Adults-only Vaca

We actually made it happen.  As in, here's a crazy idea: let's take the kids to their grandparents, drop them off for a few days and take a "real" vacation - after one of his business trips.  Hubs and I traveled a lot before kids and we've traveled a fair amount with the kids, but now that they're two years old it's a WHOLE NEW BALLGAME.  We were Ready with a capital R for break.  I know that not everyone can do it - I know what an incredible amount of work it is to make it even happen - but it's worth it.  I felt like myself again for a few days, and I feel like the boys I might survive the next year.  So here are just a few shots of our adults-only vacation in Kona, Hawaii, our favorite place on earth.

tiki torches at the Sheraton where we walked to see the sunset

Wa'ipo Valley

trumpet flower, fragrant and poisonous at night.  So eat them during the day I guess.

Hubs and some passion fruit. 

Me and the sunset on Alii Drive. 

Hubs waiting for the right wave to boogie board

Coffee and a newspaper on the lanai every morning

using the 'smile' feature on the Nikon.  You can see the camera and the beach in the reflection!

Saw this on the Food Network show "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" and found it! We'll be back again, Super J!

White peacocks on the side of the road.  Have you ever heard of such a thing?

We used the wonder why people go back to the same vacation spot, same cabin, same hotel, same campground.  Why go if you've seen it before? We understand now.  When we actually had a chance to go somewhere new, see something new, we chose Kona, a place we've been several times before.  Because we love it there.  Because it's beautiful.  Because it's paradise. Why go if you've seen it before?  Because we love it there.  Because it's beautiful. Because we're the people we want to be when we're there.  And we can't wait to go back.

P.S. Stay tuned to find out what the fellas were doing while we were gone.  I think it's safe to say that their vacation was a lot busier than ours was!  

Rest in Peace, Snap and Go

We are gathered here today to celebrate the life of our dearly departed Snap and Go stroller.

You take to the grave the secrets of your youth, coming to us in your golden years through the mystery and magic of Craigslist. Your straps were frayed, your bolts were rusted, and your frame was scratched. It would have been easy to pass you by, but we knew there was still love in your heart for a few more strolls.Snap and Go's first trip to MI in August 2009 - walking with Grandma A and the guys through her neighborhood.

Thank you for your faithfulness, Snap and Go. You wheeled our babies around many an airport, scrunched yourself down flat through dozens of magnetometers, and endured the cold cargo bin while we flew in our cozy coach class seats. What an adventurous soul you were!

Nathan and Matthew ride in Snap and Go at MSP, October 2009, trip to MI.

Steve pushes Snap and Go along the beach near the Four Seasons in Kona, HI, November 2009.
Me, Nathan, Matthew, and Snap and Go on Maho Beach in St. Maartin, December 2009.

The time has come to say good-bye. We wish we could have sent you to have more adventures with another family now that we have outgrown the blue Snugride carseats, but alas, you are no longer safe for babies since your accident being gate-checked in St. Maartin.

We loved you, Snap and Go. May you rest in peace.

Hawaii Highlights

Yes, we did.  We took two five-month-olds to Hawaii.  Now I know we are officially crazy!  Hubby had to do some business in HI, so we decided to extend his trip by a few days and take our first family vacation.Let me share with you some highlights:

1.   The plane!  We couldn't have done it without help, so Grandma A. and Aunt L. came along.  We flew from MSP to Honolulu, then caught a flight from HNL to Kona, on the Big Island.   The boys were very good on the flights, but would NOT sleep!  You've read about how Matthew won't close his eyes and he was true to form on this trip. 

Aunt L. and me suiting up to go through security at MSP.

Matthew, Nathan, and Grandma A. playing on the plane.

Me, Aunt L, and the boys with ALL OUR JUNK in Kona, waiting for hubby and the rental car (ok, mini-van-no convertible on this trip!)

2. The condo!  We spent a lot of time hanging out at the condo, more that we would have on a "normal" vacation, but I've decided that nothing is going to be normal again!  Not that it ever was, though....  Anyhow, we stayed in a really great place with both ocean and mountain views out the windows.  Hubby and I had to keep the pack 'n plays in our room, which was new to us, so we got a little less sleep than "normal."

Nathan and Matthew doing tummy time Hawaiian style.

 

First Hawaiian sunset just steps from the condo

Aunt L, Daddy and Matthew hanging out.

3. The pool!  This turned out to be one of my favorite activities!  We don't usually spend a lot of time at the pool, but it looks like we will now that we have children.  The boys really seemed to enjoy the dip!

Steve and Matthew

Nathan and me.  I love this photo for two reasons: first, Nathan is just so stinkin' cute here, and second, it makes me look great in a swimsuit!

The four of us playing motorboat

4. The beaches!  The van was full of chairs, umbrellas, boogie boards, snacks and a cooler - our days of taking just a towel are long gone.  Having four adults made it possible for everyone to snorkel, boogie board, swim, and walk along the beach.  The boys really seemed to enjoy the sea breeze and slept most of the time.

Nathan sleeping at Place of Refuge

Daddy, Matthew and Aunt L. putting on sunblock at Turtle Beach

I dip Matthew and Steve dips Nathan into the ocean for the first time at Kahalu'u Beach

The beautiful walk that wasn't.  Every trip has to have a meltdown and Matthew had his at Ka'upulehu Beach while we were strolling down a MAGNIFICENT path in front of the Four Seasons Resort.  If this were a video, you'd hear Matthew's ear piercing screams as we walked back to the van.  (Sigh)

5. Mountain Thunder Coffee!  You might remember my  previous post about visiting a coffee farm; we got to go again.  All of us on the trip are big time coffee lovers so it was the perfect place to visit on our last day.  While we drove up the mountain, the temperature dropped from 85 to about 68, and it became misty and grey.  It's like driving through a jungle, then opening your van door to the delicious aroma of roasting coffee beans.  Mmmm...

Our first visit to TMC in 2007

2009, starting them young!  Just kidding, the boys and I are not drinking coffee...yet.

6. Coming home.  Not a highlight, but I had to have an excuse to add this pic.  See how tired we were when we boarded the plane?  You can only imagine what we looked like by the time we got home!

7. Many thanks and much love to Grandma A and Aunt L, our nannies, photographers, and sanity-savers.  We love you!