Mason's First Day of School

So I know its only preschool, but it is still making me feel like my baby is growing up way too fast. He is in the program at our neighborhood elementary school. It is four days a week for 2 1/2 hours a day. He was so excited that everyday for the last week he would wake up and ask me if he could go to school. His teacher is named Ms. Tucker and she said that even though it was his first day, he acted like a pro. Doesn't he look so grown up with his backpack? (even though all thats in there is extra clothes in case he pees his pants.) He also insisted that I do his hair and put gel in it like Daddy. He is such a big boy. Now what am I going to do with all this free time?

Allison's Wedding

Allison got married on Friday in the Newport Beach temple. I bawled like a baby through the whole sealing. Allison was the most beautiful bride ever. She seriously looked like she came right out of a bridal magazine. The pictures do not do enough justice to how gorgeous she looked. Her dress and hair were so classic and beautiful it made my own wedding ensemble seem tacky in comparison. The reception was so nice with about 40 dozen ivory roses and candles everywhere. It was a sit down dinner with really good food and dancing afterward. They are honeymooning right now in Kuai, Hawaii. I will admit what every older sister secretly wants her younger sister to admit, "I am so jealous."

Oahu, Hawaii

We had a really great time in Hawaii, or as Mason would call it, "Hoo-why" My parents came to Colorado and stayed with the kids while we took off to paradise. Thanks Mom and Dad! We stayed in Laie on Oahu. We were only a few blocks from BYUH, the temple and the Polynesian Cultural Center. We stayed in a big rental house right on the beach. The above picture is at Waimea Bay on North Shore. I actually jumped off this huge rock into the ocean three times. We also went parasailing, but I don't have the pictures yet. Parasailing is not as extreme as it sounds. Once you're in the air its pretty calm and relaxing. We forgot our camera but Alisa took some, so hopefully I'll get those pictures posted soon.
The whole crew at the temple.

Sunset at Waikiki Beach
At the Polynesian Cultural Center.
Sea creatures were in abundance. This really rare monk seal was just sitting on Sunset Beach all day. They actually set up caution tape around him so people wouldn't get too close because apparently they are aggressive and will bite. This sea turtle was at a place appropriately named Turtle Beach. Apparently because of the algae on the rocky beach about 24 sea turtles live there year round. They were everywhere and you could get pretty close to them. But there were these volunteer turtle rangers that made sure no one harassed or fed the turtles.

I missed the kids so much, but it was a really great vacation and it was really nice to get away.