and Gone

So sad, but true.

Our last full day with Kristen and Aidan we had to head back to the beach!  It was totally overcast, but we did not care.  It had clearly stormed the night before on this beach because it was a mess!  Which provided for some nice decorations for Kristen's sand castle.

 Caleb dug a hole.

 Noah built this castle.

 Kristen had this castle going....

 Which then ended up like this!

And Aidan built a large wall and castle that then turned into a cemetery thanks to the rather large waves.

I can not stand the cuteness of these kids playing together. 

 It is so heart-warming.  (Yeah, that's corny but there are truly no words to describe the feeling of watching your children play blissfully with their cousins.  I LOVE these kids.)

Seriously, this is just pure joy.  I wish I had a simultaneous picture of my face during this time.  Smiles from ear to ear. 

 For dinner on the last evening we headed up to the Shack for a high class meal. :)

 But seriously, the food is really good...and very mainland-like.

 Plus you have docks to entertain the children until the food arrives!

 That night we headed to Sandys to see if we could find some crabs.  We saw plenty of crabs to "creep us out," as Noah would say.  But the largest and creepiest was a giant black crab that I mistook for a pile of rocks.  That is, until Kristen poked it and it's eyes bulged out and it took off after us....then into the ocean. :)

 SO MUCH FUN.

Thursday was the day for goodbyes.  Kristen and I snuck over to Hanauma Bay in the morning to snorkel one last time.  We saw a TON of big, bright fish.  Amazing.

After a quick lunch, we were off to the airport where many hugs were exchanged and stalling pursued in the drop off lane before the security guards finally sent us on our way.

I was sad.  I mean, really sad.  Crying hard, trying not to condone my feelings to the boys in the backseat.

I have the best nieces and nephews on the planet.  They are all so unique, and so special, and just so cool.

Living far from family makes our time together so much more....AWESOME! (I can't find the right word.)

Embracing the messiness and the chaos and making lifelong memories for everyone involved = Happiness.