Grandma and Grandpa Come to Town

Mom and Dad Edwards made another trip to Kauai a few weeks ago.  This was their final farewell before two years in Texas serving a mission.  As always, they were gracious, helpful, and best of all, completely involved with the kids.  

On one of the first days they were here, we went down to Poipu.  Like us, Mom is smitten with the green belt, and we were more than happy to take a stroll with them.

Kate loves Grandma and there were so many moments with the two of them this trip.  I managed to capture only a couple.  Kate loves Grandma so much, and asked for her constantly while they were here ("Can Grandma sit by me in the car?" and "Can Grandma read me a story?").

I love this, but it also makes me sad.  This used to be our backyard.

Checking out koi fish at the Hyatt.

The next morning, we walked along Shipwrecks and hiked back along the coast.  Mom had so much stamina!  She wanted to go for longer than we made it, but we were limited by time.  This picture is small, but if you look hard, you can see a divet in the sand.  This is where Dad stepped and rescued my hat blowing away in the wind--and almost fell off the cliff.  Good thing he is so coordinated and recovered his balance so quickly.  He can move really fast.

Kate "resting" on the hike.

That afternoon, we picked up Zachary and went to Lawai Beach.  Zac captured a lizard.  We found out this trip that geckos make Grandma really nervous.  She does not mind them outdoors, but she's pretty sure if there is one indoors, it will be in her bed.

Building a fort in the sand.

Grandma and Grandpa also came to ballet to watch Kate dance and prance and stretch.

A week before they came, Brady found out about an awards ceremony he was supposed to attend in Oahu.  Mom and Dad watched the kids for the night while we flew over and had a mini getaway.  In true G&G Edwards form, they did not just tend the kids:  they went and purchased materials to make a memorable craft (yarn octopus), they fixed them a favorite meal, they went to the park, and they even bought a kite.  The kids were so excited for us to leave.  We had a lovely time eating fancy pupus (appetizers) and walking the streets of Waikiki in dressy clothes.  We intended to surf the next morning, but the 60+ surfers on the break at 6:30am scared us off.  No thanks.  We went shopping instead.  Where?  Macy's--the only store we have on this island.  That's the only place I know how to shop anymore!

Zachary, posing with his Spider-man inspired octopus and his baby octopus.  They slept in his bed, played games with him, watched him eat breakfast, and mostly just hung out like stuffed toys should.

Mom and Dad, after church.  They look ready for their mission, huh?

Another day, we stopped at Wailua falls on the way to hike Sleeping Giant.

We had quite a bit of vog on island for a few days, so we were happy to get fairly clear views.  It was a hot, sticky day.

Zachary is motivated to hike when he's racing someone.  Kate is motivated to hike when she can pretend it's a park.

Saturday morning started off in Mom's bed, listening to the Pandora Disney station.  The kids are obsessed with Disney music and I'm pretty sure they could sing you any Disney song without missing a word.

Next, off to basketball games for Zachary.  Brady and Dale Keep are his coaches.  He started the season slapping the ball (he had never dribbled before), and can now dribble confidently.

His favorite thing is defense.

Kate is the best tag along at the all-about-Zachary Saturday mornings.  Her time will come.  She plays ABC games on the phone and listens to...yes, more Disney music.

Late Saturday afternoon, we went to Waiohai.  It was another sticky, hot day, but the beach was mostly cleared out from the full day of rain.  It felt exclusive.

I messed with the color on this shot:

Zac was totally fine having the beach to himself.  Usually this beach is packed.

His favorite beach activity lately is to run from the sand, jump into the waves (they were obviously pretty small that day), and do little tricks and flips off the board.

Mom joined in on sand creations.

Kate was happy to have her Daddy around on a Saturday--a very rare event lately.

I feel like we have a lot of these Dad Edwards pictures from over the years--arms crossed, gazing into the water.  I love them.

"Daddy, take me surfing!"

I love that Mom's bright orange and smile make up for the haziness.

Dad swimming out deeper.

Zachary, building "Mr. Fat":

Yes, of course I have clothes on underneath.  Just freezing.

My very favorite kind of picture.  The kids were excited to show off for Grandma and Grandpa.  "Look at me!  Look at me!  I can run so fast!"

Kate's footprint:

Diva Kate--love the smug look:

"Mr. Fat":

That night, we made coconut lime cheesecake with a crust Mom could eat.  Yu-um-my.  The best part about the cheesecake was that Dad ran to Big Save--again--to get me the coconut last minute.  He did this sandy, a little wet from the water, and very surely uncomfortable while the rest of us got dinner ready, got showered, and sat down to eat.  He acted like he was really excited to go, too.  Every time Mom and Dad are around, I remember that they really are in it to help and love and contribute.  It makes me want to be a little less selfish and a little more generous with my time and efforts.