Hawaii fun!

As soon as they boys were done wrestling and were able to shower and change, we made our way to Billings to stay the night to begin our trip to the big island of Hawaii. Christian wasn't able to go due to it being their busy time (although the weather was bad and they ended up not being busy...dang it!). Our flight left from Billings Sunday morning at 6, making for a very early morning! We flew from there to Minneapolis then to LA and then the long flight over to Kona, Hawaii. Our flights went well...minus Carson getting motion sick on the first flight and filing 3 barf bags along the way. I made of the mistake of not getting him his Dramamine early enough and on a pretty much empty stomach. Our long flight from  LA to Kona was especially nice because it wasn't a full flight and we were all able to get our own row of seats to stretch out in (except Landon and I...we shared a row). We arrived in Kona about 8 p.m. (11 our time), had a short drive to our resort and then got right to bed!

All smiles for having our own rows!

The boys were up around 7:30 the next morning and were quite excited to get the day started!! They loved that they got to sit outside and eat their breakfast in the morning (and every morning)

The view from our balcony. They watched a mongoose run around down below. 

 After we had some breakfast, everyone got ready and then we headed into the town of Kona to hit up Costco and Target to get food. We stayed in a 2 bedroom condo that had a great kitchen that allowed us to cook our own meals if we wanted to. We got stuff for breakfasts, snacks and stuff for a few dinners. After a few hours in town, we headed back and then went down to the pool until the sun went donw. We enjoyed some macadamia nut ice cream by the pool too! The boys loved the slide and the hot tub!

Travis and Carson found a praying mantis while they were getting on the slide one time.

Tuesday morning, the boys were up before grandpa and grandma were, so they started out the day working on some homework. They were really good about working on things every morning. After everyone was up we went for a walk. It is so amazing to see all the lava rock that is around! 

I spy with my little eye Landon climbing up a palm tree.

It must have been the off season for the Hibiscus flower or something because there were hardly and bloomed out while we were there.

That night, we cooked some pizza in the condo.

After our walk, we loaded up our treats, snorkel gear and beach stuff and headed to another close resort to their lagoon. This was probably the boys' favorite spot of the whole trip! They spent HOURS snorkeling in the naturally fed lagoon. They saw puffer fish, turtles, eels, parrot fish and fish we didn't know the names too. I loved that it was calm and protected and I didn't have to worry about the kids being swept away by large waves. When they weren't snorkeling, they were playing in the sand or exploring the tide pools.

Landon enjoying a snack with grandpa and grandma.

Landon and grandpa out snorkeling. When we left for this trip, Landon was pretty sure he wasn't going to snorkel. He tried it two years ago when we went and didn't love it. We all snorkeled and he LOVED it and was good at it! We couldn't hardly get him to stop!

Landon and Grandma getting ready to head out snorkeling.

An eel one of the boys caught with the go pro

After spending most of the day in the sun, we headed back to the condo, but first made a stop at the little shopping center for some ice cream. Landon wanted a shave ice instead of ice cream and it must have been his lucky day because the lady ended up giving it to him for free! The shave ice in Hawaii are monsterous and so good!

Playing in the sun and the time change of kind of hard on the kids. They never made it very late into the evening before they were starting to fall asleep on the couch. Grandpa was always down for relaxing with them!

Wrestling

Travis and Landon had their first wrestling tournament this weekend. They have been waiting for this day to come! They both wrestled good. Landon came home with a 5th place ribbon and a Travis came home with a 6th place ribbon (he had a tough bracket that combined two weights). 

 Christian got his coaches card this year and the boys have loved having him down on the mat with them coaching during the tournaments.

Travis trying for a cradle.

Winner

 Landon did such a great job for it being his first tournament. Now that he knows kind of what to expect, I think he will do even better!

This picture made it in the newspaper!

Their team took 2nd overall at their home tournament. That evening, after they were done, we headed out of town for a week, missing the Powell tournament, but will be ready to wrestle in Thermopolis!

7th grade basketball

Carson's 7th grade basketball season ended this last weekend with a trip down to Thermopolis for the "B" tournament. Their team went into the tournament #2, only loosing two games all season...both to Powell. Their first game was against Lander and they beat them by almost 30. Next, they played a tough Riverton team who they beat by like 12 points, which sent them into the championship where they faced Cody (Cody beat Powell which was a huge upset). They boys didn't end up being able to pull off a win (they only scored a total of 8 points, combined, in the last 3 quarters of the game), but still came away with a second place finish. Not too bad for being the smallest school of the 7 schools at tournament. 

I was impressed at how much more confident Carson became this year. He did a great job of taking good shots and worked hard on improving  his free throws. He had fun being part of the team and is already talking about next year.

Valentine's Day

We did our annual sweetheart dinner early this year since we knew that we would be in Worland for a basketball game on Valentine's day. We enjoyed spaghetti, asparagus, French bread, sparkling cider and chocolate dipped strawberries for dessert!

On Valentine's day, I made a bunch of chocolate dipped strawberries to give to people...and to enjoy! We love them and the boys keep telling me we need to make them more often. I have to remind them that they wouldn't be special if we had them all the time!

My boys sent me flowers with my favorite gerbera daisies!

The high schooler swing choir delivered singing valentine's (for a fundraiser) to the kids at the elementary. They sing a song and give them a carnation. I happened to be helping in Landon's classroom, so I got to see Landon get his.

After school, we headed right to Worland with grandpa and grandma Foulger, picking Christian up on our way. That night after we had gotten back from the game, Grandpa and Grandma Foulger had a special valentine for the boys. They had to put together a puzzle to find our their valentine present.

They found out that they were getting to go to Hawaii!! They were super surprised and so excited to get to go to the beach again!!

Happenings

It seems like the month of January flew by and now we are on to February! Carson is still plugging along with basketball. They have 2 more games next week and then their tournament. He's done quite a bit of improving this year and is enjoying it. Travis and Landon are still practicing 3 times a week (when we aren't gone for basketball games) for wrestling. They are anxiously awaiting their first tournament the 1st weekend in March!

The kids celebrated the 100th day of school last week. Travis had to type up this paper. The last bullet point made me laugh!

Travis and Landon both came home with bucket filler cards during the week. It's always fun to see the good things they are at school.

Jared and Renee had their second baby, Charles, while we were on vacation. Last Friday, everyone was finally healthy, so we made a trip over to Burlington after school to finally meet him. He sure is precious and the boys LOVED getting to snuggle on him.

The oldest and youngest Asay grandkids.

Travis' teacher has been teaching any kids that want to learn how to knit. He has really taken a liking to it and brings home a new project every week. He's made several scarves, hot pads, and dish cloths. I love that he's learned a new skill that keeps him busy when he can't be outside!

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 Carson was one of 10 kids to participate in the Middle school geography bee. He was pretty exciting about getting to compete. They took the kids with the top scores in the school and they competed to see who would move onto the state competition. He ended up getting out in the 3rd round and took 6th.

The first graders have been studying their community as part of the their social studies. Landon's teacher called and asked Christian if he would be willing to come and talk to the first graders about his job. He talked to each of the classes for about 15 minutes each.