March 2016-Ty's birthday, Hawaii,

Ally is on the rampage about the whole bearded dragon pet issue. She is just sure her hearts desires can't be fulfilled without owning a bearded dragon. Well, they get pretty big as you can see by this giant dragon she is holding in the photo. I thought I would call her bluff and told her if she dared to hold a big one at the pet shop we would think about getting her one for her birthday in exchange for the birds she has in her room right now. She was thrilled with the idea. I was thrilled because as I have loved the birds and watching them have little babies they make a huge mess and I can't keep up with the vacuuming of the birdseed. So, as you can see she had no problem with the giant bearded dragon. So, another month before her birthday but I think she may win this one.

Tyler at his band concert. Mr. Jensen is his band teacher and he is in advanced band this year. He loves playing the trombone. Well, as much as a kid loves playing any instrument.

When we drive to and from school we get stopped by the train frequently. Frequently! The kids like to jump out of the car and run around and do a fire drill. This was a really long train and Tyler ran around a few times and then stopped for a little rest on this rock. It was a pretty awesome backdrop so I had to take a picture. What a handsome kid! I don't know how the girls can think with him  in their classes.

Tyler's birthday!!! While we were in Hawaii the kids called and had all these weird requests. Ally wanted a dolphin, Carter wanted a ukulele shirt and Tyler decided he wanted a ukulele. Lucky for Ty his birthday was just right around the corner after our trip so we did pick him up a nice ukulele while we were there. As for the dolphin and the shirt Ty had just made those up. Nice!

Ty is reenacting a photo he too when he was about three or four in the post above. It is pretty much spot on. This was a kid who loved him some Superman. Happy 13th Birthday Tyler...may you always be as awesome, handsome, kind and sweet as your are today.

Quick trip up to Alta on a rare free Saturday.

Well, she's doing it. She has decided to trade in the flock of birds for a bearded dragon. Four parakeets and seven finches. They paid us $14.00 for our flock, though it was just kind of them to take them back. Of course we were spending a pretty penny to get all set up with the bearded dragon so win win for them. She did shed a little tear on the way to the pet store but she is really excited and can't wait for her birthday to come around.

Carter is filling out the last of his paperwork for his Eagle Scout Award. He may actually earn this thing! I am so proud of him for keeping it up and having a good attitude about it, even when he had to do personal management three times.

HAPPY EASTER!! Dying eggs and getting ready for the big easter egg hunt outside.

Time to hunt. These kids are cut throat hunters.

This Ally lady loves herself a peep. LOVES them. 

The Natural History Museum put on a gecko exhibit that we just couldn't miss. We all had fun counting and finding all the geckos in each case. This only encouraged Allys love of the lizard type animal. We are in trouble.

I love that Ally wrote us a paper about why she should be coming to Hawaii with us. She made a very good case but you just can't beat a week alone with your boyfriend on a tropical island so, alas, we left her home. I love nothing more than heading off with Byron and just being together for a week.

For my birthday Byron cut a ukulele out of cardboard to be exchanged for a new one, authentic and Hawaiian. I found just the one. Made on the island, original pineapple ukulele shape. Like none of the other ones I have. It plays like a dream. I'm totally happy with it. Ally sent her turtle Tilly with us since she couldn't come and he made friends with the crab Sebastian we found on a hike one day. The two of them sent text photos to Ally of all the adventures they had while we were gone. Here they are jamming it up on my new uke.

This is the shop we found Tyler's new ukulele at. SO, yes we did bring home two ukuleles this year. I know I shouldn't be such a pushover but I just love ukuleles!

Enjoying the tree in Lahaina. I love the sound of the birds as you sit under the banyan tree.

This is our beach! It has changed as the years have gone by but still our favorite beach on the island.

The turtles at the surfing point are amazing. They come up on the sand every evening for a rest. You can see up to thirty or forty at a time warming up on the sand. It is one of my favorite stops.

BAMBOO FOREST!!!! The long bamboo trees sway in the wind and clink together making a symphony of wind chimes. So relaxing.

My favorite local. His hat is amazing and he sits here making the sailing ships. Not a bad way to spend a day.

Best whale watching trip ever. We actually got hijacked by a group of whales. They swam around and around the base of our boat and you can't turn your boat on if they are within 100 yards. We were stuck for about half an hour with the whales surfacing at our feet. Closest encounter you can have unless you are in the water.

This little guy was just off the side of the boat.

Look at that gorgeous snout. Hello there!!!

 Byron turned 41 while we were in Hawaii. not a bad place to spend your birthday. We spent the day literally sitting on the beach reading books. We both had a really good one and after breakfast we just never bothered to get up. We sat in the shade and read all the way through our book, then we went for dinner. Best day ever!!! I cried a little on the day we had to leave Maui. I just love it here so much. 

 ROBOTICS!!! Carter has been working all winter with his robotics team getting all ready for this big tournament. They have spent countless hours including full days on Saturday to be ready for their first competition. Carter tried out to be driver and actually got the job, which is ironic since behind the wheel of an actual car he's not a natural. The robots stick is his thing. 

They are the 5974 red car on the right. We had fun learning all the rules and how they earn points and what on earth they are doing out there. Carter might not cheer at soccer games but he certainly gets into the robots tournament. Here is a photo of the whole team.  Lots of stratagem and planning goes into each race. There is a pit where they go and make quick fixes and upgrades as the tournament goes along. 

Carter holding a trophy!! He was very pleased with their first year of robotics competition. He is for sure signing up again next year. I was surprised how into it I got and how much I enjoyed watching the teams. This is serious stuff. They even awarded a few full ride scholarships to colleges. Big time prizes available.