Goofy

Adam and Lottie enjoyed hanging out on Grandma Tanaka's porch - just like Mommy and Uncle Andy used to do. These pictures just crack me up.

Cute Lottie.

Lazy Day

How we spent our time in Hawaii: playing in the water (in buckets or getting sprayed with the hose).

We couldn't resist taking a picture with the cutout (Daddy's favorite). This is not, in fact, Hawaii's best shave ice (that would be Aoki's).

But they did have a tasty concoction called the Pineapple Bowl. A huge bowl of ice cream, pineapple shave ice, crushed pineapple, condensed milk, whipped cream, and cherries. It was delicious!

Obon Festival

We were lucky enough to visit while the Waialua Hongwanji held their annual obon dance. While Grandma Tanaka worked all week cleaning and preparing, we just showed up on Saturday ready to eat and dance. Adam and Lottie got to wear their jinbei (Japanese clothes).

Watching the dancers.

Adam really wanted to dance, so Grandma showed him how. Of course, Lottie then also wanted to dance, so Grandma had to take her too.

North Shore Touring

Once we got settled in at Great Grandma's house, we headed out to show Adam and Lottie some of the North Shore spots. First we stopped by the Dole Plantation to see the pineapple and, most importantly, to ride the new train that they put in.
Adam was not happy that the pineapple plant "poked" him.

Adam and Lottie loved the 20 minute train ride through the pineapple fields.

I decided that Lottie needed a pearl direct from the oyster for her first trip to Hawaii. Of course, Adam got to pick out the oyster (the biggest one). The oyster had two beautiful black pearls - he has the Chlapowski luck!

Then we headed to Haleiwa to get Lottie her first shave ice at Aoki's. The first bite was terrible.

But the second bite was delicious!

Yum, yum.

Our last stop was the Waialua Sugar Mill to check out the new shops. The kids enjoyed looking at the big gears outside the soap shop. Adam was ready to bathe in their antique bathtub that was in the store. The area has a lot more to do than when I was a kid.

Lei

Since it was Lottie's first trip to Hawaii, she had to get a lei. Adam also ended up getting a lei, lucky boy.

Most shots ended up like this.

Lottie was more interested in ripping off the lei.

Got it off!

It looks better on the ground, right? She also managed to rip off a few of the flowers.

Lottie's First Trip to Hawaii

We left Chris to adjust to his new job at Fort Hood, and went to visit Great Grandma Tanaka in Hawaii. Adam is an old pro at Hawaii (this was his fourth trip), but this was Lottie's first trip. Of course, we had to get to the beach as soon as possible. Adam had a great time!

Lottie was fearless. Even with the high surf, she thought the waves were fun.

She was pretty sure she could do it herself.

Getting knocked over by the waves.

Having fun with Grandma.

BLORA

The day before we left for Hawaii, we decided to check out BLORA (Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area). It's got a swimming beach, separate water slide park, camping, paddle boats, horseback riding, and more. We just walked along the water for a while. Adam and Lottie were excited to find ROCKS!

As long as she can get the water to cover the rocks, Lottie is happy.

Where can I throw this rock?

When we got home, we found our baby birds (they had a nest in the lights in our carport) had been kicked out of the nest. Onto the concrete. Ouch! They were okay; in fact, there were four babies, and one rather advanced bird had already flown away. The three slow learners were just hanging out in the carport with the hose. By morning, another bird had figured it out. Adam and Lottie were disappointed that the birds had all left by the time we got back to Texas. Hopefully they will continue to hang around and eat bugs for us.

Arkansas, Part Sick

We were having a great time in Arkansas, until Adam started throwing up. Then Chris started throwing up. By Friday night, we were pretty sure that we weren't going to make the two hour drive to Magnolia for the funeral. Early Saturday morning, Amy also started throwing up. Lottie was the only family member to escape the sick. We were sorry to miss the funeral and visit with everyone. By Sunday afternoon, everyone (except Amy) was feeling better, so we headed to one of the many lakes in Hot Springs Village.

Adam loves swimming in the deep water with Dad.
Enjoying the water. Lottie is struggling to get down. "Let me swim!"

Sand is also fun. The kids also enjoyed playing with the sand toys.

Burying Adam's feet.

Arkansas

Once we got done with all our immediate errands in Austin and Fort Hood, we loaded the kids back into the car (because they hadn't spent enough time traveling already), and drove to Arkansas for Poppa's (Chris's grandfather) funeral. We stayed at Gram and Bapa's house in Hot Springs Village. Uncle Doug also came, and was able to meet Lottie for the first time. She loved helping him play guitar.

Lottie and Adam had a great time with Bapa and Daddy playing with Play Dough.

Sitting on the table was more fun than sitting in the chair.

They also enjoyed watching the golfers and the deer from the backyard.

A boy and his dog.

Adam and Lottie enjoyed playing with Sam. I'm not sure Sam felt the same, but he did a good job of putting up with them.

Back From Hawaii

We are back from Hawaii!

We had a great time.

But we are tired from unpacking (both suitcases and all of our stuff from Japan). Will post more soon!