Rain!

We had a rainy weekend the weekend before last (yes, I'm way behind!). It was fun since it only happens occasionally! Braden got to use his rain boots!

Breaking in his boots and waiting for the rain.

Checking out the rain.

Finally... splashing in the puddles!

Taking Mimi's ice cream order in the ice cream truck at the mall!

Hanging with Poppa.

Checking out the mall play area! He loved it.

Helping Mommy with the laundry.

Dishes and dancing.

This kid LOVES to dance... and he does it on command. You mention the word "dance" and he starts bouncing! The singing is a bonus. I love this child's joy!

Braden likes helping. We're starting early on the chores!

Back home.

Seems like we've been home for much longer than 1-week, but that's all it's been. We're enjoying Mimi and Poppa being in town and the nice weather. Although it was really cold the first couple days when we got home. When we got to the baggage area of the airport Braden said "It's super cold here. What is this place?"

The new model train exhibit opened at the Train Park and it's really nice. We had fun there today. Hunter's getting old enough to enjoy it, too.

The boys on the train.

Just Hunter's size!

Not Mimi's size!

Hunter thinks he's pretty cool!

Checking out the model trains. The room is full of them!

My friend Amy who moved to Missouri escaped to the desert out of the snow. It was great to see her. We met up with 4 couples and we all have 2 boys. Gotta love those boys!

Anthony and I went to the Fresh Start Fashion Show. It's one of the fun events for my work. Katie Couric was the host. Have to admit that's not why I signed-up to go, but like her a lot more after the event. She was very sweet and personable and shared a lot about losing her husband to cancer. The fashion show this year was Oscar de la Renta and she got to wear one of his dresses. She said she was the AARP model! She looked great!

Basketball class and baseball. Here he is on the bench with his friends and practicing sliding into home!

Braden trying to pick some oranges. I LOVE fresh squeezed OJ!

Hanging in the backyard being serious...

The mailman can deliver me this package any day!

Braden loves breakfast. I think he could live on Grape Nuts!

Who knew a clothes hamper could be so much fun!

Aloha

We had to say Aloha to Hawaii... Aloha meaning goodbye. We had a great 10-days on the Big Island. Lots of fun experiences and just a (mostly) relaxing time. Braden and I were making orange juice yesterday and he said "I want to go to Hawaii." I told him I did, too. His response, "I want to go to Hawaii now." Well, not now, but hopefully again soon.

Here are more pictures. We had 3 cameras going, so I'll probably have another post with the one's I missed along the way! Yes... we took lots of pictures!

Across the street from our favorite restaurant Island Lava Java. We highly recommend it if you are ever in Kona!

Anthony and I took a surf lesson. We're both laying on the boards in this picture. That was pretty much the case for me the whole time. Anthony did great, though! Our surf instructors name was Osshion (pronounced Ocean) Farmer... seriously. He was great and here's a link to his website if you're ever there and want a lesson!

The view from our "Hawaii house."

We had lots of fun inside, too. Especially building domino trains!

Looking for whales... or whatever. Not sure he saw too much with the binoculars backwards, but he gave it a great effort!

At the hotel pool. We spent the last day at the Marriott since our flight was a red eye and we had to check out of our house. It was fun to use the pool and their nice beach!

My beach boys!

A girls' afternoon out. Farmer's Market and a stop at Lava Java!

Hunter had fun on the stairs. Another reminder that I'm so glad we have none at our house!

Representing the Red Sox Nation in Hawaii. We were eating at Kona Brewing Company. During dinner a mongoose ran under our table! The waiter didn't think much of it. My Mom did on the other hand! We were outside, by the way.

Breakfast at Lava Java and the view across the street. Unfortunately we never saw an dolphins that live in this bay. This is where part of the swim occurs during the Iron Man.

If we lived in Hawaii, I have a feeling Hunter would be a surfer.

A much needed rest.

Reviewing the island map.

Doing a little plumbing work at the hotel.

The only turtles we actually touched. We saw soooo many turtles. It was funny, by the end we were kind of ho-hum about them we saw so many. A native told us there are too many now and people are going to have to start eating some. We'll leave that to the natives.

Our last Hawaiian sunset for this trip. But we'll be back!