Hawaii, Finally

Sorry it has taken forever to post vacation pictures. Things have been a little busy here lately. Hopefully we can post some video soon.

Aidan getting his money's worth from the breakfast buffet.

Aidan feeding the fish & birds at the hotel.We took a short walk to check out a blowhole which inspired Aidan to say "More blowhole" for the rest of the afternoon.

Aidan & Darren on the water slide.

Aidan climbing over his sand castle.
Aidan enjoyed the free drinks at the Luau. He had about three cups of pineapple juice and barely came up for air.

Aidan learning to hula with the other kids.

Aidan eating his authentic Luau hot dog.

Aidan had fun chasing the resident chickens (or cock-a-doos,as he called them). He learned that crackers taste better when dipped in the ocean.

Playtime

Playtime has been kicked up a notch around our house. Aidan really loves to rough house and invent new and semi-dangerous games. When he started playing 'Tractor Basketball' I though it was pretty creative.

Then he kicked it up a notch and decided it would be more fun to stand on top of the tractor.

Darren was trying to teach him how to wheelbarrow race but he didn't quite get the idea to push himself up up his arms.

Aidan's Crop Circles

Aidan has been drawing the same picture over and over again all week. They are these intricate little circles with dots in them. He drew them on his easel, on his magnadoodle and on scrap paper. It was starting to give me the creeps a little.

I read online that when preschoolers are learning to draw they will pick something they like and draw it repeatedly. The last few days he started saying 'eye' and 'mouth' as he is drawing and if you ask him he will point to the picture and say 'Mommy' or "Daddy'. It must mean he likes us.

Here is a sample of his artwork from separate occasions:

Minnesota Fun

While in Minnesota we stopped to visit our friends, Matt, Cara & Kylee. Matt got a rock band game for Christmas so Darren & Aidan had to give it a try. It was a toss-up as to who was the better singer, Darren or Aidan.We also went to the Minnesota Children's MuseumAidan & Kylee working in the waterAidan checking out the steak at the pretend grocery store

Aidan the turtle

Last stop, Minnesota

We ended our trip in Minnesota. It was very cold and there was a ton of snow. Aidan got to try out all the snow activities that he doesn't get to do in Texas.

Getting dressed to go outsideSleddingMaking snow angelsSitting in the snow fort

Crawling through the snow tunnel

Down on the farm

While in Iowa, we went to visit Uncle Doyle's farm. It was snowy and cold but Aidan had a blast.

All dressed for winter
Riding in the tractor with Doyle. Aidan grabbed the wheel right away. Four-wheeling with Darren

Christmas in Iowa

The next stop was Des Moines for Christmas with Darren's extended family.

Aidan & Great Grandma AbramsThe reading of the Christmas storyAidan enjoying his Happy Birthday Jesus cupcake