Hawaii Vacation - Kauai 2011

I can't believe our vacation to Kauai is already over, we had such a great time!  We've been looking forward to this trip for such a long time.  It was so much fun to get the girls ready for Hawaii.  Now it's back to the gray and brown of winter in Idaho.  Boo!

So here is a look back at a great vacation with my Mom, Dad, brother and his fiance.

We stayed at the Kiahuna Plantation on Kauai. It was the perfect spot for our stay!

I totally overpacked.  2 big suitcases, one duffle bag, 2 ladybug carryones and one huge beachbag.  And Quinn, she was a given.

 It's not a vacation until you have a cocktail on the plane.  I am noticing my shirt which is white.  I know I should not have had a bloody mary with Quinn in arms reach.

 KK to the rescue!

 Early morning on our first day, exploring the beach 50 yrds from our door.

 A lot softer than the sand in McCall!

 Zoe and Meredith became fast friends.  Coconuts on the beach in undies.  Doesn't get much better.

 Before dinner across the street at Kiokis.  The resort had really fantasic gardens.

 Knives and babies are always a good combo.

 Leapster buddies.

 I think this was our only moment alone.  At Spouting Horn where we ran into some friends from Boise!

 The lovebirds at the Hyatt.  Someday I will stay here.  Why snorkle in the ocean when they have a pool full of fish to swim with?

 Ariel..I mean Delaney.

 Snowcones with Papa Jim in Hanalei

 The big kids got to go out one night.   We ate at a great Tapas place in Koloa.

Deconstructed Ahi.

 Scott and Stacy - engaged at Christmas!

 Waiting for the perfect wave.

 Waiting for my next beer.

 View from our condo deck.

 Quinners!  She hated the sand and the water.  Perfect for a beach vacation.

 She does however like a good grilled cheese sando.

 Thank goodness I brought the Joovy. We loaded this thing with gear instead of kids.

 Jesse trying to entice Quinn into the water.

 'Our beach'

 Meredith took to the ocean right away.

 The pool was a ways away but the girls loved the slide, so we ventured there a few times.

 Still not a fan of the water.  Safe on land with KK and snacks.

 I brought this floatie for Quinn but Delaney hoarded it most of the time.

 Meredith went down this slide umpteen times.

 I went once.

 Beach meltdown with Uncle Scotty.

 Meredith and Quinn have a special bond, they luuuuv each other.  Probably because Quinn can't get into Merediths toys YET.

 One Lake, three Hamiltons

 The girls version of 'surfing'.  Which reminds me that I need to mention that Jesse finally got to go surfing!  You might recall the botched Portugese surfing attempt of 2007.

 Feeding the fish in the lagoon outside our condo.

 Super happy when not in sand near water.

 Spouting Horn trip #2.

 The equivalent of our city workers.  Thanks coconut chopper guy!

 Day 6 - Quinn discovers sand isn't that bad and actually pretty tasty.

 Delaney doing her best Monk Seal impression.

 "I love sand!"

 Huge popscicles on the beach.

 Hula Hats

 Family photo attempt.

 So close, but someones eyes are all wonky.

 We vacationed with our dear family friends the Lakes!  Roger and Jaki went to WSU with my parents.  Their sons Aaron and Gavin went to UW with Jesse and I.  Aaron married Sadie and have 2 adorable girls.  Gavin and his girlfriend live outside of Coppenhagen and traveled over 26 hours to join us...

 The Meredith/Hamilton Family!

 It was KKs birthday while we were there.  Any excuse for a cake I say!

 Move time

 Rare parent only photo. 

 The dreaded 4 hour layover at SeaTac.  I did see my Uncle Wayne while we were there and another friend from Boise.  Small world.

We had such a fun trip and we have so many fun memories.  The girls did great and we can't wait to go back!  Next time we are staying longer...

January 2011

My blogging this year hasn't been so great.  Luckily I have lots of time to improve! 

I'm going to give this a whirl.  My friend Emily does this every month.  Basically you take 10 pictures throughout the day on the 10th of every month.  Might be fun, might be totally boring for those of you reading this blog!

10 on 10 - January 2011

Forgot about this until after Meredith was at school.  Approx. 10am.  Mom and Delaney time while Quinn is sleeping and Meredith is off at school.  Bitty Bitty got carried around while we put Bitty in the swing.  Yes, their names are Bitty and Bitty Bitty.

 Toes ready for the beach!

 Delaney put this suction cup on my forhead and told me she was 'sucking my brains out'.  Hmm, wonder where she learned that (Jesse)?  I asked her where her brains are and she said 'In my pants!'.

 Slowing packing up for our trip to Hawaii.  My GOD we have a lot of stuff to bring.

 Tucker is back at it after being hit by a car last week.

 Ms. Quinn after her morning nap.  Sweet girl always has a smile (and a poop) for me.

 Headed to Papa Genes while Mom goes to the gym!

 Quinn is trying to crawl but mostly she just faceplants.  Today she had a doozy on the hardwoods. 

 Dinner time, totally fancy tonight.

 Post dinner in Grammies t-shirt, riding lady bug, eating a "whizzler" and carrying Bitty Bitty.

 The princess karaoke book is going to soon get 'lost' forever.

And I am heading to watch the Bachelor while Jesse watches the big game next door.  Love our neighbors who are from Oregon.  Never thought I would say - Go Ducks!

December 2010 - Week 4

I think it's about time I shared some Christmas pictures with our fans out there.  Sorry for the delay.  We were in McCall for a week and I didn't have my camera cable.  Anyway, here goes!

I guess this was the week before Christmas...it's all blurred together.  A whirlwind I tell you!

Miss Ava Porter had her friends over for some ornament making and cookie decorating.  All the Hamilton girls got to tag along.  Quinn just ate the whole time...and I drank champagne.

 Serious business happening.

 We attended another party at the Howells on the 23rd.  Santa made another appearance!

 Again, asking and begging for an American Girl. 

 Torturing Quinn.  I swear, this Santa is either really busy or there are a lot of Santa lookalikes in Boise.

 We ended our 4 week streak attending church with the kids mass at St. Johns.  I swear we got the last seats.  Next year, 45 min early at least.  Quinn stayed at home with Papa Gene and Grammy.

 Matching dresses for Meredith and Delaney

 Delaney and her new friend Charlie entertained the pew behind us.  Jesse ended up on the chairlift at Brudage a few days later with his parents.  Small world.

 Opening presents at Papas.

 Princess tea set from Aunt Kortney!

 Quinn getting in on the action.

 New doll house furniture.  The dolls will be thrilled.

 Me...before the flu.  I wouldn't be smiling if I knew what was coming.

 Buzz Lightwear chairs!

 Lovely.  Another polyester nighgown.  Thanks grammie!

 Cookies for Santa.

 Leaving food for the reindeer.

 All ready for the big show!

 I only got a couple pictures taken before I was bathroom ridden for 24 hours.  DYING I tell you.  The saddest Christmas on record...

 After a day of recovery we headed to McCall.  3 girls ready for bed.

 Trying out Dads new boots

 Painting a fairy at the pottery place.  Can't wait to get this gem back home.

 We did some sledding at the golf course. 

Thank goodness I threw in the helmets at the last minute.

 Meredith trying to convince her friend Marley to haul her up the hill.

 Delaney always likes to go to the store with me in McCall.  Only because she gets to ride the ancient horse they have there.

 Loads of snow fell while we were there.

 A rare moment with Quinn not screaming.  She is not a fan of the cold.

 These 2 loved the snow piles in the driveway.

Not a very exciting update for the new year.  I was so so sick on Christmas I have no idea what Jesse and the kids did for dinner.  Next year will be better!