MAUI WITH JUST THE TWO OF US
April 26, 2018
This was our first time traveling to Hawaii just the two of us and we couldn’t wait to go and explore. We had been a few times with family, but this was our first without kids. We were so excited to do some hiking, and we were super nervous we wouldn’t make it to the top of the Waihee Ridge Trail before the clouds moved in. But the timing worked out perfectly and we had some great views of the island. Way off in the distance we could see a waterfall so when we got to a clearing we decided to put up the drone and see if we could maneuver it over there. We were pressing our luck in the small space we had but when it sailed over we just looked at each other and went “WHOA!” It was this huge waterfall that was just flowing. We started to bring it back and all of a sudden we lost connection with it. We thought it was a goner this time for suuuure…we couldn’t see it or hear it. Then Marcus had the brilliant idea to have it follow it’s flight plan and we got it back juuuust before the battery ran out. I always get so nervous when he takes that thing up!
After that we decided to find the bamboo forest at mile marker 6.5 on the Rd to Hana. When we got there the trail was completely muddy but we decided to just go for it and had a good laugh crossing the river and getting completely stuck. We got brave and climbed up to a waterfall that we knew would be pretty secluded but it was a 20 min climb over boulders to get there. And all we had were flip flops! The people who saw us said, “You guys are crazy to hike in those.” But they worked, and when we came around the river bend we saw this waterfall that was over 100 ft tall. It was SO worth it!
This was our first time traveling to Hawaii just the two of us and we couldn’t wait to go and explore. We had been a few times with family, but this was our first without kids. We were so excited to do some hiking, and we were super nervous we wouldn’t make it to the top of the Waihee Ridge Trail before the clouds moved in. But the timing worked out perfectly and we had some great views of the island. Way off in the distance we could see a waterfall so when we got to a clearing we decided to put up the drone and see if we could maneuver it over there. We were pressing our luck in the small space we had but when it sailed over we just looked at each other and went “WHOA!” It was this huge waterfall that was just flowing. We started to bring it back and all of a sudden we lost connection with it. We thought it was a goner this time for suuuure…we couldn’t see it or hear it. Then Marcus had the brilliant idea to have it follow it’s flight plan and we got it back juuuust before the battery ran out. I always get so nervous when he takes that thing up!
After that we decided to find the bamboo forest at mile marker 6.5 on the Rd to Hana. When we got there the trail was completely muddy but we decided to just go for it and had a good laugh crossing the river and getting completely stuck. We got brave and climbed up to a waterfall that we knew would be pretty secluded but it was a 20 min climb over boulders to get there. And all we had were flip flops! The people who saw us said, “You guys are crazy to hike in those.” But they worked, and when we came around the river bend we saw this waterfall that was over 100 ft tall. It was SO worth it!
TRAVELING WITH KIDS? HERE'S OUR TOP 5 TIPS!
March 6, 2018
I hear all the time, I’m so nervous to travel with my kids, how do you do it!? And while it’s normal to feel anxious about traveling, let me just tell you, you CAN do it. You’ve got this! Here are a few tips when it comes to traveling around with your kiddos in tow:
1. CHECK IT OUT: Most airlines check car seats and strollers for free. So give yourself another free hand and get your car seat checked from the get-go! However, I usually like to bring our stroller through security. So let me just warn you now that when you bring your stroller through security, you MUST take your child out of their infant carrier or stroller seat as you go through the detectors. Even if you have a precious, sleeping baby completely asleep (been there and almost had a throw down when I had to wake them up!) you still have to carry them through.
2. PLAY AROUND: Take full advantage of the kid’s play areas at the airport. We’ll have one parent grab food and snacks, while the other one takes kids to the play area. It’s a way to have your children confined to a smaller space than the massive-ness of an airport. Also, it wears those restless legs out before getting onboard. Our kids can’t get enough of it! We even have nicknames for the characters at our local airport (#shoutouttoourfriendpilot!) But then of course, I wash my children down in the free sanitizer near the exit when leaving, ha!
3. LET’S TALK iPADS: I love the iPad. So much so I pre download shows I can watch when we get on (Thank you Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc). Or I also love the free entertainment app (such as GoGo Inflight, or whatever airlines we’re on) to watch FREE unlimited shows and movies. But being parents, we never get to watch anything when traveling with our kids. SO…here’s what happens with our family. Harper watches a show for about 20 min, and then is done. I so wish I could just give her a device and have it keep her distracted for a few hours. But it’s a no go! But one thing she does like is games. We have the silliest games on our iPad, nail painting, dropping shapes into different containers, and we love, and I’m talking LOVE, the Usborne Sticker Dolly Dress Up app. I’m not one to pay for an app, but this one she loves dressing up each character on the screen. It’s definitely saved us a time or two.
4. QUIT TOYING WITH ME: The Target dollar spot is our best friend right before traveling. We spend a few dollars on the most random things: fidget spinners, coloring pads, window clings you can put on the airplane windows, little figurines, etc. Some of our other favorites are Melissa and Doug’s WaterWow! (paint with water pen), Color Wow (clear markers that only color on specific pages), and lots of sticker books. And obviously, we like to stock up on snacks. We splurge and bring ones in packages so they can eat them and then discard all packaging. We also don’t have a lot of space for snack containers. So I buy one container that has multiple openings (similar to a pill box) and put in craisins, cheerios, marshmallows, and fruit snacks. I’ll let you guess which of those gets eaten first…
5. THE BED BOX, WHAT IS IT? IS IT WORTH IT?: The BedBox is a small carry on suitcase that allows an airplane seat to be changed into a bed. The price is steep, and I’ve read people who have had problems with flight attendants asking them to put it away. But let me tell you, we’ve never had this be a problem. The “mattress” is much thinner than I expected, and I’ve been so worried that the wheels would fall off at times. But saying that, we have literally dragged it everywhere in the streets and it’s still held up so well! Now I wouldn’t travel without it! If you have a long flight 5+ hours and know you’ll be flying multiple times with it, it’s fantastic. It’s got plenty of space for the mattress and ALL of Harper’s toys, snacks, blanket, and stuffed animal she brings along. Here’s another tip, we also bought a toddler sized pillow and it even fits in there! The Bedbox also doubles as the most awesome pull along suitcase they can ride around on at the airport in between flights!
But let me warn you, just because you purchase one, doesn’t guarantee your child will fall asleep on the plane. Oh, but wouldn’t that be NICE!? However, if you’re lucky enough to have your sweeties fall asleep, it makes it a much more enjoyable nap for them, and for you! They’re not trying to twist and turn on your lap, and it helps my children sleep longer than they probably would have.
Really though, with flying, it’s just a few hours. You’ll do awesome! We work ourselves up so much that we forget this is an “experience” for our kids. Try to make it fun for them by pointing out new things. Give yourself plenty of time so you, and they, don’t feel anxious. If all else fails and they scream most the flight (hands up, it’s happened to us too) what’s a few hours in the grand scheme of things. Most people will be pretty understanding and will tell you your kids did great. And you get to feel like a freaking rockstar! Happy Travels!
I hear all the time, I’m so nervous to travel with my kids, how do you do it!? And while it’s normal to feel anxious about traveling, let me just tell you, you CAN do it. You’ve got this! Here are a few tips when it comes to traveling around with your kiddos in tow:
1. CHECK IT OUT: Most airlines check car seats and strollers for free. So give yourself another free hand and get your car seat checked from the get-go! However, I usually like to bring our stroller through security. So let me just warn you now that when you bring your stroller through security, you MUST take your child out of their infant carrier or stroller seat as you go through the detectors. Even if you have a precious, sleeping baby completely asleep (been there and almost had a throw down when I had to wake them up!) you still have to carry them through.
2. PLAY AROUND: Take full advantage of the kid’s play areas at the airport. We’ll have one parent grab food and snacks, while the other one takes kids to the play area. It’s a way to have your children confined to a smaller space than the massive-ness of an airport. Also, it wears those restless legs out before getting onboard. Our kids can’t get enough of it! We even have nicknames for the characters at our local airport (#shoutouttoourfriendpilot!) But then of course, I wash my children down in the free sanitizer near the exit when leaving, ha!
3. LET’S TALK iPADS: I love the iPad. So much so I pre download shows I can watch when we get on (Thank you Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc). Or I also love the free entertainment app (such as GoGo Inflight, or whatever airlines we’re on) to watch FREE unlimited shows and movies. But being parents, we never get to watch anything when traveling with our kids. SO…here’s what happens with our family. Harper watches a show for about 20 min, and then is done. I so wish I could just give her a device and have it keep her distracted for a few hours. But it’s a no go! But one thing she does like is games. We have the silliest games on our iPad, nail painting, dropping shapes into different containers, and we love, and I’m talking LOVE, the Usborne Sticker Dolly Dress Up app. I’m not one to pay for an app, but this one she loves dressing up each character on the screen. It’s definitely saved us a time or two.
4. QUIT TOYING WITH ME: The Target dollar spot is our best friend right before traveling. We spend a few dollars on the most random things: fidget spinners, coloring pads, window clings you can put on the airplane windows, little figurines, etc. Some of our other favorites are Melissa and Doug’s WaterWow! (paint with water pen), Color Wow (clear markers that only color on specific pages), and lots of sticker books. And obviously, we like to stock up on snacks. We splurge and bring ones in packages so they can eat them and then discard all packaging. We also don’t have a lot of space for snack containers. So I buy one container that has multiple openings (similar to a pill box) and put in craisins, cheerios, marshmallows, and fruit snacks. I’ll let you guess which of those gets eaten first…
5. THE BED BOX, WHAT IS IT? IS IT WORTH IT?: The BedBox is a small carry on suitcase that allows an airplane seat to be changed into a bed. The price is steep, and I’ve read people who have had problems with flight attendants asking them to put it away. But let me tell you, we’ve never had this be a problem. The “mattress” is much thinner than I expected, and I’ve been so worried that the wheels would fall off at times. But saying that, we have literally dragged it everywhere in the streets and it’s still held up so well! Now I wouldn’t travel without it! If you have a long flight 5+ hours and know you’ll be flying multiple times with it, it’s fantastic. It’s got plenty of space for the mattress and ALL of Harper’s toys, snacks, blanket, and stuffed animal she brings along. Here’s another tip, we also bought a toddler sized pillow and it even fits in there! The Bedbox also doubles as the most awesome pull along suitcase they can ride around on at the airport in between flights!
But let me warn you, just because you purchase one, doesn’t guarantee your child will fall asleep on the plane. Oh, but wouldn’t that be NICE!? However, if you’re lucky enough to have your sweeties fall asleep, it makes it a much more enjoyable nap for them, and for you! They’re not trying to twist and turn on your lap, and it helps my children sleep longer than they probably would have.
Really though, with flying, it’s just a few hours. You’ll do awesome! We work ourselves up so much that we forget this is an “experience” for our kids. Try to make it fun for them by pointing out new things. Give yourself plenty of time so you, and they, don’t feel anxious. If all else fails and they scream most the flight (hands up, it’s happened to us too) what’s a few hours in the grand scheme of things. Most people will be pretty understanding and will tell you your kids did great. And you get to feel like a freaking rockstar! Happy Travels!
WELCOME HOME SISTER HAERTLING
January 29, 2018
We’ve been counting down the years, then months, weeks, then days until our favorite sister missionary came home! Over the last year and a half we’ve emailed back and forth to Marcus’ niece Sarah over 140 times and every Monday we look forward to hearing from her. It was such a surprise when we found out she would be coming home this transfer instead of the next! We were so excited and Harper kept jumping up and down any time we told her that cousin Sarah was coming home THIS week. It was the cutest. She flew in on Thursday afternoon, and my hands were shaking so bad I almost couldn’t even hold the camera. And after that, I was trying not to cry so that I could hold the camera. I was such an emotional reunion for her and her sisters! It was so awesome to capture such an emotional memory for all of them. What a day! We’re so happy to have our neighbor/cousin/best friend back home, and we’re so proud of the work she did for the people in Washington, DC.
We’ve been counting down the years, then months, weeks, then days until our favorite sister missionary came home! Over the last year and a half we’ve emailed back and forth to Marcus’ niece Sarah over 140 times and every Monday we look forward to hearing from her. It was such a surprise when we found out she would be coming home this transfer instead of the next! We were so excited and Harper kept jumping up and down any time we told her that cousin Sarah was coming home THIS week. It was the cutest. She flew in on Thursday afternoon, and my hands were shaking so bad I almost couldn’t even hold the camera. And after that, I was trying not to cry so that I could hold the camera. I was such an emotional reunion for her and her sisters! It was so awesome to capture such an emotional memory for all of them. What a day! We’re so happy to have our neighbor/cousin/best friend back home, and we’re so proud of the work she did for the people in Washington, DC.
HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS
December 31, 2017
Our Christmas season was jam packed, but I feel like it always is because my husband and I’s families are all from the same area. So the fact that we all get sick right before Christmas wasn’t too surprising. Late game nights, and little sleep will do that to you! We still managed to host dessert for a progressive dinner on Christmas Eve with Marcus’ family, complete with the cutest nativity, cookie day making some of our favorite pizzelle cookies, Skyping with our favorite DC missionary for the last time, and even more family dinners!
We even took a trip to Yakima to visit our favorite Santa George, that is good friends with my dad. Harper was really excited to tell Santa what she wanted this year and Elle is so easy going I figured she’d follow along. Boy were we wrong! Elle was NOT having it. Those always make for the funniest pictures though right? Well we did a take two at a family dinner and I thought it might go a little better this time…nope! Guess Elle is just on the naughty list this year!
A few months ago we decided to get our girls’ a dollhouse. In October when it first came out, I saw the Magnolia Dollhouse from Target and knew that was the one. We started putting it together weeks before Christmas and as much as I liked it, I knew it just needed a little something more. Pinterest and Instagram to the rescue! I loved how it turned out, and we couldn’t wait to give it to them on Christmas morning. Harper’s reaction was priceless, I love her little “What the?” that she’s picked up from her cousins. It’s the first thing she says when she’s surprised or confused about something…and whatever I do, I can’t break her from saying it!
It felt so magical when it snowed on Christmas morning. It hadn’t really snowed here yet, so to wake up to it snowing was like icing on the cake! Harper was thrilled that Santa brought snow so she could make a “Frosty.” Her favorite character EVER.
I can’t believe how much Elle had grown in only a year. Last year she was our Christmas baby, and this year, well I still treat her like a baby, but she started walking and taking steps over the Christmas break. She is months behind from when Harper started walking, but that just meant she was still my little baby for a bit longer. She loved all the tissue paper this year and pulling it apart. Far more concerned with that than what was inside the present, for sure! Harper on the other hand has learned to open presents like a mad-man and throws the paper EVERYWHERE.
She ended up with a few princess dress up costumes this year and has been wearing them non-stop. Her and her cousin couldn’t go to any house without their shoes, wands, crowns, and dresses in tow. It’s the cutest!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Our Christmas season was jam packed, but I feel like it always is because my husband and I’s families are all from the same area. So the fact that we all get sick right before Christmas wasn’t too surprising. Late game nights, and little sleep will do that to you! We still managed to host dessert for a progressive dinner on Christmas Eve with Marcus’ family, complete with the cutest nativity, cookie day making some of our favorite pizzelle cookies, Skyping with our favorite DC missionary for the last time, and even more family dinners!
We even took a trip to Yakima to visit our favorite Santa George, that is good friends with my dad. Harper was really excited to tell Santa what she wanted this year and Elle is so easy going I figured she’d follow along. Boy were we wrong! Elle was NOT having it. Those always make for the funniest pictures though right? Well we did a take two at a family dinner and I thought it might go a little better this time…nope! Guess Elle is just on the naughty list this year!
A few months ago we decided to get our girls’ a dollhouse. In October when it first came out, I saw the Magnolia Dollhouse from Target and knew that was the one. We started putting it together weeks before Christmas and as much as I liked it, I knew it just needed a little something more. Pinterest and Instagram to the rescue! I loved how it turned out, and we couldn’t wait to give it to them on Christmas morning. Harper’s reaction was priceless, I love her little “What the?” that she’s picked up from her cousins. It’s the first thing she says when she’s surprised or confused about something…and whatever I do, I can’t break her from saying it!
It felt so magical when it snowed on Christmas morning. It hadn’t really snowed here yet, so to wake up to it snowing was like icing on the cake! Harper was thrilled that Santa brought snow so she could make a “Frosty.” Her favorite character EVER.
I can’t believe how much Elle had grown in only a year. Last year she was our Christmas baby, and this year, well I still treat her like a baby, but she started walking and taking steps over the Christmas break. She is months behind from when Harper started walking, but that just meant she was still my little baby for a bit longer. She loved all the tissue paper this year and pulling it apart. Far more concerned with that than what was inside the present, for sure! Harper on the other hand has learned to open presents like a mad-man and throws the paper EVERYWHERE.
She ended up with a few princess dress up costumes this year and has been wearing them non-stop. Her and her cousin couldn’t go to any house without their shoes, wands, crowns, and dresses in tow. It’s the cutest!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
OH, CANA-DAB
December 11, 2017
When Marcus had some things cancel at work last week, we jumped at the chance to go to Canada for a few days. It was so spontaneous, we even forgot to pack our passports! Luckily, we only got 40 min out of town before we realized it, and Marcus’ mom was happy to meet us halfway so we could get back on the road. But we also quickly knew we weren’t going to make our reserved ferry, and there were no other ferries leaving out of that port that day. We were scrambling when at last we decided to just drive as far as we could and catch the British Columbia ferry going across.
The Buthchart Gardens were at the top of our list so we decided to go twice! Once during the day, and then again that night. During the day it was gorgeous and the girls loved being outside running around. But what I didn’t think about was that they’d wear themselves out and not be ready for the Round 2 a couple hours later! Total parent fail on our part…that night, we rounded the first corner and it was literally, breathtaking! And then Elle started crying. And I mean, CRYING. Marcus picked her up out of the stroller and she REFUSED to go back in. I asked Harper if she wanted to see the lights and after about 2 minutes she was back in her stroller, cranky, refusing pictures (except if she could be by herself-ha!), and trying to fall asleep. Marcus and I just looked at each other and rolled our eyes as we realized we brought our kids to one of the most beautiful places-and neither were having it! But it happens. Especially, with young kids.
By the end of the gardens, Harper was begging for something to drink. So we paid for the way overpriced hot chocolate and gingerbread cookie and $20 later she was the happiest kid on the planet! We were kicking ourselves for not doing it sooner in the night.
We also had the chance to walk through the Festival of Trees where they have more than 50 different Christmas trees decorated by different families and businesses in the area. They were gorgeous! Our favorite, of course, was the Nightmare Before Christmas tree. We followed it up with a visit to the Gingerbread Showcase that is similar but with, you guessed it, gingerbread. It was pretty amazing the talent that some individuals have. I am not one of them!
The Christmas lights at the Empress Hotel, the Parliament building, and downtown were pretty impressive as well. Victoria has the best location sitting right on the Puget Sound, and has a complete European feel. Since many speak French, it’s so cute to hear everyone talk in their accents! Visiting Fan Tan Alley, the smallest street in the country, was like we had gone straight to Diagon Alley (from Harry Potter, but I'll pretend like you didn't have to ask that-ha!) I could easily touch wall to wall-and I have short arms, so that’s saying something!
This totally helped kick off the Christmas season for us. We also were able to help Light the World a few times along our way. If you want more information on how you can help “Light the World” this Christmas season, click here!
When Marcus had some things cancel at work last week, we jumped at the chance to go to Canada for a few days. It was so spontaneous, we even forgot to pack our passports! Luckily, we only got 40 min out of town before we realized it, and Marcus’ mom was happy to meet us halfway so we could get back on the road. But we also quickly knew we weren’t going to make our reserved ferry, and there were no other ferries leaving out of that port that day. We were scrambling when at last we decided to just drive as far as we could and catch the British Columbia ferry going across.
The Buthchart Gardens were at the top of our list so we decided to go twice! Once during the day, and then again that night. During the day it was gorgeous and the girls loved being outside running around. But what I didn’t think about was that they’d wear themselves out and not be ready for the Round 2 a couple hours later! Total parent fail on our part…that night, we rounded the first corner and it was literally, breathtaking! And then Elle started crying. And I mean, CRYING. Marcus picked her up out of the stroller and she REFUSED to go back in. I asked Harper if she wanted to see the lights and after about 2 minutes she was back in her stroller, cranky, refusing pictures (except if she could be by herself-ha!), and trying to fall asleep. Marcus and I just looked at each other and rolled our eyes as we realized we brought our kids to one of the most beautiful places-and neither were having it! But it happens. Especially, with young kids.
By the end of the gardens, Harper was begging for something to drink. So we paid for the way overpriced hot chocolate and gingerbread cookie and $20 later she was the happiest kid on the planet! We were kicking ourselves for not doing it sooner in the night.
We also had the chance to walk through the Festival of Trees where they have more than 50 different Christmas trees decorated by different families and businesses in the area. They were gorgeous! Our favorite, of course, was the Nightmare Before Christmas tree. We followed it up with a visit to the Gingerbread Showcase that is similar but with, you guessed it, gingerbread. It was pretty amazing the talent that some individuals have. I am not one of them!
The Christmas lights at the Empress Hotel, the Parliament building, and downtown were pretty impressive as well. Victoria has the best location sitting right on the Puget Sound, and has a complete European feel. Since many speak French, it’s so cute to hear everyone talk in their accents! Visiting Fan Tan Alley, the smallest street in the country, was like we had gone straight to Diagon Alley (from Harry Potter, but I'll pretend like you didn't have to ask that-ha!) I could easily touch wall to wall-and I have short arms, so that’s saying something!
This totally helped kick off the Christmas season for us. We also were able to help Light the World a few times along our way. If you want more information on how you can help “Light the World” this Christmas season, click here!
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