Tattoos

Are you kidding me!!! There we are in a surf shop renting snorkeling gear, paddle and boogie boards and Jenna and Alyssa both come rushing in to say that they have found a Henna Tattoo shop next door and can they each get one. Well my first thought is to be the responsible dad and say that "Your Grandma would kill you if she found our you guys had a tattoo!!!" But by the time we came back later that evening, all six of us were lined up waiting and who do you think was first in line??? Yup, your's truly. "Well they needed someone to go first". So now I wonder what's next . . . corn-rows, piercings, BOYFRIENDS!!!!! May it never be. . . . .

The Real Day One

Ok, so this is the REAL day one. Our first full day here on Maui. Holy Smokes. We got problems..... The kids have already said that this is the best day of the trip so far!!!! Snorkeling with sea turtles, paddle boarding righteous sunset (again) and Tattoos (Henna Tattoos). If I am correct then aren't you supposed to build up to the last day of the trip and have it be the bestest day ever!! we are definitely in trouble.

Day One

This is the first day here in Hawaii. Now we did spend a large portion of the time on an airplane but it was fun. The trip from one island to another was very fun. Just as we were getting into Maui the pilot decided to bank real hard coming in line with the runway. and when I say hard, I mean real hard. We were looking at the ground from our window...straight down, crazy. I've been in small planes and I know how much fun it is to bank hard, so I know the pilot enjoyed it. So inspite of the excitement of the trip we made it here. Hooray!!!!!

Number 49

One of the most fun distinctions that I have and my kids all think it is great is that I have had the opportunity to visit all 48 states in the continental United States. From Maine to Florida and California to New York and everywhere in-between. I have seen the fort at St Augustine in Florida, Mt Rushmore, Old Faithful. My family stepped into Maine just to say we had been there. But now I have the opportunity to up the ante. Hawaii. Tomorrow I will be able to add one more state to the list of states I've stepped foot in. And it will be fun. With a Capital F.....

Ouch

Isn't it funny how a couple of bones the size of your wrist, along with a bunch of muscles can hold the entire body erect. And when those bones are out of whack it affects everything. Well my back hurts. It's a ailment that I have been dealing with since a volleyball injury in college and having one leg just alittle longer than the other certainly doesn't help. The worst part is that I am heading to Hawaii in less than36 hours. Motrin and ice, then ice and Motrin. I am glad all 4 of my children are going with me that way they can carry me where ever we go. Or maybe even just leave me on the beach with a drink that has an umbrella and check on me at the end of the week.

Adventure Travel

I guess this post was destine to happen. in a nutshell, I love to travel. We are headed to Hawaii in roughly 72 hours and I cant wait. Not just for the great fun that we are going to have but for the trip itself. I love every aspect especially the airport. At the airport, people are going somewhere or arriving from somewhere. It is fun to people watch there. but I digress. . . . When I get on a plane there is a sense of adventure, going someplace I have never been before and seeing something I have maybe only seen in pictures. I think I got this ability to travel from the days when as a kid my dad, every August, would load up the Chevy Van and tent trailer and the family would take off for a months adventure to . . . where ever. Across the United States, Pacific to Atlantic, Canada to the Gulf. I have see the Baseball, Football, Cowboy and Indian Halls of Fame. The petrified Forrest, the Niagara Falls, Times Square, The Ozarks. Been to every state in the Continental United States, even Maine. And now I get to go to Hawaii. Number 49 for me. I can't wait.

Father's Day

I initially did not have high hopes for a exciting Father's Day this year. I had just got done working 48 hours and Cindy was spending the day at the hospital making sure things run smoothly as only she can make them. So I figured my day would go something like this..... Come home tired, find kids asleep, go to Church by myself send the afternoon watching TV or cleaning something that needed cleaning, dinner at a local restaurant and home to bed. Wooohooo.

But I was surprised. When I did get home I was not that tired and even though I went to the 9:00 service by myself at Northpoint, by the time I got home the kids were ready for the 11:00 service at Crossroads. The service was awesome every aspect of it. They had stuff for men to do afterwards with their families like Rock climbing, hackett and knife throwing, off-road course. car show, paintball, live rock band (first time I have ever heard Hotel California sung at a church) and a dozen other things. We then headed to Chronic Tacos for lunch (shrimp burritos) and then to Iron Man 2 in the afternoon. We picked up Cindy and headed to Kings Fish House for dinner and I ordered (for the first time) sushi and Zach and Jenna each tried a piece. While they were not to excited about it, I was in 7th heaven, it was awesome. Then to Target to shop for our trip to Hawaii. I had alot of fun and I had the power of Father's Day which means I can say things like, "Don't argue cause its Father's Day" and " I want to drive, cause its Father's Day". It was great.

Everything turned out OK. Until I realized I had forgotten to call my own dad to wish him a Happy Father's Day. Luckly I had 30 minutes before midnight and made it just under the wire. I was so busy worrying about My Father's Day that I forgot I had a Father. But dad, don't feel too bad. I missed mom on Mother's Day too.....

Another Favorite Picture

This Picture was taken at a wedding of a friend. It is one of many of my all time favorites.

The Holiday Birthday Club

I have this problem My birthday falls in a very inopportune time. Let me explain. My birthday is June 15th. Now at first glance it worked out great. I was always the correct age for the grade I was in. When I was young, the toys I would get I could use all summer and best of all my birthday signaled the beginning of Summer and best of all summer vacation. But as I grew older I found that around that same time were graduations and after kids Father's day. And it became easier and easier to start combining the days. So gifts would start coming as "Graduation/Birthday" gifts and "Birthday/Father's Day" gifts. Now I know some of you are about to nominate me for the Selfish Award and i probably could win. But think about it.... a special day right next to a special day. Like having your birthday on the day after Christmas. Everyone has gifts, oh and by the way here is an extra gift for your birthday tomorrow don't mind the Christmas wrapping!!! I think I will seek out all people whose birthday falls on or around a major gift giving holiday and we'll form a club. We'll stock up on "Birthday" wrappings only and always make a birthday a VERY special day no matter what holiday it lands on or near. We'll start the "Holiday Birthday Club".

My Favorite Picture

Came across this picture when I was just browsing through my iphoto library. I love this picture. I will always love this picture.