Maui

David and I headed off to Maui on Feb 23rd to enjoy our longest vacation without kids since Autumn was born.  My mom was kind enough to come into Seattle to watch our kids while we were on vacation.  Our flight was long and we had the world's worst child seated behind me.

We landed in the early afternoon and drove to our hotel which we were thoroughly happy with.  Easily the prettiest/best hotel in the Wailea area.  That day we enjoyed the beach and the sunshine and tried our best to stay up late but could only make it to 9 pm.

On our first full day, we decided to take the road to Hana.  We left at 6 am and didn't get back until 10 that night -  mostly because we went all of the way around the island instead of turning back at Hana.  You'll be able to see my tummy already protruding in most of these pictures.

Posing at one of the many scenic stopping points. 

It was cold when it rained.

Black sand beach

We stopped and watched the blow hole that spewed out water periodically.

After we made it to Hana, we stopped at the Haleakala national forest and hiked uphill for 2 miles to see a very tall waterfall.  I have all kinds of symptoms early on in my pregnancies, including heavier breathing, so a walk that would not normally feel fine was a little bit tougher.  And I gain my weight early on so that probably contributed to making it tougher also.  Thankfully it's very cool in the shade in Hawaii.  I was surprised at how much I wore my jacket while we were there.

Resting at the banyon tree on the way up 

Walking through the bamboo forest on the way to the waterfall

David climbing the bamboo. 

The waterfall we hiked up to see.  They had low water levels so the waterfall was tall but a little puny.

Seven Sacred Pools at the bottom of the trail.

The pools were way too cold for me to swim in.  

The next day we took an outrigger canoe out and saw several whales.  We were instructed how to use the paddles properly and followed a guide and my lower back was very sore the next day.  David had no soreness.  I've never had a sore back from paddling a canoe before so that's a first.  We had fun.  Afterwards we planned on going snorkeling, but there was a jellyfish warning that day so I wouldn't get in the water.  I vividly remember my jellyfish sting from our honeymoon so I could wait a day.

Sitting and watching whales

Waiting on the beach for the sunset

The next morning we visited a park that consisted of lava fields.  We walked and walked and walked to hopefully make it to a bay to go swimming but eventually gave up because we had no idea how much longer we were supposed to go.  Everyone else we had run into turned back earlier than us so we had no idea what to expect.  We were disappointed when we got back to the car to check the GPS on our phones and see that we had almost made it.  Such a bummer.

Enjoying a small beach amongst the lava rocks

Enjoying the break from the sun

Later than night we drove up to see the sunset at the Haleakala crater.  We had planned to do see the sunrise at the crater and ride bikes down the mountain, but after reading that 4-8 accidents occur a month we figured that it might not be the safest activity for me right now.  As we drove up that night, we were very thankful that we made that decision.

The crater was large enough to hold Manhattan and deep enough that we would look down on  its skyscrapers.  It was hard to fathom that it was that large while looking at it.

Our one and only couple picture while there.  It was super cold and windy at the top of that dormant volcano.

We returned that night to hear Maroon 5 playing at the hotel next door.  We took this picture only to share with Ashley who is a big fan.  The night before the hotel had a Heart concert (concerts were due to the vast amount of SAP employees staying at our hotel and the hotel next door)

Enjoying the adults only pool the day we left

We got a little bit too much sun on our last day but it was worth it.

I've never seen David read so much as he did on this trip.  Mostly because we were more limited on activities on this trip than ever before.  It's the first beach vacation we've taken in the last 10 years where no scuba diving occured.

February

We had a wonderful snow day where the kids played outside all morning.  Ashley was nowhere to be found, but I honestly can't remember if she was sleeping in late or staying the night at a friend's house.  There was enough snow to go sidewalk sledding, and we put Autumn's skis on Levi so he could ski down the slope on the slide of our house.  He screamed in delight every time he went down. I can't wait to sign him up for ski lessons next year.  I was so sad that he was unable to do it this year, because I knew he would love it.

Autumn making a snow angel on the driveway.

Kids pretending they were monkeys in the trees.

Sledding on the sidewalk

Getting ready to ski on the side of our home.

Autumn dressed up to take a picture to send to her daddy.  It was so cute.  She was sad that he left early before she could say bye so she got dressed super quick and said to take a good-bye picture of her to send so he would remember her.  He was only going to work for the day so I didn't understand her urgency.  

Levi obsessed with the "tractor" at a nearby park

Autumn posing on the pole so I can show Grandma that she can hang on as well as Kaleb can.

Bowl at the park that went around-and-around-and-around

Levi posing on a bug at the park

Levi giving Autumn a motorcycle ride after her valentine's party at school.

This is what happens when you have a big sister.  She makes you dress up and be a fairy for the day.  

My mom flew in so she could watch the kids when David and I go to Maui.  We took her on a hike the day before we left so that the dogs could get some exercise.

Levi refuses to walk when it's cold and damp on the trail.

Everyone catching snow on their tongue.

The morning after we returned from Hawaii.  Levi played golf with every piece of food in their toy kitchen and then paused to smile before he chunked his rocket ship football at me.  I loved vacation but I missed our kids.

January Fun

Our kids are so excited to have the dogs back with us.  The dogs have been much more calm here than they were in Texas.  Of course, they refuse to spend any time outdoors since the grass is damp constantly.  They'll become accustomed to it eventually.  Since our yard is so much smaller than it was in Texas it's probably a good idea to keep them inside until they learn to bark a little bit less.

Levi had his first dentist appointment.  He was surprisingly very well-behaved throughout the visit.  His dental hygienist was able to complete every step which she said was unusual for a first visit.  He waited to throw his tantrum for when the toy he received for doing a good job was not what he wanted (he wanted Autumns).

Park fun

Kids loved this slide because they had to "rock-climb" to access it.

We took David's co-worker from Texas to the sledding hill when she was here.  It was not a good day for snow, but everyone had a blast.  We have no pictures of the main large hill because there was not a good spot to be safe and take pics.  Since it was mildly icy and quite a large hill, you flew down the hill at a terrifying speed.  Ashley busted pretty much every time she went down the hill and tore both her bib and gloves.  Levi would scream in delight every time I took him down.

Autumn resting on a snow chair.

We moved the kids to some tiny hills once the grownups were tired of sledding. We stayed on the small hills for a really long time, because the little ones, including Ashley, had more fun here than we were expecting.

Ashley busted it on the little kids sled on the little hill.

We celebrated at a burger joint afterwards.  Ashley and David each ordered a massive shake along with their massive burgers.  Unfortunately we were unable to convince Carole (MetroPCS employee) to relocate to Seattle.  She did admit that living here appears to be much more fun than living in TX, but she didn't want to leave her family and friends.  I completely understand where she's coming from...it's not easy to relocate to an area where you know absolutely no one.

Ski Lessons

Autumn took ski lessons up at the Snoqualmie summit for 6 weeks.  She loved her lessons and Levi enjoyed playing in the snow every week.

First Day of Class

Levi warming up in the car on our first day

Autumn was the only one to show up on the first day so she had 3 hours of one-on-one lessons.  

Levi entertained himself by rolling down snow hills the entire time.

Both kids passed out within a couple of minutes.

She was too cute.  Her teacher said she was the best in her class.

Besides rolling downhill in the snow, Levi made snow balls to chunk at me or any other ski instructor who would talk to him.  As you can see from this snowball, he liked the biggest snowballs he could make.

David was able to attend 2 of Autumn's lessons.

Levi catching snow flakes with his tongue

I was nervous watching my 5yo get on a lift with a 7yo.

On Autumn's last day, David came and skied with her after her lessons.  Two days later, David took Ashley to the slopes to practice but there was a rare snowstorm and the highways were shut down to both ski resorts within reasonable distance of our home.