Family Favorites

A family vacation in Hawaii...not something I ever would have imagined as a kid. My mom and dad made it happen, though, bringing their four youngest out to visit. It was such a dream--the weather was perfect, everyone got along, we stayed right next to the ocean, and we hit pretty much everything on the vacation list.

Rather than run this entry as a play-by-play, I decided to highlight a few things about each person on the trip.

Anna

• Turned nine while at our house. She is the youngest, born just before I left home.
• Jumped off Kipu Falls (a 20' cliff) first of the kids. Mom was only able to snap a picture of her splash
• In the thank-you note we wrote to Brady's boss for letting us use the beach house, she wrote, "I liked everything but the bugs."
• For one of my meals, she said would have prefered "...rice without anything on top."
• Hiked the entire way on both treks the Nufers took.
• Her two trademark ocean moves: She loved to jump over waves, and hold her hands high in the air and shout at waves.

Don't we look alike? 18 year age difference...yikes.



Janece

• The natural surfer of the group. She got up with ease.
• Followed Anna on the Kipu Falls jump, and also did the rope swing. (She actually was on the way back when she let go of the rope...a little heart-stopping!)
• Great at boogie boarding, and pretty fearless.
• Loved to wear flowers behind her ear in true Hawaii style.
• She is a very analytical, literal, and honest girl. My favorite quotes:

1. As we were driving home from the beach, "Karen, when I get out of the shower, are you going to have dinner ready?"

2. Brady told Janece that she reminded him so much of me. She got a little defensive. "Why?" she asked. Brady explained that we were both very competitive, had similar personalities, etc. Then he asked, "Do you not want to be like Karen?" Her response? "No, I want to be tall!"

3. Brady was sleeping on the couch after church. He'd been out hard for 20 minutes. Janece put her face next to his, and asked, "Brady, would you be more comfortable on a bed?"

Mindy

• Had the longest ride of any Nufer--6 seconds standing!
• A terrific pal for Zachary, and even babysat him while we went out to eat with Mom and Dad.
• The most graceful boogie boarder I've ever seen.
• Always reading in her spare time.
• She has developed into such a lovely young lady!

Eric

• Mr. Maturity: he has really taken the reins as the oldest sibling in the house. He is such a grateful guy!
• After watching three of his sisters jump off Kipu, finally took the plunge. Later said, "Never again." Good for him, despite feeling the pinch of nerves!!!
• We called him the "garbage disposal." He ate all of our leftovers.
• Always helpful--unloading the car, washing off gear, and waiting very last to take a shower after the beach.
• A great hiker, and rarely missed a wave on a boogie board!

Mom

• Caught big waves on a boogie board
• Hung out willingly with Zachary on the beach so Brady and I could go out with the family
• Loved to bob over the waves
• Ran through the rain on the last day to see turtles
• Made the girls' swimsuits
• A great sport about hiking, beach activities, etc., even though she needs ankle surgery

Dad

• Loved watching his kids perform--surfing, jumping off cliffs, hiking, boogie boarding, etc.
• Easily surfed many waves
• Enthusiastic about everything in Kauai--our kind of visitor!
• Zac loved, loved, loved him!
  

B, K, and Z

• Felt like vacation for us, too!
• Loved having siblings to dote on
• Loved eating at Beach House
  
  

All Together Now

• Lived it up at a beach house
• Enjoyed the Hyatt pools 4 times, courtesy a generous friend of the Hyatt
• Enjoyed Easter Sunday together
• Ate Scottie's BBQ twice!

Some Pretty Pics from the Week

Sleeping Giant

Yesterday, our beach plans were nixed when it turned out to be a cold and rainy Saturday. Instead, we went to WalMart (whoo-hoo!), and watched Michigan State dominate. Later in the afternoon, we were completely restless, but out of time for a big adventure. We opted for the Sleeping Giant hike--the first hike we did on the island together two years ago.


A friend told me earlier in the week that her two year old hiked the entire two miles to the top. If our son would do less wandering and more straight-up-the-hill, he would have made it more than .25 miles. We were proud of the little rock-throwing adventurer in him, though.

My biggest complaint about this hike is that all the sweeping views are overlooking homes. It doesn't have the tropical, middle-of-nowhere feel that most hikes on the island claim.

Zac drank half the Propel at the top. We were busting up. I don't know why we thought it was so funny, but his guzzling had us in fits.

Yeah, this hike is pretty enough...

I love this GQ shot of Brady, with Zachary's little eyes popping over his shoulder.

We are looking forward to the arrival of my parents and four youngest siblings this Thursday!