Ahhhhh... Hawaii, beaches, surfing, sand!

Sandcastles were one of things that we did most on the beach. We went to Costco and got this super rad sandcastle-building set of tools. So cool! When Elodie wasn't building things, she was rolling in the sand. We found sand in places that sand was never meant to be...



Todd has been working at his paddle-boarding skills. He is getting pretty good... it is very difficult to stand on a board, balance with the rolling of the water, steer the board so you do not get clobbered by a wave cross-wise, and then to finally "catch" and surf a wave... But he gave me some pointers that he thought would help and sent me on my way. Wow! I should have counted the times I fell over back wards. Picture slipping on the ice and going down hard on your butt. That was me. Elodie stuck with sitting on the paddle board and lying on the boogie board. She loved it!

rocks and whales!

We wanted to take Elodie out to see the whales, and were obviously hoping to have a good show, but I never imagined the whales would be swimming right next to the 40' raft we were riding! We saw a whale breech almost immediately, and Elodie saw it! That really set the tone for the rest of the trip. She was so excited and looked along with the rest of the group on the raft for the next sighting of these amazing, graceful creatures.

Our captain was able to spot and follow a "pod" of about 10 whales swimming, competing, etc. What a show! At one point, one swam under the boat, and the rest swam right next to the boat. By the very end of the trip, the boat had rocked Elodie fast asleep...

Rocks NEVER

lose their attraction! On our way to La Perouse bay to see if we could spot any dolphins, we went for a walk thru a giant lava field.

It was a 3 year old's dream come true! All the rocks she could carry, plus ones that we were asked to carry... and then, we had to throw them into the "sea." I love the whole rock thing!

10,000 feet above sea level... in Maui!

Haleakala is the 10,000 ft volcano on the east side of Maui. It is just one big rolling hill when you are looking up at it, but the drive proves otherwise. 50 switchbacks later, the summit is windy and 30 degrees colder than the beach. Ugh. But, all that being said, the mountain is beautiful and was shaped by the last eruption in 1790. One day when Elodie is not sick and crabby, we will go for a hike down into the crater! (Elodie came down with croup, which we found out the next day, and was NOT feeling the Aloha love we were hoping she would feel!)

Finally... the beaches!

Kihei... 1.5 blocks from the cottage we are staying in... compliments of my boss!
Lanio'opoko... that is Todd out paddle boarding... We saw quite a few whales out in the water this day. Plenty of fins and spray... sooo exciting!
Ho'okepo...very famous North Shore Maui beach. The surf was huge! We also saw a sea turtle that had beached itself (maybe for a rest from the huge surf?). While we were watching, he decided to wake up, turn around, and scoot back into the ocean. WOW! Watch the video...

visiting Daddy in Maui

Such a big girl with her own seat, she looks like a seasoned, relaxed traveler already!

We left on Saturday to travel to Maui to see Daddy. We haven't seen him in 3 weeks, so we were VERY excited!!

Elodie was such a big girl, pulling her own suitcase, behaving very patiently when we had a delay issue, and sitting very nicely on the plane for the duration of the San Francisco to Maui leg of the trip! This made things so much easier for me, I wish she understood that...

swimming lessons and other ways to keep us busy

Ski School!!! How many people out there wish they could have grown up knowing how to ski??? It would have made it so much easier...
Well, Little Miss Olsen is living the dream. She is in the "Explorers" at Keystone and learning how to rip it up! She is in the same class as her life-long pal, Asher, and they "try" to pay attention to their instructor. (I have also seen the 2 of them running down the taller kids in their class, skiing much faster than the bigger, older kids.)




Swimming has always been a favorite pass-time for Elodie. She has progressed so far and has actually taught herself to propel her body thru the water, holding her breath, kicking, and flailing her arms. (yes, it is true... she has my stroke technique... hahaha!)
This past month, we signed her up for swim class at the Breckenridge Rec Center so she could take the class with her friend Bodie. They go with Bodie's mom after school over to the pool and I meet them there. Watching them is so much fun and they really encourage each other, as well!
I think I will sign her up for next month, too...

Iceskating!

Elodie and I went to a birthday party on Sunday in Breckenridge. It was her first time ever and I figured that I have not skated for 20 years... How is that possible that ANYTHING in my life could be 20 years ago???? (holy cow.)
We both made it out alive and fairly unscathed. There were "walkers" for beginners, so Elodie figured out how to use it and had a blast. She even watched her friends that weren't using the walkers and tried to skate without hers for a few steps. She did great! I controlled myself and did not use a walker. I stayed on my feet. Now, that was a feat! (hahaha...)
Todd bought a hip-e van to drive while in Hawaii. He will also be living in it. He can strap a surfboard on top (already has...), as well as stretch out in the back. Good living! Started "working" and training with my boss, Darin, today. I'll bet his head is just crammed full already if I know Darin!

2 days in...

Well, we are 2 days in to Todd's 3 months away. It hasn't been very difficult, yet... I think the most difficult part for me is Elodie missing Daddy. She knows that he is gone to "big person" school for a long time and we are going to visit him in a couple weeks, but when she asked where she is when she wakes up in the morning, I am reminded of how hard this is going to be.
I know 3 months will go by very fast and that things for us will be soooo much better, but it is always difficult to be apart from someone you love so much! At least he is not going to war... thank the Lord for that much! The families that are separated for that reason and that amount of time are amazing people of tremendous strength.
It is Elodie's first day of ski school, so the house feels soooo empty! I wish there was either more snow so I could ride more (I did take a few runs this morning, but it is busy and icy. Not ideal!) or warmer so I could ride my bike. I guess I can catch up on some reading!

skiing with friends

We enjoy many things out here in Colorado, but spending time doing what we love with our friends that love the same is the best!
Elodie is growing up doing and participating in things that most people only dream of... including us! What a lucky girl!
We have been going across the street to ski with Elodie and her friends every weekend! She loves it and is getting very good at it... even skiing from the top of Keystone! That's my girl!!