Sota visits from Japan

We were really lucky to be able to host Sota from Japan for 2 weeks. He was so much fun to have around. During the week days he would attend school at a nearby location and then evenings and weekends he spent with us.  The kids loved playing with him and were super sad to see him go.

Sota brought origami paper with him and he made fun things for us (the kids also made stuff (like the snowflakes)

He brought most of this with him from Japan and made us a wonderful sushi dinner one night. We loved it (well the girls weren't so sure but the rest of us ate it all up!)

Jeremy and Sota went down to visit the museum of flight. They had a great time and I think Sota really enjoyed his trip.

They did the simulator thing (that even allows them to go fully upside down)  Jeremy was the pilot and Sota was the gunner, I think they brought down like 11 enemy planes.  Quite impressive.

Sota is a great violinist. We were lucky to have my great-grandpa's violin during the weeks he visited so he could play for us.

Hawaii Day 5

Our last day in Hawaii started a bit rough but was still lots of fun.  We didn't take any pics of the airplane trip home so this is the last post of our Hawaiian vacation.

Kate spent a couple days with a fever.  We ended up taking her to a walk in clinic thinking it might have been another ear infection but no luck, just an unexplained fever.  Poor girl but she was a trooper.

First stop, Waiola Shave Ice - it is sooooo good!

Then we went to the Bishop Museum and saw them make lava, after that we explored the rest of the museum.

Haha, Kate needed a break from the museum so she ate a little banana, I snapped this picture right before she moved the banana to take the peel out of her bite.

Then we all went out to a fun dinner at Buca de Beppos to celebrate our last night in town (and Jeremy's and my 12th anniversary).

Think these kids had fun on this trip...YEP!

The whole gang at the restaurant.

 

A video of the lava, pretty cool.

Lucy's Birthday Party

For the second year in a row we went to the Children's Museum for Lucy's birthday party.  With her birthday falling on Easter weekend this year we had a very full schedule so we were fortunate to be able to host her party right after her school day ended so a lot of her school friends could come.  After pizza, cupcakes and presents the kids got to head out into the museum and play the afternoon away.  Lucy had a fabulous time!

The Children's Museum

We enjoyed going to the Children's Museum with Brenna and Caedan on our quick mid winter break.

They had  a skating party downstairs (flat slides you put on your shoes and kept the room dark with a mirror ball, the kids had fun but it did take some convincing to get them to try it, sorry the pics are terrible.)

Which ramp goes faster, farther...

The girls on a horse

Jaydon helping Kate drive the tractor

Air tunnels and scarves

Catch them!

More in the skating room

Caedan and Papa were busy building

Tree house bridge

Egg drop

Brenna and Lucy on the horse

Putting on a theater show

My load of coats and sweaters around my waist :-)