Aloha from Maui!

Taking a nap at the beach

Touch and feel exhibit at the Maui Ocean Center

Maui Ocean Center

Greetings from Maui! Just thought I'd write a quick post before heading to bed. Dash and Kevin are already asleep (it is only 8:45 PM here)!

We arrived safely on Thursday for the start of our Hawaiian vacation. The flight was a bit trying as Dash only slept about 45 minutes out of the 5 1/2 hour flight. He had his own seat (with his car seat) this time so at least we had some extra room. We did have to keep an eye on him kicking the seat in front of him. But things steadily improved from there. Once we made it to the beach, the relaxation began. Dash has been surprisingly mellow and when not playing in the sand, he has been kicking back on a lounge chair!

Of course Dash is still on Seattle time and has been waking up at 5:30 AM Hawaii time (two hours behind Seattle/PST). He wakes up bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready to start his day. It is still dark however, which puts a damper on things. Not to mention that Kevin and I were not quite ready for such an early waking....but I have taken it as an opportunity to get out for a run/walk the last two mornings. This morning we were about 20 minutes from our hotel and Dash fell asleep. On our way back, I stopped for coffee and the barista asked me how I got Dash from his bed to the stroller without waking him. I kindly informed her that I would not have been up at that early hour had he not be awake in the first place! I certainly favor my sleep (and Dash's) over exercise.

Anyway, I am attaching some photos from the first part of our trip.....

Roslyn Winter Weekend Excursion

We spent Sunday afternoon and night up in Roslyn with some friends for a little getaway. Roslyn is about 1.5 hours from Seattle. I think that is also the town where the show Northern Exposure was filmed years ago. Anyway, we had planned to try to take the kids on a sleigh ride and sledding excursion at Happy Trails Adventures in Easton, WA (http://www.horseadventureswa.com/?page_id=1193) but the weather wasn't so cooperative. We had snow last week but by the weekend, the temperatures had gone up and all we got was rain on Saturday. Fortunately Sunday was relatively dry and we managed to get a bit of sledding in with the kids. We decided to skip the sleigh ride trip given the conditions. In retrospect, that excursion may have been a bit much for an 18 month old! Dash was happy (well, maybe not entirely happy since he cried the first two times down the hill on the sled...I am not kidding) or rather satisfied sledding and playing in the snow right by the house where we stayed.

Needless to say, we had fun although next time we will have to stay for two nights. All of that packing for one night was a little ridiculous and exhausting!

We are on the sled although you can't see it, just getting

ready to head down the small hill.

Alex, Dash and Mateo

Happy Birthday Dad!

A few pics from Dash for his dad, who is away for work on his birthday. We ran out of a few letters......

Happy New Year (and 18 month birthday)!

Here are some photos from today, and the last month.

Looking serious

Playing Elefun with Fergus on New Year's Eve.

The boys were standing on a stool playing with the light switch....not sure what Dash was doing (maybe trying to pull Fergus' ear)

Holding hands with the mannequin at Banana Republic. He has a thing for them and likes to touch them.

Dash sitting in a cat's new litter box. He crawled in all by himself.

Shopping at Target, and feeding the baby a bottle.