swim pics

While we were in Wisconsin, UH Hilo released the pictures from swim lessons.  Underwater individual pictures with the instructors, whole class pictures under and above the water. So fun. What a great way to remember the summer lessons. 

4th of July

We were SO excited about the 4th of July. We headed out early with Grandpa Chuck, Auntie Becky, Uncle Tom, lots of cousins and friends to see the parade. 

During the parade, Alexandra's Grandma Connie (no relation to our family) walked by and she yelled, "Grandma Connie", so Sully followed suit and yelled out "Grandma!".  Although we talk about family lots, since we don't visit very often, it's hard to know all these people. Solace had been introduced to tons of his family already, and assumed this was just another grandma of his, why not? Made us laugh.

We all took pictures of our favorite floats and cheered and clapped until our voices were scratchy. It was lots of fun.

Back to my dad's house, and Paul took another nap. Traveling through the night always takes so much out of us.

We went out on the lake on John and Robin's jet skis and the kids had a blast!

Group pictures of most of us who were on the beach, so fun!

Then Jolie and her kids and all of our family walked down to the water near my dad's house to wait for the fireworks to start.  Jolie brought a million glow sticks and the kids had a blast playing and dancing until the fireworks started. The show was quiet and really far away, but so nice.  Then we lit up the sparklers and headed home.

I love Lullaby's face with the sparkler, she was so worried.

family

More family fun in Wisconsin. Grandma took the kids to a toy store and they could pick anything they wanted inside. I was hoping for more games, but they picked Legos, go figure. They're obsessed. 

We went to see Heather and Hunter too. Hunter's online store is doing really well, and he may never have to get a "real" job. Good for him! Heather's buy and re-sell business is going really well too, and it was so fun chatting and catching up with them.

Great grandma Evie came for dinner and it was so good to see her.  As usual, she listened intently as the kids told her story after story, and showed her their new toys.  She's such a good grandma.

Grandpa Louie got the go karts working and the kids had a blast. Especially Matix.

vacation

We headed to Wisconsin for the first part of our trip. It had been 4 years since the kids had been there, and even longer since Paul had been there. It was a long couple of flights for us, but we were happy to finally arrive. 

The kids were very interested in all the cheese things they found in the airport. Wisconsin is such a funny place.

Grandpa Chuck was there at the airport to pick us up, and brought us straight to Chik-fil-A for lunch, yes please!

Then back to Grandpa's house for popsicles and watching the neighbors build their float for the parade.

Paul took a nap and I chatted with my dad for a bit before heading over to my mom and step-dad's house.

The kids got right to playing and then headed to get some work done with Grandpa Louie.

After dinner we had ice cream sundaes and then the kids went out to catch fireflies and frogs. It made for a really fun first day!