Celebrating America and Brady

Brady told Nic that the only thing he wanted for his birthday this year was an adventure.  With permits sold out for Kalalau, Nic and I planned a kayak trip to Milali'i.  Brady had the 3rd off for holiday observance, so he suspected nothing.  At 10pm that night, I told him to be at Nic's house at 6am the next morning.  Nic, Matt, and Brady took off on a crystal clear sea, hiked around the beach and waterfall, had lunch on the beach, and satisfied Brady's itch for something new--his first time to this beach!  So grateful to Nic for making all the arrangements.  (Kate asked Brady to charge the GoPro for her, and he thought its was charged but when he pulled it out of the bag I packed, it was dead.  No photos.)

July 4th started with a nearly empty Sheratons beach, in stark contrast to the crowds we usually see on this holiday.  A few years ago, I said it was the most crowded beach I'd ever been to in Kauai, and we had it basically to ourselves.  I paddled out and Brady caught a few shots from the inside reef.  

We finished a puzzle!  Baby Yoda is the cutest thing I've seen aside from my own children. Ha!

The ladies.

Brady, Kate, and Zachary paddled out to shotguns.  I took this picture to demonstrate how far you really are away from the surfers when snagging pictures.

Owen befriended another 4-year-old and they talked for 30 minutes about carving, barrels, and running so fast.

Group shot of our Stebbedlarks cohort.

Zachary connected with Will Scoval for his custom board.  He paid half of this board, saving up for 18 months.  It is significantly smaller than his last board and he loves it.

We showered and headed to the Stebbins for a BBQ: tri-tip, shrimp, salads, rolls, and M&M guessing games.

Heidi should be a professional estimator.

Zachary won the peanut butter M&Ms: way to get the most delicious prize, Z-man!

We celebrated Brady's birthday at the same time.  These guys know Brady well: gifting him Oreos and a shade tent, two of his favorite things.

Popper war and basketball games after dinner, followed by a long walk around the neighborhood where we compared landscape beds.  The kids came home obsessed with Studio C.

Another girl shot.  Nice hand, Heidi.

The start of Studio C obsession in my house.

Mahjinka's famous cake with ganache frosting.  It took hours and hours but that was fine because Kate and I watched Hamilton during the whole process.  

Never ending sparklers and fireworks ended the night.

Many of my friends are choosing not to celebrate Independence Day in favor of Juneteenth.  I think that is an interesting position.  We honored Juneteenth this year, and we will in all the years to come.  I do realize the 4th of July was not Independence Day for everyone.  It was the start, though. We have so far to go.  I have no problem considering the difficulties of our nation's history and leaders.  I think it is crucial and a more nuanced view of our founding fathers and church leaders is much healthier than elevation to hero status.  I am grateful for their sacrifices, though, and I'm especially glad that we have the right to free speech and there are so many voices pushing for social justice.  I do love America in all her imperfections.

Happy Birthday to Brady started with waffles (and an early Sunday meeting at the church for him). 

A family gift that we've all enjoyed.

Brady called the day's activity: a walk along Shipwrecks.

Zachary spied 4 manta rays off the cliff!

Happy 41st to my handsome, bearded man.  We love you.

Candles on leftover cake.

A new jetfoil for upcoming adventures.

A beard comb for my bearded ginger.

Owen wanted the birthday dad to read him a bedtime story.

All of these things!

The next few days were full of beach, surf, and landscaping.  

Zac worked for 5 hours tearing out the landscaping.  Brady and I spent the same.  I dug the trench around the bed and we worked to dig out all the grass creeping in.  I'm sure our neighbors are thinking, "FINALLY!"

BOYS!

This picture perfectly demonstrates Zachary's personality.

Surf date with Daddy.

Kate begged him not to wear his new surf bonnet in the water.

It wouldn't be a blog post without a shot of Owen sleeping.

Happy Birthday, Brady and America!