January Part 2

Won't you guys be so proud of me when I finally catch up?!

Here is Part 2 of January...

The next thing on our January agenda was a couple visitors!  Grandpa Mike and Great Grandma Judy came to visit us from January 12th to the 18th.  Here are some of our adventures...

We took them up to North Shore to see the beaches and waves.  Along the way, we stopped at the Dole Plantation.  Pretty neat place with lots of history.  I actually learned some interesting facts. One being that pineapples take about 2 years to grow from a seed to a fully mature pineapple (in some places it can take up to 3 years)!  Crazy, huh?  Another fact is that pineapple ice cream is freakin' delish!  Seriously. So good.  And I'm not just saying that because I'm preggo people!

While there, we rode the train, The Pineapple Express (not like the movie), where we got a tour of the land and listened to the history of the plantation and information about pineapples and other produce grown.

Our ride for 20 minutes

Gracie was super excited in the beginning to go on the train.  Then after about 8 min. of the 20 min. ride, she was over it.

Gracie showing her excited face before we left! hehe

So to my teacher friends back home.  If you are looking for a field trip idea that will last a few days to eat up your long days at school, then I'll get you my Kama'aina discount (local rate) for the train ride.  I mean what parent at my previous school would not want to send their kid to Hawaii for a few days with their awesome teacher for a field trip?  I can think of a few who would love to do so...

We also took Grandpa and Great Grandma to Gracie's heaven on Earth, Mickey and Minnie's home away from home.  She seriously loves it there and I can't get enough of her face when we see the characters.

Kisses for Mickey

Hugs for Mickey

Group shot with the man or should I say mouse
(at this point in the pregnancy I was 24 weeks and getting bigger)

Great Grandma Judy even got into the Disney spirit with Goofy

Relaxing at Mickey's house

As for the rest of their trip, I was terrible, yet again, at remembering to take pictures.  To recap what we did, I'll do what I do best and make a list.
-Explored the famous Pink Hotel (Royal Hawaiian)
-Shopped for souveniors
-Walked along Waikiki beach
-Went to Ko'Olina lagoons
-Justin and Mike went to the Sony Open
-Justin, Mike and Judy golfed in Ewa Beach
-and just hung out at the house enjoying the family time and weather
We loved having you both out to visit.  Please come back soon!!!!



Next, on our January agenda, was a whole lotta birthday parties...we had 3 within 3 weeks.  I only remembered to take pictures at one party...go figure.

Our little friend, Kamryn turned 2 years old.  Her mom and dad celebrated at their house with a breakfast birthday bash theme.  We ate breakfast foods, wore jammies and had maple bacon cupcakes.  Totally cute idea which I will probably steal use when we go back to Omaha.  Thanks to Kamryn and her family for having us over and showing us a fun time!

Bouncing in her jammies

Working up a sweat!

We also celebrated our little friends, Kiara's (3) and Jayden's (1) birthdays.  Kiara's birthday was a Minnie Mouse theme.  Perfect for little Miss G.  She got to bounce and slide until her little legs were worn out and her heart was content.  She ate more jelly beans than she can count (which is up to 20).  She even got to eat a Minnie Mouse cupcake which she thought was "so cute, Mommy".  At Jayden's Sesame Street birthday, she got to play outside and swing!  This is a pretty big deal as the parks out here do not contain a single swing.  Why? you must be thinking...I have no clue!  It's weird.  Add that to one of the many weird things we've encountered out here.  Anyways, Jayden's mommy went all out with decorations and cake and party favors.  It was definitely something out of Pinterest.  I want to hire her to do Gracie's bday in June ;)  We left that night, full and happy and Gracie loved her party favor bucket (yes, a bucket full of goodies).  Props to Jayden's mom and dad!  We are so lucky to have gotten to know these families as they and their children have brought joy to our lives out here.  Thanks for always thinking of us!

These last 2 pictures from January are just too cute for words.  Like father like daughter in this home.

We found her sitting like this at the table with her toothpick.  Laughed so hard