Oahu, Hawaii 2009

In August, we went to Oahu, Hawaii. Some of our best friends, the Houses, went with us. They have turned into our official traveling companions. Over the last 2 years or so, the four of us have gone to Montana, Hawaii, Grand Cayman, and Breckenridge. As usual, we had a great time together. Here are some pics from the trip...

Flowers etc. from around the hotel

Waikiki Beach

Pineapple Fields

Hanama Bay
We went snorkeling at Hanama Bay. This was one of the highlights of the trip. We saw an octopus, blow fish and a sea turtle.

Diamond Head

We went on what was advertised to be an easy hike that "people and children of all ages could enjoy". Honestly, I passed people on our way back down that I'm certain croaked before ever getting back to sea level. When it says, "Are you ready for the climb?" you should heed warning and run the other way. It wasn't just me....Matt, Jeremy & April were all cussing this mother of a hike. Once we finally go to the top, Matt was immediately attacked by a plume of gnats coining his nickname, "Gnat Matt". (Seriously, there were at least a million of them) Here are a few pics from the hike...

April and I went to a lei making class at the hotel.

Dole Plantation

Sea Turtles on shore!

We found a beach that had about 100 sea turtles on the shore eating algae. They were incredible. The close up pictures were not zoomed in on my computer, I was just all up in his grill. Don't worry, I'm an animal lover so I didn't bother him too much :)

Views from around the island

While there, we celebrated our 8 year anniversary :)

Great trip!

Mahalo!

First Little School Pictures!

State Fair 2009

The State Fair is another family tradition. We love it! This was a fun year because Sam is getting to an age when he can actually participate in stuff. He played games and rode the rides. He was insistent that he ride the ferris wheel (I didn't even know he knew what that was) but was too little to ride.

You will also see that he has a monkey on his back in each and every picture. I made so much fun of moms like me before I had one of my own. I thought it was completely ridiculous to put a leash on your 2 year old. I mean, couldn't they just control them? Well, I am totally eating those words. If you knew my child, you would understand. He is all all all active boy and combining that with a million carnival workers and visitors, it's enough to give me a panic attack. So voila, monkey on his back.

Here are a few pictures of our Fair fun :).....

The Sweetest Words...

Out of the blue, Sam came up to me, wrapped his arms around my legs and said the best little sentence his little voice has ever muttered...

"I wuv you so much Mommy."

Completely on his own. Each and everyday he is talking more and more so this should not surprise me but it still took me by surprise. And of course, I cried. (I'm a bit of a crier)

Whatcha doin' Daddy?

Whatcha doin' Daddy? This is one of Sam's favorite things to say & I can see Matt's face light up when he hears it. The other day, Matt was working on his truck and was using a jack. Sam went in the garage to check it out. When he asked Matt what he was doing, Matt showed him how to jack up his 4-wheeler (his favorite favorite) so that he could check out the tires.

One of my favorite things about these pictures is that it is a perfect snapshot of my little life and the things I hold dear. My sweet husband, my precious little Sambo, and my big hearted, overweight, lovable lab Owen. All doing simple stuff that you will find on any given weeknight just before bath time.

Labor Day at the Ranch 2009

Every year, the family piles in at the Ranch for some dove hunting and fall fun. This year was no exception. However, I think that this was the first year that Sam fully understood what was going on. He had a blast! He just loves all of his cousins. Here are a few pics...

We kicked off the weekend with a fire and smores. This was the first time Sam has ever really participated in it. I had my back turned and was talking (shocking) and turned around and he was all by himself, just toasting away. He just grabbed a stick, stuck on a marshmallow and away he went.

The next morning, all the kids piled into the old truck and went to look for the longhorns. I think that this was all Sam's idea. He's kinda relentless when he wants something. I don't know where he gets that. Uncle Kelly and Drew & Dalton and Brooks followed on the 4-wheelers. This was the first time that any of the kiddos have been allowed to drive one of the 4-wheelers alone. Since Brooks is the oldest (by about 6 months) he did the honors. When my mom started to tell him all the things to watch out for and not to speed etc, he just put his hand on her shoulder and said as serious as he could be, "Nene, don't worry...I'm building trust". Simple as that.

Next was a little playtime for Sam and Luke (aka Wook) on one of the tractors.

That afternoon, between hunting trips, the guys squeezed in a little touch football which I'm sure will become a new family tradition.

That night, we ate and had a birthday party for Dalton. Aunt Heather (which Sam now calls Aunt Heifer) taught him how to blow a party blower. He was sooo proud!