Makai turns 4

Makai turned 4 and I just can't believe it.  He is such a great little man.  He has a pretty easy going personality and is fun to spend the day with.  He likes attention, but is also known to go find a corner and play with toys by himself.  He is really into video games.  He loves Super Mario Brothers and talks about Halo, but won't be able to play that for like 11 more years!  I think he likes the toy because he can put them together.  For his birthday I let him go to Target and pick something out.  He choose this. 

I never would have picked this out for him, but he was happy with it.  

A couple days before his birthday Makai wrote his name for the first time in the right order.  We were pretty proud of him.  Great job big man!!

Christmas Program

Would Christmas really be Christmas without an elementary Christmas program.  This year we have three boys in Elementary school.  All their programs were on the same night.  I thought we were lucky, until I read the invite.  1st grade at 5:30, 3rd grade at 6:30. and 5th grade at 7:30.  I thought it would be perfect until I realize that each program was only about 15 minutes long and I had to just sit around and wait for the next program.  The kids songs were cute.  None of the boys were comfortable on stage.  I did see Kyle come out of his shell for a minute and pretend to play an electric guitar like a pro.  Kory hates to be looked at so if he saw me looking at him he would just roll his big gorgeous eyes at me.  Trey LOVES to be looked at and if anyone enjoyed the stage it was him.  However, he wouldn't do the hand motions.  He just stood with his hands in his pockets like a 'cool stud'.  It was a long night, and busy day.  We didn't have dinner till 9:30 that night, but some nights are just like that.

Kyle after his program

Feeling awkward with a bell in his hand as he only had to ring it once.  But looking cool!

Being patient waiting for all the programs.

Our handsome little man.  Don't be fooled by his cute face.  I had to tell him about 5 times to stop skidding along the gym floor in his church pants.  Oh, and he was so upset he had to wear blue pants because he doesn't have a black pair.  He didn't want to disappoint his teacher.  However, the blue worked out okay.  Kory 3rd grade

Not sure why he makes a funny face for every picture, but it is a trade mark.  Trey 1st grade.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...

This year we decided to do something we've never done before and go cut our own Christmas tree.  Let me tell you...it was so much fun!  I've never had so much fun getting a tree.  There is a place here by the boy scout camp where you pay $10 and go cut your own tree.  So, we loaded up the kids with some hot chocolate and muffins and decided to make a day of it.  We did search for about an hour and then I found the perfect tree!  AHHH!!!  Monty and the boys cut it down while I sat in the car warming Makai's feet back up.  His boots leaked and since he was the smallest he sunk into the snow waist deep while the rest of us were only calf or thigh deep.  He had fun the first 20 minutes and spent the rest of the time on a stump or in the car.  Anyway, we did however underestimate the size of the tree.  I remember saying, "Yeah, and it's perfect for our house.  We have such a high ceiling."  Ha...um maybe not as high as I thought. 

Um...a little taller than we thought!  We laughed so hard. 

We had a blast decorating it.  It was Tyler's year to put on the star. (thankfully I kept a blog last year, so we went back and saw Makai did it last year.  Makai was convinced it was his year!  Or maybe he just thinks it's his job!)

So, the tree skirt got wet when the tree fell over in the middle of decorating it, so it's drying in the laundry room.  Other than that I think it turned out pretty good.  We will definitely be making this a tradition!  Next year we will however bring a measuring tape! 

 

Thanks

Loved this Thank You card I found on my bed from Kory.  We share a favorite super hero, Cap. America, and he drew me winning the game of H-O-R-S-E.  So sweet. 

Bahamas

Some kids ask for bikes for their birthday...our kids ask for Passports!  Kyle has been wanting to get a passport since he was 8.  In fact, at 8 he told me if he had a passport he would be off to Brazil.  Well, we wanted to give our kids an experience outside the United States, but were trying to figure out the best way to do that.  Then Monty figured out that we could take a cruise and the boys could visit another country without a passport.  It seemed like a good compromise.  I'm sure one day we will get them passports, but with 5 of them we'd rather spend that money on the actual vacation.  Monty booked us a 4 day cruise to the Bahamas.  Everyone was more than excited.  With the weather turning here from cold to COLDER the thought of tropical weather sounded divine!!  Our cruise left out of Miami and we visited three islands:  Stirrup Cay, Nassau, and Grand Bahamas. 


Kory and Kyle looking out into the port of Miami before leaving for the Bahamas

Monty sporting his Miami Dolphins shirt!  He loves being in a place that appreciates his Dolphins!

After the first night on the boat on our way to Stirrup Cay.



Trey being creative and building something...



Dad helping Kory get ready for a snorkeling adventure.



Kyle showing how big a fish was he and Tyler saw.



Makai--thinks he is as big as the other boys!

While leaving Stirrup Cay we were more than thankful that Kyle didn't get more injured when his arm got caught between a rope that attached our boat to the ship and the rail for the boat.  Monty was able to move the rope just enough for Kyle got get his arm out.  It was then that we knew we were being watched out for because the incident could have been a lot worse! 

Nassau, Bahamas is the capital of the Bahamas.  We found the color choices for the building rather...interesting!

Kyle--now you can't tell us we never took you out of the country!

Watching fish at the dock.

Sweet couple that took our picture after we took theirs.  Poor guy didn't know how to center a photo(thank heavens we have a crop feature to try and fix it), but we appreciated his kindness.

Tyler playing a Bahaman drum.  He was actually pretty good at it.

I just think this photo is too cute.  I love this kid!!

A teachers protest.  They want higher pay.  I was glad the boys got to see this.

The Bahamas don't have their own military, but I will say their police are HUGE!!  I wouldn't mess with this guy!!

Enough of the city for us.  Time for the beach!  Monty chillin'

Kory and Monty swam out to the buoys.  I was pretty impressed that Kory made the swim.  It was farther than it looks.  He did a great job and...

was pretty proud of himself.

 My favorite part of the trip was actually in this water.  It was so clear and warm enough to be enjoyed.  I swam out to the buoy too, but then just stayed out there enjoying the feel of the water.  Monty got worried and swam out to get me.  When he got there he said, "Are you okay?"  "Yes!" I told him.  I was in heaven and just don't want to leave the water.  He laughed!  The water felt like a massage as you swam.  Bliss. 

Makai is a beach bum for sure.

Brotherly love.

On our way to lunch at the Fish Fry.

Lucky for them I didn't want them to have any local water so they were enjoying some soda!

We like to try local food.  These were some conch fry balls.  They were pretty good.  Not our favorite.  The conch was pretty tough.  We were glad to try them though.  This was actually the only meal we ate off the boat.

Tyler enjoyed the fish much more. 

Our last and final stop was Freeport Harbour.

We took a taxi to a place called Paradise Cove.  We heard that was where the best snorkeling was.  Tyler was a pretty happy camper after snorkeling here.  Said it was by far the best snorkeling he had EVER done!

It was a pretty cold day and after a down poor this towel was completely wet, but Makai wouldn't take it off.  He insisted it was keeping him warm. 

When it didn't keep him warm he moved to more drastic measures. 

During the rain storm I got a little worried because I couldn't find Monty and Kyle.  I knew they were out snorkeling, but as I scanned the area I couldn't see them.  Tyler and I were both a little worried, but like little mermen they appeared and were never in any harm.  They were off enjoying their best snorkel of their lives behind the rock.

I wanted to go, but was a little worried about swimming out.  I think it's my medication but I get foot cramps when I swim now.  This makes me a little nervous to swim.  So, Monty took care of me and paid for me to take a boat out.  Tyler went with me.  We enjoyed a snorkel until I got too cold and had come in.  It really is amazing that under this water is an entire WORLD!!  I enjoyed snorkeling with Tyler.  And for the record my foot did cramp just as we were finishing so the boat was a good idea.

Two handsome dudes building Atlantis...(and notice Spiderman on the mountain.  This was Makai's buddy the ENTIRE trip.  He took him everywhere!!  In fact, in many pictures if you look close...you will see him.)

Trey--enough said!

Fire POWER!

We did have some fun on the boat as well.  Each night on the boat we went out as a family and did something fun.  We played shuffle board the first night.  That was pretty fun. I didn't even know how to play the game up until than. 

We did end up in the arcade a couple times 

Arcades are a boy haven I have decided.

The food was a hit the whole week.  We had no complaints in this area.  Well, I take that back...there were some complaints about being SO FULL!!

This is one of the pools.  Not the boys favorite, but one that Makai could play in.  Their favorite one was one that they swam in when it was dark.  The boat was kinda rocky that night and so the water was swishing like a wave pool.  That was their favorite night of swimming. 

Tyler is usually pretty serious, but he took all our towels one afternoon and made a robe.  I don't remember if he was trying to be an angel or an Israeli.  Either way it's always fun when he has some fun.

This was my favorite night.  We had just swam but then decided to play H-O-R-S-E.  Oh, and who won?  That would be MOM!!  For some reason I couldn't miss that night!  Not to brag, but I didn't even get an H!;) Maybe it was the rocky boat that just helped all my baskets to go in.  Dad got H-O-R-S-E first.  Sorry babe.  Then Kyle, then Tyler.  Kory and I were the last two, but I showed no mercy.  Heck, I gotta enjoy it while it lasts as I know this is only a temporary thing!! 

The boys tried their hand a ping pong.  Needless to say there was always something to do. 

The final day after we got off the boat Makai seemed to put it best. 

This kid cracks me up.  I have no idea how he didn't contract some crazy disease on this trip because he sat down anywhere.  If we were on an escalator he sat down.  If we were on a train he sad down.  If we stopped for a moment...he was on the floor.  It usually drives me nuts, but this time it was cute.

After we got off the boat he had a day and a half left in Florida.  It was a fun relaxing time to get a few more fun pictures and a few more rays of the sun!! 

Okay, so not everyone was having fun.  Trey was not having so much fun.  In fact, he got sent to time out for being super grumpy.  This boy is FULL of emotion.  He can be totally happy...and TOTALLY not!

Makai just kinda doing his own thing. 

I don't know who taught Trey to do this...you never know what you will get with this kid.  Love my 6 boys!!

Makai being a squirrel--at least that's what he says when he sees this picture.  I think he looks more like a MONKEY!

Even after a week on the beach the boys played till the last minute.  At this time they were pretending to be from the movie The Incredibles.  Kory was Dash, Trey-Violet and Kyle-Elastagirl.  They were reenacting the scene from the movie when they wash up on shore after being shot out of the sky. 

We had an awesome trip.  Goodbye Sunshine...Hello SNOW!