Mick's Pirate Party...AAARGH!!!

For Mick's 4th Birthday party, we had his party on the Glass Bottom Boat. The boat goes out on Kaneohe Bay, has glass windows on the bottom that you can look through and see all the fish on the reef, and then they take you out to feed the fish and turtles. While we were out there a Big'ol Honkin' Hammerhead shark swam by! I was glad we were on the boat!

Mama & Papa Pirate

Pirate Melissa!Maile & Makayla & MickThe Swabees! Melissa is such a serious pirate... Daddy's looking at the fish through the window...Mick is just happy to be here!! Me & my pirates!"LOOK! OVER THERE! It's a HAMMERHEAD SHARK!!"My Pirate Men!Love the singing but I'm ready to blow out the candles and eat the cake! My Happy Boy...The Thompson Family of Pirates!

Mick's 4th Birthday at Chuck E. Cheese!

On June 27, Mick turned 4! Daddy had been away for the previous 9 days on a business trip, and returned on Mick's birthday! Mick was so excited! So we picked up Daddy at the airport and met the Seeger family at Chuck E. Cheese! It was pretty fun - when we first got there it was pretty empty so the kids had the run of the place. When it came time for the birthday cupcakes, Chuck E. came out and sang to Mick with a group of people. He was pretty excited about that! We had a great time, and Daddy survived the evening - after flying 8 1/2 hours PLUS the 6 hour time difference!Mick riding the Wave RunnerPlaying in the ballsDriving the trolleyTrying to reach the pedals to play the car game! Funny!

Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens

We went on a summer field trip with our school to the local botanical gardens. It was really cool - we got to go fishing in their lake! We didn't catch anything, but this lady did and was nice enough to let us hold the fish and feel it.
After fishing, I got this cool picture of the kids with the Ko'olaus behind them. It was a beautiful place!

Swimming with the Seegers!

We went to our good friend's house, the Seeger's, for a nice day of fun in the sun! We had a great time swimming in their pool and playing on their waterslide-as you can tell by the smiles! After, we had a nice picnic lunch
We had a great time with our great friends Ashley, Makayla, & Maile!

Just Hangin Out

One day when we were on our way to Safeway, and we all got our shoes on and stuff ready, I turned to look at Melissa and this was what she looked like...

Here's Mick sitting on top of our fence in front of our house

This was Mick's first time in a hot tub - he liked it!

Vacation Bible School

This year we got to Vacation Bible School. We had so much fun! Mick got to go with the preschoolers and hang out with them , sing songs, do crafts, play, etc. And Melissa and I stayed in the child care room. We had lots of fun in there too! When Mick's group went to the sanctuary to sing, I would grab Melissa and we'd go sing with them. The songs have become the most requested CD around here lately, it's great to hear the kids singing about Jesus - I love it!

Here's the whole group. I told Tom it was like their first "Hume Lake" experience!

Melissa having fun with her friends under falling balloons!

Mick dancing with his group

Melissa playing in a laundry basket

Mick hangin (well, climbing!) with his friends

Mick & Melissa dancing togetherEvery day they missed eachother so much! They were so happy to see eachother, they gave eachother a big hug! What a blessing for a Mom's heart...

Sunset on Kaneohe Bay

One of the most gorgeous things about Hawaii is the sunsets. Watching the sun go down over the Ko'olau mountains while on a boat on Kaneohe Bay brings a whole new dimension to the sunset! It's indescribable! And not easily captured on camera. I tried...and here's what I got.

We had a great time on the sandbar! (the day before there was a school of sharks in this very spot - I was a bit nervous but was assured that all would be OK - and it was)

Mick is all things pirate these days, and he had a great time climbing on & off the boat!!!

Another "Aaaaah" Moment in Beautiful Hawaii!

Mick's Pre-Birthday Celebration!

Our friends Auntie Christine, Kawika & Kanoa threw Mick a pre-birthday celebration since they won't be here for his actual 4th BDay. We had such a great day!

Started out opening presents...they got Mick his first pair of Tabi's (water shoes) and a fishing net!
Then we all got in their canoe and paddled over to Secret Island. The water was perfect - all the kids could stand up and Auntie Christine caught some fish and crabs and put them in a bucket for viewing.

Here's Kanoa, Mick & Kawika on the surfboard
Mick pulling Melissa Mick was paddling himself around on the surfboard. It was his first time using a real paddle and he did very well! Kawika giving Melissa a ride
Mick giving Kanoa & Melissa a ride in the canoe. Check out the gorgeous backdrop! We got back in the canoe and paddled over to the beach part of the island. It was great for swimming and Mick got on a surfboard for the first time! WOW! After a walk around the island and having a blast at the beach, we headed back to their house. They had made a rice krispie cake for Mick - complete with candles and singing and everything! Mick was so excited! He got to help make ice cream, and for the finale, we all got to watch the Popcorn machine make popcorn!
It was a wonderful pre-birthday celebration, Thanks Auntie Christine, Kawika & Kanoa! We love you guys!