here is why i love my parents....

My mom flew in on my birthday... so we had a little dinner celebration.  My "real" present was to head to maui without the kids in a few days- so we kept this small :)

As soon as my dad arrived, we headed up to waimea falls waterfall and hike.  Unfortunately all the pictures of us in the waterfall are on my moms camera! bummer!  but we had a fabulous day and came back hot and sweaty.  

Before Troy and I headed out a town, we did a little birthday celebration for Braden- mostly so my parents could give him their present while they were in town.  Nothing like a new toy to keep him busy while we were gone.  So we had a few of these...

Sang the song.... blew out the candles...

and then braden got this toy!  are you kidding me!  it is a "fightin' item" as we say around this house. the kids love it. too bad only one can use it at a time.  we have done some serious digging already.  maybe by next year we will have a hole big enough for a hot tub!

While troy and I were out of town, my parents took the kids on a crazy whirlwind adventure tour of hawaii.  They hit the zoo- as any good grandparents have to-

made crafts with the treasures from their adventure walks
played in the sprinklers
ummm- dressed up? i don't know where they even are here!
read books
and they also hit the waterpark, mcdonalds playland, went to the beach beach and more beach, went mini golfing, out to ice cream, a little target shopping and the pet store for good measure, the park, bike riding.... you name it- they filled the time with it.  I am sooo grateful that they wanted to do this for us. i can never tell them enough thank you's for our week away!

Once back, we also headed down to ko olina to check out the fish and catch a sunset.  i love seeing my kids with my parents. such great grandparents they are.  we love you and miss you!!