{Hawaii 2013}: First few days

Kevin and I decided this year that we seriously needed a vacation, without kids.  As much as we love them, we don't often get a break from them, and it can be wearing.  I actually wanted to take our money and finish our basement, but Kevin put his foot down.  We originally wanted to do a cruise but upon our searches we found flights from Boise to Hawaii for $550.  That's for Kevin AND I.  So cheap!  We booked the flights immediately and started searching for places to stay and a car to rent.

Since the flights came out of Boise we arranged for Kevin's parents and Sister Stephanie to watch our kids all week, and couldn't be more thankful!

We found a little place to stay on Sunset Beach on the North Shore for $70 a night!  It was 100 feet from the beach.  Gorgeous!  I can't remember how much our rental car was, but Kevin assured me it was a steal. From there it was just saving our money so we could play.  

Our flight was pretty awful if you ask me.  It was SO tight, none of the seats reclined, and by the end my hunger monster/headache were in FULL swing.  Poor Kevin.

 Sunset Beach.  Hideous isn't it??  There were surfers out there to watch.

 Happy Mothers Day to me!

 Teds Bakery.  We ate here EVERY day.  Yum.  Their blueberry muffins were so yummy.  I want more.  They had chickens and roosters walking around, I thought they were smart!  If I were a chicken I would hover the worlds best bakery!

 Day one was spent just exploring, we would drive until we saw something and stop, then go explore.

 And then we tried our first Hawaii butter garlic shrimp.  (I am not a huge shrimp lover so I only had a piece or two).  Kevin still cries himself to sleep at night that he can't have more.

 Each shrimp truck had a hand washing station out back.  Kinda funny.

 Our Sunset Beach, again.

 Day 2 we hit up Waimea Falls.  We were there before they even opened.  Our jet lag had us asleep by 8 pm and awake, so we were up early daily.  Unfortunately there had been a lot of rain so the hike to the waterfall was super muddy and they wouldn't let you swim.  I wasn't going to pay money to hike if I didn't even get to jump in once we got there, so we just looked.

Huge peacock just walking around, I was tempted to touch him.

 All I am thinking it "Man this place is hideous...." sarcasm......

 They had a wall of movie and tv posters that had been filmed there.  LOST!!  I loved lost.

Pics are a little out of order.

Leaving Boise.

 This is when I was "Hangry" I almost cried, how sad is that?  Kevin nearly named me Mariah Carey for being such a diva.

 These flowers fell off the trees, like roses here.  It was crazy!

 Our first Sunset was rainy so we watched from the car

 Om nom nom

 We stayed in the place on the right behind the fence.  It wasn't any 5 start hotel at all, but it worked perfectly for us.

 My first coconut.  The water wasn't my favorite but I had to try it.

 Favorite Shaved Ice.  EVER.  My favorite combo was rooter beer/creamsicle and Kevin chose pineapple and guava.

The family of 100 dogs

We tend to joke that we go through dogs a lot.  Sage was a "foster dog" that we chose to borrow over the summer and give back.  She was too big, her poops were enormous in our small yard.  "Cosmo" we only had for 6 whole days :( he hated us, and my boys.  He was grouchy and wasn't for us.  I cried when I decided he wasn't for us.  

Bella was our friends dog.  She was a gift for her husband for Christmas.  She hated her, and her habbits of peeing in the house and scratching doors. We loved her, but decided she "wasn't ours" and sold her for them.  MISTAKE.  I am so sad without her.  I've gotten over it, but once in a while I will look back at pics and sadness comes over me.

I asked Kevin for a puppy for my birthday, well see!

Or maybe I should just have another baby.  

Not yet.

The fight not worth fighting.

By the State of Idaho I am a licensed barber.  I cut hair for about 3 years before Cody was born.  Since birth I've given him every hair cut he's ever had.  His first was fine (4 months old) but since, has been a NIGHTMARE.  He refuses, screams, pees, kicks, spits, hits....you name it.  I am pretty sure his head spun all the way around once.  

One saturday I threw in the towel and took him to Cookie Cutters.  He was a champ.  I was sure to tell the lady that I do cut hair, so I am anal.  I didn't want to be paying $15 for a garbage hair cut.  He was so happy, held still, smiled.  He even let "Bree" put gel in his hair.  That fight I also lose every single day :(  But at least we found a solution!  

The last time we went in I told the lady to tell Cody that he needed to let me gel his hair every day to keep it looking as cool as spider-man.  I asked him about it the next morning and he replied "No only the ladies at the place can gel my hair".  Stinker.

Happy Valentines Sickie Bears!

This year I had big extravagant plans for Valentines, I was going to have my friend take their pictures, print out super special themed cute cars (pinterest inspired), most likely with matching treats.  Have a themed day full of red food coloring, heart shaped food and candy.

Fast forward.  Fail.

Ha.

We've all been sick for a almost 10 days.  It's been miserable. 

SO.  Upon trying to take said pictures my boys were in no mood to hold still, and my patience was GONE.

I took the pics myself, but you can tell.  

I have a crappy camera, and begginers editing skills.

But we managed to get a few cute ones.

I seriously wish I could have a do over with the pics, I guess there is always easter.

Happy Valentines Day.

Potty Training?

NO.

Not yet.

Trey is LOVING big boy underwear, but refuses to sit on the potty.

No need to give me advice, I know what I am doing here.

I set one day aside to try and "force it" if you will, first 4 times on the potty were a scream fest, the last time went fairly well.  And in my mind, he's not ready to be forced.  We had NO success, and I forced Cody to do it.  I am in no mood to deal with accidents and what not.

Plus I don't want it to be miserable for him

Sorry video contains some nudity.

Soon enough.  Well get it.  Soon enough.

CRAZY BUSY BOYS

To say that our life with our two boys is a crazy whirlwind would be an understatment.

Every time I turn around we are doing something new, getting into something, wresting, you name it!

Here are a few pics to show you what I mean.

"Raking" the leaves.  This was actually my idea :)

 Bubble baths

 Matching Red jammies

 Trey and his passing out skills.

 Target and the seat they HAVE to sit in every time.

 Cody "loving" on the cat.  Poor cat.

 Trey sleeping on the swing at the park.  Yes.  Sleeping.

 Cody playing with Kevin's RC car.

 Cody was practicing the letter "A".

 Trey enjoying one on one Mommy time, while Cody was in school.

 Trey showing off his Fancy socks (leg warmers)

 The day I survived with 3 toddlers at the grocery store.

 Boys showering with a clear curtain.  BEST IDEA EVER.  They can splash, and I can still see them.

 They boys have been very into holding hands and walking together lately.

 Cody's friend Easton's 3d birthday party.

 Shoveling the snow.  It looks like a chore, but they love love love doing it.

 Cody felt very needy the month of December.  He kept saying "Mom, I need you" which follows with Cuddles.  I was down with that!

 Trey looking nice and warm.

 My animal children eating on the counter.  I don't care where they sit, as long as they eat!

 Cody magically learned how to buckle himself in the car!  We rewarded with mcdonalds :)

 Poor guy had a 103 fever and a nasty cough.  It landed us in the insta care.  He was such a champ.

 Trey got sick shortly after.  Fevers and sickness =  family bed.

 They LOVE their car.  They drive it til the battery dies, every time.