Beach Bums

When we weren't busy being tourists in Hawaii, we just enjoyed hanging out at the beach house and the beach. These were actually some of my favorite times!

The kids were so excited the first morning we were there that they had to run right out to the beach in their pj's (at about 5:00 a.m. too)

Ben joining dad in a run on the beach

Who cares if we're fully clothed?

Enjoying the hole that Shawn dug

Keely and Gavin posing on the deck

Grandma Gibby and Arah lounging around

More kisses for Siarah!

The snorkeling gang (minus Keely - she wasn't even entertaining the idea!)

Hawaiian Hot Spots

Okay, so maybe not "hot spots" but some more fun places we visited while in Hawaii:

We were always up earlier than everyone else so one morning we got up and took the kids over to the Laie LDS temple. The grounds were absolutely beautiful!

Keely and Gavin had an especially good time at the Polynesian Cultural Center. This woman gave them tribal "tattoos" which they sported proudly for the rest of the day!

Gavin and Keely at the PCC luau

Cafe Ola at Turtle Bay. Definitely the best meal we ate!

Hanauma Bay

Sea Life Park

The Aquarium in Waikiki

Hawaii Homecoming

My parents spent the last year and a half serving a mission in Australia. Well, one of their wishes was to have a reunion half way home in Hawaii and we definitely were not opposed to that idea. It was so wonderful to get mom and dad back and be able to all come together in one of the most beautiful places in the world!

All together at Pearl Harbor

The best shaved ice at Matsumoto's

Learning ukulele at the PCC

Waiting for our canoe ride at the PCC

Kayaking - one of my favorite things we did!

The view from "flat island," the little island we kayaked out to.

Cinco De Mayo

Kristin and Abram hosted a little Cinco De Mayo soiree. The high point of the party was cracking open the piñatas (of course). Ben was in heaven. There is nothing he likes to do more than swing at inanimate (and sometimes animate) objects with a stick.

The Joy of the Trampoline

This summer I wanted to be able to stay home and have fun as much as going out to have fun. All growing up one of my favorite things to do was spend time on my trampoline. Whether we were playing crack the egg, jumping off the roof of my house (yes, we did that), having a slumber party, or dragging the trampoline under our basketball hoop to practice dunks the trampoline always provided ample entertainment.

Well after Shawn and Abram spent a good couple hours putting this thing together the kids were excited and ready to play. Let the memories begin!

Hole N’ the Rock

On the drive from Blanding to Provo Keely and Gavin had the pleasure of experiencing Hole N’ the Rock, A little home a couple built in the red rocks near Moab in the 1940’s. The kids’ were dazzled and I’m pretty sure they wish that we too could live in the rocks!

Good Ol’ Blanding

For those who haven’t seen where I grew up this is it! Yep, just a wide open space! It was wonderful to get back to my roots for a couple days, every time I go back to this little place it brings back many precious memories!Keely loves to hear stories about growing up in Blanding and she absolutely loves to visit. It wouldn't be my dream spot as a kid but I'm glad she loves it!

I love this picture of Ben running carefree on the wide open path. It reminds me of that complete feeling of freedom I felt as a child. It makes me happy.

Shawn looks just like him, huh?

Grandpa’s Birthday

One of the main reasons for our trip out to Utah was to see my Grandma and Grandpa Shumway. My Grandpa celebrated his 89th birthday while we were there and we were so thankful to all be together and celebrate with him!

Arah and Grandpa actually share their birthday

A rare picture with Grandma and Grandpa and all the Shumway siblings

Utah

In April we made a trip out to Utah. I love nothing better than getting in a good visit with the fam!

Thanksgiving Point Dinosaur Museum

Happy B-day Arah!

Ben with his cousin Siarah whom he absolutely LOVES! He wants to hold her and give her kisses all the time!

Buddies

The Shumway Sisters

Easter

This year we started our Easter in Michigan...
and finished it in Utah.
The kids were thrilled to find that the Easter bunny actually visited both places!

Easter Anticipation

About a week before Easter Kristin and Abram hosted an impromptu Easter egg hunt. The kids had the time of their lives and I would say that it fully served in whetting their appetites for the actual holiday. They couldn’t stop talking about the Easter bunny (or eating candy)!

My apologies...

To any Google Reader who is about to be bombarded with a million posts. It's finally come time to update and I'm going way back to before Easter. Like I said, Sorry!!!