Saturday, December 22, 2012

Visiting Home

Our flight home was...well, interesting.  First, we lost Gracie's backpack with all her toys for the trip home.  We didn't realize we didn't have it until we were in line for TSA.  Our friend, who dropped us off, checked her car and even went back to the hotel to try to find it.  We are pretty sure we left the bag in the elevator on the way out of the hotel to the car.  We've called numerous times, and they still say it has not been turned in.  Which means someone took her bag and her favorite toys for themselves!  I was so sad for her and still am.  I hope whomever took the bag is enjoying the toys and think/thank her every time they play with them.  Punks.  Other than that, I sat in between a man who was 6' 4" and another man who had bad body order.  Oh and I was holding Griffin.  Justin and Gracie sat behind us.  We were not able to get all of our seats together.  It was an uncomfortable flight to Phoenix to say the least.  Our flight home was uneventful so that was much better.  God was watching out for us because I had an empty seat next to me so Griffin and I could spread out a bit.

Our visit home was much like the others.  We saw family and friends and did as much as we could while being back.  We had family dinners, went to the zoo, played at Pump-It-Up, ate a lot of food, played with friends, went to the dentist, visited my "work" friends, visited Rohwer, saw Tina's wedding dress and Gracie tried on flower girl dresses and tried to find time to relax as well.  We had so much fun being home and spending quality time with our families and friends.

Lizette and Gracie

Gracie and Uncle Popo

Hanging out at Grandma Pam's
Big eyes
Dressed for winter now
All I can do is smile when I see these two faces
Pump-It-Up playdate with friends

Griffin's first time down a slide
All the kids!  We are almost outnumbered!
Dominic, Jude, Gracie, Griffin, Amelia and John
Mills

John!
Dominic
Buddies
It's ok Griff, John likes you!
See I told ya!
Gracie wanted "to get married like Tina", so we started trying on flower girl dresses

She thought she was a princess


Pretty girl

Griffin and his girlfriend Tenley

First time at the zoo!


He looks like he wants to give me a smooch!




Shaka~ She loves that now.

 Thanksgiving
The great grandkids
Aunt Rosie and Gracie

Our computer made it!

Our stuff shipped across the ocean on November 16th and made it to California on the 23rd...ish.  I was worried that our container with all of our belongings would fall off the ship and be forever gone in the water.  But alas, it made it to shore and to Texas. Yay!!  (Justin read online that it actually happens more than you would think so we are thankful it did not happen to us.)

I'll pick up where we left off, sometime at the beginning of November, and end right before we left Hawaii to go home for a visit before heading to Texas.  Lots to share!

Oh, and the day we moved into our new house in Texas, the camera was found wrapped up in a living room end table!!!!!!  Praise the Lord and thank you St. Anthony (and thank you to the movers)!  So those "lost"pictures that now have been found, will also be included. :)

Lost pictures...
Lounging
Lounging
Our friend the gecko
Getting so big!
The pirate ship from The Pirates of the Caribbean 
Dry docked in Ko' Olina
Justin and Griffin




Boots and Kimo's Restaurant!!  This is where we ate a super yummy breakfast!
Blueberry Muffin with the Blueberry Macadamia Pancakes
Playing the Wii


She's a pro
Kuhuku Macadamia Nut Farm
What a view!


Whoa that's a large cookie!
Turtle Bay Resort
Turtle Bay


Pipeline

Love
On H-3 heading to Kailua



Fell asleep with her legs between her bed and wall

Gracie and Sophia

Field trip with our friends to Dole Plantation to buy coffee for my mom, feed the fish and to eat some pineapple ice cream!
I love Griffin's smile :)
And my Gracie's too :)
hahahaha
Dimples!
Gracie, Kamryn and Kenzie
Taking in the beauty of Hawaii
Best ice cream ever!

Field trip to Byodo-In Temple with the girls!  Such a beautiful and peaceful place!








Signing the "Autograph Tree"





Me and my babies!

Last night on the island.  Dinner with the Adams and Schoneberg Families.  We miss these faces so so much!  Our friends from the beginning until the end of our stay.  We made some awesome friends for life.  Love you guys and thanks for absolutely everything.  You will always hold a special place in our hearts.


Stayed at the Marriot Club on our last day and half on the island.  Beautiful place.  We met up with the girls for one final beach day.  I really miss the island but mostly our friends.
Last rainbow in paradise.  Every time I see one from that point on, I will always remember the island and the beautiful memories we made there.


The princesses playing with princesses
The gang
Kamryn and Kenzie
Sophia and Gracie
My happy boy 
Picture with Mommy
Being goofy in the hotel room






My Hawaiian girl




Our final weeks in Hawaii were amazing!  We crossed many things off our island to-do list and left others for the day we return to visit.  We miss it dearly, and we miss our friends even more.  Until we meet again Hawaii.