The Ritchies Come to Town

The stars aligned and we got the Ritchie family all to ourselves on Kauai!  After touring Maui, they ended their Hawaii vacation with time on the Garden Isle.  We spent time with them at the pool and had dinner with them on Friday night, then headed up to the north shore early morning on Saturday to hike to Hanakapaia Beach.  It rained the entire way up and we thought it might be a muddy, messy day, but the weather cleared and we had a sunny, spectacular hike.

 Zac took off with cousins, and Kate and I hiked together.  She was stronger on this hike than 2 weeks ago.  The kids were less than thrilled to hike this again so soon, until they realized gummy bears and cousins were involved.

The problem with multiple cameras.  Sorry, Bryson.  The rule is that you always pick the picture where your kids look the best.  Haha!!  Bryson just returned home from his mission in Jamaica two weeks ago, and Garrett leaves on his mission soon.

 The beach was hopping with more people than I've seen in a long time.  I could not make it to the caves with Owen because the surf was too high, but everyone else checked them out.

 I loved how invested McKay and Logan were in entertaining Baby O.

 Owen was so happy to be out of the pack!

 The Ritchies took off in a hurry, anxious to get back to cell phone reception in time to hear their cousin open his mission call.  Zac hiked with Logan and Paul on the way back, and Kate, Brady, Owen and I made it back later.

Saturday night, we were able to get our huge gang into Keokis for a lovely dinner.  A friend helped us get in, as reservations were packed for the weekend.  We enjoyed our hula pie and fish tacos, but aside from the fun conversations and deliciousness, my most distinct memories of that night were my painful sore throat (14 days strong) and Owen's immunization-related fever.

Sunday, I went to urgent care and found out it was not strep, but I did have a few other secondary infections.  I wish that resolved the issue but currently I'm at day 29 with blisters still in my throat and no diagnosis, despite a couple more appointments.  That day, we all went to church together and did a family dinner.  The kids hung out with their cousins in the afternoon at the condo while Brady and finished prepping dinner.  The kids loved playing games and running around.  Both Zac and Kate lamented that we live so far away from them.  Every time Brady and I talk to their boys, we are surprised at how much has changed in their lives.  Of course that is true and it should not surprise us, but they are all maturing, kind boys.  We especially loved watching them interact with our kids, as well as listening to Bryson ask questions about his upcoming school schedule and talk about his mission.  They came over Sunday night so we could put our kids to bed (the day before school started) and we played games and talked into the evening.

I was jealous that the boys all focused and got pictures done so quickly.

Kate was so flattered to get asked to hold Angela's purse and phone.

 Monday night, we got together with them for a BBQ with the Ritchies and the Summerhays.  We spent more time with them on Tuesday, finishing out their stay with the pools at Koloa Landing and a quick last dinner together.  The time together flew by.  Kate was doted on by the boys, Zachary loved the crazy cousin time at the pools, and Owen soaked up the attention from everyone.  It was fun talking to Angela and Paul and observing their frantic life pace.  Oh please oh please, come again!!

We love you, Ritchie Family!  Come again soon!