There's No Place Like Home...

For our family, we have two homes. One resides in Cottonwood Heights, and the other on a little island called Maui. (Okay, we don't really have a home there, but it feels like home to us.) We try to visit our second home once a year. Micah and I booked a trip for September and agonized whether or not to bring Beckham. Beckham would love Hawaii. We pictured him in the pool and running on the grass...and then we pictured him not sleeping, ornery because he wasn't taking naps, and then the humdinger...the plane ride to and from Maui. It was not a pretty picture. So, I called upon two fantastic friends to watch our little man. This would be a real vacation without Beckham. I was so nervous. Would Beckham think we didn't love him any more? Would he forget about us? But, this story begins with the ending. Beckham did great! He LOVED Aubrey and Jeana. Aubrey was fabulous and took him to the museum to ride trains and carousels. It was like Beckham was on vacation right here at home. Aubrey called and sent pictures which made me feel great. I really didn't worry about him, I just missed his sososo much. When we came home, Micah and I were so excited...and the best part!...Beckham remembered us! He gave us lots of loves and now I never want to leave him again.

...However, then I sit back and remember what a great time we had. For one week, Micah and I were able to just relax and spend time sleeping and enjoying us. Let us take you for a trip down memory lane...

After we land our first stop is always the same...Ruby's Diner. Yeah, I look like crap, but thats what a 9 hour plane ride can do to you.

Micah took this pic. It was him trying to be artistic.

This was my view from about 8am-3pm. Fantastic, huh? It really is the most beautiful place. Every night I slept 10 hours! 10 hours! Can you believe that? Unheard of for parents, right? Then I would get up and run along the beach, eat an amazing breakfast, and then spend the rest of the day looking at paradise. Where we stay, we never have had bad weather. January, February, April, June, September, and October...all fabulous.

My babe is a sun worshiper. Seriously. He got so tan. Me, I spent most of my day in the shade with my dad.

We have a favorite restaurant there. Okay, there are several, but on is Long Boards. The ribs are soooo good.

While we were eating dinner, the sunset. Paradise, isn't it?

These love birds were on the 30th anniversary.

The next night we went to another fav resteraunt, Kimo's. Kimo is another name for Jim, so my dad thinks this place is just great. The food is always so good, and they have our favorite, Hula Pie.

As we were leaving dinner, we saw this sign, and it made us laugh.

Our hotel has a beautiful courtyard with penguins, flamingos, swans, fish, and...pineapple plants. Look at how cute!

Everyday we took a little dip in the pool. Micah loved that they have a basketball hoop. He challenged my dad to HORSE. Guess who won? My dad. (Must be all those special excersizes he does in the gym;)

Micah being Mr. Funny.

My dad and I were extra good with the sunscreen. No sunburns here! My dad has a little different routine in Hawaii then the rest of us. We don't really know where he goes and what he does, but he always has interesting stories. This time we got to hear about what he sees under the water with his googles on. Everyday, he would swim laps (with a swim cap and googles just to look extra weird)...and observed what went on under the water. I don't think its appropriate to share some of the things he saw. You'll have to ask him.

At dinner, this what I usually saw. My husband on his phone. For that matter, my mom and dad were on their phones too. What did we do ten years ago?

I don't really know what my dad is doing here. He was trying to do an impression of some of the boys from the island. Doesn't matter though, its just a very Jim like picture.

Micah and I spent a lot of time reading. I LOVE reading, but I never seem to have time any more.

The lovebirds. Really, this trip was so great for us. I could focus on Micah. I love him so much, and I am reminded how lucky I am to have him.

Me with my iPad. This is not a great picture at all, but its the only picture of me taken without anyone else. On the trip I finished The Demon King, Catching Fire, and a good portion of The MockingJay. I love that on my iPad I can carry my whole bookshelf with me where ever I go.

This is what two people in love having an amazing time look like.

Mr. Cool giving me his smoldering look.

This is our last night in Hawaii. Really, every night was picturesque, but this was the only night we took pictures of us with the sun setting.

Thanks to the gentleman that saw us trying to take our own pic and offered to take one for us.

Night, Night Maui. Until next time.