Okay Let's Swim Already

Dave was very excited to show us around the Hilton @ Waikoloa Village because this is where he worked when his was on The Big Island and where the dolphins still are. We headed over to meet our babysitter and to play in the water at the Hilton, I know resort crashers! I am always once to follow the rules so this freaked me out a little, but you know Dave he is a smooth talker! Anyway, great pool and the boys had a great time in the sandy 1 1/2 foot deep section.

All I can say for the entire trip is thank goodness Garrett did swim lessons before we went and was now comfortable in the water. He never screamed, "hold you" while getting in the water!

Gannon playing in the sand
See this is really fun!

Perfect spot to enjoy the morning

Our little swim to the waterfall

Aunt Shannon joined for a bit too

Beautiful waterfalls in the pool

Not bad! ha ha

Shannon and Helen (Joe's sister)

Our little Budda and Hawaii's Budda

Garrett enjoying the sand toys

A Morning Walk With Daddy

Garrett and Daddy went on a quick adventure walk in the morning to check out the view by our condo. Daddy loves to scout and Garrett wakes up a least an hour earlier before Gannon so this walk gave Mommy a little time to play Family Feud!

Wow - lots of lava rock!
Golf course outside our lanai and a quick walk for an ocean view

Walking back

Our Condo in Waikoloa

After our lunch in Kona we head to Waikoloa to check into our condo and give the boys their much needed naps. We found this condo after doing lot of research and communicating with about 20 different owners of condos within this complex. While searching for condos Dave had the location in mind and I had a few specifics that I wanted to make sure were included, a nice resort type location and pool, but at least 2 rooms preferably 3. So after figuring out which was the best one for us we booked this one...

Amazing! I was so excited when we got into the condo. I knew a pack n play was available to use, but I had no idea the place was completely kid ready. This MADE my day. The was a high chair, pool floaties, beach toys, a wagon to pull the kids to the pool, beach chairs, toys, and etc. I know doesn't take much if I get excited about all this, but hey when the kids are happy, I'm happy!

I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a condo on The Big Island. The pool area was great, I will add pictures later. It had a restaurant at the pool and bar to enjoy while at the pool which we did. It was all I hoped for it to be and more.

www.bigislandgetaway.com

The living room, dining room, and kitchen

Master bedroom

Bottom left was our condo

Our lanai

Hawaii Day 1

The boys did great on the plane considering it was a 5 1/2 hour flight and they woke up at 5:30am to head to the airport. Garrett had his own seat and his DVD player so he was set for the trip and did very well. Gannon on the other hand was still young enough that he could sit on our laps and ride for free. The free part was nice, the sitting on the lap part was not always nice! This little guy swears he is as big as his brother and wanted to get down or sit in his brothers seat. Thank goodness none of the passengers around us witnessed his fits and him turning purple! We are used to it, but other people get a little freaked out! Overall, they did great!

The airport in Kona is pretty small so we exit the plane and walk right next to it, which the boys thought was pretty cool.

Dave was excited to show us the island so our first stop was to feed the crazy babies at a nice open air restaurant over looking the ocean!

Pre-Hawaii

I didn't know a hotel room could be so fun! It has been about a while since we have stayed in a hotel room with the boys (since we have the trailer) and they had a lot of fun in the hotel. After this night and all their energy I was SO thankful we decided on a condo for our trip in Hawaii. I can only handle the small space and two very energized boys for a small amount of time.

Papa Gossman joined us for a quick dinner and drinks (for the adults of course) and we headed to bed to rest for our early morning flight.

Playing on Garrett's bed
Hanging out in Gannon's bed

Thank goodness I had brought trains - something for them to play with in the window sill!

A Visit with Grandpa & Grandma

Grandpa and Grandma decided it was time for a visit and what better way to entice them by making the requested apricot freezer jam! I also decided that since I still had a ton of apricots I should whip up a little something so I searched for a recipe that I could make without going to the store...lazy me I know! After some late night searching on an app I have I found a cobbler recipe and let me brag a little about my cooking, it was dang good. Dad you can second that if you agree!

Anyway, the boys were playing outside and since they managed to pop a hole in their blow up pool, Grandpa and Grandma made a quick run to Target and picked up this one. What better color than Garrett's favorite purple? They enjoyed playing in the water as always.

Grandpa also brought some cool pop up books and once you start reading to Gannon you are stuck! So he enjoyed a few stories.

18 Months Ago...

18 Months ago Gannon joined our family and WOW what a crazy little guy he has become. He now is Garrett's little play partner or should I say wrestling opponent! I didn't realize that needing 2 of everything matching would start at such young ages. Whatever the other has they need and take! And let the fighting and screaming begin. He is so much rougher that Garrett ever was.

They also love each other and Garrett looks out for his little brother. They are at the point that they play together a lot of the time, which is very nice.

An afternoon of water colors

18 Months - gone so fast!