We are alive!

Although the looks of our pitiful blog from this summer might lead you to believe otherwise, we are still alive! We have had a fun filled, extremely busy summer!! The last thing I wrote about was our Hawaii trip, which seems like ages ago. Sorry to all of my eager followers!! I know you expect our life to be so much more interesting than this blog eludes to.

Well, as always after a long blog break, I'm going to take it slow as not to overwhelm you or me (mostly me) with 4 months of "stuff". When you end the summer and realize there are 265 pictures on the camera, it's tough to know where to start. So, hmmmmmm...... where to begin.

Way back in June, Keller took his first swimming lessons. He loved the water, and he and Zach got to go down the water slide on the last day of class. The weather was perfect except for one cold day when he shivered as he mumbled the words "all done... all done". He learned to blow bubbles, kick-kick-kick, and row-row-row! Going all the way under wasn't his favorite part of the lesson, but he obliged. Here are a few pics from the week. Daddy of course was our photographer!

Keller's first day of swim lessons, not sure what to expect!

First dip in the pool

Bubbles

I'm sure enjoying the cool water

trying to get him to act like he is happy...

there it is...

kick-kick-kick... i think we were singing "motorboat"

fhewwww... 1 down, 7 more to go

My favorite picture... dazed!

I think swimming lessons are so important for children. My brothers and I started before we could even walk. It is so important that they feel comfortable in the water. Even though he didn't end the week swimming laps on his own, I know he learned some basic skills... which is all I could have hoped for and more.

We're back!

Zach and I had such a blast in Hawaii this past week. Although we are exhausted and severely jet-lagged from the red eye flight landing at 7:30am, we are recovering quickly. We planned such a busy trip and managed to fit everything in that we wanted. Snorkeling (we went swimming with some turtles!), surfing (2 different days), Polynesian Cultural Center (tour, luau, and show), Magic of Polynesian show, shopping, and of course Cody and Tricia's wedding. The time flew by and I had forgotten how much fun Zach could be when Keller's not fighting for my attention. :) Here are a few pictures from our journey...

Can you see the excitement in our eyes as we arrive at the Honolulu airport?

Our first meal in paradise... Cheeseburger in Paradise. By the way, we ate so much pineapple while we were there I thought I was going to burst. Pretty much every meal, especially breakfast!

On the first full day that we spent on the island we went surfing. We were the whitest two people on the beach. All the natives were skeptical of our abilities to surf and kept trying to sell us lessons. We assured them that we had done it before, but that we hadn't see the sun in a while. :)

This dessert place became our favorite. We were so addicted to Yogurt-Land. We went 3 times during our 7 day trip. It was right on Waikiki beach and hit the spot after a long day of adventures.
Yummy!
This was us on our way to the Polynesian Cultural Center.

The PCC was awesome. We learned so much about all the different Polynesian Cultures. I would recommend going if you every visit Oahu. And the "Ha:The Breath of Life" show was awesome. I love how they call everyone Cousin. Our tour guide was Cousin Adam. He was a big Samoan guy. Surprisingly, about 90% of the employees at the PCC are BYU- Hawaii students. I had no idea.

All these performers made me wish I was Polynesian and could shake it like that!
This guy started a fire with two sticks right before our eyes. We were impressed!

And this guy climbed to the top of this palm tree with out any wires or netting at the bottom to catch him. WOW!!

After the Luau.

Snorkeling at Hanauma bay. We found some turtles. That was definitely the highlight of that day.

And finally... the beautiful couple that is responsible for our trip to the island in the first place, Cody and Tricia. They had such a beautiful wedding on the beach near Turtle Bay.
She looked amazing.

Also, Cody and Tricia booked the same photographers that we used for our wedding (3 years ago). We were so happy to see Akiko and Ryan again. They are fantastic photographers... Bel R Photography.

After a long week we were sad to leave but eager to see Keller again. He had a great time with Grandma and Shayna and was spoiled rotten!! Isn't that what Grandma's are for?

By the way, we had such a blast that Zach is already planning a trip for next summer to Tahiti. We'll see Zach... we'll see.

To Do List (AKA TDL)

1. pack a weeks worth of clothes for Zach and I

2. paint toe nails

3. throw in finger nails while I'm at it

4. shave legs

5. clean the apartment

6. to the grocery store to stock up for Keller and Grandma

7. stop by the bank to make sure we have enough money for this oh-so-exciting adventure

8. re-type the super detailed list of Keller's "normal day" for Grandma that I some how lost on our computer (is that a sign that I am a little too OCD?)

but the most important item of business...

9. hug and kiss Keller as much as he'll let me, because I am starting to realize how much I'm gonna miss him

We leave Wednesday morning and I don't feel ready, but I'll get there!

coming soon

Two weeks from today we will be here...

Zach and I are heading to Oahu... a second honeymoon, just the two of us. Keller will be in good hands with Grandma and Shayna. And we will be enjoying the well deserved break... does that make me a bad mom??

catch up...

I know, I know... I am really bad. We have been so busy with the end of the semester, family visiting, and work, that I have totally neglected our blog. When I realized how long it had been since I last posted, I was too overwhelmed and didn't know where to start. So here is a re-cap of the last little while.

Keller's 1st birthday: it was a pirate theme with tattoos and eye patches, but since the only thing that Keller LOVES is my cell phone that's exactly what he got...

"Heeeeeeeeeeey, I'm 1"

Later that night after all the sugar, he realized what he had done.

Keller has become so active. He loves being outside. One afternoon he kept himself busy trying to get the mail for me. He must have seen me do it a few times and so he started begging for the keys. The next thing I know he is down the sidewalk towards the mailbox. Only a few more inches to grow!!

Oblivious to the world

"Hey mom, I think this is the wrong key."

By the way, Keller LOVES his Elmo slippers...

And his new summer hat...

Check out those molars!!