Utah

After Hawaii the kids and I drove up to Utah to see family and friends for a couple of weeks.  We were able to see a lot of people but unfortunately missed seeing some others also.   The first day we drove up to Provo and saw my old neighbor and her family Aimee.  She has the cutest family and bought a new house with land for her little farm.  She taught me a lot about gardening, homemaking and being an amazing mother.  Then we went to Orem to see my Aunts and cousins.  The kids had so much fun there.

My Aunt Pat and I

The kids loved playing at my cousin Michelle's house

Caitlyn and Cole hanging around

 Then we headed back down to Delta where we spent the week playing in the pool, being spoiled by Grandma and Grandpa and visiting family and friends.

playing air hockey with Lara

making a splash on Steve and Carol's slide

Liam sliding down the stairs

snorkeling in Grandma's pool, no fish but we did find money

visiting Great Grandpa Nielsen

It flew by and before we knew it 4th of July was here.  Even our Nation's capital can't compare to celebrating the 4th of July in Delta (at least for me).  The parade, park, navajo tacos with cousins, demolition derby, and fireworks did not disappoint.

waiting for the parade to start

My cousins' kids.  So cute!

as usual a ton of candy from the parade

my veteran Grandpa, sure do love him

The following day we flew home to see our very happy Daddy!  We sure did miss him but it was great being back in Utah for a few weeks.  Hopefully, it won't take another 2 1/2 years to get back there again.

Hawaii Sunset pictures

 My favorite sunset pictures at Ke'e beach

 My favorite sunset pictures from our sunset cruise

Hawaii (cont.)

. . .watching the dolphins play in the ocean, 

eating coconut shrimp, fresh pineapple and shaved ice, 

and a sunset cruise along the Na Pali coast.  

Needless to say it was a vacation I will not soon forget.  

Thanks to my Mom and Scott who provided accommodations and planned the event.

Hawaii

view of Ke'e beach from Kalalau trail

Craig and I had the opportunity to go to Hawaii with some of my family this summer and thanks to my mother in law for watching the kiddies.  We flew into Arizona, visited with family then left the kiddies and flew to LA where we took an optional bump and hung out with my sister for 24 hours.  From there we flew direct to Kauai where we were staying for the week.  The week included many adventures like 

kayaking,

hiking to Hanakapi'ai falls,

The trail that leads around the Na Pali coast

On our way to the waterfall we ran into Will Smith

It was cold but we couldn't resist swimming under the falls

8 mile hike but it was certainly worth it

relaxing on Hanakapi'ai beach

enjoying the sunset on Ke'e beach,

snorkeling with turtles,

 driving up Waimea Canyon, 

Craig roaring like a tiger

AND . . . 

Myrtle Beach

Once again Craig went down to Myrtle Beach for a conference in early June and the kids and I went with him.  This visit we stayed at the Marriott right on the beach and loved it.

The Marriott has about 4 pools, a water slide, hammocks and then the ocean just a short walk down to the beach.  I did my best keeping the kids from getting completely sunburned even though we were out playing 8-10 hours every day, (though I was not as successful at keeping my back from getting sunburned).

I'm not sure which the kids enjoyed more, playing in the sand, the waves of the ocean, or the water slide but we did plenty of all of it.

 

We also took the kids down to the board walk and rode the sky wheel one evening.  What a great view of the beach.

I am so grateful for a wonderful husband who works hard even when we were down playing at the pool and ocean all weekend.