1 Our busy executive jots down the to-do list while eating.
2 It was great to share the day with new friends, including Leo's in-laws, Mary and Jim, who stayed for two weeks and enjoyed their grandchildren.
3 Getting ready to light the sparklers!
4 Sammy decided to put out the plates to get this process moving along.
5 Hanging out with Bridget and Greta, and Sophie the dog. Still waiting for those candles...
6 Wooo hooo!
7
8
9 The adults enjoyed it, too :)
10 Brendan is a frosting freak, so he and Bridget shared the sparkler bottoms.
11
12 Yum! He seemed to like it very much!
13
14 Brendan's parents, Mary and Jim, joined us! Turns out we were in Princeton at the same time (during high school - Doug, Brendan is your age and went to Hun).
15 Dave is busy honcho-ing dinner at this point. (It was really good!)
16 Opening presents from friends!
17 Reading instructions on one of the toys first. So cute!
18
19 Dave busy working on dinner - including fresh basil! wow :)
20 Grilled sausage and red pepper pasta. My favorite Dave meal I think.
21
22 Jesus brought us some contraband pallettes. Then he came over to help turn them into kindling. Hard work!
23
24 Birthday morning peekaboo with Daddy! Dave's first day off in 27 days. He was a trooper about not sleeping in and going on the camping trip.
25 They are both so cute in the morning :)
26 Sammy reading with his tent while we pack up.
27 Yeah! We're at our site!
28 I'm reading while Sammy naps.
29 You can barely see Sammy's little "pig-pen" on the left and our big tent on the right.
30 Strange talismen left for us by previous campers.
31
32
33 A nap with a nice view.
34 Our campsite - we moved Sammy's pig-pen into the big tent rear room for the night. He just napped out there while we set up.
35 Almost ready for my party!
36 Wow - lots going on over there!
37
38
39 They have a six-month old (Greta) as well.
40
41 Nothing like a sunrise through a tent window!
42 Dave enjoyed how cute Sammy is when he wakes up. He loves arising to a different setting - he talks and goes "oohhh!" quite a bit!
43 Sticking his fingers through the holes in his crocs!
44 and Bear!
45 Got milk?
46
47 Milk for Sammy...
48 Time to start the day.
49 The best part of camping - fire and s'mores!
50 Ah yes...
51 Playing in our kayak while Mommy packs up before paddling.
52 Somebody lounging in his pig pen with his "friends" Big Moosie, Little Moosie and Bear.
53 You can barely see the bottom of a big rainbow right above the third fence post from the left.
54 Now second from left...
55
56 Sun on the mountains in the morning - this is what Dave sees on every drive to work across the H3.
57 Nate enjoys some coffee cake mom made - an old family favorite! It has pineapple in it, very appropriate for Hawaiian camping trips!
58 One more present to open with Catie's help :)
59 Laurie and Nate made our breakfast - pineapple coconut pancakes with guava syrup, and eggs. Wow! Thanks guys!
60 Nate fends off a HUGE marauding bee! (I didn't mention Dave slept with an axe last night, did I? Every camping family has a story about the Dad sleeping with an axe - we just didn't think ours would be on our first outing!)
61 Laurie and Catie discuss how old Catie is about to turn in April (4) while Sam enjoys playing with his tent poles.
62 Daddy and Sammy checking out the beach in the morning light.
63
64 Nate got called in to work so they had to leave the kayaking to us. We explored different areas of the bay this time - including sunken island (you can beach your kayak there at low tide and walk around - from afar, it looks like you're walking on water). This is mom's new (used) kayak - great find, mom!
65 So hard to get a shot of all three. Perhaps this is why Dave got me a waterproof camera this time!?
66 Cool video - you'll feel like you're snorkeling as I hold the camera under water. Watch closely as we pass over the reefs - you'll see fish dart around!
67
68 Walking around at sunken island.
69 A great finish to a wonderful time. It was a birthday to remember. Thanks to our friends and family for making it so special. (A big thank-you to mom for all the decorations!)
70 Then doing a little artwork (while we continue packing for an overnight - this is why good campers stay several days or weeks - lots of packing up!).
71 Leo and Brendan's daughter Bridget. Such a cutie!
72 Dave had a sleepless night fending off marauding bands of young, drunk Marines.