A Vacation From Our Vacation

We are finally back from Paradise, aka Kauai. It seems though that we may need a vacation from our vacation. The 3 hour time change has thrown the girls for a loop. I have to say, we were really anxious about our flight home, considering we were on a red eye to LAX and then had a 4 hour layover at 5am before heading back to PHX. Rilyn was an absolute angel, we have never been more proud of her.
Now, on to our trip......I guess I never thought much about what it would be like vacationing with two kids, since it was our first experience with it. Gone is the time of laying out, reading a magazine while sipping on a pina colada. Thank you Nana for all your help with the girls, I wouldn't have been able to enjoy my vacation without you. Of course the guys were off playing golf 3 of the days we were there, so my mom pampered the two of us to an amazing massage one day, that was a highlight.
Overall, we had a great time. Rilyn had a blast at the beach in the man made lagoons with her floatie and was excited to see most of the ocean animals she had talked about. She saw a sea turtle, monk seals, whales, dolphins, crabs, fish and chickens (they run wild around the island). As you can see, Emerson was enjoying herself as well. She was a trooper, and almost always took a nap while we were at the beach. Here is the view from our house, we were only a 10 minute walk to the beach. It was absolutely gorgeous there, so lush and green, exactly what you think of when you think tropical. Rilyn enjoying a little beach time with Uncle Grayson.

Grandma Mary catching a wave. Cowabunga Dude!

This day we spent checking out the "Grand Canyon" of Kauai. It is similar to the one here in AZ, although not as big, but much more green.

Here is Rilyn on the catamaran we went on for whale watching during a sunset cruise. Her and Jeff sat on the front of the boat to get a good view of things. There were about 7 whales all jumping and tail slapping in the same area near our boat. They said this pod of females were on a heat run and it was fortunate for us since they were so active. Here is one of the whale's tail slaps, it gives you an idea of how close we were. Unfortunately, I was feeling a bit seasick during the cruise since I stayed below with Emerson. At one point, Rilyn came down to lay on my lap and rest and ended up getting sick on me, oh the joys of motherhood! I am surprised that wasn't the final straw to make me lose it.

Gramps and Emmy. Here's Rilyn and Gramps being baby crabs walking along the water. Nice view, Gramps!

Grandma Mary hanging out with Emerson on the beach. Thank you again Nana and Gramps for such a wonderful memory for our family!