I am sitting here at this computer next to a lit fire. Sipping hot cocoa. It's barely dawn outside and snow is lightly falling. There's that blueish misty light all around. I may or may not be listening to Believe by Josh Groban. I'm snug as a bug here, feeling extra toasty and content. I don't think I'll get out of pajamas today. Lucy is still sleeping and Scarlett is eating oatmeal in her high chair next to me. I might get a spoonful flung at the side of my face soon. And I'm trying to write about our trip to green and lush Hawaii where the highs every day were low 80's and the lows every night were low 70's. And I'm having serious brain cramping. Because climate changes seem to put worlds of distance between events. What I'm seeing outside doesn't exist in the same world as what's in that picture up there.
We got back last Thursday morning, the 7th of December (my marmie's birthday!!) and I have been in a complete zombie coma ever since. We took the red eye flight Wednesday night from Kauai, landed Thursday morn, had the NorthStar Christmas party Thursday night and finished off celebrating our 10 day long anniversary festival on our actual anniversary, Friday the 9th. Today is the first day I'm actually feeling like the routine could happen in my life again. But I'm not complaining. Don't you dare accuse me of complaining!
We wanted to do something fun in honor of our 5 year commemoration of wedded bliss. The six of us (two babies in tow and Jason's parents- their first time to Hawaii!) set off last Wednesday the 30th of Nov. on a 5 hour direct flight from SLC to Oahu. We spent 4 days on Oahu and 3 on Kauai. Jason proposed on Kauai so we thought it would be romantic to return. And it was! I was a little worried leading up to the trip considering my state and bringing two toddlers along. But I only had two face-contorted-tears-streaming emotional break-downs during the week (one of these cry-fest breakdowns to hubby about how I was just tired and couldn't go at regular pace concluded with a bird flying over us and pooping on my leg), only threw up once, and the girls did way better than I expected with getting a nap in here and there when possible and going to bed way later than normal. It was amazing! And always lovely to come back to our wonderful warm home. Even if it is cold here in Utah.
Okay so many things are swimming in my head, I've got to try to organize them. So I'm journaling this, breaking this into days here. For posterity's purposes. You know they'll expect me to be organized, because that's the way great-great-grandmothers are. Do you think they'll think I'm a pioneer woman too? Just because I'm their great-great-grandma? Do you think they'll tell stories about me in relief society? Like, "I mean, my great great gran did it all. She had an awesome epidural with each childbirth, she took good care of her babies, kept slightly clean/ mostly messy house, she cooked a lot of frozen lasagnas, she had short hair that stood up on end at all times, she liked cracking jokes at social functions, she wrote a blog... I mean it's hard to know how those women did it all... I really admire her." Think they'll say that? I hope so.
Oh and just a heads up, you've got 5,337 pictures coming your way. And a looooong post. Because I have to do this vacay justice. I just can't skimp. So this is a major undertaking. MAJOR.
Day 1: We got into Hawaii Wednesday evening and headed to our hotel on Waikiki beach. The girls were superb on the flight; I was actually in a bit of shock at how well they did, so I was waiting... looking over my shoulder constantly in a state of frenzied paranoia... waiting for a melt down to hit. But it didn't. It was late, we were all exhausted but invigorated by the smell of exotic flora in the air. Especially Scarlett, she actually closed her eyes, took a deep breath in and said, Can you smell that plumeria? We sat looking over the beach, watched the sunset and ate pizza. We were starving, especially me (pregnancy hunger=angry hunger) and the pizza was divine.
Day 2: Headed up to the north shore of Oahu. Made a b-line to Giovanni's shrimp truck. Honestly, no words can describe this garlic butter shrimp. The only comfort I have in leaving is knowing my parents are coming to town this weekend and my mom has somehow concocted a replica recipe that are equally mind-blowing, and has agreed to our request that we will make them this Saturday night. Except her sticky rice is better than Giovanni's. This meal is not for the weak or faint-hearted. This meal is not for people who like shrimp so-so (Vanessa!). This meal is heavenly manna. I'm pretty sure that's what the children of Israel found in the desert. That's what they meant by manna. Giovanni's garlic butter shrimp. Am I being sacrilegious? I mean, maybe that is what they found but they'd never had it before ya know?
I was slightly alarmed when we got our permanent black markers out to sign our names on the truck to look over and see my father-in-law scribbling profanity instead... even trying to cover it up with one hand so we wouldn't see what he was writing. That J Dale is so unpredictable!
We ordered Lucy her very own plate, hoping to clean up after she ate a couple, and much to Jason's and my horror, she ate every last shrimp. I think there are a like 15 on each plate. We were really hoping she wouldn't. But she did.
And look how happy she was with herself. She's just content with her lot in life.
And even saved room for some delicious corn on the cob, which I must say is a fabulous addition since we've been there last.
After heading up to Haleiwa for some Matsumoto's shaved ice, we made our way back down to the temple grounds. But not without stopping at sunset beach and watching the world cup of surfing for a while. It was pretty awesome. And I looked at those beach bum surfer girls, all golden tan with no make-up, with their little bikinis and shorts and long salt-watery, stringy, sun-bleached hair, and I found myself sortof wishing I was one of them. And so I pretended to trip and spilled the rest of my melted shaved ice all over one of them. And then I was glad I wasn't her.
Next we headed over to the temple to see the visitor's center and grounds. It's an exquisite temple. And I love that you can see the ocean standing from the front doors.
This one might just be my favorite from the whole trip:
That night we went to dinner and the night show at the polynesian cultural center... you know, with the fire dancers and all the works. I've been to the night show once before when our family went when I was 17. I had to laugh sitting there, laugh right out loud, remembering my 17 year old self watching all the dancers and drummers in their grass skirts and thinking they were so hot. There was one tongan drummer boy in particular that I was sure I was destined to run away with. I promised myself I'd be back to find him, I mean, he hit on me while we were there, whispered, "I'm single," in my ear and I was pretty much love struck and over the moon the entire rest of the time. This experience was slightly different. While I still got hit on several times by many of the polynesian dancers (they have a thing for preggies), I was mostly hoping my babies would go to sleep because the show started at 7... that's 10 pm Utah time (!!!) and I was having anxiety about them. So this time I was mostly irritated, wondering why they had to be scream-singing war cries quite so loud and if they had to bang their drums quite so blaringly. I probably should have stood up and asked them to tone it down, because my girls needed to fall asleep during the show. They would have listened, I should have done it.
P.S. They didn't fall asleep til like the last 20 minutes. I had to just take a deep breath and talk my mother brain down... had to let it be. And Jason's mom Linda did lean over to me and say, "I can see why you were so infatuated with the drummers..." Turns out she and a drummer boy of her own were making eyes at each other the whole night. That Linda! She really did say that though. We laughed. Something about them pounding away on those drums in their little grass skirts. I know what Jason's being for Halloween next year. I have the vision already worked out in my mind... I'll be sitting back, eating grapes, ordering him NOW DRUM!!
The next day, we went to breakfast at Cinnamon's in Kailua (highly recommend! Crab cake eggs benedict and red velvet pancakes!) and then went on the muddiest hike in history up to Maunawili falls. We'd never been on this hike so we weren't quite sure what to expect, but if you're there during the rainy season, watch out for this one.
And I don't mean to brag about my agility, but must say that I was the one and only person to remain on two limbs the entire 3 mile hike. And by two limbs, I mean on my hands. I did the entire hike in hand-stand position. I just didn't think it'd be challenging enough for me walking up the jungly, muddy mountain side on my feet.
The proof in the pudding, after pap-in-law's first fall:
Some more proof:
And more:
Now, before you start thinking I'm particularly cruel and sadistic, I'm happy to report that no one was injured at all. And we all had some great laughs over the slippery stumbles. I mean, this last one was the most graceful and beautiful fall I've ever seen a woman perform. Linda started to lose her balance and did sortof a figure eight pitter-patter in the mud before mentally embracing that she was a goner and somehow pulled off a triple axle in the air on her way down before landing with perfect form on her back in the bushes. She later said that it felt something like landing on a feather bed.
I could not regain my composure for some time after watching that one. I laughed til I cried, and I laugh-cried for some time. Couldn't get the mental image out of my mind. I'm sick.
Yeah... he's excited for another little girl. Indeed. He gets loved on night and day.
Here's our destination! It wasn't quite the niagara we'd been envisioning, but we got to sit down. And that's what counted the most.
And, here's my stallion just before getting back into our car after the tiresome journey was completed.
Pretty awesome. These two are some of my very favorite people on the planet.
We drove straight to Hanauma Bay so we could play "dead beached whale" face down in the sand. Well, that's what I played at least. Don't know how anyone was up for a snorkle after that hike, like my 70-year old father in law and mother in law too. Exhaustion much. Dead beached whale for me. Yes.
The next day, Jason and his parents hit Pearl Harbor bright and early. The girls and I slept in. It was lovely. Then Scarlett got a good decent nap in a couple hours later and when she woke up, we hit the beach across the street. Linda was back by then and the boys were off to Aloha Stadium to watch the BYU football game. The cougs were victorious, and the boys were in good spirits upon their return.
Scarlett Marie. I hope she smiles like this forever.
Love these shots of Lucy and Grandma dancing in the waves...
This is right before it got ugly... when Lucy flipped Grandma down onto her back in the sand and then put her in a double-arm bar. You can see in this photo, she's strategizing, getting into position.
There has to be at least one amputee per beach day:
It was much needed girl time, relaxing in the ocean breeze.
The next day, it was up and out fairly early. We hit the Aloha Stadium swapmeet for a couple hours and then headed to the airport to catch our flight to Kuaui. 25 minute flights are my favorite.
Here's our big girl all buckled in by herself on the plane.
We checked into the Grand Hyatt at PoiPu beach on Kauai and it was what all my dreams were made of. I wish I could live there. Kauai might be one of my very favorite places on earth. I think it's my favorite island for sure. It's just less touristy and even more laid back than the others. It's paradise. The girls were a little tired from all the hustle bustle when we got check in.
The next day, we set off for another hike. Drove up to the north shore of the island, started hiking at ke'e beach and hiked to Hanakapi'ai Beach, where we got engaged. I was worried about our girls because this one was four miles round trip. But my husband is the biggest "YES man" who's ever lived and there is nothing he won't find a way to make happen. I was trying not to be a Debbie Downer, because, after all we were hiking back to the beach where Jason proposed. But I sortof just wanted a helicopter to take us in. My little Lucy was such a trooper. And ya know what? We all were. Jason carried Scarlett the entire time, just like our first hike, I let Lucy ride piggy back every ten minutes or so when she needed a break, and Grandma and Grandpa were stellar as always. I remember the hike being a bit strenuous when we went five years ago, but I wasn't pregnant then. And we didn't have two tinies with us. So it was challenging.
And breath-taking. And not nearly as muddy as the first hike. You hike along the side of a mountain and you're over looking the ocean the entire time. It's really quite surreal.
This is about the exact spot where he got down on one knee over five years ago. The tide was higher this time around, but being back there again with him was absolutely magical. And worth all the fuss. Oh my heart.
Nothing like a sister to give you a boost when times get tough. So cute.
This is what happens when you strip a baby and lay her down on her back in the sand to change her diaper.
And on our way back. Lucy was crying when we started back and kept saying, "I can't do this mommy! I just so tired. I need to fall asleep on your back." I about burst into tears right then and there. We held hands the whole time and about 10 minutes into our trek back I asked her if she wanted to say a prayer to ask Heavenly Father to help us not be so tired. So we did. And I'm not kidding, that girl got a second wind like I've never seen. I guess the Lord answers little girl prayers in the form of pixie dust because she suddenly had pockets full of it, throwing it on any and everyone who needed a little boost, yelling and laughing, "Pixie dust awaaaaaay!!" every time she did. She took turns walking and riding on my back but everyone did great and she and Scarlett both did awesome. My heart was so full I thought it might burst on that hike back. I'm just thankful to know that there is a God in heaven who is our Father who listens and answers even the littlest prayers.
By the way, that little baby girl number three's getting bigger, isn't she? She's started to really make her presence known, isn't she?! eh? ehh?? Yes she sure is. Turns out it hasn't just been indigestion after all.
We drove directly to brick oven pizza after this hike and stuffed our faces like no one's ever seen. Did I mention that Italian food has been my major staple this pregnancy? Can't live without it. That pizza and pasta was extraordinary. And the fact that my father-in-law J almost got in a fist fight at the buffet, made everything more interesting. Some dude got all upset and told him he needed to apologize for elbowing his nephew. Do you know my husband's dad, Mister?? Are you really trying to have a confrontation with grandpa? Do you know buffets? Of course they're about throwing elbows! Especially with little kids, they're way easier to elbow out of the way. And your nephew was way annoying and pushy. Get a life. I was chapped, but everyone else just thought it was pretty funny. I guess it is. But still.
Down time at our hotel the next day. Beautiful day.
We put the kids to bed early that night and watched Pearl Harbor in our room. And ordered room service. I cried my eyes out. Over the movie... but that room service was awesome, too. It added to the emotion of it all.
The next day, our last day in Hawaii, Jason and his parents woke up early and went on an ATV tour through the jungle. I couldn't go because of the bun in the oven. Which again, I was happy to hang behind and relax at our hotel.
They went though, and swung out on the actual rope swing that's in the first Indiana Jones movie. A real highlight for Jason.
Did I mention that Grandpa just turned 70? Nothing stops him.
And my gallant hub:
That afternoon, we drove to the opposite side of the island and headed up Waimea canyon, also known as the grand canyon of Hawaii. Again, break-taking. The views were incredible. We were all really surprised, guess we just weren't expecting it to be quite so spectacular.
The part of this for me that was most fun was the wind whipping my dress up around my face all afternoon. I whipped hard and strong. And Lucy lifting my dress up to get underneath over and over again. I'm sure it was everyone else's favorite part, too.
And like I said, this is our last day in Hawaii people. Look at this last picture. While I'm writing the world's longest blog post, can I take the liberty and make it longer? I just wanted to show you that motherhood has robbed me of the ability to get a tan. It's the weirdest thing. I've always been sortof olive complected, never really burned much but definitely always tanned. And now neither happens. I got back from Cancun stark white last month and on my way back from Hawaii it seems I lightened up even a few more shades. It's not that big of a deal, it just perplexes me. And I just think I'm a little cuter with a tan. I think you think so too... but about you... maybe you've been spending time thinking that about me too. Then again I guess being "cute" is not high on the priority list of the pregnancy/child birthing/nursing/mothering gods. I guess it would be in a world where cankles and flab are attractive. (This train of thought is going 500 places at once and I'm ridin' it!) Thing about it, my husband is immune to all of it. And after 5 years of marriage you'd think it would be something I totally love and adore. But I can't decide how I feel about it. Because I really can wear pajamas all week and then actually get ready and do my hair and put make-up on and I'll be thinking I'm all smokin' and he gets home and gives me the exact same greeting. And then when I ask why he didn't notice, he says, "You always look beautiful to me. You don't need make-up," which my mind does recognize as being sweet. But I want him to stammer and stumble into the wall or something sometimes when he gets home and I've put effort into beautifying. I want him to be blown away, and act like an idiot the way guys do in the movies in front of a pretty lady. Because he walks in and I stand there and do my little twirl-curtsy and he's like, "Ready to go?" And then I feel like being pouty, which I don't do (of course not!) because I'm a lot more sophisticated than that. Point of all this tangent? I can't get a tan. Not to save my life.
Point of this blog post? We love Hawaii. I know if you've been, you think you love Hawaii, too. Like, hello? Who doesn't?! But we love it more. And I love my family. So much. More than you love yours. Just kidding. And I love my husband. I would never hike miles in the mud while pregnant if it weren't for him. Never! I mean, I'd try to go spend the day at a day spa getting facials and massages or something silly and boring like that! Ha. I've loved our 5 years together. More than words can say. And I look forward to another five years, and five after that, and then forever...with him.
