Hawaii

Our Trip to Hawaii couldn’t have been more perfect. We played the entire time.

This is my most favorite moment of the entire trip.

We had talked about Hula Pie with Blakeslie for weeks before we got there. Obviously, we thoroughly enjoyed this one and many more. Blakeslie said, “This was worth the wait!” Mayzie didn’t say anything but, “More, more, more!” We had lunch at Leilani’s many afternoons and every time I said, “This is paradise…Hula pie, with my family and this view!”

This is Blakeslie’s Musical Début at Cheeseburger in Paradise. She bought her little Ukulele in the shops on Front Street right before dinner. She played from her seat the entire meal. She was so cute about wanting to play with the Musician. She said things like, “Mom, go tell him he can play awhile and then I’ll play awhile.” On our way out she finally went up and played with him. He was so cute with her and she was beaming. Afterward everyone was taking her picture and she got a standing ovation. She said, “I was so nervous when everyone starting taking my picture, but I just smiled.” What I wouldn’t give to make sure she had this confidence when she was in Junior High.

The slideshow doesn’t do the trip justice – thank goodness for the memories. We got there on Valentine’s Day so we got the girls red and white leis. There are pictures of our adventures at the blowhole, Hana, Sugar Cane Train, and the luau. The whale pictures are from our whale watching boat tour. February is the best time to go to Maui. There are approximately 12,000 whales in the Hawaiian Islands. The tour was great, but so is the show from the shore- AMAZING!

When Chip wasn’t leading the way on some crazy adventure we spent our time at the beach. We were all in heaven.

Distracted!

We just got home from our trip, and I was distracted with the piles of laundry and unpacking bags. The girls were playing downstairs and I was happy they were "entertaining" themselves while I worked. Then they came up so Blakeslie could show off her creation. Needless to say I was in shock, but couldn't help but laugh. How did this happen? What were they thinking? How did Mayzie hold still long enough to get it done? I actually wish I could have watched the whole thing transpire. Blakeslie's only explanation was she wanted Mayzie to look like a clown. Not a bad start, but I don't think we will be sending her to the circus anytime soon. Gotta love them!

Mayzie easily posed for the pictures - I think she thought she looked beautiful.

Draper Temple Open House

We had the opportunity to see the Draper Temple open house. It was so fun to take Blakeslie. It was neat to show her and talk about what a special place it is. She especially loved the bride room and the sealing room mirrors. When we talked about the baptismal font and the 12 oxen she said, “Oh, just like the 12 Dancing Princesses.” It is a gorgeous temple – anyone who has the chance should take the opportunity to go.

Little funny – So for Christmas Mayzie got a little microphone that records your voice. One day Blakeslie was playing with it and I wasn’t paying much attention until I realized she was practicing her testimony. When she played it back she had said, “I would like to bare my testimonies, I know this house is true, I know my parents love me, I know I am very funny, in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.” I couldn’t help but laugh – she really is so stinkin’ funny! We had a great discussion about what it really means to say, “I know this Church is true.” I found it so interesting that her little brain had associated it with where she was physically. What a nut – I love her so much!

Snow Ball Fight Party

So anybody that has been around Beaner since about September knows she has been planning a Snowball Fight Party. She has made invitations over and over and once we came home from date night to find she had decorated the house with the babysitter. When you would ask who was invited to her party she would say, “All of Utah.” I decided that there was no way to not have this party because she had talked about it so much parents would ask if her birthday was coming up. I made her wait until after Christmas. The first big snow after the New Year we were ready. She planned everything from the treats to the activities to the favors. (For Christmas Chip asked what was her favorite thing to do with me and she said, “Make favors.” So they went to Partyland and bought sacks and some fun things to fill them with. It was really cute.) The party was a huge success with about 40 friends and neighbors. Blakeslie kept saying, “I worked so hard.” and she was very happy with the results.