Happy Birthday Steph!

Tomorrow is my baby girl's birthday, and I want to be the first to say "Happy Birthday, Stephanie!" I could not have imagined how much you would change my life. Right from the start, we knew you were a girl (this was in the days before ultrasounds were done on a regular basis - parents did not generally know the gender until the baby was born), and we knew your name was Stephanie. It was never even a discussion, let alone a debate. That was just what your name was. It was as if you existed already, and we were just waiting to meet you. And what a personality you came with! Ready to take on the world, and smart as a whip. Kaiya and Teague remind me so much of you in this way. Sweetie, I am so eternally grateful for you. I am in awe of the person you turned out to be, the mother that you are. I love you!!! Have a FANTABULOUS day tomorrow!

I know that most people think that Teague looks like his daddy, and generally I agree. But there is something about him lately that brings Steph's baby face to mind every time I see him. I'm looking for a baby picture of Steph that illustrates it better, but I think you can see it in this one.

Steph and her best friend in childhood, Nathan. They were pretty much inseparable for a long time, until they both reached the age of noticing the difference between girls and boys.

Everyone who knows Steph knows that her love of sports goes back a long way ... probably well before this shot.

One of my favorites ... though not technically proficient, this picture really captures something for me. On the right is Steph's cousin Jennie Fay (another best friend). We called them the twins.

Kaiya Jane's Birthday

Our departure day was also Kaiya's third birthday. (By the way, I believe she thinks the whole trip was in celebration of her birthday ... hope she's not disappointed if we don't go again next year - or perhaps we SHOULD make it a yearly event!) Steph, Mickel and Sterling left early early that morning for a deep-sea fishing adventure, so the kids and I took the opportunity to go to the Maui Ocean Center, which was just a few blocks from our condo (Kris took the chance to relax). The Center was great fun, but Grammie's arms just about wore completely off, lifting one kid up and then the other, over and over again. We decided that the jellyfish were our favorite.

Just before leaving for the airport, we had a birthday party for Kaiya at Bubba Gumps (which she and I both love to say, by the way ... with our "Southern" accents). She really liked the Peter Pan pop-up book Grammie gave her, but her favorite was her new Baby Belle doll that crawls and giggles, from Mom and Dad.

Maui, Part 2

The most amazing sunset I have ever seen ... from 10,000 feet at the Haleakala crater summit. It was truly of another world - and cold!

On Monday we went to a luau at the Sheraton. But first, some pics of our matching family. Aren't these the most gorgeous kids and grandkids you have ever seen? (not counting your own, of course)

The luau was a lot of fun, and of course featured a typical Polynesian show complete with hula dancers and fire dancers. They even sang "Happy Birthday" to Kaiya (of course, it was for everyone who had a birthday, but as far as Kaiya was concerned, it was for her). She said to me, "This is the perfect night." And she was right.


Steph found a beach that was supposed to be kid friendly - i.e., not much wave action. Kaiya had not been, up until this point, fond of the beach situation, and was terribly afraid of the tides. She thought it was going to take everything away. But with patient coaching from Mom, she first ventured a run on the beach ...

... and before long, she was "surfing." So sad that we didn't find this beach until the last day! But for those who may visit in the future, the name of it is Kapalua Beach.

Teague, on the other hand, loved the ocean and any form of water. He is a true water baby, fearless. He only wanted to be in the water.

Maui

This week I have the blessing of spending a week in Maui with the people I love most in the whole world. What a treat!

The kids sure liked the "rinsers offers."

At Kannapali Beach ... the sun shelter was a good idea, but they're sitting in it mainly because it would blow away otherwise.

Kaiya and Mom built a mermaid ...

Teagie LOVED the water!

Kaiya and Grammie (my newest name)

Kris and Sterling and I went all the way around after getting to Hana (a lot of people turn around and go back the way they came, since the road isn't great to continue on). It was a little rough in places, but well worth it!

This was a guy at the Venus Pool who was a little too relaxed, if you know what I mean. He ended up jumping off a pretty high cliff with his beer, and he was excited to know that the beer made it through okay. I guess it's mean ... but it was pretty entertaining.



Black Sand Beach

Teague liked the black rocks.

We need our naps, even if we are having fun every minute.

Steph and Mickel spotted this HUGE spider - eek!

Grammie and her favorite girl.

Teagie loves his "basketball" - a found treasure.