Water Babies (with a little SAND)

On Saturday afternoon I headed to the beach with the girls (by myself as Hans was still at work later than expected) and ran into some of Hans' friends from work Tony and Melissa.  Missy played with the girls and I was able to get some pictures of Claire's first sand and ocean experience.  She loved it just like I knew she would.  She is a lot like her sister in that respect they love playing in the sand and water.  They are both quite fearless and not bothered by a little sand in the mouth or salt water.  As you can see above Claire had to try it out first thing.

Missy helping Olivia build some sand castles.  They never got one built.


Claire loved watching the waves we couldn't get her to look up.


Sunday morning Hans was off till noon so since Olivia woke us all up early we headed off to the beach about 7:30 in the morning.  It was fun to get to play with daddy in the sand (he loves it just as much as them).  We even got them out a little farther to swim just a little and succeeded in making a small sand castle before it was destroyed by one of the girls.
Right to work.

A little swim.

Our sand castle is almost complete.
Our family (Olivia is kind of hiding).
Me and Claire

The Twins are Here!!

Pictures are here!

Conner and Dillon
With Big brother Michael

In February my cousin Carrie found out she was going to have twin boys.  She has been in pre labor for the last few weeks and this morning (4 weeks early) she went into labor and delivered her two babies.  The first baby came fast and is named Conner James 5 lbs. 3oz. and Dillon Joseph was born a short time later (via C-section) at 5 lbs. 2 oz.  I can't wait to meet these sweet new little ones.  Congratulations Dave, Carrie, and big brother Michael!

In all craziness my friend Betsy also had her twin boys this morning.  She had Cohen Robert 7 lbs. and Lance Alan 7 lbs. 5 oz. (3 weeks early).  Congratulations Rob, Betsy, Declan and Elliana!

Paradise- Day 1

Last night we took it easy as we were tired from the 3 hour time change.  After a late lunch, the girls both took 2 hour naps and Olivia did not want to wake up.  Hans got back from work around 6:30 and we got ready and went to dinner with some of the other people from work.  I didn't get any pictures.  The girls were tired so not on their best behavior but we made it through had some good food and came back and fell into bed at 9:30.  We were all exhausted from our long day and the time change.  Of course that meant we were all up around 6.  The girls and I got ready and went and had some breakfast and saw the penguins.  Olivia wants to see them every time we are down there. So it is a good thing they are close by (or maybe a bad thing).  After breakfast we got settled in to the hotel room and then headed down for some swimming at the pool.  It is going to be fun being here, but still a full time job for me to keep an eye on both kids and keep them from drowning.  I didn't get any pictures of swimming since I  can't take pictures of myself swimming the kids around.  Good thing I only have 2 kids or we wouldn't be doing much while Hans was at work.  The girls had a lot of fun in the pool and it is really nice and close by.  Here are a few pictures from last night and this morning.

The view from our balcony...breathtaking!Claire and I last night before heading to dinner.  Hans got us all these beautiful leis last night from the airport.  I love it!
Claire looking very Hawaiin.
Olivia watching the penguins.
We were watching the penguins this morning and they all lined up on the top.  I had to snap a picture because it was too funny like they knew they should line up for a picture.
Olivia with her pretty lei.
Claire and her lei.
This is the best I could get of both of them.

Aloha!

On Tuesday afternoon we received a wonderful surprise of finding out Hans had the opportunity to go to Hawaii for work.  He called to ask if I wanted to go and I of course shouted, "Yes!!! When?"  "Thursday!!!", he replied.  I was wondering if we would actually get to go since everyone will volunteer for Hawaii (even on short notice), but sure enough we found out Wednesday morning that Hans would be going and started the grueling process of trying to prepare for an awesome vacation in just two short days (while Hans worked I might add).  Somehow with a lot of strife and craziness in the house we pulled it off.  And we were off to Kevin and Anna's house Thursday night to drop off Ellie and spend the night so they could give us a ride this morning to the airport.  Unfortunately since Hans came for work I was unable to get on the same flight as him because the cost was just too great.  So I flew by myself with the kids on a different flight that left around the same time as his so at least he was able to help me get all checked in and through security.  I feel as if I should become a professional packer and traveller with all the travelling we have done this year so far.  The kids did really great although I was really tired from the early flight (we were up at 5) and a long 6 hours on the plane plus all the walking we did in the airport (I went clear to the first gate they told me only to find out I had to walk clear back to where we had started from since they had changed the gate in the meantime).  Luckily we had an extra seat and Claire got two short naps.  I thought the flight would be easy since it was only half as long as the trip to Japan, but it wasn't so much for me since I had to do this one on my own.  I don't want to complain too much because the end destination is amazing and we get to spend at least two weeks here so it can't get much better than this.  I feel as if I have been on vacation all year though and really I have been.

Olivia wearing daddy's hat and glasses.
The penguins at our hotel.

The girls are going to love it here!
Dejavu'

I have been reliving Japan today it seems.  When we were on the train headed to the N gate I heard the phrase for "door is closing" in Japanese.  And of course there are a lot of Japanese people here and things are even written in Japanese on signs and papers around the hotel.  And here were getting some lunch and the buildings look like the Japanese buildings.  I even heard some one call Claire Kawaii (cute).  And I said arigato (thank you) to some Japanese women when they told me Claire's pants had fallen down.  Well it will be fun to relive some of our fun Japanese times but instead here in sunny Hawaii!

BBQ

On Sunday we had a BBQ with some of our friends that Hans works with at the shipyard. It is so nice to have a big deck and yard to be able to entertain. We love to have people over and now we finally can. We hope to do this a lot more this summer. I didn't get very many pictures, but everyone had a good time. I fixed chicken and seafood kabobs. I can't wait to fix this meal again as it was sooooo good.
Ryan playing ladder ball.

Lance and Meg.

Olivia and Kaitelyn taking a turn at ladder ball.

Our deck looks horrible(but we can still fit a lot of people on it :-)...this was not suppose to be on the to do list for this summer but unfortunately it is. I have to figure out something that isn't going to peel off after one winter. ARG!

My silly Claire!

Big Helpers

On Saturday, I had to get some color onto my front porch and get my planters planted. It was gorgeous out and fun to have the kids out there helping (playing). Olivia loved watering (except the getting wet part) and Claire happily toddled around while we worked. Hans planted some more bushes and I planted the planters. They all turned out really nice.

I love this picture of Claire, she just plopped down on the sidewalk to read her book (upside down).

"Do I need a hat?" Yes! But will you wear one? NO!

More reading with dad...Hey aren't you suppose to be planting things dad.

Olivia in shorts! I love it when she will actually wear shorts instead of dresses. Of course as soon as she was done getting soaked (her and daddy washed the truck while I was getting Claire down for nap) she was ready for a dress.

Hard workers

Mom I can't get this! (thankfully or I would have been soaked)

Playing and Picnics

It has been so nice outside the last week and weekend that we had lots of fun playing outside. Here are some pics of us playing outside and having a picnic on our lawn. I am so glad that we have grass this summer!

Claire mid patting her legs.

Olivia digging homes for her ants.

Olivia and daddy playing in the grass on our picnic.

Claire would not hold still she was everywhere.

Hey Dad! I want your glasses!

A nap on dad.

On the go again!