Mother's Day

I love the mom's tea they host in Kindergarten. We actually planned our return from Hawaii around this tea. I loved how the kids made special treats and sang their hearts out. Abigail loved giving me special attention, while watching me observe all she made.

The kids also surprised me with a "relaxation room" as a gift for mother's day. It had a snack table, a bed to rest with a fan and books, mom posters, a mom stature out of LEGOS, a mom headband, a game station, and music. They read to me and let me have a power nap. It was very sweet to see their love for me in a very tangible way. They are the best!

4T (Trail, Tram, Trolly, Train)

I love living where we do. Though we have been here 11 years, it seems as if there is always something new we still have yet to discover and enjoy. Here is another one. Starting at the Oregon Zoo (you can pick up a map for free at the zoo membership window), follow the signs to a trail that leads through the hills of Portland, ending at the top of OHSU. Enjoy the tram ride and view as you coast down the sky tram (free) and end up at the waterfront. The trolly and MAX train lead you back to the zoo where you started.
http://4t-trail.org/

Cute sign we saw on our hike; hope she said yes. :)

Council Crest Park—at 1,073  feet, the highest point in the city

*** To save money, we parked at one of the stations in Beaverton, so as not to pay the new parking fee at the zoo. Adults $5 for an all day train pass that is good for the trolly/train all day (kids 7 and up $3.50).

I wish we had a better camera, not just the cell phone

Made it to OHSU

Going to ride the sky tram

Pooped. Sign of a good hike

To top off the evening, Lego Movie at OMSI

I LOVE WHERE WE LIVE!!!

We suggest going early in order to spend more time in the city. Pack a lunch to eat on the hikeand lots of water. We were able to go get dinner in PDX and go over to OMSI in the evening. It was a perfect day hike mixed with nature and urban sights. Abigail, 6, made it the whole way (and she is not a hiker), but fell asleep on the train on the way home.

Aloha!

Tide pools

Abigail was freaked out

Just taking it all in with such joy

Really bad sun burn and pretty flowers

"Shave Ice!!!"

Hula Dancer taking a break

Nice morning...Chris still had to work

Dairy of a Wimpy Kid books

Laughs in the fish tank

Maui Ocean Center

Fresh bananas

Chris pulled over to help a man push his truck

Sunday Morning Church

Church Service

She got a little sea sick in the way back

He started juggling fire when he was Isaac's age...

Spinner dolphins

Sleep tight kiddos

Gramma and Abigail learn to hula

SPF for Gramma

Awesome Banyan trees

We even swam with sea turtles

Mom and Dad time

She said, "Now I know what it's like to be a mermaid swimming with the fishes."

She was always ready to go

How frizzy tropical hair...it's a joke

Fresh coconut

Fresh flower lei from Gramma

This was the PERFECT vacation. We enjoyed sun (though Abigail burns FAST) and the warm ocean. We stayed with Gramma and Papa in a Worldmark condo in Kehei. It was a fun balance to have time all together, but a little freedom to go for a swim or a night walk while the kiddos enjoyed time with their grandparents. Isaac built and built in the sand. Abigail loved being in the water. At one point she and Mommy were swimming with the fish and she said, "This must be what it feels like to be a mermaid." Isaac got a shark tooth necklace and ate way too much "SHAVE ICE!" I was really impressed that the luau made special food for Isaac to accommodate his allergies. Chris and I were able to skip away to get a couples massage and eat a meal on a "date." Gramma took us on an amazing boat ride, we saw whales and dolphins. You know it is a great sighting when even the tour guides are impressed by the whales.