Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Hawaii: day one

How to break down a week long trip into a blog post when you took over 500 pictures on your camera? 

Not possible.

I took my notebook so I could journal about our days and come home with a nice remembrance of our trip that I could share with everyone.

I did not write one word.

Not one.

I captured the story with pictures instead. 

537 to be exact. 

Day One:  The Arrival

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We arrived early afternoon, and the flight was mostly a success.  I don’t think too many passengers walked away saying “who WAS that screaming baby?”.  The screams were kept to a minimum.

Our flight landed in Kona, our first trip to the “Big Island”.  We collected our massive pile of luggage and picked up our rental mini-van car and we were off to the hotel!

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Our view on the 30 minute drive mostly consisted of lots of old lava rocks.  The terrain is mostly black, and the rocks are littered with “graffiti”, created by taking white stones and spelling out words on the black rocks. Of course, realizing now that a picture of that might have been nice. 

The hotel is gorgeous. 

I’m not sure if I have mentioned it before but this was not just a Mighty M family trip.  This trip was orchestrated by my grandmother and mostly planned and organized by my mom.  There were 27 of us there!  My grandmother (1), her children and spouses (9), their children and spouses (13), and their children (4)!

After we get settled into our room we go check out the pool!

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My sister and her son enjoying the water, our hotel in the background.

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My first Mai-Tai.

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My sister trying to keep a handle on my water loving, have-no-fear, daughter.  

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Time to head to a dinner out with the family.  All 26 of us (we won’t be 27 until day 2 as my step-daughter had a flight change she was unaware of and thus missed her original flight and had to arrive a day later).

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By this point, it was nearly 10:00 Pacific Standard Time.  The kids were tired, but really did great and adjusted to the change very quickly. 

It’s possible more drinks were consumed.

After all, we were on vacation!

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And after a long day of travelling and fun, we were all ready for bed. 

Especially Hannah who wanted some milk before bed.

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What is on the agenda for day two:  A lot of relaxing and an airport pickup!

Stay tuned……

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Monday, March 30, 2009

Home

We are home. 

We are extremely tired.

We had so much fun.

What an amazing week.

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This trip was possible because of my Grandma, who is celebrating her 90th birthday today! 

Happy Birthday Grandma!!

Happy Birthday Dad!!

More to come….I have so much to catch up on!!

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Thursday, March 26, 2009

Aloha Friday #5

alohafriday

Welcome to Aloha Friday! This week I can literally say ALOHA FROM HAWAII!

If you want to play along visit Island Life!!

In Hawaii, Friday is the day to relax and take it easy. So why not take it easy on a blog post too – I will ask a simple question and if you want feel free to leave your reply in my comments!

Here is my question:

You’re sitting by the pool (or beach, or wherever you relax on vacation) and a lovely waiter comes by with a tray of drinks just for you. What is on that tray?

A: A large glass of ice water (or tea) and a Mojito have been my favorites this week!

TGIF! We will be home tomorrow night!

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Saturday, March 21, 2009

Previous trips

Our last two vacations were in June 2007 and November 2007.  In June we took our two girls to Disneyland.  Then in November we went to Mexico for thanksgiving.

Since I am travelling today and can not play random picture challenge I thought I would post a few random-ish pics of my own. 

Happy Saturday!!

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We had to get up at 3 or 4 to catch our flight.  We were very tired.  My step-daughter had no idea we were even going until we woke her up the morning of and told her!

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It was VERY hot!

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Last day…all I can think is how tired Hannah looks in all the pictures!

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A few from Mexico…

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Friday, March 20, 2009

Tropical Island Getaway

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Blue skies.

Sunshine.

Heat.

Beaches.

Sand.

The results are in, the poll is closed, and the majority of you decided that a tropical island getaway would be your choice location for a “dream” vacation.

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And, not quite so coincidentally, the Mighty M family is preparing to embark on a Tropical Island Getaway of our own.

“Real” pictures await.

Hawaii,

Here we come!

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Aloha Friday #4

alohafriday

Welcome to Aloha Friday! If you want to play along visit Island Life!!

In Hawaii, Friday is the day to relax and take it easy. So why not take it easy on a blog post too – I will ask a simple question and if you want feel free to leave your reply in my comments!

Here is my question:

What vegetable do you avoid eating at all costs?

Me: BRUSSELL SPROUTS!

Have a great Friday!

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Thursday, March 19, 2009

A New look

What do you think?

It didn’t take me very long to decide on a theme for our new blog design.  With my daughter calling herself “Super Hannah” and having the word “Mighty” in our title, a comic book superhero theme was just calling my name.

I hope you like it. 

Especially my husband, who had no idea.

Many thanks to Jennisa at Once Upon A Blog for her terrific work!

And, I just had to jump on the blog “button” bandwagon.  Feel free to add mine! 

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Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Eli’s First (real) Haircut

Almost my turn!

Still happy.

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Getting started!

This isn’t too bad.

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Oh look, a toy!

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Hey, who let her in the shot?

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This just isn’t fun anymore!

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My face says it all.

I just would not sit still!

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Mom thinks I look like less like a baby and more like a toddler now.  :-

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I hope I never have to do that….ooh, snacks!  

Yes, You Are.

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Monday, March 16, 2009

Not Me! Monday

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It’s Monday again and you know what that means – time for Not Me! Monday.  If you want to play along visit MckMama  for all the information!

I did not make brownies and let my daughter clean up the spoon.

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Let me assure you I know my washer and dryer very well.  Therefore I can whole-heartedly declare I DID NOT put a load of clothes to wash in the dryer and get momentarily confused about why the start buttons looked so different! 

I did not go to the spa on Saturday.  Nope.  No massage or pedicure for me.

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Those aren’t my feet either.

I also did not have a close call with  my son and a vase of tulips that he managed to topple and have crash on the floor behind him.  I did not freak out one bit and I did not feel at all like a horrible mother.

But had that happened, I would say that a valuable lesson has been learned about where to put the flowers in the house. 

On March 16th, 2003 I did not get surprised at the Shamrock Run in downtown Portland by a wonderful man and his daughter who showed up to propose to me, by holding up signs and meeting me at the finish (and shocking the heck out this anxiously waiting for a proposal gal). 

I am not one lucky lady.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Travel Tips


I would love some ideas as to how to keep a 3-year old and an 11-month old occupied on a 6 hour flight!

If you have any ideas, or suggestions (other than "good luck with that") as to what has worked for you, please let me know! :-)

Aloha Friday #3

alohafriday In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day to take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So, in the spirit of an easy blog post, I will ask a simple question for you to answer! If you want to answer, please leave your response in my comments.

If you blog and want to play along, please visit An Island Life!

Here is my question:

What is your favorite flower?

My favorite has always been Tulips.  So many colors to choose from, so little time!

Happy Friday!!!!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009