Hawaii vacation day 1 - A long day of travel

Our vacation started on Sunday, May 18th at 4:30 am. We got up, got ready, packed any last minute items in the suitcase, packed the car and headed to the airport.

 6:30 am. Arrive at airport. Check our bags and head to the gate.

7:30 am board airplane and take off! Hawaii here we come!

12:00 pm (10:00 am local time) layover in Salt Lake City

2:00 pm (12:00 pm local time) board our second flight, a six hour flight to Honolulu!!

Michael fell asleep as soon as we boarded our second flight!

Michael did amazing on both flights! I was prepared with backpacks full of snacks, games, stickers, coloring books etc... And didn't even take out half of it. He is a rock star when it comes to traveling! Let's hope he does just as good on the way home. 

Almost there!!

We Made It!!!

8:30 pm (2:30 pm local time) Arrived in Hawaii!!! 

Andrew and Michael go get the rental car while I collect the luggage. While I was waiting for Andrew to come get me, he sends me a text saying that the line is super long and that I should probably just get on a bus and meet him at the rental car place. So I did, and when I got there he was just about finished, so it worked out well. 

And this is what we got to drive around in all week! We had our choice and we picked the bug!! So fun!!

Then it was off to find the resort! A quick 30 minute drive later we were pulling into the Beautiful Aulani Resort!! It is incredible!! We were greeted with leis and  necklaces! And some tropical infused water. Upon check-in, Andrew asked about an upgrade, and the lady told us that we didn't want an upgrade and that our room was great! Well she was right!!!

We booked an "island/garden" view room to save points and be able to add an extra day to our vacation. Instead of getting the ocean view room. Well, we got an ocean view room anyway! It is spectacular!!

After checking out the room, we went down to explore a little and find something to eat.

This is what our Studio Room looked like.

Entrance / kitchenette

Bathroom

Our view looking straight out

We ended up eating at the quick service restaurant by the pool/ocean. It was a lovely view for dinner. 

By this point, Michael is begging to get in the pool, so we go back to our room and get our bathing suits on. Then it's pool time! We swam in the pool a little and then walked down to the beach and played in the ocean a little.

The joy on Michael's face was priceless! Too bad I didn't get a picture of it!

We were all pretty exhausted by this time, so it was time for bed. Michael was in bed and asleep by 7:30 and Andrew and I weren't far behind him. Of course in South Carolina, it was really 1:30 am! 

It was a long day, but so worth it to spend a week in paradise!! 

10 Years!!

Happy 10th Anniversary Andrew!

We have gone through a lot in the past ten years; Changing jobs, buying a house, bringing home two dogs, lots of travel for work, lots of travel for fun. We have been on three cruises, to Mexico once, to Hilton Head and Vero Beach, to Disney World more times than I can count and now a wonderful week in Hawaii! We have also had some tough times; years of infertility, loss of a job and the end of a career we were so sure was perfect. But God brought us through and we were able to experience the miracle of adoption and bring home our beautiful son! And God provided a great job after heart break. So thankful that we serve a faithful God and that we serve him together! God continues to bless our marriage and I am so thankful that God chose you for me! I love you and I am so proud to be your wife. Happy Anniversary Babe!

Easter Weekend

We had such a fun Easter Weekend. Before hand, I tried to explain what Easter was really about to Michael.  We read his Easter book, and I'm hoping he was able to grasp some of it. We don't do Easter baskets or Easter Bunny at our house, so I know that he won't get too confused about what Easter is really all about.

Friday evening, we went to the Wolff's house, because Aunt Amy was coming into town, and Terry and Diane were also going to be there. We had a great dinner, and I made this cake for dessert. It was YUMMY!!

Saturday, we played around the house all morning, and then dyed Easter Eggs.

Michael had fun seeing what color all of the eggs turned. But was happy with the 5 we did, and didn't seem to care about doing more. Which was fine by me.

Saturday evening, we went back to the Wolff's house for and Easter Egg hunt and dinner for Jim's Birthday.

Then we went to church for the Saturday evening worship service. This was the first time Fellowship Greenville offered a Saturday night service. I really enjoyed it. But Andrew said he had a hard time staying awake.

Since we went to church on Saturday, we were able to sleep in and play around the house on Sunday. It was so nice to not have to hurry to get anywhere.

In the afternoon, we went over to my parents house for Easter Egg hunt and dinner.

With all those kids, it was fun to watch them look for eggs.

Mom and Dad set up a special egg hunt just for Elise and Michael in the front yard, since they are the smallest.

Chair Transformation

I found these two chairs on the side of the road last week and decided to stop and pick them up. I NEVER do that, but Andrew and I were just talking about how we wish we had more chairs on our deck. They were in great condition, aside from how they looked. 

Well, I washed them off really well, and spray painted them, and now they look good as new! Not to shabby for a $2 can of spray paint! 

My Grandma

This past Sunday, my Grandma went to heaven. Almost two years after my Papa passed away.

She was not well, and we had been expecting it for a while now. It doesn't make it any easier, but we were prepared. I was not able to fly to California for the funeral, but my parents went, and it looks like it was a wonderful memorial for a wonderful woman.

My dad with his brothers and sisters

I only ever saw my Grandma a handful of times.

That's what happens when you live on the other side of the country from each other.

She did meet Michael one time, when he was just two weeks old. She flew from California to South Carolina to spend a week with my parents, and it just happened to coincide with us bringing Michael home!

She was the sweetest lady, and a wonderful Grandmother. We will miss you so much Grandma.

#wolffpicaday2014 - week 4

Week 4 of taking pictures everyday!! I'm so impressed with myself for sticking with it!!

Day 21 - Michael's newest favorite spot to lay while I am on my computer. Usually Molly is laying right next to him. 

Day 22 - Just blowing napkins off his head at dinner. Oh the things that entertain a three year old.

Day 23 - Been doing a lot of research for our upcoming trip to Hawaii! 114 more days!!

Day 24 - Grilled cheese sandwich turned race car. And he "drove" it all over the table at dinner.

Day 25 - lazy Saturday with the family. Watching a movie and eating caramel corn! 

Day 26 - Somebody got a hair cut tonight!! He looks so much older with short hair. 

Day 27 - Molly got to go riding/walking with us today!