Bellows Beach

I know that I've mentioned it before, but Bellows Beach is our absolute favorite beach on Oahu.  We love it and have been many times.  With that said and even though I always take 100 pix for each activity we do, I only have a few pix of this visit due to the loss of all my back logged pix in October 2014.  That's what I get for not keeping up, right!?  

Anyway, here are the adorable pix of one of the last times we went to Bellows in a long while.

 Vaughn was EVERYWHERE during this trip!  He found this kayak and surfboard and just kept going over and back for at least 20 min.  Every time he came down from the kayak he would face plant.  Needless to say, he ate a lot of sand this day.

 We love these bamboo mats for our kids.  No more yelling because of sandy feet on towels!  These three just needed a short break and then were gone again.  (Lizzy and Joe, Ally)

Ally had so much fun this trip she actually fell asleep in our little camp chair.  I'm serious, this NEVER happens!  I would love to know what the trick was on this one.  She had such a great time and honestly, can you even think of anything better than playing on the beach and falling asleep in the sun on a tropical island?  I can't. 

T-Ball

Joe is a boy.  I know, surprise, surprise!  We decided when he turned four this year that it was time to sign him up for some extra curricular activities.  That's when Evie began ballet as well.  So we signed Joe up for t-ball.

He so loves it!  It moves a bit slow for him though.  He loves that he has a glove and a ball.  He loves hitting the ball.  He loves throwing the ball.  He does a great job during practices and while learning all the skills he needs to be successful.  

Joe runs to first base!

the team comes together at the end for a cheer

He just hates waiting his turn to do all the things he loves.  I have caught Joe numerous times, skipping from team to team just in time to bat for each one.  The last time I caught him I let one of the coaches know what was happening.  He was so good.  He kept Joe involved in practicing ball skills while he waited in line.  I was so grateful!

 Oh, such a cute ball player!

Daddy got to coach.  Joe absolutely loved it!

Joe loves to hang out before game time!

 I think he loves it even more when we hit Burger King 

for lunch after game time! 

Just discovered that Joe and dad have decided to do football next!  We are looking forward to it!  Wish them luck.

The Shafers come to Hawaii!

We were so excited to find out that Chris' best friend and his family were going to come to Hawaii.  It was an amazing opportunity to renew a really good friendship for all of us.  The kids got a chance to get to know each other better.  We had so much fun!  We got to spend two days with them during their visit.  We went to the Polynesian Cultural Center and then have a great BBQ at their cabana on the beach at the Pililaau army resort in Waianae.  It was so much fun to talk with them and watch our kids giggle.  

the kids being silly at the PCC

watching the boat parade together

Lainey and Joe tried out some of the games in a village

Joe was so proud that the Fijian warrior let him hold the club!

Aunt Megan was so generous to get Evie a matching head lei!

*on a personal note, my favorite moment was when Megan and I sat on the beach watching our kids and reading books together.  We had a good chat about each other's books and were comfortable with the quiet between us.  It was so nice.

the BBQ turned out great!

Chris was very proud of his fruit arrangement

Lizzy so loves the beach

 Ally does too, just not at this moment

 Joe so enjoyed being at the beach

 Evie and all the kids had a great time making this sand palace!

 Even V enjoyed the beach, though I felt like washing his mouth every two seconds, 

that darn hand!

 We all had a wonderful time.  We are so grateful that through all the moving of both families and the changes and new additions, our love for each other has remained the same.  Thanks guys for coming to see us and including us in some of the activities.  We loved it!