The Airport in Oahu

It's amazing how great the airports are in Hawaii. They are all outside and wonderful! It was a good flight from Oahu to Anchorage. We had a short weather delay in Anchorage, but we made it home to Kodiak on Sunday morning. We were so ready to be home and so was Greyson. Vacations will forever be different.

More Hiking and Beach Time

Green Sand Beach

Once Stephen and Greyson started to feel better we headed out on a few great adventures. Stephen had a great time body surfing and Greyson and I took a lot of hikes (he wasn't a fan of the beaches really). We also drove out the the southern most point of the big island and hiked another 2 and a half miles to a green sand beach. It was a little oasis and very beautiful. When we got there it was just us and a native family and Stephen had a great time swimming. There was a little cliff in the rocks so Greyson and I made camp and had a lot of fun watching dad in the waves. We ventured out onto the sand for a while, but Greyson was not interested at all. It was also extremely windy and by the time we made it back to the truck we had a thick layer of dirt, but it was completely worth every minute!

The Baby Beach and a Hike

We had a great time showing Greyson so many new things and while we had to take it slow it was a lot of fun. There was a beach that Jerry and Sarah took us to (our incredible friends that we stayed with while in Kona) called the baby beach. Greyson really isn't a big fan of water, sand or any of the beach thing, but he did well.
We also took some nice hikes and this was a short one that we did. As long as Greyson had a weed in his hand he did great.

The Dole Plantation

So what to you do when you have a baby that is not feeling well and you're in Hawaii? Go to the Dole Plantation! On the Friday after the Tsunami Stephen, Greyson and I headed up to the Dole plantation and had a great time looking at the fields and going through the visitor's center. We also did a lot of driving and looking out over beautiful scenery. Very different than what we are used to with vacations, but we are getting used to the new family vacation:)

Oh The Tsunami

We had a beautiful hotel while in Oahu. Stephen and I decided that we had enough ocean in Kodiak and we would like to be closer to the mountains, so we found the Makaha Resort. It was off the beaten path, but beautiful. We were next door to a retired couple that we enjoyed talking with and getting to know. Well as many heard there was a Tsunami that hit Hawaii and yes, we were there. After a day at the North Shore we were so tired and headed to bed early. We were awoken by a loud knock and the retired couple at our door. As we opened the door we heard the loud siren and knew something was going on. While the man filled Stephen in Greyson started throwing up, needless to say, it was a crazy night filled with hourly sirens and a sick boy.
We ended up not having to leave the hotel, and many people were evacuated to where we were at. We were not however able to leave the hotel until around noon the next day. Which, wasn't the biggest deal since we had a sick little boy. We also didn't notice much damage until we arrive on the Big Island, but that's another story

Our First BIG family Vacation

Christmas was the first time I heard the song, "A Baby Changes Everything" (thanks Mr. Peterson) anyway, it really is so true. Stephen and I were extremely excited to take Greyson to one of our favorite places, HAWAII!! Our excitement overshadowed the long plane ride there and we soon found ourselves on the warm, sandy beach with our 12 month old. Greyson was not very excited about the sand or the water. In Kodiak, while we have spent a lot of time walking the beaches, he has always been bundled in the backpack. For Greyson getting used to the sand was something he almost did on this trip.
Our first day was spent on the North Shore of Oahu. Stephen loves the big, strong waves and had a great time getting thrown upside down and everywhere.
Heading back to our hotel for the night, we were all tired and ready for an early bedtime. Little did we know that it would be our most unrestful night of the entire trip.

Stephen's Trip to Ouzinkie

Stephen has spent quite a lot of time in the village of Ouzinkie, but it has mostly been for summer camp. This time the school district asked him to go out and do some work in the schools. So in 24 hours Stephen worked his magic and put together a video for the kids. He also got to stay out at Bakers Cottage with the YWAM team from Homer. They are still out there doing some work on the house.
Of course the trip to Ouzinkie and back was in a small plane and they even made a stop out at Port Lions. Another village near Ouzinkie.

Happy Birthday Greyson!

It's hard to believe it has already been an entire year. While Greyson has changed every part of our life he has also made it so, so, so much better. Stephen and I both cannot imagine life without our "littliest man". Greyson had his one year appointment and while he's not the heaviest guy, he is pretty tall. So, maybe he'll be tall and skinny:) We didn't have a big party for Greyson on the 1st, but instead waited until the weekend. I made my first big cake and we had great friends to help us celebrate!
It was a snowy/rainy day and so our entry way was filled with the most worn shoe in Kodiak, the Xtra Tuff!
We were also able to call both sets of grandparents on Skype and have them be part of the cake and birthday singing moment, it was pretty amazing.
Greyson wasn't a big fan of the cake or ice cream, but when I finally pulled out an avocado, he really ate up,