You had me at Aloha...

Kyle and I had an epic getaway together to celebrate our 15th anniversary this year. Our amazing parents (both sets) did a "divide and conquer" approach to spending the week with our kids. The boys and girls split up in pairs, and each spent half the week with one set of grandparents (switching halfway through the week). They are so amazing. I don't know how we got so lucky to have such special people for parents. Our kids too, were given so many fun adventures and memories!

We had the most amazing week in Maui, our first time to that island (we went to Oahu for our honeymoon 15 years ago). Our hotel was right on the beach of Napili Bay, and literally every morning we would wake up, set up our sun shade, and load it up with all our gear (air mattresses, snorkel gear, beach chairs, blankets, waters, snacks, etc...) and then head back up for breakfast. Then the entire day consisted of swimming, snorkeling, cliff jumping, floating, beach bumming, you get the picture... We did have one excursion on a catamaran sailboat for more snorkeling! But the rest of the time, we just did what two parents need most when you have four little kids: REST. We got really good at this task, and are still struggling to get our life skills back after climbing off the crazy train :)

We had a couple special dinners, one at Merriman's on the water, and a luau for our last night (front row seats)... Other than those planned outings, we totally laid low, just beaching, shopping, snacking our way through the island DOING WHATEVER WE WANTED. I cannot overemphasize the mental benefit of this kind of break, when your life is so full. Maybe in 15 years we will do it again! :)

The shirt says it all!

I had to send this one to my high school reunion buddies.
They were celebrating our 20th at this very moment!

Our view from the room

Hot dog legs!

One cannot be more relaxed at this moment.

Where we spent 99% of the week :)

We are not getting bored

Life size "Connect Four" at the hotel... ha ha!

I saw a little girl at the airport with this hat...
Of course I had to have my own!

"Happy Anniversary" in Hawaiian

Complete relaxation

Twins with matching shell necklaces

Happy 6th birthday to Max

I wanted to say "Happy 6th Birthday to my sweet little preshy Maxy"... but for some reason, this birthday feels like he is stepping forward even faster out of little kid world, and really growing up. He really IS my sweet and lovey little Maxy, I love his sweetness and affection that he still lavishes on those he loves. But now it is tempered with an awareness of manhood, and feels more obligated to take care of his own business, and be a strong and capable boy. I love that about him. What an amazing person he will be, if he can hold on to both "sides" to his personality. 

He is a deep, thoughtful, caring and insightful boy. He is funny, a quiet leader, and a good example for Marcus. Being his mother has brought me enough joy to fill an ocean! I am also reminded how God has His hand on Max, when I consider his two major brushes with danger as a baby, and then even earlier this summer, his sister Marin pulled him out of our friend's pool where he slipped in a little too deep. The silent danger of water, it is a real thing and I got a major wake up call. But again, I see God at work keeping eyes on Max to preserve and protect his life (Marin may become a lifeguard someday, because this is the SECOND younger child she has pulled out of the water this summer, when their parent was distracted). All this to say, I feel thankful and sober when I think about the times God has pulled Max back from the brink, and given him healthy and happy days.

I will never stop celebrating and enjoying birthdays, no matter how old I get. The older, the better, I say! The more years you have, the longer God has given you life on this earth. What a gift. Happy 6 years to my little gift, Max.

Birthday cereal: Lucky Charms

Still not too old for THIS!

In the club!
Big kid coloring books, just like the girls have!

Special blanket from Mom

Birthday boy's request for dinner: Spaghetti Factory!

Madeline made him an ice cream cone from construction paper :)

Marin/Dad camping (and other scheduling shuffles)

Marin and Kyle had to skip last month's camping adventure due to the sweet girl having pneumonia. Fun times! ;) Well, this time around Max and Daddy were about to head off on THEIR camping overnight, when history repeated itself. Max came down with (yes, PNEUMONIA!!!) leading up to the trip, so it was once again a little dance to figure everything out. Max stayed home and rested on the couch, and Marin swiftly stepped into her brother's spot. She was ready for a redo!

The two of them went shooting in the woods, camping by the creek, cribbage by the fire, and kyaking at the beach (this girl is getting LOTS of quality time with Daddio this summer - and it shows... pretty happy girl)... Here are the highlights! (Max will get his do-over soon!)

The babies are having babies

Well, not exactly BABIES... but our chickens have finally started laying eggs! We have been spying on them ever since they started laying, to see who is producing (it's only been one egg per day so far)... Kyle finally caught Lucky in the act (Madeline's chicken). Lucky was pretty interested in us being in the coop, very curious and following us around when we go near the hutch. So we had a hunch it was her. The funny thing she has always been the skinny, tiny one! The other were so full, feathery and just seemed more mature, but they are all different breeds so it's hard to directly compare. Madeline breathed a HUGE sigh of relief, as she has always been concerned that Lucky was secretly a rooster (roosters not allowed in city limits). So now we can all breath easy with this delicious proof of hen-hood.

Double yolk. Go girl!

Lucky the Hen

Girls day at Alderbrook Park

The girls and I spent an awesome day together with two of our favorite families from school. Of the three families, four of our girls have summer birthdays, and one of them recently moved to Eastern Oregon (sniff, sniff)... So to celebrate, and have some rare time with our friends who moved, we planned a day of fun at Alderbrook Park in Battleground. It is the most amazing place. A private park with entrance fee, but that fee includes mini golf, a train, disc golf, all kinds of field sports, multiple play structures and bounce houses, a lake with paddle boats, swimming pool, AND (possibly for my girls, the ultimate activity), a creek the goes around the property where the kids can tromp through tunnels, under bridges and hike around to their heart's content. Add in lots of shade trees where we parked our camp chairs, coolers, blankets, and it made for a day of PERFECTION. Even withe 104 degree heat, there was enough shade and water sports to make it the best day ever. The kids had free rein of the place, and we just made sure they had a buddy and knew where home base was. Super fun with my big kids! I can't wait to bring my whole family back here. SO MUCH FUN.

My girls out on their own!