hawaii…the journey begins

i wish i would have been smart enough to take a before and after picture.  we looked pretty decent when we started, and pretty rugged after our day long journey.  it was so much fun to hop on a few planes filled with sisters and cousins and end up in paradise.  we were able to travel with the hills the whole way, and meet up with the lorenc’s in los angeles.

when we left la, it was bedtime for all these cousins, we were hoping they would sleep for some of the 5 1/2 hour flight.  we didn’t want them to be too exhausted when we arrived and it felt like 1 in the morning to them.

this little sweetheart was such a good girl

waiting and waiting for this little guy to finally fall asleep

these boys were pretty wild and excited for a while, then they finally gave into the exhaustion

jess, emmy, rachel, and morgan

michelle and zach

 

aaron and cooper

       bell and paige

 

these two little girls were asleep before the plane even took off, and slept most of the entire flight.

we made it:)  this is our pile of luggage as we sit and wait for the dads to get back with the rental cars.

we were so excited to finally have made it there!

best christmas present ever

after all the christmas presents had been opened, it was time for one last wonderful surprise.  all the adults had been let in on the secret and started the planning…but all these little grandchildren were about to get some great news.

 

grandma and grandpa had decided to get everyone a plane ticket to hawaii for spring break.  they all opened a present with hawaiian clothes and a card to tell them the great news.

 

cooper wanted to try his on right away

paige. rachel, and haylee headed over to give hugs to grandpa and grandma:)

swimming party

these cute boys have been taking swimming lessons together this year,  so we thought it might be fun for them to try out some of the new skills.  i could not believe how long they played, i am sure they were puckered beyond belief.  we are so glad that “Owee” (that is what cooper calls these cute little brothers) and carson can be such great little buddies.

 

 

cross country skiing

grandpa and grandma and the dads usually end up taking the big girls skiing after christmas.  i have not been on this trip for a long time, some of the moms are usually hanging out at home with little ones.  these girls love to spend this day out in the snow. 

 

 

 

i heart this cute little pouty face:)

 

thier was a mighty dual!  believe it or not, this is the tradition these girls love the most.  they love to have a huge snowball fight with the grown-ups.  the girls made a fort behind all of the skies.

 

 

    the day is not done, until grandpa goes down.  these girls don’t seem to show any mercy for the old grandpa.

 

 

   headed back to the cars.  the day ends with them all stopping for dinner somewhere on the way home.  this year it was applebees, where all the girls were lucky enough to get a little face paint. 

they already can’t wait for next year.

starlight skating

during christmas vacation we always try to make a trip to the skating rink.  my kids beg to do this for days, the parents might not be quite as excited as the kids. we skated as couples, did the limbo, did the hokey pokey, and about broke our arms trying to teach small children to skate.  it is always a huge walk down memory lane when i head to the skating rink.  it takes me back to all those skating parties we won as kids.  i am glad my kids get to enjoy it still.

 

  

 

  

  

  

  

             i am so glad we get to make such fun memories with all these sweet cousins:)