Birthday Paul

I was really excited about Paul's birthday this year! Probably because I felt very on top of things this year. I purchased his gift in August while we were in New York secretly, which I was especially excited for. It was something I knew he wanted, needed, and would be totally shocked. Back in New York when he was veggin' in the hotel and I was out shopping, I ran 10 blocks to Uniqlo which was this awesome Japanese clothing store we had discovered earlier that day. They have these amazing ultra light down coats that are super comfy and warm. So anyway, I was excited that I had a good gift this year!

That night I had very little sleep (I just found out the evening before that I was going to be the Primary President of a brand new ward, more on that to come), I had a pounding head ache, was so sick to my stomach, and my mind was racing. So I finally just got up at 6 a.m. and ran to Harmon's to grab a few of Paul's favorite morning foods - orange juice, raspberries, and challah. The kids had a great morning with Daddy.

Every year I always feel a little guilty that I don't do anything special on Paul's birthday. The last time I really planned anything semi-big for his birthday was eight years ago. And really he secretly planned that whole thing leading me on to think that I planned it. It was the night he proposed to me and we had our families waiting at the cabin for his "surprise" birthday party.

I have always figured I would plan some party for his thirtieth. But a week ago I decided it was time to really celebrate him, he deserved it! And number 28 seemed like a good time. So I messaged all of his friends about a surprise birthday party at his parents home. Even though he wasn't overly surprised due to a conversation he had with my Dad where he spilled that we were having a party, it was still a success in my book. We had all our good friends come, I made 10 homemade Jamaican jerk and margarita pizzas, there was a little volleyball action, and ended with homemade oreo ice-cream cake. I tried to have all of Paul's "favorites" present at the party.

We had a blast celebrating Paul. I love him with all of my heart and I am so proud of him. He is such a hard worker and I know he does it all for us, his family. I am one lucky girl to be his..forever!

Our Hawaiian Escapade

Paul and I had such an amazing time in Maui last week. This had to be my favorite vacation I have ever been on. It came at a much needed time. It was so nice for Paul and I to get to spend a whole week together just the two of us. We went to do some Salts training but planned for many days of playing too.

Even the plane ride over was enjoyable, to get to do whatever I wanted and just have a little me-time, was so relaxing. I even read two entire books on our trip, which is unheard of for me. Normally it takes me six months to read one book. We left on my 27th birthday (crazy - the day just kinda rushed by that I forget that I turned one year older!) and I couldn't have thought of a better way to spend it than unwinding in a hammock on the beach next to my love...

We found a church, right next to the resort, which was totally full, almost all the way to the back of the gym. I always love going to church in other states because I feel like the members are so strong. And it happened to be testimony meeting so it was a strength to me to hear about their trials and how they learn from the gospel.

The fruit in Hawaii is out-of-control delicious, so luckily we found this fruit market off the side of the highway and stocked up on passion-fruit and mangos for breakfast and snacks throughout our trip. On the other end of this stand we found this adorable farm-house styled restaurant called Leoda's Kitchen and Pie place. It is one of those places that I am going to crave for YEARS! It was so amazingly good. We had breakfast one morning that hit the spot but as we were leaving, there was a crazy-good looking banana cream pie that was just calling to us. We had to get it. And when in Hawaii, you can totally justify having an after-breakfast dessert right?! Paul is planning a trip back to Maui in December and I told him he had to bring me back an apple hand-held from Leoda's (which is a little apple pie that we tested on our flight home..mmmm).

We ate some awesome food and saw some amazing sunsets. Sometimes life gets so crazy that I don't have time to enjoy those simple things. But I made sure to soak up every bit of it.

And I got to do a shout-out to the whole reason we were able to take this amazing trip. Training at the brand new (like not even open yet) Andaz Wailea. I was in charge of video footage of the training. It was fun to see Paul give his training, it had been awhile since I had been to one with him. I am so proud of him and the work that he has put in to make Salts the company that it is today!

Last December when Paul and I went to Hawaii we heard how amazing the "Road to Hana" was but we never had time to do it then. So this go-around, I researched all about it before we left so that we could make time for this adventure. It took about 3 hours to drive to Hana, even though it was only about 50 miles that we travelled. The road is so windy and narrow the entire way that our average was about 10 mph. The day we did this was totally unforgettable. I have never seen anything so beautiful in my life.

We drove past Hana to the Seven Sacred Pools. We started on a hike that went through the most amazing bamboo forest. It ended at an unbelievable waterfall that was so incredible. I could have spent days on this hike in the deep forest of bamboo and amazing trees and things that we saw. It was so reviving to really take in the beautiful Earth that God has created. And to do it all with Paul made it that much more special. 

After the hike we took a swim in one of the Seven Sacred Pools. There are seven natural pools with waterfalls running into each one. It was so refreshing to swim in the natural fresh water coming from the beautiful mountains above. Despite the nauseating moments in the car to and from Hana because of the crazy roads, this was my favorite day of our vacation. I don't think I will experience anything quite like it again.

On our last day we rented some boogie boards and went up to Kapalua and found an amazing beach that we had almost all to ourselves. A couple nights before, we made the mistake of watching some of "Shark Week" on the Discovery Channel. Of course most of the sharks, or incidences, or footage they showed was from where?!  Hawaii! Totally freaked us both out to get in the ocean, but the water was clear enough that we didn't let it stop us from having a blast. Then we met with a spa director at Kapalua Spa for a few minutes and she was gracious enough to let us use the spa facilities to relax for the rest of our day until we had to catch our red-eye flight home. It was an unforgettable trip...

Stewart is TWO!! - And Memorial Day

My little baby boy is no longer a baby, he is a little boy! Although I don't think he quite understood what was happening, he was so happy the whole day. I mean - who wouldn't be when you get new toys and play at the park, and are surrounded by cousins all day. May 27th turned out to fall on Memorial Day this year which was so fun to have Paul home all day and be able to celebrate with the family traditions we do every year. Stewart opened his gift in the morning which was a little lawn mower. He is always so fascinated when he sees people mowing the lawn and he always follows Paul or I around the yard when we are using ours. But now he thinks it is pretty awesome that we has one of his very own. 

Then we were off to Logan to the Stewart family reunion at the park. Despite the warmer temperatures and the brightly shining sun, it never fails to be windy and chilly in that covered tunnel. Every year I wish I would have thought of jackets. Next year they will be packed for sure, even if it says it will be 80 degrees!

I am so excited that Stewart and Paul have each other as little buddies. They were out in the field or on the basketball court playing for hours. Paul is such a patient, sweet daddy and I couldn't ask for anyone better than him to help me teach, raise, and have fun with our kids. Stewart's already getting the frisbee throwing down. Can't imagine how good he will be in just a few years. 

Then we headed to Centerville for some Heslop family time and a bbq. Lily was in heaven playing "Life" with the big kids. She was even doing quite well :)

Last but not least for the day, was the cake! Stewart was SOO incredibly proud of himself that he blew the candle out all by himself. Probably safe to say it was the highlight of his day. I had grand plans to make a cute basketball cake, but a few disasters later and a long busy day, he ended up with a lopsided-circular blob. I kinda felt like a terrible mother because of the crazy pressures and expectations we mothers give ourselves, especially on our childrens' birthdays. But I decided to move past it because for one, Stewart could care less at this point and two, there is always next year!

Dear Paul, we have a FOUR year old!

We miss you! While you are out working and traveling the world, our little girl turned FOUR!! I of course knew this day was coming, but I can't believe our little red-headed "monkey-bean" of a baby is now a little person. I can't help but think of that night at the hospital exactly four years ago holding that sweet, perfect little babe and wondering what kind of a person she would grow into. And looking at the pictures from our day today, she is perfect! A little more quirky than I thought, but I guess she gets that from you :)

So glad we could celebrate as a family by doing one of her favorites - swimming at the "bubble-gum". Even though work can sometimes put a damper on things, I am grateful for times like this when you can spend a Friday afternoon hangin' out with us!

So since you've been gone, we've been up to movie nights, popcorn, and kissy action. You did miss out this night, it was pretty fun, there were kisses all around!

This whole week has been leading up to this - the actual birth date! I am glad that she got to open her presents in front of you, although it was slightly depressing, but better than nothing! I know that she was glad you got to be a part of it.

Although it's a Sunday, I wanted her to feel like it was her birthday today (or at least as much as the days leading up to it). So we had the cousins over for a birthday breakfast bash! Stew downed 3 entire pieces of French Toast!! That's my little boy!

We love you and miss you like crazy! Your going to come home to a whole new little person...a four year old!   LOVE - Larz