May 28: Hawaii Day 2

Andy was up super early this morning for the sunrise.

When Noah and I woke up this morning we were going to go for a walk on the beach and then changed our mind and decided to go for a swim instead. The ocean was much calmer compared to the afternoon before. It was so warm even though we were swimming at 7am. Brittany and Mandie also came down. Brittany took pictures while Mandie swam with us.







The bridesmaids went to the mall for manicures and pedicures. We met Jen (Ryan's sister), Kim (Jen's friend), and Jasmin (Jen's daughter). We had a good time girl bonding and having our nails done. This picture was before we left for the mall.

My toes.

Here are the finished products! Beginning at the top going clockwise: Corey, Me, Annie, Mandie, and Brittany. Cute Toes.

Later in the evening we had the rehearsal and dinner and had more fun, but I apparently didn't take anymore pictures.

May 27: Hawaii Day 1

We flew out of Seattle because we could get cheaper tickets flying Hawaiian Air. Our flight to Hawaii was about 5 1/2 hours. It felt like an eternity but when we arrived in the hot, humid, and beautiful Hawaii, it was worth it. Noah insisted on pulling my moms luggage for her, and threw an enormous fit when it was taken away from him.

We drove to our first vacation home in Waimanalo, which is in the south east corner of Oahu. After we unloaded the cars we went to look at the beach. We had an amazing view of the ocean from the back gate of the property.

Our first family picture in Hawaii.

Andy is modeling our rental. The Dodge Charger. I have wanted a Dodge Charger since the ISP started changing all there cars to them, and we got to test drive it for 2 weeks. I am sold!!

We spent a hour or so playing on the beach before we had to get ready for dinner. The waves were so rough! We got dunked many times. I am not sure if I have ever eaten so much salt water. It was soooo nasty!!! Noah wasn't too fond of the waves because they were big and they scared him. He especially didn't like it when I got "wiped out" by the waves when he was in someone elses arms. He also didn't like the sand between his feet. So he spent time in somebodies arms the entire time at the beach. He and I eventually walked out into the waves to just stand in them and as long as I made a big deal that the waves were fun he started to enjoy the water a little more.

We ate dinner at Bob and Diana Souza's house. The boys played basketball out front. And Noah kept stealing the big balls. He didn't want the small basketball.

4 Sisters sitting in the prickly lawn.

Noah fell asleep on the car ride home from the Souzas house because it was 11:30 Noah time but only 8:30 HI time. So I just took him out of his car seat and laid him on his bed. I couldn't resist the sleeping picutres.

Our 1st day in Hawaii was exciting and exhausting all at the same time. But a good start to a great vacation!!

Home

We made it home from Hawaii on Wednesday night and then drove home from Seattle on Tuesday. Overall we had a wonderful vacation. I am uploading pictures at this very moment, but it is going to take a while as we took over 1000 pictures. I will sort through them as pick the best ones to share. In short, the wedding was BEAUTIFUL, the fish we saw snorkeling were AWESOME, the turtle I swam with was COOL, and the dolphins Andy and I swam with at Sea Life Park were SPECTACULAR. Pictures will start coming in the next couple days.

Leave of Absence

We are driving to Seattle Wednesday afternoon then catching a plane Thursday to take us to the beautiful and sunny Hawaii. We won't have any new posts until after we come home on June 10th. So check back after that for our Hawaii pictures.

Under the bed

Noah crawled under Andy and I's bed, I am guessing to follow the cat. And he got stuck! I was in the bathroom when I heard him whining/crying and went to find him and this is what I saw. After I first saw him I HAD to run for the camera. Then not too long after I had taken the pictures, he crawled out from under the bed.I was playing peek-a-boo. That is why he is smiling, not because he is impressed with his situation.He was ready to get out and I was taking too long.

Dad's hat

Noah found Andy's hat and decided it would be fun to wear it. He got it on great the first time, but then needed some help when I was ready with the camera.

Bad habit forming

I have found Noah sleeping like this in his rocking chair 3 times now. At least he stays asleep when I put him back in bed. That just doesn't look comfortable to me, but what do I know!

B-day pictures

Here are Noah's b-day pictures as promised. While Andy was BBQing kids and a few chaperones played in the lawn.Opening presents. Sophia was more interested in Noah's presents that he was.
The Awesome Birthday Cake

The party is over and Noah is getting ready for bed.

Happy Birthday Noah!

Today we celebated Noah's 2nd Birthday. We had a great party at our house. That afternoon I made potato salad, veggie bars, chocolate covered strawberries and fruit salad and that evening we barbequed hotdogs and hamburgers. The food was great! Noah got some great presents, all of which he loves! And the cake was really fun (it was a baskin robbins cake and had Mater and Lightning McQueen on it). Noah was mostly interested in the plastic toys on top. I delegated the photography aspect of the party, so when I get the pictures, I will post them.

Noah's 2 year photo shoot

I have decided that each year around the time Noah completes his year milestone we are going to have professional studio pictures taken. This year we had them taken by Peter Roise. His studio is located above the Shirt Shack on 3rd Street in Moscow. He took awesome pictures. I would definitely recommend him and we will probably be going back next year. Here is the link to the pictures he took: http://peterroise.com/clients/noah-crossler. Enjoy!!