Thanksgiving in Colorado

 

 

 

 

Baby Clara and baby Madison--3 months apart!

 

Poor Gwen got a 24 hr flu bug that thankfully she kept to herself!

Rocking out with rock band.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great-grandma Smith and Clara.

Hawaii

We spent a week in Hawaii last month and I almost feel a little guilty about it because it was our second time going this year! Our excuse for going this time was that we had a small window left before Clara was tied to nap schedules and the comforts of home and then into the throws of toddler life. And I've flown across country with a 1 year old enough times to know that it's not very much fun. Plus, Paul found round trip airfare for $310 and a deal on our favorite hotel! As we sometimes joke "we couldn't afford not to go!" And it was worth it. Clara was an easy traveler, pretty happy to join along in the fun at the beach or on hikes, napping when she got tired, and smiling her big grin at strangers to keep what Kate calls her "angel baby status". 

Hiking the bamboo forest.

We stayed at the Disney Aulani hotel on Oahu. There are many reasons why we think this hotel is amazing. The moment you get there they start pampering you. They greet you with an amazing smelling lei around your neck (integrating the whole smell-happy-relax-pleasure sensory experience), pineapple flavored water and whisk your bags away telling you "you are now officially on vacation let me take care of that" and present you with room keys. The hotel is made for families, but in a classy sort of way, not a mickey mouse in your face way. It's beautiful and situated on a calm lagoon with warm breezes and warm calm water perfect for beginning swimmers. And let's be real, one of the best perks is the kids club that's included where they do fun activities with your kids while you go out to dinner or take a nap or sit on the beach--whatever you want to do! It's the best of all worlds. Plenty of family time playing together with a couple of hours of adult (plus Clara) time. It was so relaxing. 

 

 

 

 

 

To make our trip even more fun, we were able to overlap with my parents Hawaii trip and they came to spend a few days with us.

 

I think I'll leave out the story of our flight home being delayed 5 hours and then being cancelled. Being shuttled to an airport hotel with no elevator, schlepping suitcases, strollers and car seats up 2 flights of stairs and then back down again after 5 hrs of restless sleep to make a second (and thankfully successful) attempt at getting home. I've already forgotten that experience. The rest was great!