Days 13 & 14 and Where to Eat on Maui

Day 12,

Jayden once again was a crier, pretty much all day long.. he cried when he did not think he was getting his way. He cried when he did not think the waitress heard he wanted ketchup, he cried that we were going to go to a hotel, he cried because he could not get his clothes on fast. He cried when he was told to get out of bed… then he fell asleep at the restaurant. The kid goes and goes and goes until he is to the point of breaking.. He does not trust mommy and me that we will not have his interests in mind. I am not sure why he does not think we know what he wants and what he likes, because we know him better then he does.

Kallee was also in trouble a lot but more for not listening to his mother… she is a tough cookie and does what she wants… which gets her in big trouble with her father and daddy wins.

We have moved to Kaanapali Beach and are staying at the Hyatt Regency on the beach. It is a very beautiful and cool hotel with lots of things for the kids and us to do… I will talk about it tomorrow.

Tonight I am burnt and in pain and very tired. But I have to tell you about some of the best places that we have eaten at so far.

We love Maui Tacos: http://www.mauitacos.com/

We love Lahaina Pizza Factory: http://www.lahaina-family-vacation.com/lahaina-pizza-company.html

We love Moose McGillucuddys; http://moosemcgillycuddys.com/And

Cheeseburger in Paradise has some great atmosphere and good staff: http://www.cheeseburgerland.com/Cheeseburgerland/Lahaina.html

But the Lahaina Pizza Factory has the best waitress,.. I will try to remember her name but she got Kallee some Ice Cream and Kallee remember her from the other day and she went over and gave her a hug… she and the Waitress had all saying ahhhhh… It was a good day. But I am tired so I will talk tomorrow.

Day 13

It was a very nice day except for the 2nd degree burns. You would think I would have learned. So for future reference… when in paradise… in Hawaii and your back and shoulders have not seen the sun in 10 years. And you think just between the clouds are in the air and the wind is blowing,,, you will burn… The good news is the blisters are going away… the bad news is the kids keep hitting me in the tail bone and the Kallee rips at the scabs when I carry her… aah to be a daddy. Side note, Alison was watching the Maui Channel and it just told us about how to be careful with the sun and we are 21 degrees closer to the sun and so you can get burned easier and faster… nice huh. She is still laughing at us.

Second side note… Kallee is like a Pro-Bowl Corner when she wants to get picked up.. she literally jumps in front of you and then shadows your every move so you cannot get by her.

The kids had a good day, we ate at the Hyatt Regency Swan Court where the kids ate and played and fed the Koi fish and watched the penguins get fed. They also have many tropical birds that Jayden and Kallee kept saying aloha and laughing at which the bird laughed back… I will have to get the name of the bird. We then spend 3 great,,, (miserable as my blisters were poping under my shirt) hours at the pool where Kallee played in the little pool and Jayden did not get to go down the big slide… he was very sad so next time we will do it. He has to be 48 inches… But he got over it and had a great time swimming with mommy and going under the water fall and jumping in and just being a boy. Kallee and I did the sand and the kiddie water, and then the hot tub and then we moved to the shade by the pool and just lounged for a while… the pool will be coming into my future as I get over this burn.

Kallee and Jayden have so many things to look at and we did not even hit the beach at Kanapali yet.

Grandma and Grandpa Gebers picked up the kids and will have them for a couple of days and that let Alison and I revel in the past…. We went to the two places we stayed at for our honeymoon,, Lahaina Shores and the Royal Lahaina…. And then we ate at Basil Tomatoes… I love that place great memories, and great food… it was awesome.. I finally got to eat rizzoto. I like rizzotto… It tasted so good. It was a very nice way to spend a night with the one woman I will love and honor for the rest of my life. We enjoyed that so much and then we moved to Front St. In Lahaina and just walked and perused. It was cool. I went back and bought a Maui Built water shirt for our Molokini adventure so I do not burn more, and then I bought a Maui Built tee. For Alison I bought her a sweatshirt. It is cool to buy something that you can only buy on Maui… Nice.. cause this ain’t the mainland. We could really live here because we both like the whole Maui time.

It was fun and nice day and a great, and fond night of awesome food and memories…

Day 9 Maui Shirts and Sand.

Day 9
Pics
Kallee Boo’s bottom has big rash.. It is sad as we have done the baking soda bath and creams and she is now feeling okay unless she has to go to the bathroom. She has pooped again on the toilet so hopefully she gets used to that once she is done with the runs.

Jayden and Kallee and Mommy and I started the day talking to Uncle Jonah and Auntie Elanor. They came down from the up country to talk with us and it was very nice to see them again. I remember great memories with them at their house and luau’s and the beach. They were very good to me. Roy came over and had a wonderful time just talking. Jayden really loves Uncle Roy… and Roy is very kind to Jayden and he really wants to see him almost every day. Grandma treated us to the Maui Ocean Center and it was a ton of fun. The fish were amazing and Jayden and Kallee really did appreciate the fish and aquatic life. They also got to look at the bay at MaaLea….. It was a wonderful time. Jayden loved the the area where you can see the fish and the sharks and the rays swim above you and around you. He and Kallee also loved the turtles and the Hammerheads. Jayden and I then spent sometime finding more Geocache targets. We have found 6 or 7 so far on the Island. It is fun but I slipped on and tree and got a rock right in the tailbone.. I am moving a lot slower now. The Geocaching so far kind of disappointing as there are not many fun boxes… I am going on the Internet to see if we can find some better ones online.

I also bought some red dirt tees. They are dyed and printed in real red dirt from Maui. I love the shirts from the Islands especially Maui. I have Crazy Shirts, Red Dirt Shirts. Hawaiian Style shirts and Maui Built Shirts. I really like supporting the Island and the shirts rock.

Maui Built (the best part of these shirts is that you cannot buy them on-line. Only in Kahului and Lahaina.

http://www.crazyshirts.com/

Local Motion

http://www.dirtshirt.com/

http://mauitropix.blogspot.com/

We then wend to Moose Mcgillycuddys for some great food and awesome service. The people were awesome there and even displayed the pictures that Jayden and Kallee colored on the wall. It meant a lot to me. We were treated well and the people there were so cool. We will definitely go there again. Awesome people and the spirits and food were great too.

We came home and played uno with roy again and Jayden and Roy won the most.

Day 10.

Sadly we are on the tail end of the trip. It has been good. Of course we are now really ourselves… we are getting up later and we are not leaving the Maui House until after 11. As a family we are all very lethargic when it comes to getting ready and leaving… plus we overpack and we always forget something.

Oh well.

We hit the baby beach again today and the tide was way in. The surf was high and the surfers were out in force. There were great breakers and some good pipeline as well. Maybe we will take some surfing lessons… Maybe.

The beach was fun and Alison and Jayden got to swim a lot. Kallee and I stayed on the beach and Kallee jumped the waves. Then the kids and Alison created a great sand castle. Kallee decorated it with shells and nut parts. Jayden built a huge moat and a great wall to protect the castle. We then came home and had a good meal and then it was cards and off to bed.

Jayden and Kallee also wrote letters to the family and hopefully they get it by the time we leave.

Alison really loves the time we are spending together as a family and the kids are really loving life. They are pretty happy with the exception of the “I am so tired” crying explosions people have. But right now Jayden is watching movies in his room and getting ready to fall asleep. And Kallee and Mommy are talking and laughing in their room and just being happy together…

It is a good life.

Days 7 & 8

JJ's and Kallee's posts are the same

Day 7

Today was a tough day for Kallee Boo as she was sick from the start to the finish. She had the runs and we had to make an emergency run to the store to get more diapers as she went through many a diaper. She also threw up…. Poor girl. Jayden was fine being around the house as he got to play cards with uncle roy and his cars and his new helicopter. He went to the park and had a great and famous shaved ice from toms mini mart. Alison once again had a little trouble with the sun and the burning part as she got it on the legs this time. I am okay as are the kids. But both are happy with their Maui Home.

The best news for us was that Kallee Boo went poopie on the toilet… (Yea!!!!!). But the runs closed down the show for the rest of the day. Hopefully we get a 2^nd chance tomorrow.

Day 8.

Poor Kallee Boo’s she is still fighting the runs, but she was pretty tough. We got her to go on the toilet again this morning.. (Alison is the leader of this.), and then we got dress and mommy and Kallee went to the store. Jayden and I spelled and pronounced words. Then I got Jayden to write the alphabet, he needed help with only 8 letters. Hopefully we will get more of the letters down the next time.

We then went to a park that is dedicated to the past of Maui. It has homes of the past from countries and populations that make of Maui. A Japanese Pagoda, Portuguese House with a smoker, a Koren house, Chinese, and a Filipino Hut. Jayden loved running through the Bamboo forest, and Kallee loved yelling at the koi fish. Crazy Kids.

We then drove up to the Iao Needle and Jayden swam in the stream and jumped from the rocks. Kallee made a slide from the top of a huge boulder to the bottom… It was cute and I have video.

We then did some Geocaching. And Found a Geocaching box!!! Our first one. It was at the Big Rock and the Iao Needle that I had found before… but we did not see it,,, it was hidden behind some rocks. Jayden got a rubber ball from it and Kallee got a Bunny. We left a trout there and we will watch its progress. Fun times. Jayden and I found two others and they were a Bum House and a corner of a busy street… some are good some are not so good… it is what it is. We then hit the mall and ate at Maui’s Tacos.

Jayden was super excited at Uncle Roy came over and we all played cards and I believe Jayden was the big winner. Jayden then walked Uncle Roy home… as did Grandma and Mommy and Kallee in the stroller. It was a good day. Hopefully Kallee’s bottom gets better.

Days 4, 5 and 6

Again same story on both Kallee and JJ's

Pics

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Day 4

A good day and a tough day. We started with my 42nd birthday and a great card from my mother and father in law. It was written so well and made me feel appreciated and loved I was very happy to get it. My parents were also impressed. My mother made me tacos for lunch and we went to a flea market at the community college. It was a lot of fun and I bought myself a few hats and a shark necklace.

Jayden had a tough time because he wanted a toy and then when he spent his own money for it he found it needed batteries and we would not go buy them. He had a breakdown. We saw a spoiled boy who did not understand how much he is given. He is a really great kid, but he has some things that with his parents help, he is going to have to work through. He is at times trying to raise himself and has trust issues…

Grandpa took the kids to the park and they had a wonderful time. We then went to a miniature golf course with lots of things to do. Jayden looked like he was having a wonderful time as he tried to golf in a left handed push way. Mommy tried to help him but he always reverted back to a very interesting stance. Kallee did not understand all the fuss and she just went over to the hole and dropped the ball in. Problem solved. They both got to do rock climbing and then Jayden did some trampoline extreme bouncing. But then gave another pouting face when he saw daddy and Kallee on the water bumber boats without him. He did get to ride it but he literally looked like a kid who did not get to do a whole bunch of fun things in the past three days. Hopefully in the next few days we will sit down and have talks with Jayden and get him to understand how enjoyable life is and he should be thankful for what he is given.

Day 5.

It was a day of ups and downs, literally. The Family took their one (and maybe only in my lifetime) trip to the top of Haleakela. I cannot tell you how lovely, awesome and enormous the volcano is. It is truly a once in a lifetime sight. It has so many colors of lava rock and the crater is so big. It is hard to explain to Jayden that the Crater is “the hole” at the top of the mountain. He was expecting a Cartoon like hole, but he got the concept of it. Jayden and Kallee and Alison have now been to a real volcano and back. They have a plant there that is found nowhere else in the world. It is called the silver sword. It is a beautiful plant… Amazing. The view was breathtaking as you could see forever. You were literally on top of the clouds and I took many pictures. It was also breathtaking because you could to a walk on a lava rock trail and go to one of the peaks. We did and Jayden and Alison made it all the way to the top. I was short of breathe a lot trying to chase Jayden down as he was flying up and down the trail. He had a great time and so did we. Kallee loved being there as well and we tried to find the Nene Bird. (State bird of Hawaii), but decided it must be sleeping…

The down side was the road. OMG,.,,, it was a 10 mile twisting turning gut wrenching trip to get to the state park… then you had another 11 mile trip to the crater… I was sick, Jayden was sick, Kallee was a little sick and so was Alison….. That part will make this a onetime only trip. Unless they make a really large escalator.

We also hit the winery in Upalakua. Alison love the pineapple wine… The kids had a great time exploring the grounds with Grandpa and Jayden got to play on a cannon. I was still sick and found tums and real ginger ale and black licorice… I survived.

We also got to see some great memories. We did some shopping at the same store that my mother used to shop at when she was a little girl. I got to see the hospital that my grandma and grandpa worked at. And Jayden and Kallee saw the house that my mother grew up in when she was a child. It still looked pretty good. It was great trip for me to see things that were part of my mother’s history. Jayden and Kallee ate at the restaurant that my mother used to have Chinese food at. (It now serves sandwiches and great desserts.) This was in Kula. The store is called Fongs Store and they were the riches people on the island… It is still called Fongs Store… History is still alive.

To see my mother talk about her past brings up so many good memories about how people have lived when they were young. My father’s house in Minnesota and Qunicy. Connie’s house in St. Josephs and the colleges that she and Dick went to. I want my children to get to see these places. To know what life was and is for their grandparents and how truly lucky they are that they get to see them this much and talk to them and to feel their love. Blessed is how I feel, and I know my children feel the blessings the get not only from us, but from their grandparents and cousins and aunties and uncle, and and the Grandma Aunties and Uncles. Jayden really likes Uncle Roy and loves playing with him. Kallee just wants to ride on his cart.

Day 6

This was a day at the beach again day. We finally got to the point where the burns were not so bad. It was a good day to hit the baby beach. We stopped and picked up snorkeling gear and watch fishes and coral underwater. I am hoping that the underwater camera that I got took good pics as we tried to chase down a few tropical fish. There were a few really cool ones plus a sea cucumber or slug… or whatever it was. Colorful tropical fish and some minnows that I tried to chase towards Jayden and he tried to jump on, but he kept missing. Jayden wanted to stay in the water the whole time changing from his snorkel and fins to fins to boogie boarding to fins and boogie boards. Kallee did do some great swimming kicks in the water.. But definitely like playing on the beach the most. I was snorkeling most of the time. Alison and I then took the kids to Front Street and had a wonderful time as Jayden and Kallee climbed the world’s largest banyan tree for a long time.

The fourth of July was so nice for us as Kallee kept singing happy birthday. She is just a happy little girl. Kallee just seems to be happy all the time, except when she does not get her way. She usually then just falls asleep.

It was a good day to celebrate the nation and our freedom. A freedom that we benefit from all the time. God has given us a wonderful family and we are blessed to be Americans… and we celebrated this Maui Style.

Days 4, 5 and 6

Again same story on both Kallee and JJ's

Pics

More Pics
Day 4

A good day and a tough day. We started with my 42nd birthday and a great card from my mother and father in law. It was written so well and made me feel appreciated and loved I was very happy to get it. My parents were also impressed. My mother made me tacos for lunch and we went to a flea market at the community college. It was a lot of fun and I bought myself a few hats and a shark necklace.

Jayden had a tough time because he wanted a toy and then when he spent his own money for it he found it needed batteries and we would not go buy them. He had a breakdown. We saw a spoiled boy who did not understand how much he is given. He is a really great kid, but he has some things that with his parents help, he is going to have to work through. He is at times trying to raise himself and has trust issues…

Grandpa took the kids to the park and they had a wonderful time. We then went to a miniature golf course with lots of things to do. Jayden looked like he was having a wonderful time as he tried to golf in a left handed push way. Mommy tried to help him but he always reverted back to a very interesting stance. Kallee did not understand all the fuss and she just went over to the hole and dropped the ball in. Problem solved. They both got to do rock climbing and then Jayden did some trampoline extreme bouncing. But then gave another pouting face when he saw daddy and Kallee on the water bumber boats without him. He did get to ride it but he literally looked like a kid who did not get to do a whole bunch of fun things in the past three days. Hopefully in the next few days we will sit down and have talks with Jayden and get him to understand how enjoyable life is and he should be thankful for what he is given.

Day 5.

It was a day of ups and downs, literally. The Family took their one (and maybe only in my lifetime) trip to the top of Haleakela. I cannot tell you how lovely, awesome and enormous the volcano is. It is truly a once in a lifetime sight. It has so many colors of lava rock and the crater is so big. It is hard to explain to Jayden that the Crater is “the hole” at the top of the mountain. He was expecting a Cartoon like hole, but he got the concept of it. Jayden and Kallee and Alison have now been to a real volcano and back. They have a plant there that is found nowhere else in the world. It is called the silver sword. It is a beautiful plant… Amazing. The view was breathtaking as you could see forever. You were literally on top of the clouds and I took many pictures. It was also breathtaking because you could to a walk on a lava rock trail and go to one of the peaks. We did and Jayden and Alison made it all the way to the top. I was short of breathe a lot trying to chase Jayden down as he was flying up and down the trail. He had a great time and so did we. Kallee loved being there as well and we tried to find the Nene Bird. (State bird of Hawaii), but decided it must be sleeping…

The down side was the road. OMG,.,,, it was a 10 mile twisting turning gut wrenching trip to get to the state park… then you had another 11 mile trip to the crater… I was sick, Jayden was sick, Kallee was a little sick and so was Alison….. That part will make this a onetime only trip. Unless they make a really large escalator.

We also hit the winery in Upalakua. Alison love the pineapple wine… The kids had a great time exploring the grounds with Grandpa and Jayden got to play on a cannon. I was still sick and found tums and real ginger ale and black licorice… I survived.

We also got to see some great memories. We did some shopping at the same store that my mother used to shop at when she was a little girl. I got to see the hospital that my grandma and grandpa worked at. And Jayden and Kallee saw the house that my mother grew up in when she was a child. It still looked pretty good. It was great trip for me to see things that were part of my mother’s history. Jayden and Kallee ate at the restaurant that my mother used to have Chinese food at. (It now serves sandwiches and great desserts.) This was in Kula. The store is called Fongs Store and they were the riches people on the island… It is still called Fongs Store… History is still alive.

To see my mother talk about her past brings up so many good memories about how people have lived when they were young. My father’s house in Minnesota and Qunicy. Connie’s house in St. Josephs and the colleges that she and Dick went to. I want my children to get to see these places. To know what life was and is for their grandparents and how truly lucky they are that they get to see them this much and talk to them and to feel their love. Blessed is how I feel, and I know my children feel the blessings the get not only from us, but from their grandparents and cousins and aunties and uncle, and and the Grandma Aunties and Uncles. Jayden really likes Uncle Roy and loves playing with him. Kallee just wants to ride on his cart.

Day 6

This was a day at the beach again day. We finally got to the point where the burns were not so bad. It was a good day to hit the baby beach. We stopped and picked up snorkeling gear and watch fishes and coral underwater. I am hoping that the underwater camera that I got took good pics as we tried to chase down a few tropical fish. There were a few really cool ones plus a sea cucumber or slug… or whatever it was. Colorful tropical fish and some minnows that I tried to chase towards Jayden and he tried to jump on, but he kept missing. Jayden wanted to stay in the water the whole time changing from his snorkel and fins to fins to boogie boarding to fins and boogie boards. Kallee did do some great swimming kicks in the water.. But definitely like playing on the beach the most. I was snorkeling most of the time. Alison and I then took the kids to Front Street and had a wonderful time as Jayden and Kallee climbed the world’s largest banyan tree for a long time.

The fourth of July was so nice for us as Kallee kept singing happy birthday. She is just a happy little girl. Kallee just seems to be happy all the time, except when she does not get her way. She usually then just falls asleep.

It was a good day to celebrate the nation and our freedom. A freedom that we benefit from all the time. God has given us a wonderful family and we are blessed to be Americans… and we celebrated this Maui Style.

Days 2 and 3 in Hawaii

Again this is also being posted on Jaydens and Kallee's

Day 2

After unsuccessfully helping Grandpa fix the brakes we rented a car and headed out to the Beach… We went to the Baby Beach, which is just NW of Old Lahaina. It was great, though Alison and I both have burns to show for it. Kallee loved playing in the sand and actually played some in the water. Jayden played with the boogie board the whole time. (He still does not swim well. But the board helped his kicking a lot.) Plus you could go out almost a hundred yards out and still not be over his head. We looked at the little rock reefs and did some minnow and crab watching… then we ate at Cheeseburger at Paradise… At cheeseburger at Paradise we lost Kallee many times as she kept chasing the birdies trying to catch them. But she stayed in her chair as she found a wonder pineapple smoothie to drink. I saw pure love on her face. Jayden then went oyster fishing and got his mother a wonderful pink pearl.

At night Jayden and I played U-no with Uncle Roy and say Uncle Jerry and Aunie Di. It was a good day.

Day 3

After the sunburn incident yesterday, Alison and I thought it best to find… less sunny things to do. Kallee and Jayden were not even affected by the sun… they are lucky. So Grandma and Grandpa went with us to the Iao Needle Valley. We did some walking and climbing. Kallee wanted the bananas off the banana trees and got to see how taro is created. We took pictures of the Ioa Needle. Kallee and Jayden loved playing in the stream and walking on the water rocks. It was fun as Jayden and Grandma Traversed the water and rocks to a nice pool. We also finished are first Geo Caching adventure and found a rock… not very exciting.

Kallee and Jayden also got to play at the Mall and went on a train ride in the mall. Kallee got to each Coconut Muchi which is a kind of doughnut. Jayden was not as interested. But he did love the Shaved Ice with Hawaiian Punch, Cherry, and Pineapple flavoring. It was a great time. Uncle Roy came Over again and played Uno with Jayden. Jayden loves playing Uno.

The adventures are good because Jayden and Kallee tell us that they had a great time. We are fortunate to be here and so far, it has been very pleasurable

Day 1 in Hawaii

I am posting the same story on Jaydens and Kallee's blog, so you do not have to read it twice, but when they get older they can read them on their own blog.

Day 1

Jayden, Kallee, Alison and I had to get up at 5:30 in the morning to go to the airport. We actually bought lightweight suitcases so that we could “pack” right for Hawaii… (so far we over packed cold weather clothes, the weather has been great).

The luggage worked great as our suitcases weighed 38 and 45 pounds respectively…. (Alison was not happy that she took some clothes out before we left… my bad.)

The airport it self was.. interesting, the kids did okay in line, but we had to check two bags and a car set.. then we were carrying a stroller, booster seat, 1 more suit case, a computer backpack, Jayden’s backpack, Kallee’s backpack, and Alison’s bag..we seriously had like 10 things to x-ray. The I was done and Alison took the kids to get snacks and me Black Licorice…

Kallee and Jayden were really excited about flying for the first time. They could not wait. That is until we got on the plane and we were taxing down the runway. That is when Jayden asked “are we there yet??” That got about 15 chuckles from the other passengers and sympathetic looks from older people whose kids were older. Kallee was lucky as the person next to her was a great gentleman who did not mind the questions and the kicks as she kept flopping across both him and me. But she did almost sleep halfway. Then I took her for an hour and then Alison had both of them for an hour and a half. Jayden was very good except for when the movie players would not work and then he threw a major fit… and loud. But daddy had a laptop and movie time was saved… yeah!!..

The both watched as they counted at least 5 islands coming into Maui and they thought the landing was good…. But Jayden was disappointed because he thought we were landing right on the beach.

But he got over it. The first day was for us to find out how warm it really was here, even with the trade winds… I was ripe by the time we came back from a local park were Jayden climb a coconut tree. The plants here are awesome and I wish I could take them and grow them in our yard. The house, which was originally my Grandparents has been completely redecorated and redone and looks very attractive. Jayden and Kallee both have their own rooms. And we have our own bathroom and room. It is great.

Alison and I went to Buzz’s and I had a wonderful Filet Mignon and Alison had the Ono. The kids stayed with Grandpa and Grandma and were happy to leave us.

Jayden and the Gebers Family Vacation in Hawaii

Jayden Turns 5, Cinco, the big 5....

resending for connie

Jayden turned 5 on March 18th. What an impressive first 5 years. My son has exceeded my expectations which is hard to do... I have high ones for him. He has an engineers mind, a hyper excitement, tunnel vision that is so focused he can ignore anything and anyone. Jayden loves to construct and move things and not pick up anything!! that he takes out.

Jayden cares a lot about people, trying to take the blame for things his friends and especially his sister to wrong. He loves spending time with his family and always wants the next adventure.. that is unless he is focused on the current adventure. He can write his name and he can, with a skip of a few numbers, count to 100. He is even drawing within the lines.

He is so into the number 5 now. He is 50 pounds exactly and 45 inches tall. He passed his hearing test and vision. Jayden loves to play the wii with his mommy and build trains and geo trax's with daddy.

What impresses me the most about my son is his heart. That boys wears his heart on his sleeve and it shows in his face and his eyes.. that oh so cute boy shows his emotions all over. Nothing, and I mean nothing will make my wife go on attack mode more than seeing her little boy hurting... she wants to protect him all the time. I want Jayden to get a little thinker skin, but I will always, always make sure that his adventurous and innocent, happy look of life stays as long as I can. I know that I can be hard on him, and I know that it seems to others that I am harsh. But all I want is to make sure that Jayden knows that he can be crazy wild, but with boundaries.

He loved going to Chucky Cheese and he loved getting his presents. He plays Hot Wheels at least once a day and the computer.. he has learned to start it himself and get online. (I set him up on Chrome so he can only go to PBS Kids, Nick Jr, Cool Math Games, and Disney Jr.)

He is getting so old as now he gets up in the morning and gets his own food and drink as well as dressing himself (with the constant badgering from his mother and father.) He is, well, growing up. It has been such an awesome year for us and I hope that life just gets better.

We are so fortunate that we have such a strong family around us... it means so much to Alison and I that people around us love our children. People that are trustworthy and caring, who make Kallee and Jayden laugh and run and feel loved. To all of you a heartfelt thank you, because our children not only love having you around, but truly need having you around. Also know for a fact that Jayden can bring sunshine into your day as well. He is a great kid and I am so proud of him.

So for Jayden I cannot wait to sail into the next adventure with you... what will we become next... pirates,,, super heros... maybe trains, who knows,, but two things will be for sure... I will be tired at the end and Jayden will want to do more....

I love you Jayden, Happy Birthday!

A New Year 2011

No resolution.,,,

I my mind a resolution is something that lasts as long as I have will power.. Here is what I promise. To pray more with my wife and children and keep them in God's mind always. I have failed in this area and this year I will resolve myself to praying "with" my family.

New Years Eve and Day have gone very well. We started to invite everyone to our house for New Years like last year, but luckily Auntie Emily felt like their house was much better for the occasion. And yes she was right.

New years have never been my favorite day except when I was a little kid and my parents used to go out and leave us with notes and surprises... Which were on a timeline all the way up to midnight. As I got older it would just get worst... 3 of the most miserable nights of my life were being sick on New Years Eve throwing up with a 103 degree fever. (yes 3 times).,.. plus I am not of the night life kid of guy... (was it as bad as Boyd and Brandt walking home from Findley,,, yea not sure.)...

But now with a family of my own,, I know that my kids and the cousins will have a good time on New Years and New Years Day. We had a great time eating finger foods and Alison's and my first fondue,,, in which my wife kept telling me I was doing it wrong and taking over. It was wonderful... the trick is having the idea and your wife taking over... plus we did a chocolate fondue...

yummy...

I am the two time defending champ at farkle.... that was a plus... but the kids having a great time and playing together..

Jayden Jonah and Dawson playing transformers

Madeline playing with Kallee

Jonah and Madeline and Dawson playing the Wii

Jayden and Dawson playing remote control cars

Jonah and Madeline playing Farkle,,, (did I mention I won)

Kallee playing with Grandpa and Wyatt

Wyatt staying up to see the new year with his mommy

Seeing Fred and Carolyn

Grandma and Grandpa Gebers having us over for TACOS!!!!

All good times.

How do I know it was fun,,, check out the tree Jayden and Dawson made. (above)

So my promise for 2011,,, is to pray. Pray for my wife, my family, my son and daughter, my niece and nephews, both sets of my parents, and my extended family.

Have a Happy new year... and my it be as special as 2010...

An old fashion Christmas At home.

Christmas is a time where everyone is to have joy and fun...... In our house it is the real deal.... We have fun and joy and happiness. It is the Greatest Time of the year. I love going to the Grandparents houses, (My Parents home is going to be talked about it Kallee's blog.), but for this time, nothing beats Christmas at home with your family. It is a great Christmas morning, when we listen to the kids wake up and Jayden gives a yelp of surprise!!! and he comes into your room and says look what Santa left us. A big stuffed pillow called .... (no name yet)... he was very excited... so was Kallee. Kallee and Jayden came downstairs and saw that Santa had come and left them lots of presents. Jayden was very sad for Santa as he left his Santa Bag and wanted to find him to give it back to him.

The gifts that santa left had remote control cars, playdoh, big cement mixers, bath toys, and Kallee's own Puppy named Bella,,, (It is the perfect dog,,, always obeys and allows Kallee to jump all over her... Bella is my favorite dog ever.)

We have not stopped playing with the toys including the Wii Santa graciously left us for Christmas. It was hard to get the family ready to go to the Gebers, but we finally got going... but we are already back playing the Wii and Playdoh factory....

I love the pureness and the love and joy our kids show this time of the year. I love that Santa brings the Christmas spirit of giving to the world. I truly respect and love that Jesus is here for us and makes us remember that this season is the time for love and joy and a time to share how much the Lord has blessed us and made us a family. I love the Lord and I love that he gave his son for our sins. At this time of the year I pray to him a lot thanking him for all that he has done for me and my family. My life is very blessed and I thank him for allowing me to be a father of two a husband, and a son and son-in-law. I also love being an Uncle to 6 awesome kids... Their faces in the pictures and the movies tell such a story... a story of kids that know they are loved and cared for. Life is so awesome. Thank you Jesus for what I call my life... Merry Christmas all!

Jayden and Kallee and Mommy Making a Snowman

Snowman Fun and just being family. It was a good day in the backyard.

Why am I the one getting hit with snowballs....

Jayden and this season we call Christmas

Jayden and I are kin when it comes to this time of the season. We both love it. First it started with the decoration of the house with the lights and then the decoration of the Christmas tree in the front window. I must say that Jayden and Kallee did a great job with the decorations.

Jayden also loves to play in the snow. The cousins invited Jayden to go sledding this year and we ended up at Canyon Lakes and were out there for almost 2 hours. He went up and down the hill and had a great time. We got him a bigger sled this year and he has been sliding down the slop on the side of our house. He also takes his quad out in the snow and drives it around the yard.

He tried the bike on the ice, but that did not work as he fell 3 times and was mad at me. He is already pretty much mastered the riding of his bike without training wheels so when the sun is out again he will be ready to go(side note, he had Grandpa Lee out riding the bike yesterday). But now that the snow is here and still here, it is all about breaking icicles, and making snowmen, and playing until daddy is had enough.
This year was a unique one in terms of Thanksgiving as we had to move it back until Saturday. Alison was not feeling well so we had our first Saturday Thanksgiving. It went very well and was the first for Wyatt Dean in our house. He did a wonderful job sleeping. The kids had a great time and the food actually turned out very well. Jayden did a great job eating this year as he liked the Jell-o and the apple pie a lot.

Jayden had a Thanksgiving play and it went very well and Jayden was one of the bright spots. He has grown up so much in the past year as he is not as squirrely this year. But he is still one of the world’s worst dawdlers. It takes forever for him to get ready and it is worst as the winter months hit with all the extra clothes. He constantly has to be reminded to get ready and get his clothes on and get his coat on,,,, etc….. Plus right now it is a fight to get him to school. Jayden is a very sensitive child, so I am worried that the kids are picking on him because he is worried that the children will “make fun of him”. Yet when he gets there it is a trial to get him out, so I am hoping this is just a phase.
But even that has yet to deter from my sons good attitude. He always seems upbeat and loves to spend morning time with his mommy. On the weekends, Jayden and Mommy spend some time together while my daughter and I sleep. (at least that is what my guilty conscience says).
The things that I will remember about Jayden at this time are many. He loves to set up all his hot wheels (and I mean all of them) in a certain order and then leave them out forever if I do not tell him to put them away. He wants to use the entire train track when we build things. He always likes to take out everyone of his toys in the garage. It is almost like he feels sorry for the ones that are not being played with. He loves the Quad and burying it in a snow drift so that he can pull it out. He has my growl and uggh down as well as his “okayaay”. He says “Holey Moley” just like his mom. And he takes good care of his little sister Kallee. He likes ricola cough drops and loves his mommy’s pancakes. He loves watching the Christmas specials and he goes to his room to play on the computer at pbs.kids.org and cool-math games.

Jayden Gebers and The big Blasts at the End of the Summer

Jayden had a very busy end of the Summer. We went to fishhook with the cousins and then went to Robbie and Allison’s Wedding. That was a lot of fun because they had fun houses and toys to play with along with a great dance floor where Jayden broke out the funky moves.
The next weekend we took off to Portland and had a great time. Jayden loves OMSI in downtown Portland. http://www.omsi.edu/. There are many things to look at plus a great place for the young kids to play that Include Water Play, Blocks, Sand Play, Legos, Flubber play, legos, art, and Air play with tubes and balls. Plus there is another area with Cranes and levers and all of that. It was a great time and Jayden was really having a good time when we ruined his life by leaving. He has become what I like to call a cry-pouter, which really does drive me crazy. I lose it a times when he does that kind of thing, especially when I know it is coming… uggh.
But we will definitely visit the place again sometime in the future.

We also hit the Portland Zoo. http://www.oregonzoo.org/ They do a very nice job of having little plays with the animals and it has a great vast number of animals. We have a good time there when we go.
After that it was time to spend time on the beach in Seaside, OR. We stay at a hotel called Rivertide Suites which is awesome. Plus it is really close to a restaurant called Mc Keown’s. http://www.mckeownsrestaurant.com/ If you are looking for HomeMade Fries or a great Salmon, and the Burgers are great too, well go there. Be ready to be social because they are a little on the slow side, but we love the food and that is the reason to go.
Jayden, who is a creature of habit, made sure that every morning we did the same thing which is to ride the Carousel in the middle of a shopping mall. Then we hit the Toy store where he would play with the Thomas the Tank Engine trains and tracks. We would then proceed to the Video game store where would play bingo by rolling a little rubber ball or 25 cents a game. We would then walk to the beach and then back to the room to eat lunch.
The afternoon was reserved for the beach and we would have a blast. One time Jayden took Truck we bought and pushed it all over the beach and into the surf and then back out. Next time we made a sand mountain to drive on and then we made trails and a bridge. Finally we took a little plastic Jet Ski toy out into the waves and threw it out and tried to catch it when the wave brought it back. We got into the waves and was not afraid and loved running in and out of the waves. We also went to Cannon Beach and had a good time on the sand. We of Course ate at Moe’s.. Great Chili and Clam Chowder, and just a fun place to eat and hang out at, plus a great view of the beach. www.moschowder.com
Jayden also loved his time in the pool at both Portland and the Rivertide Suites. He loves adventure and playing so this vacation was exactly what he wanted. Plus Grandpa and Grandma Gebers came so that made it even better. He got to do twice as much with 4 people.
This week was the Fair and again Jayden could not be more excited. He got to go on kids day and ran all over the place. He walked the parade with other kids and Jonah and Kallee. Then he when the candy find in the hay and then it was time to see the animals and of course, my favorite the tractor pull. Jayden at 4 made the first pull of 25 feet and then in the finals he was doing great but got distracted with the trailer the tractor was pulling and lost momentum or I think he would have hit the mark again.
He got to ride some rides and hang out with his mom and cousins and Grandma Gebers. We went back that night and I got to watch him do so many things on his own. He did the Free Fall Drop ride with Jonah, Dawson, Madeline, and loved it. He did the Roller Coaster and got kicked off with Dawson, then did the mirror Castle and figured the way out first before anyone else. He of course did the Bungee Jump thing many times as he loves going high and just jumping. I loved the fact that Rick Springfield was playing so I got to hear his concert. That was great.
We also went to Mondays Demolition Derby and watch those drivers crash and drive and blow radiators, and drive trains, and trannys, tires, and had to be carted off. The Cars also had a beauty contest and they shoot water and candy at the crowd and I have to tell you it was a blast. We got great seats and Jayden was screaming and yelling and having a blast. (Where we stayed was upstairs in the box seats, so it buffered much of the sound and that made it great because when Jayden went outside he did not like the sound very much).
http://www.bffairrodeo.com/
At the start of this School year Jayden is 44.2 Inches tall and weighs over 48 pounds. He Should be starting Soccer soon so it will be his first organized sport… I am a little nervous, but if my brother survived it, I should be okay.

Jayden and his shots

From Mommy,

He weighed in at 44 pounds (95%) and 43 inches (95%). He was not happy about the 4 shots, but took full advantage of the prizes (2 suckers and 3 stickers). When he got to school, he dropped his pants (pants and underwear) to show his friends his band aids. Nakedness, apparently is still not a big deal to him.

Again,, that is my boy!!!

Jayden and Turning 4 years old

Yesterday was Jayden’s Birthday and it was what you want as a little Boy. You wake up after spending a good time with your cousins and your Grandparents. You get a Pumpkin scone and Thomas the Tank Engine toys.

Then you go to school and are in a play where you are a bird, you play with sticks and you sing about your bones. Then you go home with your other Grandparents and get to play with more cousins. You get Pizza and cake and more lego toys and sand toys and you are just happy.

As a father you cannot express the gratitude I feel with my extended family. My son is spoiled in love and no one deserves it more. He is a kind decent and happy boy.

He is the kind of Boy that likes to have a “Sick Bed” at the foot of his parents bed so that those tough nights he can come in and lie on the made bed under a table and sleep with his mommy and daddy.

He is the kind of boy that loves stay at home day, so he can play with his father mother. He likes to be around his family which is so great. He does not think we are boring, but another soul to play Lincoln logs or legos with.

One night while watching TV he saw people dancing, and he and Kallee put on one amazing dance show for Alison and me. It was so much fun we kept rewinding the song so they would keep dancing.

He is also getting so much better at expressing his feelings. I told him one time that he had to stop what he was doing to wash his hands and go to the bathroom. He said “I hate my daddy, he is mean”. Some people would be upset… but I was happy, because this is a stepping stone. He has never been good at expressing negative feelings with his words so this is big. I understood that he was just mad at me and not “hating” me. But he describe what he was feeling and that is important. It shows maturity and growth. I am so proud of him. More will come after we have his Birthday Party on Saturday.

Jayden hanging out the the Gebers

Jayden got to stay with his grandparents (the Gebers) last week as Alison and I went on a trip to Vegas. Jayden had a wonderful time with the Gebers. He went to pools and played at his cousin's. Jayden drew and etched letters and all in all had a wonderful time (and pretty sure he did not miss us too much).

He has been fortunate to get to spend a lot of time with his cousins this summer. Madeline, Jonah and Dawson treat Kallee and Jayden very well, and they all play together great. We are fortunate to spend a lot of time during the summer with Boyd and Emily's family as they always entertain very well.

Madeline had her Birthday last week and it was perfect. I was still feeling the effects of the 100 plus weather, but not Jayden. I think he spent 4 hours outside and only 20 minutes in. He was running and playing and getting wet and having the time of his life.

As for potty training, well it is getting easier and easier. I have to thank my mother and father for all they have done. Dad and Mom got Jayden to go to the bathroom at parks and at restaurants and I have had him use the urinal at Barnes and Nobles and he is getting closer. He still has problems with number 2, but the poop on the yard is lessening and he is starting to go to the toilet without prompting much more.

Grandpa and Grandma Lee also did me a huge favor Tuesday as I got "a day of rest" while they had Jayden and Kallee and had lots of fun. Jayden came home and said he was very happy and liked it very much.

His vocabulary is getting better and he definitely has no problem making quick friends at playgrounds and the water parks.

Today is mow the lawn day and Jayden will drive his lawnmower and I will drive mine.

Time for more fun...

Jayden and his time at the park

Jayden and the rest of the family got up to go to church only to find that the ark room was full and Jayden could not get in. So we went to the Park instead which was a good thing. Jayden went all over the toys near the play fields at Badger Canyon. The slides and toys were perfect for him. He was doing the high air qualities of the park like a champ. There was a 3 year old boy there that was playing with Jayden but would not do anything on the toys because he was afraid. Jayden was also about 4 inches taller too. So when the two played it was chase... the problem was Jayden was twice as fast and would pass the other boy.

Jayden climb up bars and disks that put him 10-12 feet off the ground and loved it. The park has a reverse slide where you climb up which was a favorite.

Alison and Jayden then went on a run through some soccer fields and had a good time. Jayden was not happy to leave, but was happy to see Papa and Nana at the restaurant. Jayden is a hard working boy who is starting to hold conversations.

He is really stating his opinions on things and is giving us much more information on what he likes and dislikes... Sometimes we have to tell him that he has to do what he does not like, but everythign turns out ok.

As for his eating habits he still can take up top 45 minutes to finish a meal.,.. But If he sits there we will keep eating. Which good because I want my boy to be big and healthy.

Jayden Ryan and the Summer Ending

I think Jayden had a very fun summer. He got to spend some time at a lot of Parks and time with Grandparents. Jayden went on trips and was so good on them. He had fun everwhere he went. He is perfect in the car and he loves to be around family.

He is at least 3 ft 2 inches now and is in 3T's and some 4T's . He is getting harder and harder to carry because he is big. He likes to rides is Quad and his eating habits are all over the place. One day he will eat Green Beans right out of the can and the next he will not eat cake. He is an odd boy.

Jayden is still so energetic and active it was very hard for me to keep up. He loves new things and exploration. He looks at everything with a scientific eye and wants to know "How it Works".

His demeanor is still very positive and life is still a joy for him. He is starting to get to the point where Naps my go away, which is a shame because I am a big nap fan.

Jayden is going into the Tree room or the branch room at Children's Garden which should be good. He likes learning and trying new things so life should be good for him. He is drawing and cutting, and taking pics with the camera... He is just growing up... Good kid, and I love him so much.

I am a very lucky Dad.