Lovin' Gymnastics

Although I don't blog about it regularly, we continue to go to gymnastics every week. Reagan is doing great and loving it! We are hearing that she will be ready to move up a level soon - yeah! She is getting more and more skills down and improving her form. Each week, we rotate from beam



to floor



to bars



to vault



I can definitely see improvement in Reagan and I am excited to see what happens when we move up a level.

Oh - and just to document Cole's time at gymnastics - it is usually spent playing with our friend Jett. They play tag and swords, they read books and watch the iPad and they just play. Both of our kiddos are having fun at gymnastics - YEAH!!!!
 

The Worth of a Soul ... er Sole ... er Soul :)

In YW each year, we have New Beginnings (to introduce the YW program to the new girls coming in that calendar year) and YW in Excellence (to allow the YW to show the Personal Progress goals and experiences they have been working on all year in YW). Well, this year, we have no new girls coming into YW - none! So, we decided to combine YW in Excellence with New Beginnings and our theme was ..... wait for it ..... SHOES!!!!!



We focussed on the Worth of a Soul (with the twist of Sole being for the shoes) and combined this with the theme this year of Stand in Holy Places (got to have cute shoes to stand, right?). From the entrance to the church, to the room we were in, we had cut out footprints, leading guests to where they would join us. The footprints were in the value colors! The cutouts continued into the room, down the aisle of chairs and up onto the white board at the front of the room. So cute! The backdrop was all white - all of our tablecloths were white - and we used the value colors wherever we could.  We decorated our front table with food stands and we put shoes on them. Not just any shoes, but shoes in the value colors (sounds like those orange shoes came in handy, huh?) We used some of the presidency members' shoes and some of the girls' shoes. So cute!!! We also had a display of the theme for the year and the YW theme and lots of YW items like the personal progress book, the ribbons for passing off an individual value's experiences and project, the YW Recognition Award, the Honor Bee, For the Strength of the Youth books, etc.

Then, we had several tables in the room and each of the YW decorated a table with things that represented her or the things she is working on in her own Personal Progress. For example, Avery had a quilt that she had made for Festival of Trees, Summer had a soccer ball and her soccer cleats, Kassie had her cheer pictures and Jordan had some of the drawings she had made.

Finally, our dessert table had white cupcakes in stands and the cupcakes had sprinkles in the value colors. Then, as a favor for the YW and siblings to take home, we had high heeled shoes made out of cardstock on the outside and scrapbook paper on the inside - in the value colors!!! - with bags of chocolate sixlets - in the value colors!!!! sitting inside. We served the cupcakes, a slushie drink and water.



The program was perfect. We had a song, a prayer, the theme and introductions. I welcomed everyone, then, one of my YW counselors spoke about the personal progress program and another spoke about shoes. She talked about how choosing the right shoes is like choosing to be on the Lord's side. She talked about how you wouldn't wear flip flops for hiking or sandals in the snow - that we have to think about what we will be doing and choose the right shoes. Just like that, we have to evaluate our decisions and make sure that we are left standing on the Lord's side of the line. Next, she had each of the YW bring their favorite shoes up and they each talked about what they stand for in those shoes. Tears and more tears as each of the girls showed their personalities in their stories of their shoes. One talked about her prom shoes and how she altered her dress to be more modest, another talked about how her soccer cleats help her develop self discipline, have good health and enjoy competing with (and against) friends. Finally, the Bishop spoke about standing in the Bishop's shoes. Then, we sang, prayed and had dessert. It wasn't long, it was very touching and it was awesome!!!!

I'm so grateful for the opportunity to serve in the YW program. I am also so grateful for Steve's support of me in my calling. He takes care of Reagan and Cole while I am at activities, meetings and camp. He also knows the YW and talks to them, teases them and is interested in their lives. I can hardly believe it has been over a year since my call - I still feel like I'm learning my way around this program. I'm also thankful for the ladies who serve with me and for the amazing YW that we are privileged to work with. I am acutely aware of the worth of their souls and I love them!!

Indian Brother

You've heard me blog before about Steve being one of 11 children. Well, that only counts his actual siblings. Their family also had a couple of indian children stay with them through the Indian Placement Program of the church. One sister, Jenny, came several years to stay with them. Eventually, two of her half brothers also came to stay with Steve's family. Well, one of Steve's sisters found on of his indian brothers on Facebook and they have been keeping in touch. Turns out the indian brother was going to be in town and so, on very short notice, several of Steve's family members got together for a visit with Carlyle. It had been 44 years since they had seen him. Steve's sister Jill brought pics of Carlyle as he and she were in the same class at school. Carlyle brought his two children and their mother and we had such a great visit. I always love hearing Steve and his sibs reminiscing and telling stories. Unfortunately, not all of Steve's sibs could make this little reunion, but it was wonderful having some there to visit. Here's some pics (Carlyle is the one with the hat on):
 

Valentine's Day Decor

Well, since Halloween of last year, my sis Amber and I have taken to redoing the decor above our kitchen cabinets with each passing holiday. This holiday was no different. We had lots of fun decorating for Valentine's Day. Even though we weren't actually in the state (or on the continent) for Valentine's Day, it was still nice to have the decorations up before we left and after we returned home.

We decorated in the main kitchen, family room area:



We decorated all over the house:



Thanks Amber for all of of your great ideas and for the fun time we had decorating. We really can make a mess, but I love the end product.

Wait .... Another Pet?

You will recall, that we are ... scratch that - were ... happily a no pet family. Well, then, Reagan and Cole each brought home a fish after a mermaid themed birthday party last year. We had a rough start with some of the fish not making it, but there is one who has lasted over a year. It's not too bad - we feed him, turn on his light each morning and add water when necessary. My sis Amber takes him when we go out of town and its not too hard of a transition. (Although, she said we need to clean the tank more - she said the last time she had him, he scribbled "help" into the algae building up on the side of the tank :)  Cute Amber cleaned up the tank, put in new water and got him all set. I figure if we go out of town enough, that can always be Amber's job, right?)

Anyway, so, we've reluctantly been a pet family (sort of) for over a year now. Well, my other sis Brandi moved and her son is getting ready for a mission, so, he offered to let Cole have his leopard geckos. Ugggh!!!! Before we agreed, I asked Brandi how much maintenance is involved with the geckos. Her reply was "seriously - almost none". We agreed, picked up the enormous tank that they live in and we were off. I have since learned that the "almost none" she is talking about is way more than what I anticipated. They have a daytime heat lamp and a nighttime heat lamp. They have to eat live crickets every other day or so. They need water each day and, of course, they need their "droppings" cleaned out (Amber ???).



After having them for several weeks now, I can tell you that they are not great hunters. Even when I put in 7 or 8 crickets, they will stalk and then snap at the crickets, but if they miss, the crickets jump away and they just sit there. So, I've had to "drive" the crickets right up to them and then sort of trap them long enough for them to snap at, catch and then eat the crickets. (I'm sure there's a social commentary in this lesson of giving people things and not making them work for them, etc, but darn if I'm going to have these geckos get skinny sick and die on my watch.) The good news is that the female is now big and healthy. When Cody gave them to us, he told us to feed her separately from the male so as to make sure that she ate. The pet store told me that they store excess fat in their tales and to watch for that. Well, her tale has plumped right up. She has also shed her skin three times since we have had them - which the pet store tells me means she is growing - yeah!!

Cole named them Sam and Selena and sort of "unofficially" gave the female to Reagan. I'm not sure what we'll do when we go out of town as that is a huge tank to transport, but I'm sure we'll figure it out.  These pics are from the first night we brought them home. Steve was the first to pick one of them up and it drained its bladder on his hand. The kids were sort of freaked out by that, so, I suggested some baby washcloths to have them hold them. They agreed and all was well. Since then, we don't use the washcloths .... well, I do. I don't know why, but I have a REALLY hard time picking them up. One day Cole wanted to take one to school for Show and Tell. Steve was at work, Reagan and Cole were at school and I was the one having to pick it up and put it in the transport box. It was 15 minutes at least and I just couldn't do it. I'd get right there and they would get nervous and scramble away and I just couldn't pull the trigger and pick them up. It was getting late and so, I got the washcloth and used it to pick up Sam. Of course, at the school, Cole had no use for the washcloth - he just picked Sam up and held him securely in his hand and showed his classmates. I laughed because after he talked about the gecko and answered questions, he headed back over to put Sam in the box and he said to his class "See, I TOLD you I had a gecko." Aha - this was not just some Show and Tell - this was an "I told you so!" All right then.

We buy their crickets at the pet store - a bag of 45 at a time. The first time we did that, I thought "Now, how am I going to get those crickets from the bag into their little container?" Well, I devised a plan - I figured I would put their container into the terrarium, open the top, dump in the crickets from the store's bag and if any got out, they would be in the terrarium anyway. All went as planned and I put the food and water pellets in for the crickets and was actually quite proud of myself. Then, I lifted the cricket container out of the terrarium.  Well, apparently I had not secured the top on the cricket container properly and as soon as it was no longer over the terrarium, the bottom dropped out and 45 crickets went jumping all around our basement. Reagan and Cole started screaming, I started screaming and I was in a panic as to how to collect them all. (Believe me, I think they knew this was their only hope at survival because they jumped in all different directions and were trying to get away as fast as they could.) Luckily, at this very minute, Steve came down the stairs. He grabbed the water cup and scooped up crickets and put them in their container. I don't know what we would have done if he hadn't been there - apparently Reagan, Cole and I were "unequipped" for the situation. One cricket crawled into the vent - that was the only one that we didn't catch. Of course, that night, right as we are drifting off to sleep, Steve said "Hope that cricket doesn't find its way to our room." Ugggh! I seriously could not sleep. Luckily, the next morning, he was hopping around Cole's room and Steve scooped him up and put him in the terrarium. That'll teach him, right?

The funnier part to this story is Cole. So, each night, we put the kids to bed and we lay with them and talk about their day, etc. Steve tells them stories and Cole, especially, LOVES for Steve to tell him stories about when Steve was a boy. On nights when I'm with Reagan, I can hear them laughing and yucking it up when I'm trying to get both kids settled down and ready to sleep. Steve told me that he's running out of stories and doesn't know what to do some nights. Well, so, after my little cricket debacle,  Cole told me "Mama, when I'm a daddy and I'm telling my babies stories about when I was little, I'm going to tell them about when you dropped the crickets. They will laugh so hard that they will fall of the bed!" Great Cole - you do that.

Reagan's Science Fair

At Reagan's school, in first grade, the students have a "group" science fair. They decided this year to study mold - a first grader's dream, right? They hypothesized which kind of bread would grow mold the fastest (white v. wheat, organic v. preservatives, moisture added v. no moisture added) and they began their experiments.

They had such a cute presentation - they sang, they recited their drills about the scientific method and they presented their experiment. Love them!!!!
 

O'ahu - Days 8 & 9

Up early this morning and Reagan found a heart shaped note back from the Tooth Fairy. It said that she understood the situation of how Reagan didn't have a tooth to put under the pillow. In fact, the Tooth Fairy said she had gone looking for the tooth in Hanuama Bay and had dropped her glitter pouch in the Bay! So, she left Reagan her usual $5 and an extra $1 to buy some glitter herself - whew!!! Reagan read us the note and said it was signed TTF. She was puzzled as to what that meant. I said "TTF? The Tooth Fairy, right?" She laughed and laughed. She told EVERYONE about her note from the Tooth Fairy and made a point of telling them that she signed the note TTF.



We headed out for a late breakfast this morning and Steve's niece came to join us. We had contacted Ashley about visiting her at BYU Hawaii earlier in the week and she said that she was coming into Waikiki with some friends on Saturday, so, we just decided she would come to hang out with us at our hotel. We walked back to the hotel and changed and hit the pool and beach. Ashley is SO tan it is crazy. Reagan and Cole LOVED playing with her and dragged her all around the pool area. I kept trying to save her but she insisted she was enjoying it. We also had a great day since we had a cabana today - it could shield us from the wind and rain (but it didn't rain today). Steve bought some new sunglasses at the towel desk and as part of his brilliant negotiating, we were given a cabana for the day. I do like the cabanas because they are in the best locations on the pool and you can put them up or down, depending on how much sun you want. However, what they charge to rent them is ridiculous, so, most people never do. But, to get it free on our last full day here was perfect!!! Here's the view from our cabana:





We swam for a few hours and then I went to get us sandwiches for lunch. We went upstairs and ate in our room. Then, Ashley needed to meet her friends so we changed and drove her to AlaMoana Center. What a great mall - they have fabulous stores. We shopped for a bit with Ashley and then she left to meet her friends and we shopped a bit more. After that, we headed back to the hotel to get packed up and ready to leave tomorrow.



This has been an amazing trip - well, all of them are. I just love when we schedule these trips. November or December is perfect because you have just had the winter for a while and you need a break. Plus, you come back rejuvenated and ready for the holidays. I don't like to go too close to the holidays either or I feel like I didn't get to "celebrate" and enjoy the running up to the holiday. I love baking and shopping and all the fun preparations we do for the holiday. Then, after the holidays and we've been back in school for a while and the winter feels like it is dragging on, we take another trip to the beach. This just recharges us again and allows us to come home and love the snow on the ground, rather than begrudging it like our neighbors do.



I'm so glad that we can arrange to come here with Reagan and Cole and to be together as a family for 8 or 10 days. I love that we feel comfortable and safe here and that we have our favorite "haunts" that we return to again and again and can count on them being wonderful each time we visit. Being with Steve, Reagan and Cole is what makes the trip so wonderful. They are my favorite people in this world and I adore them. Being here - with them - is my paradise. So, until next time ..... Allllloooooooohhhhhaaaaa!!!!
 

O'ahu - Day 7

Today was the day we decided to visit Hanuama Bay. Steve and I have been here before by ourselves. Also, we brought Steve's girls and their husbands here when we all visited the islands. Now, we are bringing Reagan and Cole. They worked hard learning to snorkel and we were all ready to go. We got up and got ready, then we stopped for breakfast on the road to the Bay. We wanted to get here early enough to get in a full day. Well, when we pulled up to the turnoff, there were guys there saying it was full and to keep driving and come back in 15 minutes. What?!? So, we kept driving. Fortunately, just up over the ridge, there was a gorgeous scenic viewpoint. We pulled over and could see these black rock formations with the waves crashing up on them. There were signs saying not to climb on them because it could be dangerous. We watched the waves for a while, took some pictures and then decided to try our chances at getting in to Hanuama Bay. Luckily, this time, we were able to get in and find a spot.
 

We had to wait in the entrance line and we had to wait to watch the safety video, so it took some time, but we finally made our way to the beach. We had spent all morning convincing Cole that there wouldn't be sharks in the bay. Luckily, the safety video confirmed that; however, as they said that, they showed an eel coming out from behind a rock to swim right by a snorkeler. Yep - that did it for Cole - he was officially freaked out. We played on the beach for some time, just to get up Cole's courage, then, I stayed with Reagan and our "stuff" while Steve took Cole into the water. It took a while for them to get their snorkels, fins, and masks on and situated. Then, it took them a while to make their way out into the bay. Once they were in, they did great! They stayed right with each other and snorkeled all around.



After a while, Steve and Cole came in for a rest and Reagan was ready to go. Steve headed back out with her. Again, it took a while for them to get their gear all set up. Reagan is very particular about how her mask straps go on and where the snorkel should be, etc. Finally, they headed out into the water. They snorkeled for a while and then I could see them sitting up in the water. Reagan was in Steve's arms and she didn't have her mask or snorkel on. I wondered what happened. I kept looking through the zoom lens on my camera, trying to figure out what was going on. It seemed like Steve would start snorkeling without Reagan and then stop and hold her again. Was she hurt? Was she taking a break? I couldn't quite see what was happening. Then, they stood up and walked in, carrying their gear. I was afraid she had given up. As they got closer, I noticed she was sobbing. Oh no - what happened?
 

Turns out that the snorkel mouthpiece had knocked out her loose tooth. She didn't know what happened at first and was tasting blood and it scared her. After Steve had settled her down, she begged him "find it Daddy - find it!!!" Apparently, he had looked around a bit and then decided it was pointless to even look for the tooth, so, they came in. Steve and I convinced her that it was a great story to tell that she had lost her tooth in Hanuama Bay. We calmed her down with the help of a few phone calls home to Shanny and Grandma and Grandpa. Finally, she was ok with having lost her tooth and informed me that she would just write a note to the tooth fairy, explaining the situation. Great!






(Sorry about the sideways video - I always forget to account for that - oh well, you can hear her story and see her. She was so cold from the ocean that her lip is shaking and her voice is shaking because she is so cold.)

Reagan didn't want to go back into the water, but Steve and Cole went in just to swim around, no more snorkeling. Reagan and Cole built sand castles and played and Steve and Cole had races up and down the beach. Steve and Reagan even buried Cole in the sand. When we had our fill of fun, we headed back to the hotel.
 

We had dinner and relaxed until we heard the fireworks. Every Friday night, the Hilton Hawaiian Village shoots off fireworks. We could see them right from our balcony. After the fireworks, we got ready for bed. Reagan wrote a very descriptive note to the Tooth Fairy, explaining what happened. If you'll remember, when she lost her first tooth, the Tooth Fairy had given her a $5 that was covered in glitter. Well, it was so special to Reagan that she just keeps it in a bag and won't spend it. For that reason, when she lost her second tooth, she wrote a note to the Tooth Fairy, asking that she not put glitter on the money. The Tooth Fairy granted her request. Well, apparently, Reagan thought this lost tooth was special as well because she asked the Tooth Fairy in her note to put glitter on the money this time. (gulp!) Well, we'll see what happens.
 

O'ahu - Day 6

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!! (Can you tell they are making hearts with their hands?)

Reagan and Cole woke up to cards and little heart shaped boxes with candies and notes from Steve and me in them. They were SO excited!



We got up and worked out, had breakfast and got ready. Today was the day for Steve and Cole to have their Father/Son Fun. Cole and Steve left and walked around the hotel and down the beach. Cole chose hot dogs by the pool for lunch, so, they waited and waited, but the guy making the hot dogs didn't exactly inspire Steve's confidence, so, they switched it up and headed to McDonalds. They shared fish McBites (gross!) and a Big Mac. Steve made a big deal about Cole having (well, sharing) his first Big Mac.



While the boys were having their fun, Reagan and I went shopping. She found an adorable little ring in Juicy Couture, but we decided to "think about it" and hit other stores. Well, she couldn't stop thinking about it and we headed back toward Juicy. On our way, we passed the Ferrari store and found Cole and Steve. Cole had found a watch with 3 different covers and he was lovin' that. Steve told him he could have that for his "toy" for this trip (remember how they each get to choose a toy on each trip?). He agreed and was thrilled to get his Ferrari watch. Well, that sold Reagan. She wanted that little ring at Juicy for her "toy". They were both SO excited. We walked back to the hotel and saw some Hawaiian dancers in the shopping center pavilion area. We watched for a while and then returned to the hotel.



We changed our clothes and headed out to the beach and pool. Reagan and Cole played with friends and the Fun Team for a while. Then, we went back inside and cleaned up. We decided to go to an italian restaurant for our Valentine's dinner. We had great food. We told each other why we love each other and it was a great night! I couldn't be happier than to be in Hawaii with these 3 people. I love them more than anything!!!!
 

Just a note, as we were taking these pics in front of the Sheraton Waikiki sign, we did the usual - I took one of Steve, Reagan and Cole; Reagan took one of me, Steve and Cole; Cole took one of me, Steve and Reagan; etc. Well, Cole was taking his pic and he was telling us how to pose, he was turning the zoom on the lens back and forth to get the shot he wanted and this couple walking by stopped and just watched him. Then, they asked how old he was and commented how he really seemed to know what he was doing with that camera. Yeah, no kidding! Anyway, the upshot of our conversation with them was that they offered to take one of all four of us - YEAH!!!!!
 

O'ahu - Day 5

We got up this morning, worked out and headed straight for the pool and beach. Cole started out this morning saying that he didn't want to swim today. What!?! Good thing I brought along his swim gear 'cause that "no swimming" thing didn't last long. He built some sand castles, but saw all the fun Reagan was having in the ocean and he wanted in. We did a quick change and he was ready for the water :)
 

I made them each wear hats as much as possible today. We don't have any sunburns, but we are definitely getting more than our share of sun, so, I figured I'd mandate the hats. I even borrowed Reagan's little pink polka dot hat - it didn't exactly fit, but it gave me a bit of shade.



Steve and I were sitting together in the sand, watching Reagan and Cole make sand castles and run back and forth to the water. I looked down the beach and saw a guy dressed in a full Santa costume walking toward us on the beach. He was holding a violin and was just walking. Seriously?!? I pointed him out to Steve and mentioned that he looked pretty creepy. We hoped that Reagan and Cole wouldn't see him and .... they didn't! I kid you not! Santa walked right by our children and they didn't even notice. Yeah!!! Maybe it isn't the time of year, so, they aren't "clued in" to looking for him? Maybe he wasn't the real Santa (or even a decent helper), so, they didn't notice? Whatever it was, it worked for me.



After our pool and beach time, we headed back to the room to wash and clean up. Then, Reagan and Steve headed out to lunch for their Daddy/Daughter Date. She reminds Steve each time they are due for a date and they plan out what it will be. Remember, they scouted it out yesterday? They decided to have lunch at the restaurant in the hotel which looks out over the ocean. Then, they took a walk in the Royal Hawaiian next door. They sat in the garden and talked for a while and then walked on the beach. Then, they had ice cream by the pool at our hotel. Not having nearly as much fun, Cole and I did laundry while they were gone. We decided to get some ice cream between loads and we had a nice little chat while we were waiting for our clothes to dry :)





When Reagan and Steve returned, we started a movie. We only watched half of it before it was time to eat. For dinner tonight, we were invited to the club level of the hotel (for Starwood gold and platinum members). It was great! They had the 31st floor set up for dinner. They had all different kinds of foods. We were all able to find something we liked (of course Steve liked everything) and we had a gorgeous view of Waikiki while we ate. After chatting with some other guests, we headed back to our room to finish our movie and then it was bedtime.
 

O'ahu - Day 4

This morning, we got up early and went to breakfast. We took a walk around the area our hotel is in and then walked around the hotel a bit. We watched the koi in the pond and sat in the rocking chairs and talked.
 

By mid-day, we were ready for the pool. Steve played with Reagan and Cole in the pool and then in the ocean. They wanted to be WAY WAY out there where the surfers and the big waves were, so, Steve dragged them out there. After they had their fill of big waves, Steve dragged them back to shore. I'm sure it was a workout pulling each of them on their tubes through the waves and the currents.

Reagan and Cole have also met some friends. The hotel has "The Fun Team" or is it "The Fun Crew"? Anyway, they have staff members who come out every morning and every afternoon and play with the kids in the pool. They have balls, diving rings, games, and all sorts of ideas. Reagan and Cole seem to hook up with the same group of friends each time the Fun Team is out. Yeah!!!



Reagan and Steve took a little walk this afternoon to "plan out" their Daddy/Daughter Date tomorrow. Apparently she felt they needed to scout out areas that they would go to or activities they would do. She cracks me up. She LOVES her Daddy/Daughter dates, whether they go out or if it is just in her room downstairs. Cole loves his as well, but doesn't plan (or scheme) like Reagan does :)



Another great day here in paradise. We are lovin' just hanging out and being together and soaking up the sun!!!

O'ahu - Day 3

Another great day; however, we had a bit of rain. Reagan and Cole were up super early (like 5 am early) - whew! They watched shows on the iPad while we slept a while longer. Reagan and I decided to take a hula class at the hotel. K - it was WAY harder than I thought it would be - seriously!!! Our instructor started out by teaching us the leg moves. Next, she added the arm moves - holy cow! I was so confused. Finally, we put it to music and tried to do the whole (3 verse) song. It was really hard! I was watching the instructor so intently that some of the pictures were horrible - I have this concentrated scowl on my face - uggh! Regardless of how hard it was, it was super fun. We had a great time! Steve was getting ready in the room during the first part of our lesson, so, Cole was our photographer. He was taking pics of us, the floor, the sky and anything else that caught his attention :)



Later, Steve came down and took over as official photographer. We were inside the hotel as a result of the rain. By the time our lesson was over, the rain had stopped and we ventured outside. There is a pool of koi right outside the hotel. There are several rocking chairs overlooking the koi pool. Cole met and started talking with a little Asian girl who was there with her parents. Steve was eavesdropping and figured out that Cole was having a conversation with the girl's parents and the little girl was translating. Cole was teaching them all sorts of things. He was telling them about Hawaii, about the hotel, about our flight and several other topics. They probably knew more than him, but they were getting a big ole kick out of him! Funny boy!



After our hula lesson, we all went for breakfast and then hit the pool. Reagan and Cole were all over that pool in their tubes. They dragged Steve into and out of the water, up and down the slides and over to the kiddie area and back to the hot tubs.



Having our fill of the pool for the day, we went upstairs and cleaned up. We walked a few blocks to have a late lunch/early dinner. Then, we decided to walk back to the hotel on the beach. I couldn't keep Reagan and Cole out of the ocean. It didn't matter to them that we already bathed and got cleaned up. They were soaked. They were running in and out of the ocean and running up and down the beach. There were two Asian women taking pictures of the ocean and beach and then I realized they were taking pictures of Cole! They were laughing and pointing and cooing at him. We couldn't speak a word to each other, but I offered to take a picture of them (so that they could both be in the picture). They stood together on the beach and I pointed the camera at them, but before I could snap the picture, they stopped me. They wanted Cole in their picture! I wasn't sure about that, but didn't want to be rude either. So, Cole stood with them in the picture and he hammed it up! Silly goose!



It took us well over an hour to make our way back up the beach. We kept stopping, and we couldn't get Reagan and Cole out of the ocean. So what if we had to take baths again and clean up again? That's what we do here! It's all good! We're in paradise, right?