Five-O

You know that scene in Home Alone where the Callisters are all sitting outside in the white vans waiting to go to the airport? And that scene in National Lampoons Christmas Vacation where Clark drives the Griswold car underneath a semi-truck? And that scene in Blue Crush where Kate Bosworth and all her hottie surfer friends are riding sick waves? 

Okay, now try to envision all three of these scenes at once.

And you've got Smarts in Maui.

How do you sum up the trip of a lifetime in a few blog posts?

You can't really. So I'm going to post about 500 pictures instead.

(From four different cameras)

Here we go!

We all sat by each other on the plane. It was a blast - when Grandma Phyl wasn't beating everybody in trivia. I swear that woman knows EVERYTHING. 

True story: 

We went to church in Maui and Grandma Phyl walks right up to some guy after sacrament like they are BFFs. Turns out, they are BFFs and she wanted to introduce him to the whole fam. Hence the picture of a lot of us with some guy I don't know. 

Spiderman came all the way to Maui with us.

Actually, it was just Cole, who brought FIVE of his super hero costumes in his suitcase. Its all you need really, a couple of swimsuits, a warm beach, and a spiderman suit.

Some friendly hotties.

It was weird/awesome to spend Christmas Eve on the beach.

Unfortunately, Darel won't be posing like this on the beaches of San Pablo, but she'll still be a Betty nonetheless. 

Cole and Ally buried me with the help of some mature adults.

Exhibit A: Mature Adults

They regretted burying the sand monster.

Have you ever had sand in your pants for ten days? 

Once its there, its tough to get out.

Brent put Ally's swimsuit on backwards...

Cutest Grandma Ever Award.

Please note: Ally eating a hamburger.

Brent is the grill master. He slaved away all week feeding our bellies with burgers, fish, and other tasty meats. 

My mom bought personal DVD players and backpacks for all the grandkids.

They looked so cute watching movies on the plane.

Grandma She She also bought personalized luggage for the grandkids as well. 

Now that's a devoted Grandma.

SO MUCH LUGGAGE...

Just a couple of beach babes.

I'm going to apologize in advance for the longevity and abundance of Hawaii-inspired posts the next little bit. But we had too much fun to skip over the small details!

Chatty Cathy, Part 3

My sister opened her mission call today. It has been the shot heard round the world (at least in our family). My dad brought up a few valid points when he said that as parents, he and my mom haven't prepared her that well for life. That said, she's going to rock the mission field like Kim K to Kanye's bank account and I can't wait to witness it! To see her open up her call, click here.

In Snickerdoodle news (the real reason for this post), we've made some entertaining changes in the verbal department. Ev now has full on conversations with people in her own language. I will ask her a question like, "Do you want a grilled cheese? Are you thirsty? Do you want to play princesses?" And she will eagerly respond with the cutest Evie Mumbo Jumbo you've ever heard.

See for yourself.



Also, she is obsessed with telling me when she "poops." Which is ironic because 90% of the time her "poops," are just toots. TMI? Sorry, being a mom desensitizes you to bodily functions.

For Worthreadington

We have returned.

Like hobbits leaving the Shire, we have seen the beauty of Rivendell, the cliffs of the Misty Mountains, the depth of the Mines of Moria, and and for a brief moment (15 hour drive to CA/5 hour flight from Hawaii) the fiery pits of Mordor.

But nothing shines brighter than home. Amidst the gloomy, rainy, cloudy scenery of Oregon I have never felt happier. We miss our families terribly, but there is something so comforting about sleeping in your own bed while ignoring the nine loads of laundry waiting to be unpacked from your suitcase. 

How was Hawaii?

How was California?

Where are you?

Why haven't you answered any phone calls or texts in the last month?

I'll get there...eventually...maybe.

Worthreadington, this is for you.