Front Porch Swing

Sometimes when Sienna takes a long afternoon nap, I join Kiran outside on the front porch swing for her daily popsicle. I take my current novel out even though I know I'll be interrupted every other sentence. I refrain from asking her not to drip her popsicle on her dress because she's two. And if she can't drip a little popsicle on her dress when she's two then I'm not the kind of mother I want to be.

She's wearing the bright blue dress today. She tells me everyday that the flowered dress is her favorite but personally I think this is the best one. There is something in the bright blue that makes her look incredibly tan. And the tan skin sets off the 34 different shades of blond in her hair. Hair that is a little bit wet and matted from the nap she actually took today.

She asks me what I see and we talk about the mosquito, Mommy's book and the trees. I don't tell her that I see the stubbornness of her mother and the inquisitiveness of her father and the protectiveness of being a big sister peeking out from her bright blue dress. Then she's ready to go inside, to get her milk and her string cheese. To grow up and be three and learn to pour her own milk and read her own novels. We play tug-of-war; Kiran sprinting ahead to the future she eagerly embraces and me digging my heels in making this time last as long as it possibly can. Maybe Sienna will take a long nap again tomorrow...

Hawaii Day Seven: Aloha Hawaii

Our last day in Hawaii (also last Hawaii post!)! We got up and headed to Queen's Bath- another bigger lava pool. We passed this beautiful little waterfall on our hike there.

Queen's Bath may have been my favorite place. It was so clear and full of life. I just loved sitting on the edge watching the fish in the bath and the sea turtles in the ocean.

Queen's Bath

On the hike back

Old Hanalei Bridge- can't handle heavy machinery so it naturally limits development in Hanalei

Wai'oli Hui'ia Church in Hanalei

We had time for massages on the beach before catching a plane and flying back to our sweet, sweet girls.

We stayed at the Jungle Hideaway which was a guest house about 10 minutes past Hanalei. It was wonderful and we highly recommend it for anyone heading to Kauai. The owners were wonderful- taking care of all our needs and making our trip very special. Plus it had an outside shower which might have been my favorite part of Hawaii.

And that is the end of Hawaii '09. I have no idea what I'll blog about now.

Hawaii Day Six: Surfing, Lighthouse and Sunset

We woke up Monday morning and thought, "Why not learn to surf while in Hawaii?" So we went to Titus Kinimaka's Hawaiian School of Surfing and they had a class starting in 45 minutes. Perfect. We used these big huge boards and the instructors were fabulous and we were both up and surfing on our first try.

Does anyone else see the board getting ready to attack me?

One of Jonathan's runs...you can click on it to make it bigger

Our view as we were surfing into the beach...it was much more beautiful in person. There's the tallest waterfall in Kauai right in the center. I promise.

Surfer Dude

After the surfing lessons, we finally actually went to the lighthouse. The gray blob right in the middle under the rocks is a monk seal. Yeah I thought it was a rock too.

View south from Kilauea Lighthouse

Double rainbow in Hanalei

We went to see the sunset at Ke'e Beach but it was behind the clouds.

I know its blurry but I still like it.

Hawaii Day Five: Hanalei Bay and Secret Beach

Out first three days in Hawaii had been a whirlwind. We came home from Oahu and slept almost 12 hours. I absolutely cannot remember the last time I did that. I'm sure it was pre-pregnancies and pre-babies. We got up, picked up burritos from Red Hot Mama's, and headed to Hanalei Bay to picnic. Hanalei Bay was ranked #1 beach in America in 2009 by Dr. Beach. And its easy to see why- beautiful sand, crescent bay, mountains and waterfalls behind you. It was simply beautiful.

Supposedly Puff the Magic Dragon

We were determined to read and relax on the most beautiful beach in America. And we did. For about an hour. Then we went exploring.

We went to Secret Beach which has secret lava pools and a great view of the Kilauea lighthouse.

Roughest waves we saw

We decided to hike over the lava rock to the secret lava pools. It was maybe 600 yards and it wouldn't have been bad at all- if we were wearing the right shoes. Unfortunately in our determination to rest and relax, we both wore our flimsy flip-flops. We made it but the way there and back would have been much simpler with proper shoes.

There was a waterfall by some of the lava pools. We climbed down near the waterfall to get in the lava pools at the bottom.

We are standing next to one of the lava pools. They were about 6 feet deep and so calming to just sit and relax in. Definitely worth the trek.

We drove down to Kilauea for pizza and ice cream (that's where we heard Julia Roberts was in town) and then found a spot to watch the sun set.

Hawaii Day Four: Oahu

So... Saturday morning we got up and flew to Oahu for the day. (I just love saying that- I flew somewhere for the day.) We started off at Pearl Harbor which was interesting and sobering all at the same time.

view of Memorial from Welcome Center

I mean there was a survivor there. I can't even fathom experiencing a tragedy as that and how that must live with you every single moment of every day of the rest of your life.

The USS Arizona still sits submerged under the memorial

Pearl Harbor was a monumental loss for America but it also caused America to enter WWII which ended up costing 300,000 American soldiers lives. I think the America we live in today is a different place than the one in 1941.

The flag always flies at half-staff

After Pearl Harbor, we drove up the center of the island to the North Shore. On the way, we stopped for lunch at Maui Mike's. They serve a fire-roasted, rotisserie chicken that is absolutely amazing. I rank it as one of the best meals of my life. This is the #1 reason I want to return to Oahu.

Can you spot the two sea turtles playing?

We stopped off at a beach and got to see the sea turtles playing.

And we found the set of LOST! They weren't filming then though :(

We finally made it around the eastern side of the island down to Diamond Head. We didn't realize you had to hike to get to the top and that they recommended an hour and a half for the round trip. We arrived an hour and fifteen minutes before it closed in sandals and me in my dress but we decided to try anyway. We flew up the trail in 20 minutes sacrificing one of my sandals in the process. The view of Waikiki was totally worth it.

Hot and sweaty from our hike up the crater

View of Diamond Head from Waikiki Beach

We had reservations at Duke's on Waikiki Beach and we were ready to eat. Our meal at Duke's was delicious especially the oreo crust, macadamia nut ice cream pie topped with chocolate syrup, whipped cream and mac nuts that our waiter gave us for free! Def best dessert of the trip.

Surfers at Waikiki

After dinner, we headed back to the airport to fly back to Kauai. We arrived back around 11pm and had more than an hour drive back to our place. I tried so hard to stay awake to help Jonathan but he said I kept falling asleep in the middle of talking! Sorry babe. Thanks for getting us home safely.

Hawaii Break: Winning Presents!

A couple of months ago, I won two contests on the internet like within a week of each other. It was a lucky week. I should have bought a lottery ticket.

First, I won a contest on Jacob & Sara's blog. I don't even remember what it was- maybe it was just leaving a comment? Anyways, our package arrived a while back and inside was a beautiful Thai elephant (they were living in thailand then; have since moved to HK). I have it hanging above my stove which is probably very non-feng-shui but it makes me smile while I am cooking. I love keeping up with them because their two girls are pretty much the exact same age as our girls (seriously the firsts are like a week apart and the seconds are like a month b/c hers came early). Thanks Sara!

pretty Thai elephant

Then I won the contest on TeamUecker's blog for guessing the correct birth day of their daughter! I figured I'd be getting a Hook 'Em Horns magnet or something of the likes. I was incredibly surprised when a brand new bright pink Bumgenius 3.0 One-Size Cloth Diaper showed up in my mailbox! I was really touched by the individuality and thoughtfulness of this gift. Now my stash is up to 9 cloth diapers!! Woohoo- thanks Ueckers!

I bummed this picture off the Ueckers blog b/c I didn't take time to take a picture when it arrived on this end- I ripped it open and put it on my daughter's bum immediately! Clean! White! Soft! I love them. So this is baby Annie and she was born on May 4th...just like I predicted.

So...I totally didn't plan this when I started this post but I am inspired to do a contest! I'll give something away! I have no idea what.... this is spontaneous... but I'll do it. And don't worry only like 7 people whose last names aren't Caskey or Fitzgerald read this so your chances of winning are great! Hum what to do for the contest...

Since I'm in the throes of tracking down classmates for our 10 year high school reunion, leave a comment and tell me if you went (or are planning to go) to your 10 year high school reunion and why or why not!

Hawaii Day Three B: A Windy Road Back Home

After the helicopter tour, we drove south to see the Waimea Canyon. Its called "the Grand Canyon of the Pacific." I've never been to the real Grand Canyon, but this one was pretty cool.



If you look way, way off in the distance, you can see the ocean. It might help if you squint.

This is the island of Ni'ihau. Its located 17 miles west of Kauai and is owned by one family. The whole thing. About 100-200 Hawaiians live on the island and they have really strict rules about how people can visit (only if you are invited by one of the residents) and a resident can leave the island any time but if he or she chooses to live somewhere else, they can never live there again. This place fascinates me. I'd love to get an invitation to go there. Maybe next trip.

This is the Pu'u o Kila lookout overlooking the Kalalau Valley- the largest on the Na Pali coast. This picture does no justice. It was by far one of the prettiest views I've ever seen.

We stopped at Glass Beach on the way back but it was pretty disappointing. Just some glass and sand.

We also stopped at Wailua Falls where ancient men would jump off to prove their manhood. So glad that's not a tradition anymore.

Our last stop was Kilauea. This was the part of the island that I loved because I could see myself living there. It was so cute and quaint. And they had the best ice cream. Delicious. The have the lighthouse too but it was already closed for the day.