Swamp Romp 2011

Today my family participated in the Swamp Romp 2001 at the Marine Corps base. The race is a 5 mile race through swamp, beach and lots of mud. I wish I could have followed them along the course taking action shots....at some points the mud pits were as deep as Cole's shoulders. It was a sad day for me....originally I was going to run this race with them but after doing quite a number on my ankle playing basketball, I had to sit it out...thanks Jamey for stepping in and taking my place.

Before race (Steve, Taylor, Kaitlin, Madi, Cole, Jamey)

Smells Like Team Spirit

There were many teams with creative outfits

Woo hoo - just started!

Finish line - all dirty!

Cole after being sprayed off by the fire trucks

Steve, Madi, Kaitlin - after being washed off - kind of

Success!!!

Kuliouou Ridge Trail

We went on a gorgeous hike this past weekend. Every weekend Havyn asks if we can go for a hike. She loves hiking, but spends quite a bit of the time on Steve's shoulders. This hike was 5 miles round trip and was quite an incline, but once on top of the ridge you get gorgeous 300 (about) degree views. This trail ranks in my top 3 favorites.

Cole hiking up an incline - roots made for good steps

Taylor in root doorway

Kids on an overlook

View of the Hawaii kai side

Steve, Havyn and Taylor climbing and climbing and climbing

Waimanalo side

Waimanalo/Lanikai view

Kids hanging off the edge (not really there was another shelf below them)

Stairway along the ridge

So strong!

Mele Kalikimaka 2010

Another wonderful Christmas has come and gone! This time of year is always crazy but so much fun! Some of my favorite things of the season are Christmas music and Christmas cards. I'm thinking about leaving my cards up all year. :) It was another successful year....and just like last year the kids said "this was the best Christmas ever!"

On Christmas Eve we had a family dinner and a night together. We started by reading the story of Jesus' birth out of the scriptures. Then we read (or had read to us by Grandma and Grandpa Jensen via recorded book) "Twas the Night Before Christmas." The kids then opened up their Christmas PJ's and gifts from their cousins....which was the highlight of the night, of course. We finished up the night by watching "The Christmas Story." It was a perfect night and the kids were very eager to go to bed. Last year they were all so excited they didn't get very much sleep....so this year they were researching online different ways to help them sleep better. They came up with taking a warm bath, drinking warm milk, going to bed early, etc. Luckily, they were able to fall asleep and they ended up sleeping until about 5:30.

The gifts were a hit! Our kids are still at the ages where they are pretty happy with everything they get. I love Christmas day because the kids are busy and happy all day long! Later that afternoon, we met a few families at Bellows beach. We played some sand volleyball and touch football and cooked up some delicious food. (Steak, chicken, salmon, dutch oven potatoes, salads, deserts, etc.) The food was so good, I'm thinking we might need to make it a monthly tradition!

Happy Holidays!

Havyn decorating cookies for Santa

Taking our turn to read the birth of the Savior

Listening to "Twas the Night Before Christmas" read by Grandma and Grandpa Jensen

One of her favorite gifts from cousin Ryan

It was very cute watching her hold her eyelids down

Cole with his Christmas eve stash!

Girly girl!

Christmas eve pajamas

The scene after Santa arrived

Boots for the cold Hawaiian winter

Just light outside and I'm sure they were waking the neighbors...

Madi and Cole playing with a hovering thing :)

Austin, Cambrie, Elise, Lucy and Madison - Bellows

Preparing the food....we got rained on a little bit

But the rain didn't stop us....kids dishing up the good grub!

YUMMY!