Aloha: Leg One

We have been missing in action again.... That's why the blog has been silent.

A week after we visited family in Washington we packed up the flip flops and explored the Big Island of Hawaii. We had a nice family vacation.  

 We travelled hours by plane and were on an Island with 11 different climates and amazing geography and what do the kids love most.. an invasive weed that they call sleeping grass. I have to say I spent my time playing with it too and wished I could bring it home to keep the kids entertained while I cook dinner. It reminded me a bit of my venus flytrap I used to have. Pretty much, you just touch the grass and it shrivels up as a defense mechanism(or falls asleep) it is instant and pretty fun. Fieldin would say..."time to go night night grass" After 5 minutes the leaves open back up.. never ending fun. Their first experience of it was in this photo on a small coffee plantation.

 Why..Oh Why doesn't plumeria grow here. It is my favorite flower.

 We learned quite a bit of history, taking a history tour, visiting sacred sites and National Parks.

 The kids would rather play at the pool.. :)

 walking around in the ocean looking at tropical fish, sea turtles and lots of urchins.

One of mine and Jeff's favorite activities was taking a Hawaiian language class. The kids had fun with it too. We also took a hula class and a lei bracelet making class with dried nuts.

An Ugly Christmas Sweater

I promise this was not my idea. 

It's Beginning To Look Alot...

Like Christmas...

In true Jeff..A.K.A Chevy Chase form we are barely done unpacking and just arrived home yesterday but the garage has tables up and Santas workshop is in full swing in the garage.

The inside of the house is pretty much done. The outside will have to wait, only because of some heavy rain. We took the kids to the drive through Christmas land (twice). They look forward to it each year and counting down the days til the big Christmas Storyland opens at the fairgrounds.

 They were so excited after they got the Christmas train working under the tree. Jeff and I have had this way before the kids came along and every year we hold our breath to see if it still steams... it still did this year but I think this may be the last year...

And  this.. well, this may be a problem. Chompers hanging..literally, in the tree. He has left it alone this evening so we are waiting to put up ornaments. 

A Purrfect Traveler

So as the saying goes.. Home is where you hang your hat or..litter box.

We brought our cat on our week long car adventure. When we pulled out of the driveway, I turned to Jeff and said" This is either going to be a disaster, or AWESOME!".. it turned out to be awesome.

If only the kids traveled as well as Chompers:)

He cozied up between the kids carseats and napped, watched Alvin and the Chipmunks and looked out the window. He never made a mess, he was nice and considerate of peoples things and was an all around good cat. Our family welcomed him with open arms which made it even easier. It was an awesome adventure with a one of a kind cat. He looved all the attention from new people, exploring a hotel room and new homes. He has an adventurous soul, being a housecat will seem so boring now.

 Jumping for one of his beloved pipecleaners at Grandpa's house while watching kids play outside.

 Thank goodness for the subaru. He had all the luxuries of home in the back... and no, the water didn't spill and there was no food mess.

 Taking a little car catnap on Greta. She loved when he did this.

 In his fav spot in between the kids where he was constantly petted. I swear he thinks he is one of the kids and not a cat.

 Taking an evening nap.

In the drivers seat... I know it is wierd taking a cat on a trip but I have to say it was so easy and I would take him on a car trip to family again with no question. It won't always happen but he is young and it was a long trip during a holiday. We are now crazy cat people and he is a crazy cat.

Yearly Stalking of Father Christmas

Nothing brings in the Chirstmas season more than visiting family, seeing snow, visiting Leavenworth and of course, Gret and my yearly stalking of Father Christmas. Check out here.

 Kids taking a walking trail to downtown Leavenworth.

 We always have to stop for Gingerbread cookies

 fun with grandpa.. look at the smiles on those little snowball throwing turkeys. Noone was safe.

 Gret loooves nutcrackers, she always has. We visited the very fun nutcracker museum.

 The kids with their parade lanterns they decorated.

 And our pic... see ya next year father Christmas.

Greta walking in the lantern parade and ringing in the season.



Leg Two: Thanksgiving

 Over the river and through the desert, to grandpa's house we go.

My Aunt Barb, Dad, Jeff and I worked together on Thanksgiving dinner. Besides my dressing being too dry and Jeff's raisen sauce turning into a science experiment, the meal was great :)

 The kids were so excited the night before for the Macy's day parade. They danced and jumped for joy together when Santa was on the scene. They woke up VERY early, not to miss the parade..which started at nine... oh well...it's just sleep, right?

 me and my lil munchkins

 Grandpa gave these two little rascals an early Christmas too.

These two finally got to play in the cold. The snow was a bit icy but they didn't care. We live in an area now that doesn't get snow so this was a treat!



Leg One: Thanksgiving

First off a BIG thank you to mother nature this year for letting us make the Washington loop to visit our family for Thanksgiving. It didn't work out last year, which was really disappointing. We had a wonderful time seeing everyone. Our first leg of the trip was a visit to Pullman to see friends, which was great. I miss them and hadn't seen them all in a year or two. Then onto Spokane to spend a few days with Jeff's family. Greta had sleepovers with Gigi and we all celebrated an early Christmas with all the cousins getting their pic taken together with Santa. It is fun to watch the cousins together. Greta is the oldest and is perfect for the job of oldest cousin. Once we were filled with butterhorns, a trip to hobby Lobby, a visit to the big tree downtown, and a car full of toys we headed out for leg two of the trip.

Fieldin at GiGis house for early Christmas

Greta and Gigi

The kids and Grandpa Chuck