasailing.. and this was our only regret. 
By the time we got out to the boat, about to put on our gear, the captain told us "the Hurricane's acomin'!" It was too windy for us to go.. 
This was a crazy old man who loved talking Aaron's ear off about law stuff. He was very funny and made the bummer parasailing trip almost worth it.
We snorkeled and relaxed on the beach. The fish in Hanama Bay were incredibly large.. I was a little scared of them.
Overlooking the beautiful bay.
Trying to be Vanna.. Roy's=the best Hawaiian food around..
Out of all the places we ate, our favorite was a little mexican restaurant called Senior Frog's. It was a party there.. karaoke, loud music and free tequila jello. (no, I didn't try the jello. Aaron wouldn't let me.) We didn't need a buzz to have a good time.
We met Brett and kt at the Hukilau Cafe for coconut pancakes. delish.
And last, but definitely not least, we went to Waimea Bay to jump off the point.
Aaron and Janet
Video of Brett and kt's jump. I love kt's legs kicking.. as if she had changed her mind after the jump. You were a brave, brave girl, kt!
Our last sunset on the island was a sad one. It was not easy leaving, but we were ready to see our boys. Until next time, Aloha.
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