Hawaii vacation day 1

Today started off early. Andrew and I were up at 5 getting dressed and prepping the house for us being gone a week. We dropped the dogs off at a friends house and headed on our way to Hawaii. 

We had a short layover in Anchorage. Once we arrived in Anchorage my brother, Matt, called and had some bad news. My grandpa was in the hospital and was fading fast. Grandpa had been in the hospital since Tuesday, but his wife didn't call my and tell any of our family. I know it's got to be so hard for my mom. There are so any emotions right now. I am furious at Louise for how she has treated my mom, sad my grandpa is passing, excited for our family trip to Hawaii and feeling guilty because while I am in paradise my family will be dealing with all that. 

The kids are so excited. They can't wait to be on the beach. It wasn't ten minutes after take off and Lance looked out the window and said "look, dad, white sandy beaches!" Andrew just laughed and said "that's still snow". 

Our plane landed over an hour early into Kona. It is so beautiful! The kids love all the flowers and cool trees everywhere.

We even seen some wild chickens. We got our rental car & headed straight to the hotel to change out of our pants. We aren't used to being hot. 

We ate dinner at On The Rocks. Our table was right in the sand which the kids loved! 

After eating we went back to the hotel to change into our swim clothes. I know you're not supposed to swim immediately after eating but we had spent allot of time sitting and needed to burn up some energy. 

After a good swim in the hotel pool we changed and went to Walmart to buy sunscreen, beach toys, snacks, drinks and boogie boards for the kids. 

Walking back to our room Lexie found this huge snail! I sat Andrew's phone down beside it just to give a size comparison. 

We have an awesome day planned for tomorrow!!!! 

November in pictures

November 3

I found Lexie asleep in the suitcase surrounded by books & clothes

November 4

Making caramel apples with the kids

The northern lights 

Nov 6

Best buddies 

November 8

First 3D movie with friend, Haley

Nov 11

Lexie couldn't wait to drink some eggnog

November  13

Lexie draw me a picture of myself

Butterfly girl

November 15

Lance lost his first tooth!!! He was sitting on the couch by Andrew and just handed andrew his tooth. No fuss at all!!! 

The tooth fairy left him 5 golden coins under his pillow!

November 21

The northern lights have been simply amazing! My friend took this picture!

November 26th

Lexie and I went for pedicures to get ready for Hawaii! Lexie loved it!!! 

It's official

This year I have been working to earn a trip for 4 to Disney Land with Pampered Chef.

Well, I am ecstatic to say that all my hard work paid off. The numbers posted today and the Conway Family is officially going to Disney Land summer of 2015!!! 

O My Goodness!!! I can't wait! This will be all of our first Disney Trip!! 

Our trip will include 

• $750 travel allowance
  
• 3 nights at the Disneyland® Hotel
  
• 3-day Park Hopper® passes
  
• Anniversary celebration! Character dinner, parade into the park and exclusive Pampered Chef® park hours. 
  
  
  

October in pictures

October 1st

Lance put out a mineral block to for the animals to nibble on during the long winter

October 2nd

Lexie loves to make scrambled eggs every morning. Notice the swimsuit and tap shoes.

October 4th

Our first snow

October 6

Lance waiting on the bus

October 10th

Fun playing in the snow 

October 12

Someone snuck in bed with Lexie!

October 13th

My little girl loves to makes brownies (actually just the batter lol)

October 14th

Girl time with my sweetie

October 21st

Momma was top in sales again and received a crown and the top cookie for the month!

OCt 23rd

Lexie got a haircut to even it up a little more since Lance cut it back in June.

October 25th

Halloween town at Pioneer Park in Fairbanks

October 31st

Halloween party at Lance's school. He dressed up as a fireman. Later in the day Lexie and I went for his class party. 

Countdowns

I love this time of year!!! There is so much going on!!!! 

We have 1 month till Thanksgiving!! We are planning a nice meal with some friends that don't have family here either.

After Thanksgiving we are leaving for our first ever real family vacation!!!! I am beyond excited! Everyone is!

We have 57 days till Lexie turns 4!!! 

And just 58 days till Christmas!!! 

Going to the Ball

The Dynamic Divas have taken in several local organizations to help out. One group that we help is the Breast Cancer Detection Center (BCDC).

BCDC provides mammograms, breast cancer support to all ages of men and women no matter their financial situation. They provide free mammograms all over Alaska. 

Every year BCDC puts on a huge Galla to help raise money for new equipment and to continue providing services locally and throughout Alaska. 

Tickets for the event are $100 and there are only 400 tickets. Tickets sell out super fast! The dynamic Divas was sponsoring a table and I really wanted to go. Andrew wasn't too sure if he wanted to go or not. Dressing up isn't really his thing. Allot of the other Divas we're going alone so I figured I'd be ok. With Andrew's work schedule I didn't count on him being able to make it anyway.

The Galla was Friday night and Andrew flew in just in time from Kodiak. He was more than happy to stay home with the kids. 

The galla was seriously amazing!! I felt like I was going to a ball. It was actually lots of fun to set my hair and make up done and wear a pretty dress. Something that isn't really like me.

The room was decorated on ALL pink. Lining the walls were items to bid on for the silent auction. There was also paintings and other big items that were auctioned off in a silent auction. 

The night was so much fun. They honored breast cancer survivors and said a prayers for the ones who were no long with us. They had a funny opra like skit all about the invention of the bra. They recognized companies and individuals for their LARGE donations. My favorite part was the live auction! I couldn't believe how much some items went for. The culinary arts devision at UAf made some amazing cakes that were auctioned off. Some for almost $1,000!!! 

We had a wonderful night and Tons of money was raised for BCDC!!!

On your mark, get set, GO!

At Lance's school they offer track and field for all grades even Kindergarten. I asked Lance if her would like to join the running club and he was all about it. It just lasted for the month of September and they would have practices on Monday and Tuesday with races every Thursday.

His first race he did ok. He ran some then walked some. I think it was a little overwhelming for him. There were TONS of kids there to race!! They lines up with 2nd grade on the first long line then 1st grade on the 2nd line then kindergarten on the last long line. They started with 15 seconds in between each grade, It was CRAZY!!!

The 2nd race came and Lance knew what to do. Well, at least I though he did lol. The race was in a huge field marked by flags to show the course. Lance is so funny. He loves being out in nature and was easily distracted. I kept waiting for him to run by, but he was no where to be found. My little boy was out catching grasshoppers. I think Lance finished 2nd to last. He was so happy though with his pocket full of grasshoppers.

The 3rd race was Lance's best race. He finished in the top 10!!! Andrew took off that day to be at Lance's race. Lance was beyond excited to have daddy cheering for him. His coach told me she was so impressed with him. He ran the 2K without stopping and beat many of the older kids!

The races were lots of fun! I can definitely tell that all that running has made Lance faster. He loves to run everywhere now and has built up quite a bit of stamina.