Erin Go Bragh

Forgot to wear green? Here's a quick alteration to your attire that can help you avoid some pinches.

You might still find yourself on the receiving end of ridicule...

Hawaiian Odyssey Part IV - Hilo Hattie

Apparently, Hilo Hattie is the place to go for Hawaiian clothing, tchotchkes, and other touristy stuff. We decided to ride the free shuttle trolley, instead of driving, which, in hindsight,was a poor decision, even if we did get a marginally amusing tour of Waikiki. As we were waiting for the shuttle, Grant made an important discovery.

Directly across the road from the shuttle stop is a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant! As you can see, the name of this fine establishment isn't clearly visible but Grant said that he figured it out from the color scheme of the awning. I've never been prouder.

Anyway, after that debatable thrill, we settled in to wait. Shuttles run every 30 minutes so naturally we waited closer to 40.

On the trip we saw many exciting sights. Well, we did see the Duke Kahanamoku statue.

Bryn was obviously enthralled.

But we finally arrived and took the obligatory photo by the world's largest aloha shirt.

This makes my eyes hurt.

We bought a pearl, which had to be taken from the oyster at knife point.

Aww, ain't it cute?

Bryn, as usual, was drawn in by a book and plopped down on the floor to read it.

After we were done we waited another 40 minutes for the return shuttle. We amused ourselves as best we could.

Some were less amused than others.

And some amused the rest of us.

How Do You Like Them Apples?

Having a magical Halloween is all about having the right neighbors. Cool neighbors, just a few doors down, with kids the exact same ages and genders as our own.  Plus lots of apple trees,

plenty of space,

a cider press to put those apples into,

which all the boys agreed was the most miraculous contraption ever created, (juice comes out!)

a huge garden in which to find the perfect pumpkin,

everything to decorate your pumpkin, and your clothes,

Someone to go to the school carnival with (that's just our Cole on the right - Grant was sacked out with a high fever on the couch, and Bryn was opposed to the photo op)

And all of this got our little vikings in the appropriate character,

(I think they're going for tough and threatening, here)

for the BIG NIGHT!  Happy Halloween to our little Crunchers!

(Bryn is a viking princess.....just use your imaginations - we couldn't get her to take off the tutu and yes, that's a tiara on her horned helmet.  Oh well, she still got lots of candy and quickly decided to get rid of all the chocolate, which is "yucky" in her opinion, so Evan and I had a VERY happy Halloween.  It gets more fun every year.)

Cruisin' Crunchers

Warning! The following boys are growing up fast.

And those biking jerseys are only making them faster.

Almost makes you want to be five again.

Warm Enough

How warm does it have to be before you strip down to your diaper and jump in frigid hose water (while dad rebuilds our pond)? According to Bryn, about 70°.

Grant got his swimming gear on, too, but his common sense kicked in before he got wet. Brynnie's common sense? Well, this is the extent of it.

Cruncherisms

1. While I was cutting Grant's hair (and yes, he typically complains the entire time):
Grant: "Mom, you keep moving my head."
Me: "I'm just moving your hair, I'll be done in a minute."
(10 seconds goes by)
Grant: "Mom, if you push on my head one more time it's going to LOSE POWER!"

2. Evan: "Do you guys like to play with Bryn?"
   Cole: "Dad, sometimes Bryn is a little bit mean to us."
   Grant: (enthusiastically) "And she's BORING!"

(Now really, how can he call this little one-girl road show boring??)

Good Presents of Great Joy!

Hi! I'm Bryn and this is what we did today.

There were lots of presents under the Christmas Tree. Grant couldn't wait to start opening them.

I, of course, was a model of patience and demureness.

I was pretty excited about my Nemo Pez!

Cole called this his "cremoter" and crashed it into things until the battery died.

Uh oh! Cole cut himself with scissors but we all got band-aids in our stockings so we were prepared.

I finally got a loving family. I like to put the baby to bed.

In the afternoon we went over to Mona and Papa Z's house for Christmas dinner.

Papa Z made something called "cheesecake" but there wasn't any cheese or any cake in it. I ate it anyway.

Then Papa Z asked Hannah to pull a sliver out of his thumb. He was pretty brave and hardly cried at all.

Of course we watched some football.

Hannah let me send some texts.

There was a brief incident where my pants got lost. That seems to happen a lot.

And finally, I helped Papa Z put on his hat.

Well, he's a little less scary than the real Santa Claus.

Now that's what I call a full day. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve Jam(mies)

If it's Christmas Eve, it must be time for new pajamas.

A brief look of disappointment crossed Grant's face when he saw that the present contained clothing but, as Sue pointed out later, "Get used to it." Regardless, they posed for a photo before heading off to bed to seek visions of sugarplums.

Tres Chic!

This girl is a one woman fashion statement.

Well, she's more of a question than a statement. And yes, she did dress herself.

FHE: On Location

Leaving the house for Family "Home" Evening (and picnic dinner) is a great idea:
1. Spill all you want, I don't have to clean it up.
2. Ready-made lessons abound, with lots of visual aids

3. The activity portion is always a huge hit!
We did have to touch on the "modesty" topic towards the end, for Brynnie's sake (I'm pretty sure streaking is not condoned in "For the Strength of the Youth.")
And even though we brought a couple donuts for dessert, some of us just ate dirt. Mmmmmm.

Location: Salmon Creek (across the street and down the hill from our house.)